Wedding & Event Venue Near Greenville, SC.

ourtesy of Janice Duch Dickinson

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By By Concetta Falcone-Codding, Special to the Times

Every August, the countryside grows still. A stillness that God’s creatures understand. I first noticed this change as a teenager while attending the Norwich Free Academy and continue to witness Mother Nature’s miracles.

As a child, the month of August meant only one thing: shopping for school clothes at Mr. Big’s department store in Greenville.

Since elementary school, my mother would bring me to Mr. Big for school clothes and supplies. As a teenager, we continued the tradition. These were some of the best memories of my childhood. However, I recall the day that surpassed all other shopping trips.

It was a clear and cool August day in 1969. On the way to the department store, my mother always stopped at St. Joseph Cemetery to give reverence to relatives who passed.

After we left, I secretly felt joy. As my mother made the left turn — down the hill we went — laughing at how the car rattled and shook across the railroad track.

Upon entrance, I smelled the tantalizing aroma of food and popcorn coming from the deli, and I knew, after shopping, I would have pizza and French fries. My mother paused to study the specials on the wall.

“I’ll get the melted cheese sandwich,” she said.

At this point, we went our separate ways and agreed to meet at the cash register in one hour.

The store was huge with everything you could ever want or need. Interestingly enough, many of the clothes I looked at were displayed on long, wooden tables. Sweaters, skirts, pants were neatly folded and piled high.

I glanced at the toy department with longing. Having spent many an hour as a child looking at the toys, I felt sad that my time had passed.

After picking out several outfits, I found my mother at the back of the store in the curtain department. The prettiest curtains were displayed high and swayed when people passed.

After shopping, we ordered food in the deli. My mother gave me a quarter for the jukebox and I played three songs. We ate happily, until my mother noticed a teenage boy sitting on the front steps. My mother said he was asking for money from those who passed. Most people ignored him and looked in the opposite direction.

But not my mother. Now, my mother had made her share of mistakes in life. But this would not be one of them.

With urgency, she pushed herself out of the booth. “Wait here,” she said. “I’m going to see if he’s hungry.”

Within minutes I was sitting across from a disheveled young man, who was hungrily eating my pizza.

He told my mother he had run away from home. Both parents had begged him to come back, but he was too proud to ask for help.

My mother opened her wallet and handed him enough money to take a bus home.

“Here. Take this, and go home.”

When my mother went to pay the bill, the boy had stepped outside. It was only a few minutes before we went to look for him. He was nowhere in sight.

“Ma, he’s gone. Did you catch his name?’

“Yes. His name was Emmanuel.”

I laughed. “That’s a strange name, what does it mean?”

Looking up at the clouds my mother whispered: “It means God is with us.”

Concetta Falcone-Codding is a 1971 graduate of the Norwich Free Academy and the author of “The Lonely Nest.” You can contact at: concettafalconecodding1@gmail.com

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The Furman University Department of Music has announced its concerts for the first half of the 2023-2024 academic year. The slate includes nearly 30 performances by special guests and various Furman ensembles. All are open to the public, and the majority of the events are free of charge. A full schedule follows.

Furman Music Department Calendar of Events

Fall 2023

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

September

Friday, Sept. 15 Cellobration! Recital: featuring cellists Khari Joyner, Seth Russell, Christopher Hutton, and other Cellobration faculty 8 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall Tickets: $20 adults, $10 students

Saturday, Sept. 16 Cellobration! Closing Concert: Cello Choir 5:30 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Sunday, Sept. 24 Guest Artist: Tim Armacost Quintet 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall Admission: $10 adults, $5 students

Tuesday, Sept. 26 Guest Artist Recital: Daniel Adam Maltz, fortepiano 8 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

September 30 Guest Artist Recital: Linda Chatterton, flute, and Maja Radovanlija, guitar 7:30pm, Daniel Recital Hall

October

Thursday, Oct. 5 Furman Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert 7:30 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Friday, Oct. 6 Marching Band Extravaganza 7:30 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Wednesday, Oct. 11 Guest Artist Recital: Jack Thorpe, saxophone 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Thursday, Oct. 19 Furman Singers Fall Concert 7:30 p.m., Daniel Memorial Chapel

Friday, Oct. 20 Guest Artist Masterclass: Gila Goldstein, piano 7 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Monday, Oct. 23 Guest Artist Recital: Gila Goldstein, piano 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Tuesday, Oct. 24 Belle Voci and Furman Chamber Choir Fall Concert 7:30 p.m., Daniel Memorial Chapel

Thursday, Oct. 26 Hartness Organ Recital: Joby Bell, organist 7:30 p.m., Daniel Memorial Chapel

Friday, Oct. 27 Furman Jazz Ensemble and Combos Fall Concert 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall Admission: $5 suggested donation at the door

November

Thursday, Nov. 2 Fall Honors Recital 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 7 Guest Artist Concert: Florida State University Percussion Ensemble 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 14 Sarah Reese Lyric Theatre Opera Scenes Recital 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Friday, Nov. 17 Furman Symphonic Band Concert 7:30 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Saturday, Nov. 18 Piano for Young People Fall Recital 10:30 a.m., Daniel Memorial Chapel

