From left are Janice Perry (Powdersville Water), Sophrona Chapman-manager, Dave Catlin, resident manager, Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber) and not shown Gina Sayegh, manager.

Powdersville Self Storage held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the completion of phase 2 of its expansion program, making it one of the largest operations in the upstate. Powdersville Self Storage is located at 11411 Anderson Road in Powdersville.

Co-manager Sophrona Chapman said that “the new building was a response to the business community’s request for larger units with higher and wider doors, so that’s what we have done”. According to Gina Sayegh another co-manager, the response has been very positive, with over 30% of the units rented before completion, mostly by local businesses who want to take advantage of our unique package. Resident manager David Caitlin added “this new building underscores our selection as the best self storage facility in the upstate for the last three years in a row as voted by the readers of the Greenville News, and we have a consistent five star rating from E-move, a nationwide reservation system.”

Office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday and Saturday 9am to 2pm. Clients have 24-7 access through keypad entry. For more information call 864-220-1898.

From left front row are Tracy Martin & Sherri Cox (CommunitySouth), Reagan, Ashley & Kevin Hill (owners), Ray Williams (Allstate), Ray Morris, Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber) & Michael Dent (Allstate). From left on back row are Terrie Albright (Albright Associates), Amanda Taylor and Brandon Gilliam (Wachovia)

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Kevin A. Hill Allstate Agency located at 7104 Calhoun Memorial Hwy in Easley. Kevin Hill took over the agency which has been servicing the area for more than 30 years upon the retirement of Randolph Morris.

The Kevin Hill Agency is proud to be an exclusive Allstate agent, providing customized plans to cover all your insurance needs. From your home to your toys it’s their goal to insure it all. The Kevin Hill team consists of Amanda Taylor, Ashley & Kevin Hill and Ray Morris. Call them for more information at 864-859-3985 between the hours of 8-5 Monday-Friday & Saturday by appointment or visit them at kevinhill@allstate.com.

From L to R are Terry Harrington (SC Telco), Gerald Reese (Board Member), Eric Carnell (BB&T), Meta Bowers (Program Manager), Robyn Easlick (Dev. Associate), Amy Wilson (Assist.Dir.), Marvin Ellenburg (Board Member), Jan Childress (Board Chairman), Meg Benko (Exec.Dir.), Brandi Ariail, Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber), Sam Wyche (Board Member) and Janice Perry (Powdersville Water)

Pickens County Meals on Wheels recently moved to Easley to gain more space and visibility in the community. Prior to moving to 704 S. Pendleton St., Suite I, Meals on Wheels called Grace United Methodist Church home for three decades. Board and staff were thankful for the gift of space and utilities that allowed them to maximize their resources while being based out of Pickens.

“We have experienced a growth of 56% in hot meal delivery in the past two years. The need for Meals on Wheels has been increasing steadily as well. This move was bittersweet as we will miss everyone at Grace, but we are also excited to take the next step in growing our program,” stated Meg Benko, director of Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels is a Non-Profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that relies on donations from the community and does not receive any state or federal funding. Volunteers deliver meals to the homebound and it is their compassion that fills the space made by hunger, loneliness and isolation. Volunteers also provide a lifeline to this fragile population.

For opportunities to help keep the wheels turning, please call Meals on Wheels at 855-3770 or visit their website at www.pcmow.org. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 184, Easley, SC 29641. An open house is scheduled for Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 2 to 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

From left are co-owners Jane Broderick, Kim Valentin and Fran Cape (Easley Chamber)

An official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Easley Chamber was held on May 5, 2010. Easley is a great place to start a new business says co-owner of Valentin Occasions (VO’s) Kim Valentin. Local businesses, Easley City Council and Officials and area citizens welcomed the new florist and garden accessory and gift shop at 1221 Powdersville Road at a Grand Opening Thursday, April 29.

VO’s is co-owned and operated by Kim Valentin and Jane Broderick, both local residents of Easley. Their enthusiasm and excitement is contagious. They take pride in providing exceptional customer service as well as beautiful floral designs for home, weddings, entertaining or special occasions and distinctive garden gifts and accessories for outdoor living spaces.

Valentin Occasions offers a variety of fresh flowers, houseplants, dish gardens, floral silk designs, and unique garden containers, accessories and gifts. Placing floral orders is as easy as visiting www.valentinoccasions.com, or calling 864-855-4646 or visiting the shop at 1221 Powdersville Road. VO’s will be open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Former mayor Chris Christopherson is shown cutting the ribbon at the Gazebo that carries his name along with other city officials, Miss Easley & Miss Easley Teen.

Dedication and Ribbon Cutting at City Park on Pendleton

The Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on a beautiful afternoon on Thursday, April 15, at the newly completed City of Easley Park on Pendleton Street. The Gazebo inside the park was dedicated to former mayor Chris Christopherson. City officials, members of the public and Easley Chamber members were invited.

A large crowd of people gathered in the park to hear Mayor Larry Bagwell, Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber President), Chris Christopherson and Ronda Duncan (Dunburks and Downtown Business Association President). Following the dedication everyone was invited to Dunburks for The Easley Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours sponsored by the City of Easley.

