Current Weather Information

May is National Stroke Awareness Month; Learn the Warning Signs of Stroke
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control urges South Carolinians to learn how to reduce the risk of stroke. "Reducing risk factors, recognizing the signs of stroke and fast reaction saves lives," said Dory Masters, director of DHEC’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Division.
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22nd Annual Greek Festival Set for May 15 -18
Souvlaki, spanakopita, kibbi, hummus, baklava; one taste and you’ll be saying “It’s all delicious to me.” Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Greenville, South Carolina presents their 22nd annual Greek Festival May 17th - 20st in Downtown Greenville.
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Single-gender Education Breaking New Ground in South Carolina
More than 300 of the state's 1,100 public schools are pursuing or are interested in establishing single-gender programs, South Carolina Department of Education officials announced. South Carolina has been portrayed in national news reports as a pioneer in single-gender programs, creating an Office of Public School Choice and adding the nation's first statewide coordinator to help local districts introduce the concept.
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Miracle Hill Cycling Challenge Set for May 17
Are you a cyclist looking for a real challenge? The Miracle Hill Cylcing Challenge might be just the thing for you.
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Upstate Diversity Leaders Recognized at Annual Awards Dinner
Upstate leaders were honored recently at the fourth annual Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards Dinner, which was presented by the Riley Institute® at Furman and hosted by the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Anderson Area and Spartanburg Area Chambers. This event acknowledged organizations and individuals for outstanding achievement in promoting diversity in the Upstate region of South Carolina.
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Emrys Reading Room Welcome Phebe Davidson and Ron Rash Monday
The Emrys Foundation Reading Room is pleased to welcome Phebe Davidson and Ron Rash on May 12, at 7PM. The reading will take place at The Handlebar.
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Famed Political Consultant James Carville to Speak on Furman Campus Monday
James Carville, America’s best known political consultant and Democratic strategist who helped elect President Bill Clinton in 1992, will speak on the Furman University campus Monday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in the Younts Conference Center. “A Conversation with James Carville” is free and open to the public, although seating is limited.
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Moody Black Hosts Poetry Slam on Sunday
Poetry Slam was invented by Marc Smith in Chicago in 1986 and brought to the Upstate in the 1990s by poet Glenis Redmond. Upstate locals can experience this art form at a $50 Poetry Slam, hosted by Moody Black, on May 11.
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Platronics Seals Announces Facility, 20 New Jobs in Spartanburg County
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Futures Group at the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce announced that Platronics Seals will move its production facility from Clifton, New Jersey to Spartanburg, South Carolina. The $2 million investment is expected to create 20 new jobs for the area.
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Precision to Expand Facilities, Add Up to 190 Jobs in Greenville
The Greenville Area Development Corporation and Precision -- a global manufacturer and marketer of aerosol valves and accessories with a presence in twenty countries around the globe – announced recently that the company will significantly expand its production facilities in Greenville County, South Carolina, adding a projected 190 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion of the Travelers Rest facilities reflects an anticipated $50 million investment by the company.
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Deadline for Annual Business Competition Entries is May 16
Now in its seventh year, South Carolina's Fastest-Growing Companiessm competition, co-sponsored by Elliott Davis, LLC and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, continues to recognize the achievements of top-performing private and publicly-owned companies that have contributed to South Carolina's economy. The top 25 highest-ranking companies will be honored at South Carolina’s Chamber of Commerce Annual Summit event on Nov. 13, 2008 at the Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, S.C., in addition to recognition in a state-wide print and broadcast publicity campaign.
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Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) Celebrating 26 Festivals This Weekend; Greenville.com a Proud Sponsor
How would you like to play, sing, and dance in a mountain glen, and add some hiking, camping, and swimming in a placid lake for good measure? Maybe you would rather attend a weekend party with 5,000 easy-going, fun-loving people listening to and grooving to dozens of nationally and internationally touring bands cranking out everything from Celtic to world beat, bluegrass to gospel?
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Furman Freshmen Win Grand Prize Award for Their Film About Living 'Green' on Campus
In February, a group of Furman University freshmen learned they had received a regional award for a film they made about maintaining a “green” lifestyle on campus. This past weekend, they discovered the film was good enough to earn national recognition as well.
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Rhythm on the River Returns to Larkin's for 2008 Season
Larkin's Rhythm on the River is the only concert series in Greenville which brings some of the top "Beach Music" talent right from the Grand Strand to the Banks of the Reedy River in Downtown Greenville. The Season kicks off this year on May 15 with the "TAMS" - and finishes 17 weeks later with the Billy Scott and the Prophets.
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BMW Group US Sales Up 9.6 Percent in April
The BMW Group in the U.S. reported April vehicle sales of 31,448, an increase of 9.6 percent from the 28,692 vehicles sold in the same month of 2007. For the first four months of 2008, BMW Group sales are still down 4.0 percent, to 99,977 vehicles versus the 104,125 sold January through April of 2007.
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State’s Wetlands to be Celebrated in May
May has been proclaimed "South Carolina Wetlands Month" by Governor Mark Sanford, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced. "Although wetlands serve as a vital link between land and water, they are historically misunderstood and underappreciated," said Heather Preston, director of the Water Quality Division for DHEC’s Bureau of Water.
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Upstate Alliance Receives $450,000 in Matching Dollars from the State
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Legislature have awarded the Upstate Alliance four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) pursuant to the General Appropriations Act of 2007. The South Carolina Department of Commerce appropriated funding for Regional Economic Development Organizations through the General Appropriations Act of 2007.