Saturday, Nov. 18 Furman Honor Band Symposium Closing Concert 4 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Sunday, Nov. 19 Furman Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert 6 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall Admission: $5 suggested donation at the door

Monday, Nov. 20 Faculty Recital: Simón Gollo, violin, and David Gross, piano 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

December

Friday, Dec. 1 Fall Oratorio Concert: Handel’s “Messiah” Furman Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Chorus with student soloists 7:30 p.m., McAlister Auditorium

Sunday, Dec. 3 Furman Jazz Combos Winter Recital 7:30 p.m., Daniel Recital Hall

Sunday, Dec. 10 Festival of Lessons and Carols featuring the Furman Chamber Choir Due to limited seating, a ticket is required for admission. You may request tickets from the Eventbrite page for Lessons and Carols, or you may call or email the music office at 864-294-2086 or furmanmusicadmin@furman.edu after October 1. First service: 3 p.m., Second Service: 5 p.m., Daniel Memorial Chapel

Visit www.furman.edu/academics/music/event-calendar/ for updates and a complete list of music department events including student recitals. For more information, contact the Furman Department of Music at furmanmusicadmin@furman.edu and 864-294-2086.

Paulino and Miller homer

A six-run inning from the Aberdeen IronBirds (29-31, 61-63) — bolstered by four-extra base hits including a pair of RBI-doubles, a home run and an RBI-triple — doomed the Greenville Drive (27-34, 63-64) Tuesday night as they dropped the series opener, 11-7.

The explosive inning aside, the Drive had their chances Tuesday night, putting together six runs in the late innings while also holding a lead at two different points of the game, albeit early. They also finished the night with 11 hits and were the benefactors of five IronBirds’ errors. Each member of the Drive lineup also recorded a hit.

Drive starter Robert Kwiatkowski, making his first spot-start of the year, allowed just two hits and one run with three strikeouts in his 2.2 innings of work before he gave way to reliever Jordan DiValerio with the run coming via a Elio Prado home run that knotted the game at 1-1. The Drive run came via a Bryan Gonzalez RBI-single in the top of the third.

DiValerio’s tour of the mound didn’t start hot as the third pitch he tossed ended up over the leftfield via a Mac Horvath homer, putting the IronBirds up 2-1 in the third.

In their half of the sixth, the Drive regained the lead after a Tyler Miller homer tied the game at 2-2 and a Gilberto Jimenez RBI-ground-rule double put the Drive ahead 3-2. But 33 pitches and two pitchers, the Drive found themselves staring down a 8-3 hole as the game flipped to the seventh. DiValerio surrendered another Horvath homer and Carter Young’s and Matthew Etzel’s RBI-doubles before Sena gave up the RBI-triple from Prado and a Isaac De Leon bunt single to make it 8-3.

The Drive drew within two following the conclusion of the top of the seventh getting three runs back thanks to a Jimenez RBI-single and a Karson Simas RBI-double that scored two making it 8-6.

But that momentum quickly evaporated in the bottom of the seventh as Drive reliever Reidis Sena loaded the bases with no outs. An RBI-groundout and an RBI-single later and the Drive found themselves back down four.

Eddinson Paulino notched his 12th homer of the year in the eighth, tying him with Blaze Jordan and Roman Anthony (both of whom are now at the AA level) for the most homers by a member of the Drive this season.

The IronBirds rounded out the scoring in the eighth as Enrique Bradfield Jr. stole third and Rosario’s attempt to nab him at third sailed into the outfield allowing Bradfield to cross the plate and boost the lead to 11-7.

The Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action Wednesday, September 6th for game two of the six-game series with the Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles) to close out the regular season. The Drive return to Fluor Field on September 14th for the SAL Playoffs.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A packed Greenville County Council meeting to discuss tax breaks and a new ordinance proposal on Tuesday. There was another ordinance proposal on the agenda that some council leaders see as a step towards better transparency, but others say it violates state law.

The ordinance was drafted by councilman Steve Shaw. It’s related to the County Governmental Affairs Coordinator position. The job is held by Bob Mihalic—who’s responsible for public and media communication among other things. Shaw’s ordinance claims there is no structure guiding how the coordinator advocates on behalf of Greenville County policies to state leaders. He argues before advocating on the county’ s behalf an advocacy plan should be approved by council and a summary report should be presented after.

“Right now, we have zero policy for what this position does. So we have someone going to the statehouse representing what council and the county is about, and we have no idea what he’s talking about, no idea who he talked to and we absolutely have the right to regulate that under the statues,” said Shaw.

One council member disagrees, saying the ordinance is invalid because the coordinator doesn’t advocate or lobby to state leaders.

Chairman Dan Tripp says passing the ordinance would break state law because the county council cannot supervise employees, that’s the County Administrator’s job.

