Big Air is a Big Deal for Laurens County SC by Celeste Culbertson

WHAT CAN KIDS DO AT BIG AIR?

According to the Big Air Trampoline Park website, “Big Air offers high-flying fun for the whole family where you can literally bounce off the walls! Jumping surfaces include trampoline dodgeball courts, slam dunk courts, ninja-warrior courses, rope course, zipline, launch pads, foam pits, a massive freestyle court, climbing wall and much more!" 

WHAT CAN OLDER KIDS OR ADULTS DO AT BIG AIR?

Big Air in Laurens also has eight lanes of bowling, two pool tables and axe throwing. You can watch football games and other sports on big screen TVs while your kids jump and play. Their food court has a tasty menu, including, but not limited to, pizza, chicken strips, shrimp and fries. There's a bar for those over 21. Book that birthday party and invite up to 300 people. You can rent the whole place over night for a lock-in. Big Air also has an arcade for those who love to play games and win. There’s loud music playing which creates excitement in the air that you can feel. And, their play list isn't too shabby either! They offer cosmic nights with strobe lights. The best part is that kids love it! And, it’s a great family atmosphere.

Bring the kids, have a church party, plan a work event with team building activities for your employees with a little competition to boot! If you haven’t paid them a visit, I highly recommend you do. The kids will have a blast! If for no other reason, just to support this great attraction and asset to our county and neighboring counties, too. Not the mention BigCare, which is an incredible program that pours back into our communities. One way we can thank Big Air for that is by, you guessed it, patronizing their business in Laurens! 

Big Air Trampoline Park is located at 1500 West Main Street, Laurens, South Carolina in the section that was previously home to Bi-Lo grocery beside House of Pizza and on the opposite end of Garcia's Kitchen. If all else fails, just look for the Big Air Limo. It's super cool!

Bike Nights 2024

Great news! Destination Powersports nailed down the dates for our 2024 Bike Night Season. We will have a total of four this year, with one already in the books as of this post. The next three will be on the following dates: June 6, July 18, and September 19 from 6pm-9pm, weather permitting. 

If it's a rain out, then we will post the rain date on social media and update this blog. Follow us on Facebook for updates, cancellations &/or any changes to the schedule. If you aren't on Facebook, and the weather is sketchy, you are welcome to call the dealership (864.833.3699) for info. We also post events on our website, but we may not be able to get a cancellation due to inclement weather posted in time.

With all of that said, we are excited about seeing YOU (our friends, family & customers) at Bike Night this season! The first one on March 28th was a success because of the biker community, vendors, DJ, customers, employees, friends and families (See pictures posted on Facebook.) Thank you for showing up and supporting DPS in this effort! We had about 50 motorcycles, including a Yamaha or two, one Can-Am Spyder, but mostly Harley-Davidson motorcycles; 80-90 people and five vendors. Fun times on US-76E in Clinton SC! 

We hope to add more attractions and entertainment as participation increases each year. We need you to help spread the word by sharing our posts on Facebook, inviting bikers and friends, commenting on social media about the things you enjoyed, etc. All of that increases participation and anticipation within the surrounding communities. We'll take curiosity, too! Everyone welcome. 

We had several winners in March and gave out some cool prizes and money, too! Who knows, you may be a winner on June 6th! But, you have to be here to win... wink, wink!

        

Gearing Up for Bike Night Season, March 2024

We're reaching out to share an exciting event that's just around the corner – Bike Night! With March marking the start of the Bike Night season, it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the lengthening days and the warmer night air, not to mention the wind in your face.

This event isn't just about the motorcycles; it's an amazing outdoor gathering featuring music, a variety of food vendors, and drinks to keep the spirit high. But what truly makes Bike Night special is the camaraderie. It's a time to reconnect with old friends and the chance to make new ones amidst the buzz of the biker community. And, yeah it's an opportunity to show off your bike and the additions you've made to it. Customization is a big deal!

And let's not forget the ride home – there's nothing quite like the open road and the wind in your hair to encapsulate the freedom that comes with motorcycling. Don't worry if you're more of a four-wheel fan; cars are welcome too!

We hope to see you at Destination Powersports on March 28th, embracing the unique atmosphere that only Bike Night 2024 can offer. Also a special thanks to our food vendors, set up crew, and everyone who is working behind the scenes to make this bike night happen!

Lastly, a B-I-G SHOUT OUT to FULLER LAW for being an awesome sponsor of BIKE NIGHT March 2024! Thanks Chad & Katie Fuller! 

