Pickens, SC. After a year of individual honors, the Pickens Fan the Flame program changed, in March, to recognize groups for their contribution toward making Pickens what it is today. The first to receive the honor is Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music – better known as POSAM.

One of several submissions received in March, the POSAM entry reads “Located in Pickens SC, the purpose of the POSAM organization is to assure the perpetuation of our Appalachian music and dance heritage in the upstate of South Carolina. Through the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, the primary subsidiary of POSAM, music instruction and instrument rental are provided in afterschool and evening programs as the root effort to assure continuance of our Appalachian heritage.”

The nominated activity is the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program. The YAM program provides music lessons and instrument rental to students in afterschool programs and community evening instruction.  The afterschool programs provide lessons and rentals at a subsidized cost to assure that all interested youth within the affiliated schools have the opportunity to be a part of the program.  Thankfully, the schools provide the location for the after-school lessons which helps assure that interested students, who might otherwise not be able to make a special trip out in the afternoon or evening, have the ability to participate.  As a “stand-alone program, the money needed to help subsidize lesson and rental cost comes from grants, fundraisers, and dedicated community supporters. Additionally, the well received YAM evening program that is offered provides the opportunity for people of all ages to learn to play an instrument and join in the fun.

POSAM was formed in 2008, during the early beginnings of the YAM, as the governing entity for a program that started with approximately 50 students in after school sessions at Holly Springs Elementary. Today it has over 300 students in after-school programs in 8 schools as well as community evening instruction.  The involvement of the youth has also brought about the involvement of families, friends, and adults. The interest in the music, and our youth’s amazing ability to pick it up and perform it so well, is bringing the Pickens community together and has established a vibrant mutigenerational pastime that is enjoyed on a weekly, if not daily, basis. The YAM program sponsors  the YAM Winter Jubilee and the POSAM Memorial Music Festival bringing entries and recognition throughout a multi-state area.

We Fan The Flame recognizes group contributions that make Pickens a better place is live and is presented by the Pickens Revitalization Association and the city of Pickens.  The award program is open to any civic, school, charitable, religious, cultural, non-profit, business, senior youth, association or similar organization. Entries should be submitted to the PRA by the 15^th of each month and will be considered throughout the year.  Entry forms are available at www.historicpickens.com.

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Photo:  Pickens Mayor David Owens presents the award to POSAM Director Betty McDaniel along with students and other board members.

Enjoy many benefits at our business center located on Court Street!

PRA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2013

Ted has not only lived in Pickens all his life but he has also lived in the same home – one built by his grandfatherfather in 1909.  It was on 20 acres at the time and was home to the largest chicken hatchery in the upstate.  He still has farming in his blood running 80 head of Angus cattle on his 200 acre farm just outside of town.

With the Pickens school just down the street, Ted was able to walk to his first 12 years of school. He then attended Greenville Technical College earning an Associate Science degree.  Upon graduation, he had job offers in Atlanta and Connecticut but chose to stay in Pickens.  After a short time with the Pickens RR Company, Ted went to work for Mayfair Mills in the Pickens Plant where he stayed for 32 years – much of it as the local Personnel Manager.  During those years he served on City Council under three different mayors.  As a councilman, he is most proud of helping pass the city’s accommodations tax which helped build the Pickens Recreation Center which is still one of the very best of any city in the area. In 1999, he retired when elected as mayor himself – choosing to devote full time to the position.

Other accomplishments during his lifetime in Pickens include more than 55 years working with the Boy Scouts, membership and leadership in the Pickens Jaycees where he rose to Regional VP and serving 30 years as a volunteer fireman. Ted has also coached little league for many years. A lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church, he still works on the grounds every Friday under the leadership of Billy Singleton.

In addition to working on the farm almost daily, Ted still finds time to serve on the board of the Pickens Senior Center, works on special projects with the Pickens Service Club and is on a special Upstate Forever committee that is working to preserve the view and beauty of Table Rock.

With his wife Rhonda, Ted has two stepchildren and five grand children, “the joy of my life”.

I Fan The Flame 2012 Platinum sponsors include the Historic City of Pickens and Great Oaks Dental.  East Main Treasures and Pace & Reeves BP, Inc. are this year’s bronze sponsors. In March of this year, the “Flame” program will be expanded to recognize the ways various academic, charitable, youth, adult, civic and religious organizations help to “fan the flame” in Pickens.

Photo:  Current Pickens Mayor David Owens presents the award to Ted Shehan.

Date: 2012-12-01