Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Christmas Tree Lighting 2023

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Blue Ridge Electric’s main office in downtown Pickens. The majestic Deodar Cedar was lit by Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, following the welcome by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President Jim Lovinggood, Christmas songs by students from the McKissick Academy of Science and Technology choir (led by Megan Carrasco),  and scripture reading, devotion, and prayer by Dr. David Torrey, Pastor of Pickens Presbyterian Church. Those present for the special occasion included Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors (Chair Spencer Dalton, Vice Chair Len Talley, Treasurer Mendel Stone, Secretary Frank Looper, Joel Davis, Jimmy Lee Dodgens, William Elrod, Kenneth Southerlin, and Will Anderson), Blue Ridge Electric employees and retired employees, Pickens County Clerk of Court Pat Welborn, Pickens County Treasurer Dale Looper, South Carolina State Representative Davey Hiott, South Carolina State Representative Jerry Carter, South Carolina State Senator Rex Rice, Miss Teen South Carolina Margaret Turner, and family members of the McKissick Academy of Science and Technology choir. Prior to lighting the tree, Roper, on behalf of Pickens County, thanked the members of the Board of Directors and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative for all of the good work done in the community.

Below, view 35 images from the tree-lighting ceremony. Photographs by Karen Brewer, owner and Publisher, The Christian View magazine

Published on Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Publisher’s note: I’ve enjoyed Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s tree-lighting ceremonies through the years, and reporting on them as the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel and as the Publisher of The Christian View magazine. The majestic Deodar Cedar is a landmark in our area, and the lighting ceremony brings in the Christmas season.   Karen Brewer, November 29, 2023