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Moonlight Movies Series Features Classic Movies in May
Watch your favorite classic movies under the stars. The movies are free and begin at sundown.
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The Warehouse Theatre Presents "Cloud 9" Through May 17
"Cloud Nine" begins in British Colonial Africa in 1880 and follows a family as it changes, or does not change, through history. The second act takes place in England in 1980, where so much has changed.
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Greenville County’s Newest High School Prepares to Open
Greer Middle College is preparing for an August 12, 2008 opening. The school, which currently has 60 students enrolled, is continuing to take applications, found on the school’s website at www.greermiddlecollege.org or by calling 250-8844.
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South Carolinians Can Learn to Co-exist with Black Bears
Many new homes are built in occupied bear range each year, according to state natural resources officials. Despite people moving into bear territory, bear have increased in numbers and range over the last 10 to 15 years, and as a result, bears and people are coming into contact with each other more frequently than before.
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Tap Your Cares Away With "Dames at Sea" at Flat Rock Playhouse Playing Through May 18
Flat Rock Playhouse opens its 2008 season with "Dames at Sea", a delightful breath of nostalgia with a historic link to theater's early days. Onstage April 30- May 18, "Dames at Sea" is a musical with book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, music by Jim Wise.
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Plan and Prepare Now for Fall Dove Hunting
Now is the time to begin the planning and preparation of fields to attract doves during the upcoming season. The mourning dove is one of the most popular game species in the Southeast, and fall dove shoots are a South Carolina tradition.
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Chamber Calendar is Full for May
The Greenville Chamber of Commerce again boasts a full calendar of offerings for members this month. A list of events planned for the month is below.
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Upstate SC Hosts BMW X6 International Press Launch
More than 500 International writers, reporters, and television teams are visiting the Upstate. Journalists from Russia, China, Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and many more countries are among the very first to drive the all-new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé.
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Greenville Tech’s HIM Program Goes Online
The Health Information Management program at Greenville Tech will be available online for Fall 2008. Growth in the field, the implementation of electronic records, and increasing regulatory requirements continue to drive the need for trained professionals in the Health Information Management field.
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American Cancer Society Reaches Milestone in Cancer Patient Outreach
The American Cancer Society, one of the oldest and largest voluntary health agencies in the United States, partners with hospitals across the United States to proactively reach newly diagnosed cancer patients and their caregivers through its Patient Resource Navigation program. In the Society's South Atlantic Division, spanning Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the District of Columbia, the organization has reached a milestone, serving 10,000 cancer patients and caregivers through Patient Resource Navigation, an initiative started less than three years ago.
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$20M Initiative Will Provide Help to Teachers Who Want to Buy First Homes
Two state agencies recently announced a joint $20 million initiative that will offer low-interest home loans to South Carolina teachers – and help with their down payments, too. The 2008 Palmetto Hero Program, run jointly by the South Carolina State Housing Authority and the South Carolina Department of Education, will offer the assistance to eligible teachers hoping to purchase their first homes.
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Greenville Little Theatre to Offer Summer Children's Classes
Greenville Little Theatre announces class registration for their summer Theatre Conservatory. The GLT Theatre Conservatory will offer three, one-week courses for students ages 8-18 beginning Mondays, June 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
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'I Love South Carolina Wildlife Sweepstakes' Offers Chance to Win Johnboat, Kayak, and More
South Carolina Wildlife magazine is sponsoring the "I Love South Carolina Wildlife Sweepstakes," offering participants the chance to win a johnboat with a motor and trailer, a crossbow-hunting package, an ocean kayak and much more great outdoor-related equipment. Everyone who subscribes, renews or gives a gift subscription to South Carolina Wildlife magazine until Feb. 26, 2009 will be entered in the sweepstakes for a chance to win.
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Clemson Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge Teams Advance to National Events
The Clemson University Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge teams once again have earned invitations to national competitions. This will be the 11th year in a row the Steel Bridge team is in the national competition and the 15th year for the Concrete Canoe team.
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FPL Food LLC Announces New Location in Lexington County, Expects to Create 100+ New Jobs
FPL Food LLC recently announced plans to invest approximately $4.29 million and create more than 100 new jobs in Lexington County, along with transferring a portion of its Augusta workforce to the area. The company has leased the former OSI facility located at 1964 Old Dunbar Road in Lexington County.
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Upstate Alliance Announces 2008 Executive Committee
The Upstate Alliance is pleased to announce that the Upstate Alliance Board of Directors approved the 2008 slate of officers for the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee for the Upstate Alliance provides direction and oversight for the Upstate Alliance; they are also instrumental in the development of the program of work for the Upstate Alliance.
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GSP’s Passenger Traffic Down Slighty Last Month
Passenger traffic figures for the month of March 2008 were down 5.62 percent from the same period in 2007, and air cargo figures also fell slightly, recording a decrease of 11.01% for the month of March 2008, as compared to March of last year. Year-to-date passenger traffic figures were up through March 2008, and showed enplanements of 172,638 and deplanements of 169,870, for a total of 342,508.
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GADC Announces Successful Year, Honors Economic Development Leaders
The Greenville Area Development Corporation, charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, announced another strong year for job growth, capital investment, tax revenue generation and private sector support at their recent annual Investor Appreciation luncheon. GADC President & CEO Jerry Howard and Board Chairman Jay Rogers also honored two county officials and a former state economic development official for playing significant roles in support of “quality economic development” during the past twelve months.