Shaw’s ordinance could not be voted on Tuesday evening because it must first go through the committee cycle for discussion. Shaw says when council does vote, he believe he’ll have support from some other council members.

Tax break for Woven?

Council members also gave initial approval on an affordable housing tax break for the controversial Woven apartment project. The vote passed 7 to 4.

The development was greenlit by city council earlier this year, despite consistent pushback from residents over the size and unit prices. The county has no authority to stop the project, but they are tasked with deciding if it’s eligible for the new affordable housing policy.

Councilman Alan Mitchell says he voted against it, because he needs more information on how the policy will work considering Woven is within the city limits—not county. Greenville County must first hold a public hearing before the final vote in two weeks.

Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.

Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!

Never be bored, and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.

What’s happening this month in Greenville, SC?

This article includes:Labor Day Weekend EventsThings to Do This Weekend in Greenville, SCTheater, Shows, and Sporting EventsFree Things to Do This Month in Greenville, SCEducational Things to Do and EventsThings to Do With Younger KidsOur Top Picks: Don’t Miss These Events in GreenvilleTravel Highlight

For things to do this month in Spartanburg, SC, see our Monthly Event Guide to Spartanburg, SC.

Thank you to our sponsors. Sponsored events are marked as “featured.”

Labor Day Weekend Events and Festivals

Labor Day weekend is typically seen as the unofficial end of summer, so let’s send summer off with a bang! These events and festivals over Labor Day weekend are throughout the Upstate. There is even an amazing hot air balloon festival being held in Anderson, SC! You will also find a list of things to do in the guide, day trip ideas, and more.

Things to Do This Weekend Near Greenville, SC

The weekend is about here and you’re ready for some fun in the Upstate. But what’s happening this weekend? We know! Here are some great events happening on the weekends this month.

Friday Starry Nights, Roper Mountain Science Center, Fridays in September, 2023TD Saturday Farmers Market, Downtown Greenville, Saturdays May 6th, 2023 – October 2023Simpsonville Farmers Market, Saturdays, May 13th – September 30th, 2023TR Farmers Market, Saturdays, May 6th – September 30th, 2023

Celebrate Anderson & Hot Air Affair (hot air balloon festival), September 1st – 3rd, 2023Upstate Renaissance Faire, September 8th and 9th, 20232023 Kids Fest @ Heritage Green, September 8th, 2023

2023 Indie Craft Parade, September 15th & 16th, 2023SOOIE BBQ Festival, September 15th & 16th, 2023Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023

Railfest, Greer, September 30, 2023Hops and Herons Beer Festival, Lake Conestee, September 30, 2023Afternoon Tea with Alice, Kids Play Cafe, September 30, 2023

If the scheduled events and festivals aren’t piquing your interest, try these great things to do on the weekend with the family.

Theater, Shows, and Sporting Events

Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023

VS. North Carolina FC, September 9, 2023 @ 7 pmVS. Northern Colorado Hailstorm, September 29, 2023 @ 7 pm

VS. Brooklyn, August 29 – September 3, 2023, @ 7 pm except Sunday (3 pm)

Free Things to Do Happening This Month

We love free things to do! The events below happening in the Upstate are all “free” meaning they have no admission charge to attend.

SCCT’s Tell Me A Story Theatre, September 12th and 16th, 2023Moonlight Movies at Falls Park, September 14, 21, 28, 2024Browse Stroll Art on the Trail, September 16, 2024

Educational Events This Month

Friday Starry Nights, RMSC, Fridays in August and SeptemberKnee High Naturalist, Lake Conestee, September 7th and 9th, 2023SCCT’s Tell Me A Story Theatre, September 12th and 16th, 2023

Things to Do With Younger Kids

Looking for the best things to do with your toddlers or preschoolers?

Check out our full event calendar for tons of free events at Greenville County Library branches that offer several programs just for younger kids and babies! These events are in the morning, recurring, and occur throughout the month. If you see an event you’re interested in at a library branch, check to see if it is offered throughout the month at your local location.

Our Top Picks: What Not to Miss This Month in Greenville

Friday Starry Nights, RMSC, Fridays in September

Celebrate Anderson & Hot Air Affair (hot air balloon festival), September 1st – 3rd, 2023Knee High Naturalist, Lake Conestee, September 7th and 9th, 2023Upstate Renaissance Faire, September 8th and 9th, 20232023 Indie Craft Parade, September 15th & 16th, 2023SOOIE BBQ Festival, September 15th & 16th, 2023Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023Hops and Herons Beer Festival, Lake Conestee, September 30, 2023

Travel Highlight

Looking for a new adventure? Go somewhere new. See something you’ve never seen. Travel far or stay close to home. Here are some ideas to get you started.

If you are looking to book a cabin that has gorgeous views in the WNC mountains to enjoy some leaf peeping, now is the time! Peak leaf viewing season varies, but is typically early to mid-October. Check out these VRBO fall vacation rentals that have beautiful views and tons of amenities for your epic fall vacation with the family!

You may have visited Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but have you spent time in the neighboring town of Sevierville, Tennessee? Check out why it should be your next vacation destination!