Category: Press Release

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — “Waiting for You,” a new musical comedy created by two Upstate music and entertainment industry legends is premiering Friday, April 11 with a limited engagement at the Chapman Cultural Center.

Waiting for You” is set in Heaven, where men aren’t allowed. Two show up, and all hilarity breaks loose.

Colorful characters in the nine-member cast include Saints Mattie and Joanie; Dr. Jessie Christie; and Susie, who dies within minutes of the opening and is eager to enjoy her rewards in the Afterlife. She discovers Eternity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The musical is the brainchild of John Jeter and David Berry.

Berry is a 37-year composition professor at Converse University. He wrote the music and co-wrote lyrics. In addition, Berry toured for 13 years with Anthem, his rock band whose members included Ralph and Marty, a beloved duo that performed for years around Greenville. Jeter wrote the book and lyrics. He is best known as co-owner of The Handlebar, the storied Greenville live-music venue that he chronicled in his book, “Rockin’ A Hard Place.” He now teaches music business at Converse and USC Upstate.

Kimilee Bryant, the Upstate artist renowned for her leading roles on Broadway, is the featured performer. Most notably, she starred as “Christine” in “The Phantom of the Opera” — Broadway’s longest-running show — she is the only actor to have played the two other major female roles. She also appeared in Phantom’s U.S. Tour, in Toronto and Switzerland, and has performed in numerous other New York City musical and operatic productions, among myriad marquee accomplishments.

Director Michelle Newman brings a wealth of experience and expertise with a resume that boasts nearly 200 stage productions, and her continued work with numerous off-Broadway actors.

For tickets and more information, visit the Chapman Cultural Center’s ticketing website or call (864) 542-2787 and the Waiting for You website at www.waitingforyoumusical.com).

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) was honored this week by USC Upstate with the Greenville Campus Community Engagement in Education Activity of the Year Award.

The award was bestowed on the TGHA for its role in a ten-year project designed to support HUD’s Moving to Work (MTW) program, an initiative that assists families with needs-based public housing vouchers to gain greater social mobility and be able to move out of the public housing system.

As a partner to TGHA, USC Upstate assists with program outcome tracking so that effectiveness and progress of the program can be effectively measured.

“The program provides support for job training, education, and other needs to help participants set attainable goals and work toward them with support,” said Dr. Michelle Covington, Executive Director of Greenville Programs and Professor of Criminal Justice at USC Upstate.

The partnership includes a TGHA paid research assistantship for one USC Upstate student year-round for three years. The first student assistant selected was Kaylee Basto, a soon-to-be graduate of the Criminal Justice bachelors program and incoming Criminal Justice masters student, who is passionate about serving low-income families and encouraging social mobility.

“The partnership between USC Upstate and The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) is one of great importance,” said Terril Bates, the agency’s CEO. “The MTW program designed by TGHA is a sea change in the delivery of housing subsidies. Its success will positively impact the availability of rental assistance to households in Greenville.”

About TGHA:

The Greenville Housing Authority administers federal funds and partners with private investors and owners in the provision of affordable housing. It is part of a dynamic community that serves more than 3,000 households including veterans, elderly and disabled households. TGHA issues payments of $30 million to private property owners annually. It plans, undertakes, finan

Lake Hartwell, SC – April 3, 2025 – Car lovers, mark your calendars! The Lake Hartwell Car Show, hosted by Big Water Marina and J-RAP Restorations, is set to rev up the lakeside on April 27th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Originally scheduled for April 6th, the event has been rescheduled due to weather concerns to ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

This high-octane gathering will feature live music, local vendors, and some of the finest classic and custom vehicles in the region. Contestants will have the chance to show off their prized rides and compete in four categories, including: Best Car, Best Truck, Best Rat Rod, and Best in Show.

The competition is open to all car enthusiasts, with an entry fee of $20 per vehicle. Winners will take home custom trophies and exclusive prizes, including:
Best in Show: Trophy + FREE weekend cabin rental
Best Rat Rod: Trophy + FREE weekend camping voucher
Best Car: Trophy + FREE sunset cruise rental
Best Truck: Trophy + FREE sunset cruise rental
Whether you’re a car collector, a weekend cruiser, or just looking for a fun day by the lake, the Lake Hartwell Car Show promises a fun-filled afternoon of hot rods and cool rides.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/905621094782622.

