TRIBUTE TO FRAN BUTLER

TRIBUTE TO FRAN BUTLER
Memorial Service – 10/28/08 – Cox Hall Clemson Little Theatre 6:30 pm- Pendleton SC

George Bernard Shaw said “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live”

Fran Butler gave to his community and did it in a quiet, tireless fashion.

He was very active in “Friends of the Park” and attended almost every meeting – He did miss a few when he and Caroline, his soul mate, would sneak out of town to get away from me……..

You see, I learned very quickly that I could always count on them to fill a volunteer slot and I would know that they would do an excellent job and do it cheerfully!

At the meetings, Fran would sit quietly and as Joan Kelly says “ When he opened his mouth, everyone would get quiet because you knew what he was about to say was important and wise.”

Saturday was National Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others.

Fran Butler made a difference in Pendleton. He was one man making a difference to many for generations to come:

• He was among a group that worked for weeks ahead of time getting the park area ready for Build Week under the direction of Ed Kirkley.

• Fran along with Pete, Willis and Richard cut out all those little turtles that are in the playground that were painted by the children.

• He worked on the Shelters and Benches that are along Trotter’s Trail.

• He sold many shirts and throws to raise money for the park.

• He played the part of “Uncle Sam” for Freedom Fest and was perfect!

• Caroline and Fran were voted the “2008 Volunteers of the Year”



Dr. Loren Eisely, author and anthropologist, tells this true story:

One day I was walking a beach when I saw another man coming the other way who appeared to be dancing. As I drew nearer I could see the man was not dancing but was gently picking up starfish from the beach and throwing them back into the sea.

“why are you throwing starfish into the sea?” I asked.

Because they have been washed ashore, the day is getting hot and if I do not throw them back they will die.” Replied the dancer.

I looked around and saw that the beach went on for miles and that there were many thousands of starfish along its length.

But there are too many, I protested to the dancer “you can’t possibly make a difference.”

The dancer smiled, picked up another starfish and gently tossed it beyond the waves, back into the sea.

“I made a difference to that one!” he said.



Fran Butler made a difference!



Now Fran may think that he will no longer be hearing from me asking him to volunteer but he is wrong:

I have put in a prayer request that Fran be made Senior Chairman of the Veterans Park Guardian Angels Committee.

We’re in good hands!

Thank you, Fran!

Friends of the Park

Friends of the Park will be celebrating Barrett's Place Playground's 3rd Birthday on Saturday and also will be working on the maintenance of Barrett's Place and Trotter's Trail. We need lots of volunteers so please come on out and join us Saturday Morning October 25 beginning at 8:30. We will work until around 12 at which time we will have hot dogs served for lunch. Glenn Andrews will be cooking the hot dogs, Debra Padgett is making the chili, and others are bringing chips, etc.

Saturday is Make A Difference Day so there is lots going on in Pendleton because Pendleton folks like to make a difference. Pendleton Elementary School will begin their work day for the Memory Garden at 1:00 p.m. and the new Pendleton Garden Club will be working Saturday morning at the Masonic Courtyard on the square.

Sunday is Trunk or Treat on the Square so hope you can bring the children in costume and let them enjoy visiting the trunks of about 20 volunteers who will have treats for everyone. There will be no games this year but the trunks will be open to the public from 5 - 6 pm.
If you have never been to the Trunk or Treat, please visit my site at
Trunk or Treating

IT MAKES GOOD CENTS FOR ANDERSON COUNTY

IMPORTANT MEETING:
Monday October 20 at 6 pm at Pendleton United Methodist Church Social Hall
Friends of the Park with representatives from the GOOD CENTS FOR ANDERSON COUNTY Committee.
Be informed and get your questions and concerns answered about the 2008 Capital Projects Sales Tax Referendum.

Fall Harvest Festival

The Fall Harvest Festival in Pendleton was last Saturday (10-11-08) and it was fabulous. We had a record crowd and a record number of vendors. The weather was perfect and the music and other entertainment was great. I have tons of pictures and also tried to make my first YouTubes which can be viewed on the Happenings lens and also on my Lensography.
http://www.squidoo.com/pendleton-happenings
http://www.squidoo.com/ohme
I will also be making a slideshow from the other pictures I took. Thank you to Jean Vegod and her committee for a really super job on Fall Festival!

Fall Flowers

Fall Flowers are blooming all around Pendleton and are so pretty. They are blooming just in time for the Fall Harvest Festival on the Village Green this Saturday October 11. We are hoping for a big crowd because there are over 60 vendors.

I invite you to take a look at our Fall Bloomers at
Fall Flowers - A Stroll In Our Yard October 2008

Evening Under The Stars at Woodburn

This was such a lovely evening and well attended. The flowers were gorgeous but who would expect anything else but that from Karen Link of Pendleton Flower Shop. The food was outstanding especially the Prime Rib from 1826 on the Green and all the sweets from The Village Baker. Great Job Pendleton Historic Foundation Volunteers! We sure enjoyed it!