A Hero's Welcome Includes Wagener Resident Spencer Smith

By Valerie Sliker

Early Wednesday morning, May 13, 2015, Wagener resident, World War II hero and former WSHS FFA Advisor and Ag Teacher Mr. Spencer Smith joined nearly 100 other South Carolina World War II and Korean War Veterans in an Honor Flight to Washington DC for a day of touring their memorials, many of which these heroes have never seen before.  These veterans were selected for the one day Honor Flight event and treated like royalty for the day.  Smith was nominated by former student Donald Shumpert who also escorted Smith to Washington.  Read more about Smith's involvement in the War and selection for the Honor Flight in Valerie Sliker's Aiken Standard article.

The Wagener First Baptist Church Children In Action class led by Debra Thomas and Marjorie Sliker attended the Honor Flight SC's Hero's Welcome at the Columbia Airport as the veterans returned home, landing at 8:01 pm.  The girls lined up near the start of the veterans' walkthrough to shake hands with the veterans.  Some girls shook their hands and thanked them for their service and one girl was even given a kiss on her forehead.  It was a beautiful tribute.

Wagener Drafts a Public Nuisance Ordinance

A town meeting was held Monday, March 16, 2015 to allow Wagener residents the opportunity to offer advice towards the construction of a town Public Nuisance Ordinance.  The town council read over the proposed ordinance, allowing time for resident feedback after each proposed section along with the guidance of Mr. Alton Johnson from the Aiken County Code Enforcement.  As council members or town residents brought up concerns and suggestions, Johnson voiced his experience with enforcing such laws.  The proposed ordinance intends to minimize the growing problem of health hazards in the town limits such as, but not limited to, outdated or neglected structures, leaking dumpsters, excessive trash and anything that accumulates scents, moisture or darkness which propagates the mosquito and rat population and leads to the spreading of disease.

The Public Nuisance Ordinance will be enforced in such a way as to help residents come into compliance.  The enforcement is not meant to punish people, the intent is to make the community better.  The town council added, "As long as you are operating in good faith and showing progress, we will work with you."   This ordinance will also benefit the community by reducing crime.  "What you are about to implement is going to have a direct correlation with crime.  Once you start doing this, the criminals will move because you are disturbing their environment."  

Improvements at Saron Baptist to Benefit Community

By Valerie Sliker, The Wagener Monthly

Saron Baptist Church celebrates 127 years this year with a new look and addition.  This particular church will be very, very glad when they open that gorgeous new vestibule and “go into the house of the Lord.”  The church is hoping the construction will be completed in late March.

If you’ve driven through Wagener on highway 39 recently, you have probably noticed the new vestibule and church front.  Reverend Leander Jones, the current pastor, is exceptionally proud of how the vestibule came out.  Keeping a unified look while adding a fellowship hall to the side of the church building was difficult to design.  “We didn’t want it to look like two separate buildings,” Jones said in a recent interview.  “That’s where the vestibule came in – to bring it all together.  It shows togetherness and unity.  Everybody is doing their part and everybody is excited.”

The intention behind Saron Baptist Church’s addition is to create a place for a level of fellowship and outreach that goes beyond one hour in the church pews each week.  Pastor Jones explained, “We wanted space to provide outreach to the community.  We were aware that once you get grants and funding for programs, you need to have a facility.  There are a lot of issues in the Wagener community – education, economics, parenting, family budgeting – and we wanted to provide a building to put some Christian-based programs in place using some of the funds that are available.  Our outreach is to the community.  It doesn’t matter who it is or what color they are.  I want a mixed congregation, that’s what I desire.  These programs will serve all kinds of families.”  Pastor Jones embraces diversity.

Listine Gunter Courtney Center - Home Away from Home for our Seniors

The Listine Gunter Courtney Center has a lot to offer the Senior Citizens of the town of Wagener.  Stop by any day of the week and you’ll probably find several people drinking coffee, using the free Wi-Fi, playing Canasta or Bingo or just sitting around talking.   If you knew Mrs. Listine Courtney, you know she would be very happy to see this. 

The Courtney Senior Center plays host to the Aiken Area Council on Aging’s free meal program each weekday at lunchtime.  Anyone over the age of sixty can attend and receive a free hot meal each day.  The site manager for the meal plan is Earlene Rushton with assistant manager Nellie Black.  Call 803.564.3344 if you need more information on the meals or if you’d like to volunteer to deliver some meals to the home-bound during lunch hour.

Apart from the meal program, the Courtney Senior Center recreation supervisor is Carolyn Rushton.  Ruston has been with Aiken County Parks Recreation and Tourism since 2006 and before that she was with Roy Warner Park, also working with the seniors.  “I dearly love the seniors, I feel like not enough is done for them.  They have paved the way for all of us and we as a society or community don’t do enough.  I learn so much from them and appreciate the chance to be in their lives.”  Rushton explained her position as she gave me a tour of the building.

Two sewing machines have been donated and a few of the ladies enjoy using them.  There are books, magazines and games available anytime and movies playing frequently.  Several folks come in and play Canasta almost every day.  Local businesses sponsor prizes for Bingo on the third Friday of each month.  Barbara Jackson plays the piano often for sing-alongs and an air hockey table was donated that really gets competition going. 

Dr. Raymond Bynoe on Trauma

Dr. Raymond Bynoe is a good man or most would say a great man, especially among the hundreds, or more like thousands of those (including many in our own community) alive today as a result of his surgical expertise. Dr. Bynoe is without a doubt one of the most skilled, competent and compassionate trauma surgeons in South Carolina and the entire USA. I feel fortunate that our paths crossed over 30 years ago, and so honored to know him as a true friend. I have many fond memories of the past, some good, some not so good, but certainly more than our share of some quite remarkable experiences. Keep up the good work and God Bless You Raymond!  ~ Mike Miller

Pages