Contact: asstmgr@bigwatermarina.com | (864) 226-3339

Location: 320 Big Water Rd, Starr, SC 29684

Carolina Handling has partnered with Kinexon, a global leader in real-time tracking and automated operations, to provide AGV and AMR fleet management solutions to its customers.

Kinexon’s fleet management software integrates and communicates with diverse groups of automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, regardless of the manufacturer or type. Resulting analytics and predictions enable users to improve processes and product movement.

Real-time automation platforms are becoming more important as companies deploy automated equipment using varying signals but working in the same footprint. The platform interprets the differing signals, acting as a traffic manager.

As one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone, Carolina Handling has access to a wide range of automated solutions.

As a consultative partner, Carolina Handling makes recommendations on the best equipment and technology after a discovery process, and based on a customer’s budget, ability to integrate with existing warehouse systems, scalability and other factors.

“At Carolina Handling, our focus is helping customers optimize their operations and create higher levels of service for their end users,” said Carolina Handling COO Joe Perkins. “Taking a consultative approach, we work with companies on how to maximize operational capabilities. And being vendor agnostic, we identify the best equipment and service providers, such as Kinexon, to address individual or unique challenges.”

ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone.

GREENVILLE, SC – April 2, 2025 – McBee Avenue Wealth Advisors is proud to announce that, for the second year in a row, they have been named to Forbes Best-in-State lists of Top Wealth Management Teams for 2025. This prestigious national ranking is a testament to the hard work, dedication and collaborative spirit each member of the team brings to their clients.
“This recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to exceptional service and growth,” says John Tripoli, Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual Upstate, SC. “McBee Avenue Wealth Advisors’ strong partnership and alignment with Northwestern Mutual’s premier Private Client Group has been pivotal in their continued success.”
The Forbes Top Wealth Management Teams lists – shown nationally and state by state – are published at the beginning of the year. The publication developed the list in conjunction with SHOOK Research, evaluating teams based upon a variety of key factors, including total revenue, headcount, assets under management and other quantitative measures, along with in-person interviews, service models, advisors’ skill sets and other qualitative criteria.
Partners Mark Clary, Thomas Willcox, Jay Hatten and Rachel Haan believe this esteemed acknowledgment reflects McBee Avenue Wealth Advisors’ consistent excellence in service, strategic financial planning, and personalized solutions provided to their clients.
*Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (January 9, 2025), Research and ranking provided by SHOOK ® Research, LLC – Data as of March 31, 2024. Northwestern Mutual (NM) and its advisors do not pay for placement on third party rating or ranking lists. NM and its advisors do, however, pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating or ranking(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.

PUMPIKINTOWN, SC – Soapstone Baptist Church is coming to Greenville.

On Saturday, April 19, Soapstone Church will host a “Hat Extravaganza and Dinner” featuring “Women of the Cloth” and Sam Brown, a noted hat designer and owner of Church Hats and More in Boston. The event will take place at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center beginning at 4 pm. For ticket information call 864-607-3493 or email soapstonechurchliberiaSC@gmail.com. The donation cost is $60.

This is the latest part of a campaign to permanently save the historic Black church located in northern Pickens County.

The event is the idea of member Charles Davis, hair stylist, florist, and fashion professional by training. He is also the husband of Mable Owens Clarke, the church’s matriarch whose fish fry dinners served as Soapstone’s main draw for more than two decades as she fed people from across the region. She will be providing the food for the April 19 event.

“For 22 years Mable hosted monthly fish fries ten months of each year that supplemented the gifts and offerings to ensure that we could pay the light bills and mortgage,” Davis said. “While the Soapstone Preservation Endowment is helping with buildings and grounds maintenance and historic restoration and promotion, it cannot pay for our basic needs. That’s up to us.”

The Soapstone Preservation Endowment was created less than three years ago and is on the final mile toward amassing a $1 million perpetual endowment.

“With cash in hand, confirmed but not yet received grants, and pledges, we are closing in on $850,000,” said Endowment Chair Carlton Owen. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the broad support and generosity of so many businesses, churches, foundations, and families who share the vision of the importance of protecting and promoting the story of Soapstone and the former Liberia Community in northern Pickens County.