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Sandvik, Inc. Announces Expansion in Oconee County, 92 New Jobs to Westminster
The South Carolina Department of Commerce recently announced that Sandvik, Inc. will expand its facility in Westminster, S.C. Sandvik, Inc. expects to invest $47.5 million and create 92 new jobs in Oconee County. “Production efficiency is a key for our long-term success and growth. In order to be able to continuously improve efficiency we need skilled, dedicated, and engaged employees in our County.
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Freedom Weekend Aloft Announces Featured Concerts; Greenville.com Giving Away Tickets!
Organizers announced that the 27th annual Freedom Weekend Aloft will again present an exciting and diverse line-up of national recording artists in concert. The 2008 event is scheduled for May 24 through May 26 at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
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13 Greenville County Schools Recognized by Education Oversight Committee for “Closing the Gap”
Ten Greenville County Schools are among 141 statewide identified in a study released by the SC Education Oversight Committee as “reducing the achievement gap” for at least one historically underachieving student group. In the sixth annual release of the gap-closing schools, schools were identified based on results of the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics portions of the 2007 Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT).
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Celebrity Participants Announced for 2008 BMW Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament
Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones Gretzky, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Jason Dohring, Kevin Sorbo, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Lucas Black, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright and Jennifer Mills are the celebrities that are scheduled to compete in this year’s BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament. The 2008 BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament will be played May 15-18, 2008, at Bright's Creek Golf Club in Mill Spring, N.C., The Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg and Thornblade Club in Greer.
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Searchable Database Supplies Details on State’s School Choice Offerings
A new, searchable web database gives parents, educators, students and communities access to information on public school choice offerings across South Carolina. The new site includes community-by community listings and descriptions of existing public school choice programs, as well as a search engine to identify programs by name, format, district and school.
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Simpsonville’s Oakview Elementary School Named Champion of the Environment
Champions of the Environment has awarded a $500 grant to Oakview Elementary for its solar irrigation project, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced recently. “This is a great example of a small-scale renewable energy project that has large benefits for the environment as well as the school’s orchard and gardens,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment.
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Domtar Paper Company Expands SC Operations, Creates 90 New Jobs
The South Carolina Department of Commerce recently announced that Domtar Paper Company is expanding its operations center in Fort Mill. The company will invest one million dollars and create 90 jobs within the year.
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Put Up Gourds and Houses to Attract Purple Martins
Now is the time to put up gourds and houses for purple martins, the only bird species in eastern North America totally dependent on humans for nest cavities. "Purple martins are accustomed to humans and seem to prefer nesting close to man," said Laurel Barnhill, wildlife biologist and statewide bird conservation coordinator with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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Dr. David C. Driskell at the Greenville County Museum Through
June 15
The Greenville County Museum of Art presents an overview of the career of Dr. David C. Driskell, (left, see Eruption, Mt. St. Helens, 1980) who is one of the pre-eminent African-American artists and educators of our time. A North Carolina native, Driskell advanced the understanding of the evolution of black visual art in America as a professor at Talladega, Howard, and Fisk Universities and capped his academic career as chair of the art department at the University of Maryland.
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Introduce Kids to Hiking
We all know children who spend too much time indoors and not enough outside playing, let alone exploring nature. To help combat children’s inactivity and lack of knowledge and comfort with the natural world, PCF, with sponsorship from Palmetto Health, has launched a new program to teach kids through a combination of classroom lessons and outdoor recreation instruction.
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Bluebird Boxes Can Bring Enjoyment to Bird Lovers
Nesting activities begin early for the beautiful and beneficial bluebird, a voracious insect eater that can bring a splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads. If you haven't done it already, now is the time to clean, repair or put up new homes for bluebirds, one of our most beloved wildlife species, said Laurel Barnhill, wildlife biologist and statewide bird conservation coordinator with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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South Carolina’s 2007 Exports Shatter Records
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the State Ports Authority recently announced the state’s 2007 exports totaled more than $16.5 billion in goods sold to 198 countries around the world, representing a 21.6% increase over 2006 totals. In 2007, South Carolina’s 21.6% export growth ranked it 9th among the 54 states and U.S. territories and number one in the Southeast.
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USC's Moore School Earns Top International-business Ranking for 19th Consecutive Year
The International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) program at the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, is the nation’s top-ranked public university MBA program for international business and No. 2 among all institutions in that specialty, according to U.S.News & World Report. This marks the 19th consecutive year that Moore’s IMBA program has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2.
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Biltmore Estate's Festival of Flowers Unveils Stunning Display
Each spring Biltmore's Festival of Flowers celebrates the beauty of George W. Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property and its original design by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of American landscape architecture. During this time, the estate's legendary gardens showcase a seasonal display of vibrant colors from thousands of tulips in the Walled garden to native and exotic blooms in the 20-acre azalea garden. More detail