Please note: Rain Date is 4/4/24

Boomerang Bagger by Celeste Culbertson

 

I have the most incredible story to share with you about Jeremy Tumblin’s Harley-Davidson Street Glide. But first, let me tell you about Jeremy. He is a native of Hickory Tavern in Laurens County, South Carolina. He graduated from Piedmont Technical College of Greenwood in 2006 with an associate degree in machine tool technology and welding. JT worked as a welder at Eaton in Greenwood for several years, then as a machinist at L&M Machine in Gray Court. Jeremy started a secondary business (his side hustle, as he called it) around 2014 at L&M, designing and milling big wheels (28-inch and 32-inch) for Harley motorcycles on a CNC machine. He found his niche in customizing wheels, modifying bikes and then perfecting his creative skills.

After a drunk driver turned in front of his dad while riding a motorcycle down Fairview Road in Simpsonville, Jeremy decided that he would powder coat his new 32-inch custom flip-six wheel on his personal bike a blinding safety green (neon yellow,) so people could “see me coming from a long distance away,” as he often articulated. JT included many other add-ons (mechanical and cosmetic) to that bagger, such as a two-tone custom purple paint overlayed with a grey lace pattern from a bridal veil, saddle bags with taillights from a Toyota Camry, air ride to extend the front forks and to raise and lower the bike. The bike was customized to the max, stereo and sound included.

As fate would have it, that big bright neon yellow wheel became Jeremy’s calling card and legacy, as it was very recognizable. It made him stand out. And he became well-known in the custom motorcycle industry and in the biker community across the U.S. He was even recognized by Orange County Choppers founder and reality television series, American Chopper, in May 2019. JT had to decline the opportunity to appear on the series due to a chronic illness, but gladly handed it off to a buddy in the industry. Unfortunately, Jeremy passed away a few months later in August 2019, after a fierce five-year battle with colorectal cancer.

JT's bike then exchanged hands (twice) and ended up in New Mexico. As his mom, I like to think that his bike continued to spread his legacy. The motorcycle was riding in territory that Jeremy’s eyes had never seen and somehow that represented freedom to me. But the strangest thing happened. I received a private Facebook message on June 26 of this year from a lady in Inman SC. I met this lady years ago in the Greenville H.O.G. chapter when I was employee of Harley-Davidson of Greenville and served as the liaison between the two entities. The lady wrote that her son and husband had driven out to New Mexico that weekend, bought a motorcycle and trailered it back home. They were told that it was a bike built out of Anderson. After asking around, they discovered it was a bike built out of Laurens County instead. And yes, as fate obviously arranged it, it was/is Jeremy Tumblin’s motorcycle! I can’t even begin to tell you how many gallons of joy and gratitude poured out of my eyes as I read that PM!

I recently visited the new owner of my son’s Street Glide. He’s a nice guy. I’m grateful the motorcycle is in the loving hands of a biker family. He and his wife are giving the bike a facelift and making some mechanical alterations. They have changed the paint scheme to raspberry (purple with pizzazz) and island boy, which is in the teal color spectrum. They are also adding many new parts, engine upgrades and a whole lot of TLC. I can't wait to see the final product, and maybe even write another post about it! 

The new owner said, “Out of respect for Jeremy and in memory of your son, I will keep the name of the bike the same.”  I quickly replied, “Her name is Defiance.”  And, she has defied the odds by traveling across a dozen states and over a thousand miles to make her way back home to Upstate South Carolina!  And I am convinced that one day, after she’s well-ridden and retired, she will make her way back home to Hickory Tavern, just like Jeremy did. Iykyk.

Pictured above:  Jeremy's custom-made gas tank urn. His crowning jewel, if you please. It passed through the hands of nine men (masters of their own skilled art) to make Jeremy's last wish happen.

Pictured below: A small variety of wheel designs by the late Jeremy Tumblin from blanks to finished products. 

The Tavern Breaks Ground, Dream Center

Hickory Tavern, SC - The Tavern broke ground Sunday, July 30, 2023 for their new Dream Center. Drinks were on the house, Living Water and New Wine, the only drinks that can quinch one’s thirst, says the lead pastor, Rev. Chad Jordan, repeating the words of the Master. Free coffee and snacks were also available in Guest Services. Live music was provided by The Tavern Praise Team and Band.