The next Pop-Up Movie from the Greenville Jewish Film Festival is a compelling story of religious tolerance set against the backdrop of a desert survival movie.

No Name Restaurant is a heartwarming, culture-clash odyssey about the improbable friendship between a stranded Brooklyn Jew and an Arab nomad in the vast Sinai Desert, bringing humor and camaraderie. Ultra-Orthodox Ben sets out to rescue Alexandria, Egypt’s dwindling Jewish community, but finds himself marooned. His last glimmer of hope rests with Adel, a gruff Bedouin in search of his lost camel. At first, they clash over cultural misunderstandings, until their broken-down SUV unites them in a fight for survival. This tender, whimsical road trip, set in breathtaking desertscapes, offers a parable of religious tolerance.

No Name Restaurant will be shown this Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m. at the Camelot Cinemas, 48 E. Antrim Drive, Greenville.

Tickets can be purchased here (https://greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com/pop-up-movies/). Adult tickets are $18, and student tickets are $14. Both include popcorn and a drink. Students can email info@greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com for a discount code.

More details attached.

GREENVILLE, SC – Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County and Juneteenth GVL are coming together to build a home in the Nicholtown community this Spring.

This historic union will start with a special celebration event on Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Phillis Wheatley Center, bringing together community leaders, volunteers, and sponsors to launch this impactful project, said Joseph Fields, Vice President of Equity for Habitat Greenville.

“The evening will feature inspiring speakers, local performances, and a powerful discussion on the importance of affordable housing in historically significant communities,” Fields said.

Next, Habitat Greenville will lead a Wall Raising Ceremony on Wednesday, June 11, in Nicholtown, where volunteers will come together to build the framework for a future home. To learn how to support the Juneteenth Community Build, go to www.habitatgreenville.org/juneteenthcommunitybuild.

The Juneteenth Community Build is part of Habitat Greenville’s Bridge Building Series, an on-going string of projects that bring together people from various backgrounds to create more affordable housing in the community.

This initiative aligns with Juneteenth GVL’s mission to celebrate freedom, empower the community, and create sustainable opportunities for economic advancement, said Rueben Hays, Founder and Chair of Juneteenth GVL.

“This partnership represents more than just constructing a home — it’s about building a stronger, more equitable future,” Hays said. “We are proud to join forces with Habitat Greenville to ensure homeownership becomes a reality for more families in historically significant neighborhoods.”

As part of the Juneteenth Community Build, Hays will be making a $10,000 donation. In addition, Best Rest will be giving in a gift in kind, and First Baptist Church Greenville is a donor as well.

Innovative Program to Provide Hands-on Training, Paid Learning, and Job-Readiness Certifications
Upstate & Midlands, SC –Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) has announced the launch of its groundbreaking Clean Tech Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind training initiative in South Carolina designed to equip individuals with the skills and certifications needed for careers in the booming HVAC and Heat Pump industry. Funded through a grant from Goodwill Industries International, this transformative program will serve GIUMSC’s 16-county region across the Upstate and Midlands, offering life-changing opportunities for participants to gain in-demand technical skills, wraparound support, and direct pathways to high-paying jobs.

“The Clean Tech Accelerator is a game-changer,” said Patrick Michaels, President & CEO of GIUMSC. “With HVAC and Heat Pump installation jobs growing at an astonishing rate of 13% nationally over the next five years, we are addressing a critical workforce need while empowering individuals with career opportunities that provide stability and growth.”

The Clean Tech Accelerator will launch its first class in July, followed by a second round of classes in September. Participants will engage in an intensive five-week, full-time paid training program ($15/hour, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week) that covers essential HVAC and Heat Pump installation skills, leading to multiple industry-recognized certifications, including:
• EPA 608 Certification
• Climate & Community Lab’s HVAC/Heat Pump Installation Certificate
• OSHA-10 Certification
• CPR & First Aid Certifications
• Construction Basics Certification

Graduates will be equipped with the expertise needed to install, maintain, and repair HVAC or Heat Pump systems in both residential and commercial settings, including the knowledge of refrigeration systems, ductwork, and thermostat controls. With salaries in the field reaching as high at $50/hour, this program provides a powerful lau