From left are Ryan Kouvolo (R&A Computing), Kent Dykes (Pres. Easley Chamber), Wes Hiott, Gwen Pollard, Dr. Chad & Alanna Trotter (owners), Sheena Bookert and Eric Carnell (BB&T)

Palmetto State Chiropractic Joins the Powdersville Council of the Easley Chamber

Dr. Chad Trotter along with his staff held a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the opening of their new business Palmetto State Chiropractic, located next to Taco Bell on Hwy 153. Dr. Trotter has had the pleasure of working as a chiropractor in the Powdersville community since 2007 and recently opened Palmetto State Chiropractic in November of 2009.

Dr. Trotter was born and raised in the upstate and feels very fortunate to be able to serve the people of the area in which he grew up. A Pickens High School graduate, he continued his studies at Clemson University before finishing his training at Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg. Dr Trotter is trained in treatment of the full spine and many therapy modalities. The entire staff is committed to providing the highest quality of care to all patients.

Dr. Trotter prides himself in providing personal as well as professional care to each and every one of his patients. He would like to invite anyone who has a question about chiropractic care or would like to become a patient to call his office at 864-220-5424 or you can visit their website at www.palmettostatechiro.com

In the center cutting the ribbon are Ray & Charyl Schroeder, owners of Interim Healthcare, with their staff and chamber members

Interim Healthcare recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce to celebrate a newly expanded facility at 810 Powdersville Road, Suite B in Easley and their 30 year anniversary. As Pickens County’s largest provider of home health care services, Interim HealthCare now brings 30 years of experience and commitment to the Easley healthcare community. Since 1979, when Ray Schroeder, CEO, president and owner, opened his first office in Greenville, Interim HealthCare has grown into an organization with six offices throughout the Upstate serving thousands each year.

Interim HealthCare’s Easley office recently moved to a new location, near their original offices. Interim HealthCare served more than 10,000 patients throughout the Upstate in 2009, and this new, larger space allows them to continue to provide more patients in the Easley community with their award-winning service. For more information contact them in Easley at 864-855-4421 or visit their website www.interimhealthcarecares.com.

From left are Jamison Temples (State Farm), Wayne McCutcheon, Mary Moore, Michelle Gray, Angela Cummings, Zip Ulrich, Toniette Brooks & Jennifer Polson (CommunitySouth), Roberta Anderson (Cashwell) and Janice Perry (Powdersville Water)

Signature Pointe, an apartment community on Emily Lane in Piedmont, conducted a ribbon-cutting on April 12 to celebrate the community’s progress since a management change in the fall of 2009. The Easley Chamber of Commerce President Kent Dykes, among other officials conducted the ceremony.

Formerly known as Cameron Crossing, Signature Pointe was renamed in 2007. Last October, a new management team from Bell Partners, Inc. of Greensboro, NC assumed control of the property, after about six months of new management attention they are now 90 percent occupied. “This also marks the beginning of the communities Resident Appreciation Week,” said Michelle Gray, Community Manager of Signature Pointe. For more information contact Signature Pointe at 864-277-2900.

From left to right are Brandy Schumpert, Todd Achberger, Wayne Kaye, Lynn Weirick and Bob Evans

 Wayne Kaye & Associates is proud to announce their joining of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce.  Wayne Kaye & Associates main office is 121 West Public Square, Suite B, in Laurens, as well as an office at 135 South Main Street in Greenville.  Over the past six years, Wayne Kaye & Associates has worked with numerous Chambers providing educational seminars as well as offering discounted Long Term Care and Health Insurance to Chamber Members.  Along with their partners, they offer a wealth of knowledge and passion to serve our local communities.

Wayne Kaye and Associates will also complete a total assessment of all benefit plans at no cost to you and will provide a comprehensive report to the President, HR Team and/or Board of Directors.  Once the assessment is complete, the team will bring in any applicable suggestions or design upgrades.  Design is often the key to success, sometimes saving money and often positioning the benefit to better serve the employee, and retain its key employees.

If you would like more information on the benefits available to you, call Wayne Kaye & Associates at 864-681-0107.

From left are Pam Bridges (First Citizens), Kent Dykes (Easley Chamber), Kimberly Frommel (Nurse Practitioner), Dr. Kurt Gandenberger (owner), Cindy Wolf (Office Mgr), Karyn Woods (Upstate Parent), Craig Williams (First Citizens)

One out of eight deaths in America is caused by an illness directly related to obesity. Because obesity is preventable, Dr. Kurt Gandenberger saw the need for a realistic, affordable and individualized approach to weight loss.

Upstate Bariatrics & Medical Clinic opened in November 2009. Services include minor medical care for illness as well as affordable physical exams. We specialize in a non-surgical healthy approach to weight loss. Weight loss plans focus on nutritional education and dietary counseling. Additional services may include blood work, EKG’s, vitamin supplements, injections such as HCG, Lipo-B and B1B6 and appetite suppressants.

Upstate Bariatrics is located in the Shoppes at Brookside at 6 Halter Drive on Highway 153 between highways 81 and 85 off exit 40 towards Easley. The office number is (864)269-2400.