About Oconee County, SC

With the current debate over health care I thought it is a great time to pass on some news about some FREE help for staying healthy. The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will be making a stop in Seneca on Aug. 13 at the Walgreens at 1601 Sandifer Blvd. It is scheduled to be there between noon and 6 p.m.

The Wellness Tour offers all adults 18 and over six free health screenings: bone density, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass analysis.

No appointment is necessary, results are immediate and from start to finish all six screenings take around 20-25 minutes. The free screenings are conducted inside the vehicle and are valued at more than $140.

Seneca is getting ready to host the 2009 Dixie Softball State Tournament and is expecting it to boost business. The tournament is expected to bring an estimated 1,000 visitors for the week.

Local businesses are also helping with the tournament. Chick-fil-A of Seneca and Bountyland Quick Stops have donated items to the city’s recreation department. The restaurant will be giving players meal coupons and the gas station is donating gas gift cards.

24 teams are coming in from across the state. There will be teams of girls from three age groups, 11-12, 13-15, and 16-18, competint for a chance to play in the Dixie Girls World Series later this summer. The opening ceremonies kicks things off on July 17 and the tournament will run July 18 through the 22nd.

Daily admission to the tournament is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children under 6 are admitted free.

The opening ceremonies for the tournament July 17 will begin at 7 p.m. with a parade of players from each team. Pyrotecnico, the fireworks company that produced the city’s Fourth of July fireworks show, will be lighting up the night sky around 9:15 p.m. for the grand finale.

The tournament is the first of two scheduled in Seneca this summer. The next one, the Dixie boys’ state baseball tournament, will be held in August.

The World of Energy in Oconee County SC is clebrating it's 40th Birthday! The celebration includes Energy Education with Heritage, Art and Music! The world of Energy is run by Duke Energy and is located off Hwy 130 about 5 miles north of Seneca, next to the Oconee Nuclear Plant.

Thursday, July 9, 5-8 p.m.
In partnership with The Blue Ridge Arts Council, the center is holding the annual Heritage, Art and Music festival during July. This year’s art portion will be a photography exhibit, World of Images, highlighting the heritage and culture of the area. The opening for the show on July 9 will feature local artists, old photographic equipment, music from the Dixie Keys Dixie Land ensemble and light refreshments. The exhibit will be on display through August 18.

Saturday, July 11-- 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Bring the family for our Birthday Bash! Activities include inflatables for the kids, magic show, face painting, balloons, food, music, storytelling and hands-on children art projects courtesy of Blue Ridge Arts Council. All events are free.

I dare you to visit Oconee Pets to view most of the animals available for adoption and not want to head down there today. Look at expressions on their faces, like Mason or Stumpy. How can you resist?

If it were not for the severe beatings my wife would give me, I would love to rescue a dog from the pound. Well that and our housefulof felines would also make me pay dearly! But considering the Oconee County Animal Shelter will offer dogs for adoption for free on several dates in July, it could be a great time to help out a little furry friend.

Starting on July 1, the first six people who come to the shelter to adopt a dog will be able to adopt the animal for free! Yes I said FREE! Those who are not among the first six in line on that date will still have four other opportunities, because the program will run every Wednesday in July. I am guessing it would be a good idea to get there early!

For a person who is among the first six in line on one of the program dates, the free dog of his or her choice will be spayed/neutered and will be provided all shots necessary for adoption. The only requirement is that those who receive free animals agree to love and care for them! I really hope before you head down there you consider the responsibility that adopting is. It is like having a child, with alot of responsibility and costs involved. But the payoff is a friend that will always love you!

Local humane society members staff the shelter adoption center, which is open for adoptions 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The facility is at 1925 Sandifer Blvd. in Seneca.