The national deficit is growing, the Sanfords are getting a divorce, and often our local politics aren’t much better.
Thankfully, Powdersville is typically not a very political area. Believe me, that’s a good thing.
If you start to find all the people who are working behind the scenes to improve their community, you realize how many great and selfless people there are.
That’s why I decided to recognize some of them. We spend so much time complaining about the problems around us, and yet we often neglect to thank those who are working behind the scenes.
Below is a list of some of the people who’ve made a difference for Powdersville in 2009. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive — there are so many people around us working behind the scenes, it’s impossible to name all of them in one column.
Lowry Wilson
Remember the column “Down the Creek with Mr. Wilson?” I’ve tried to convince him to bring that column back, but I’ve been unsuccessful to this point. Earlier this year, Mr. Wilson collected every Powdersville Post that existed since 1997 and donated it to the paper. Mr. Wilson is probably the best friend the Powdersville Post has ever had, ever since it began in 1997. We often refer to him as Powdersville’s historian, but he’s also a man who truly cares about his community.
Barb Schuster
Talk about a hard working, behind-the-scenes person. Barb Schuster has worked tirelessly to improve business opportunities for the Powdersville area, and we hate to see her step down as chairwoman of the Powdersville Advisory Board of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. She was instrumental in starting the Powdersville Advisory Board, a branch of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. The busy community in Powdersville now has many more networking opportunities thanks to her. She was the first chair of the Powdersville Advisory Board, and frankly, whoever follows her has some big shoes to fill.
Norb Steeber
He’s been the chairman of the Powdersville Water District for the past several years. He’s a champ when it comes to networking and getting things done. He’s overseen countless major projects for the water district. He’s been a pivotal player in leading the water district and in setting the groundwork for the growth that’s coming to Powdersville.
Barbara Bridges
She’s another person who the water district will miss.
Barbara Bridges retired after working with the water district for 38 years. During a special ceremony this summer shortly after she retired, the water district held a special ceremony for her. Her friends, family members and co-workers made it clear that she won’t be forgotten. The water district’s conference room is officially called the “Barbara Bridges Executive Conference Room.”
J.T. Tingen
J.T. Tingen and his group of firefighters responded quickly to a major apartment fire in Powdersville this summer. Luckily, no one was hurt as Tingen and his group of volunteer heroes moved quickly to put out the fire. Keep in mind, people like Tingen work about 15-20 hours a week to keep your community safe. And they work for free.
Johnny Israel
While we’re talking about our volunteer firefighters, we should recognize those people who support them. During its annual Christmas banquet, The Powdersville Fire Department recognized Johnny Israel for his support.
It would be hard to have a great community without our fire departments, and it would be hard for the fire departments to do what they do without the support of people like Israel.
Jackie Barker
When Jackie Barker goes to Wren Middle School games, she doesn’t just observe. She writes down what happens and sends it to her community paper. We appreciate this type of “civic journalism,” and wouldn’t mind if there were a few more people out there willing to do the same thing.
Don Pace
I’m not sure how Don Pace finds so much time to work with the Band Booster Club. When I asked him how many hours he puts in for the Booster Club during the school year, he answered: “Fifty.” I paused for a moment, wondering if he had misunderstood my question. “I’m sorry, did you say 15?” I asked. No — he said 50, and he meant 50 a week, not a month. Whether preparing for a band competition, getting ready for a Miss Wrenicycle pageant or just cutting the grass — Don Pace is out there actively helping the band in any way he can.
Kristy and Jesse Hunsinger
Kristy and Jesse Hunsinger probably didn’t realize the extent of the success Upstate Challenger Sports would have. UCS has grown so much because it is meeting a need. It started by offering baseball for children who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities. Now it also includes basketball, baseball, soccer, cheerleading, dance, flag football, dancing, soccer and golf.
UCS doesn’t just give disabled children something to do, it also strengthens families.
Many of these are so used to working behind the scenes that they’ll be embarrassed to actually get some recognition every now and then.
But these are just a few of the many people who help make Powdersville great.
I’m sure they’ll be among the key people of 2010 as well.
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