Anderson Independent Mail Videos: Columns

Storyteller; A Clean Start for Homeless

A short haircut, a good shower, and a place to clean their clothes is what about a dozen homeless people get each week at Clean Start in downtown Anderson. Feeling clean and looking tidy plus some good conversation with fellow homeless and those working brightens up everyone's day.

Homeless woman turns life around

Deep into the life of harmful addiction, Lorin Larason, 25, of Anderson realized that if she wanted to see her three year old daughter, she would take recovery from the homeless shelter at the Salvation Army in Anderson seriously. Ms. Larason did, and now nearing graduation at Anderson University, her new outlook and determination to give back to those society is a sign of grace.

Williamston teen overcomes cancer, transplant

Tyler Vickery was diagnosed and treated for cancer as an infant. The treatment weakened his heart and he required a transplant.

Storyteller: Billy Gravvanis

Living a life in the restaurant business, Billy Gravvanis left Greece at 15 years old and became an citizen of the United States afterwards. A life of family and friends and involved in the community, the man most call Billy at The Anderson Coach House restaurant knew the moment he stepped off a plane to visit South Carolina in 2001, it would be his home for good.

Highway to hog heaven

The Woodlawn-Sosebee funeral home bought a motorcycle hearse to offer its customers.

Storyteller: Motorcycle distance riders

Emmett Tucker of Anderson and his friend James "Magic" Wilson of Spartanburg decided as longtime motorcyle riders to earn the Iron Butt award. They mapped riding from South Carolina to Canada, just over the 1,000 mile mark and just a half-hour under the 24-hour limit.

Storyteller: Millie and Me

10-year-old Erin McClain of Belton won 1st place in a writing contest at her school for her book "Millie and Me" that is about the time she spent with her dog and best friend, Millie.

Man finds joy in toy making

Olin Ellis began ordering plans for intricate wooden toys several years ago and has since filled display cases with the products of his passion.

History revealed underground

Ligon and Ledbetter Grocer in Anderson, S.C. was a distinguished place to shop in the early 1900's. A few owners of downtown Anderson business joined with Anderson County Museum curator Alison Hinman to help bring to life the history of one of the most sophisticated grocers in the Anderson area before World War 1. Intricate refrigeration, heating, and a railroad drop-off station were sophisticated features for a grocer in 1914.

Storyteller: Free radiates warmth

Charles Free grew up in Anderson, watched his father repair brass and copper radiators in the horse and buggy days, but decided to sell ice cream. Sixteen years after that, he decided to get his hands into what he knew about all along, the family business of fixing radiators. Retired in 2002, Mr. Free said the business is in the family hands of Scott King, and talks about replacing light and thin radiators of newer cars.

Former principal recalls Shiloh School

In 1942, Hazel Glenn was the teacher and principal of the Shiloh School which can still be seen from US 29.

Mama Lee's Day Care

Prince Ola Lee, known as Mama Lee, runs a day care that has become a tradition for Anderson families.

Storyteller: Ulas Broom

Ulas Broom grew up in a family with recreation, not knowing one day he would help supervise the maintenance section of the Anderson city recreation department. Mr. Broom talks about his love for work and thinking young.

Storyteller: Audie Carthern

Audie Carthern, 46, was born in a home behind the lawnmower repair shop on West Market Street in Anderson. Brothers Mitch and Audie love their life of repairing mowers and an assortment of lawn equipment. Audie talks about life at the shop and the goal to make a motor run again.

Storyteller: Steve Lopez

Steve Lopez lost his wife Nancy Heathcott-Lopez a year ago to colon cancer. Within the year, he decided to battle cancer by making Billy's All-Purpose Seasoning, with all profits going to find a cure for cancer.

Storyteller: Tommy Seigler

Tommy Seigler still prioritizes workouts decades after injuries ended his professional wrestling career.

Storyteller: Jeremy "Cookie" Pickens

Jeremy "Cookie" Pickens, 20, of Anderson got into firefighting as a city fire explorer at the age of 14. The thrill of public service in the public safety led to volunteering for Anderson County fire stations in Homeland Park and currently Center Rock communities in Anderson. Thrills, nicknames, and burning questions of his life are a part of one of the county fire department's best outdoor grillers, Cookie.

Storyteller: Isolde Koch

Isolde Koch, a German-born woman, always hoped to move to the United States. Along her journey some of the great minds of the 20th century offered her encouragement.

Storyteller: Mary Alice Rawson

Mary Alice Rawson of Grandma's Antiques and Things in Pendleton tells about why people love the old and newer antiques, where they come from, and a few other stories of old.

Officer dedicated life to police work

Layton Creamer of Anderson grew up in Williamston, before serving in U.S. Air Force military detail around U.S. President Richard Nixon. When his father died in the line of duty for the Anderson County Sheriff Office, he came home to help his mother, and started a 35-year career with the city of Anderson police department.