“Downtown Alive” Back with Same Smooth Downtown Style
Downtown Alive is back for its annual roll through the great spring and summer weather in the Upstate. The traditional, weekly music series, established as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC), has become a popular Thursday night staple in downtown Greenville.
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Camp Burnt Gin Accepting Applications for Campers and Staff
Camp Burnt Gin, South Carolina’s residential camp for children, teenagers and young adults who have a physical disability or chronic illness, is accepting applications for staff and for children to attend the camp’s 2008 season, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced. “Camp Burnt Gin is open to children, adolescents and young adults with a wide variety of physical disabilities including orthopedic problems, hearing impairments, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, heart conditions, cerebral palsy and others,” said Marie Aimone, camp director. More detail

Clemson Study Measures Danger of Driving While Texting
As sales of electronic devices continue to soar, so does the amount of time motorists spend driving outside the yellow highway lines. Johnell Brooks of the psychology department operates the driving simulator. More detail

State’s Migratory Songbirds Could Use a Helping Hand
The numbers of many neotropical migratory birds are declining precipitously, but a state wildlife biologist says people can help by taking some simple steps. Neotropical migratory birds are those species that nest in North America and migrate to the tropics to spend the winter. More detail

Conservation Practices Improve Wildlife Habitat in South Carolina
Landowners may be eligible for financial and/or technical assistance to enhance and improve wildlife habitat. One such program, offered through U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency (FSA), is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). More detail

Greenville Ranked Among Relocate America's Top 100 Places to Live
Greenville has recently been named to Relocate America's Top 100 Places to Live. 2007 marks the tenth year compiling this list of the best places to live in the United States. More detail

Regional and National Blood Supply Low, Donations Urgently Needed
The nation’s blood banks, represented by the American Red Cross, American Association of Blood Banks, and America’s Blood Centers, are asking for immediate blood donations to boost already critically low blood supplies. This call to action comes at a time when blood is traditionally in short supply due to the holidays, travel schedules, and illness. More details

Grandfather Mountain, a Globally Recognized Nature Preserve
Most visitors to Western North Carolina probably recognize Grandfather Mountain’s famous swinging bridge, and more than likely enjoy visiting its restaurant and souvenir shop. Many thousands of travelers stop by Grandfather Mountain during the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, one of the largest gatherings of Scottish clans anywhere in the country. More details

Chimney Rock Park Offers Four Seasons of Outdoor Fun
For those looking for a invigorating, outdoors spot to spend the better part of a day away from their own particular brand of hustle and bustle, Chimney Rock Park might just be the place. With fall’s generally crisp and sunny days, the park is an ideal location for an afternoon outside with family or friends. More details

Mice on Main – A Great Way to Spend Some Time with the Kids!
Margaret Wise Brown’s timeless children’s classic, “Goodnight Moon,” is the endearing story of a young bunny in striped pajamas who has to tell everyone and everything – in his room and in the world – goodnight before he can go to sleep for the night. Most any child or parent who has had a preschool child during any time in the last 50 years or so probably knows at least part of the brief and charming poetry that fills the pages of the book. So it comes as no surprise that a great many kids – with parents or grandparents in tow – have had a good time indeed in downtown Greenville as they search for those elusive “Mice on Main.”More details

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