The excitement from 1,000 plus participants and 30 parade volunteers resonated through the chilly sunny December morning this past Saturday at the fun but chaotic staging area for the Travelers Rest parade.

All the participants had to line up in numerical processional order for the 10 am ride down through the streets of Travelers Rest.

Greenville High School Navy JROTC started the parade.

The Mayor of Travelers Rest, Wayne McCall, was next in the processional as well as other local and state officials – the State Senator Mike Fair, State Senator Tom Corbin, County Councilman Joe Dill, County Treasurer Jill Kintigh, and Sheriff Loftis from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

This past Saturday, Animal Care sponsored a fun-filled holiday event for God’s precious animals and their loving owners.

The event had toys, bowls and homemade dog treats that the owners could buy as stocking stuffers for their furry friends for Christmas.

The highlight of the event was the picture with Santa. Dogs came dressed in their favorite holiday fashions from red velvet outfits to bows and ribbons; each animal was ready to sit on Santa’s lap. After getting their picture taken, their owners could sit at the craft table and create a picture frame as a gift to give to a loved one of their animal sitting with Santa.

Lois Keenan, Firefighter from River Falls Fire Department, Marietta, SC, received the coveted Firefighter of the Year award from her Fire Chief, David Emory, at their Christmas Firefighter Dinner this past Saturday evening. She is only the second woman in the 26-year history of the fire department to receive this prestigious award.

She recounts the moment that led up to the award. “I was not sure it was me. When they called my name, I was beside myself. I had tears in my eyes, and I could not stop grinning. I danced up to David Emory and thanked him, “So many other firefighters deserve this award more than me.  I felt honored and proud that I was chosen to have received this award.”

The Christian Life and Public Affairs Committee of the South Carolina Baptist Convention awarded Mr. Winn Freeman, founder of Wisdom in Living Life Ministry, with the 2012 E. A. McDowell Award. Wisdom in Living Life is a Christ-centered, Bible-based, addiction ministry that exists to educate, equip, and empower God’s people to effectively reach those individuals and families who are imprisoned by the sins of drug and alcohol addiction. He founded the ministry in 2000.

In 1988, Winn was living in California, a heroin addict and a drunk, headed for jail. Having gone through secular addiction programs, he remained addicted until coming to Christ in a police car.