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, Rev. Chad Jordan preached his Sunday morning sermon (inside the current worship center/gymnasium) on the "Influence of Social Media."  He took his outline from a previous Sprite commercial, which stated: Image is nothing. Thirst is everything. Obey your thirst. He mentioned influencers and how they should positively influence others; that the right image is important; how Jesus offered the woman at the well living-water that would quinch her thirst; how salt (influencers) should make others thirst for God; and lastly, obey the (godly) thirst for things above.

The service then moved outdoors as the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dream Center, which will be 15,494 square feet and seat over 420 people. It will be one of the largest worship centers in Laurens County. This project has been over seven (7) years in the making, as the previous building had been condemned by the county and torn down due to structural issues with the rafters.

To kick-off the outdoor ceremony, Pastor Chad, read verses from the book of Habakkuk chapter two, which instructs the prophet to write down on tablets the God-given vision…and to wait for it to come to pass. Rev. Jordan went on the explain The Tavern’s mission statement: Dream. Develop. Discover.

“The goal is to create an environment that encourages people to dream, which is interchangeable with the word vision, and to be better” says, Rev. Jordan, “to help develop that dream, to disciple them, to come alongside, and help people to discover how that is supposed to work, what that looks like in God’s plan for their life, whatever your talents and strength are...” 

The church elders joined the pastor with shovels in hand to break ground, then ended the ceremony with prayer. Now the grading and construction can begin!

Everyone is welcome to be a part of The Tavern. The church is located at: 18069 SC-101, Gray Court, SC 29645 (formerly known as Hickory Tavern Church of God.)  For more info call 864.684.2201

Article contributed by: Celeste Culbertson

The top two photos contributed by: Summer Walls

*The views of this organization may or may not line up with the views of the owner of the blog. The purpose of this blog is to share the positive things that are happening in our county, among our neighbors and in our neighborhoods. 

July Fireworks in Retrospect

Who can believe that almost one month ago, we were planning our 4th of July cookouts and trying to decide where to go to watch the fireworks displays? Some folks in Laurens County opted for the annual Lake Rabon Estate display, while others watched them from their pontoons on Lake Greenwood, as seen in the photo above, taken by a well-known photographer, Robert Vance. 

The writer of this post did neither, as in none of the above. My daughter, granddaughter and I shared a delicious meal at Senor Garcia in Laurens and came out (unknowingly) just in time to watch the fireworks show. We sat in the parking lot, where many people had gathered in their vehicles with their families, a few in golf carts riding around. We had a great time watching the bursts of brilliant colors explode in the sky, just over the Dollar General beside the Mexican restaurant at the old Laurens Plaza. Talk about dinner and a show, both were fantastic! Good times in our little home town. 

That all seems like a life time ago, way off in the past somewhere, but was less than 30 days ago. Now on to school starting today, August 1st, on a modified schedule in District 55. Go figure? It will be Christmas before we blink our eyes. Stop and enjoy the little things in life. 

Contributed by: Celeste Culbertson

Winner of the 2023 Jeremy Tumblin Memorial Race, Interview

 

Who won the 2023 Jeremy Tumblin Memorial Race back in June of this year at the Warrior Creek Speedway in Gray Court SC, you ask?  None other than Logan Tucker of the Justin McDonald Racing race team. Congrats (again) to the winner and the racing team who won four races that evening!

I was able to get a statement from Tucker last week. This is what he said when I asked if he had had the opportunity to meet Jeremy Tumblin and what it meant to him to win this race two years in a row:

“I met Jeremy Tumblin and he raced with our team on several different occasions at many of the different tracks we traveled to. Being able to win the race the first year was very meaningful, to not only myself but everyone who races with us and who knew Jeremy! Looking ahead to this year, being able to win it again against some stiff competition made it that much sweeter. While winning races at that event was important, we worked extra hard to win that memorial class because we knew Jeremy was looking down and smiling on us. It’s such a special victory to all of us at team JMR. I have the trophy checks and medallions set aside from the rest because of how meaningful this race is to me. Jeremy is greatly missed and played a great part in our racing family.”

Justin McDonald, the team owner, posted this on his personal Facebook page, shortly after the race: “JMR went to the Jeremy Tumblin Memorial Race this past Saturday and ended up with 4 wins, 3 2nds, a 3rd and a 4th place. It was an honor to be able to have a 1-2 finish in the Memorial Race for Jeremy Tumblin. We miss you bro. I can’t thank everyone enough for all their help and hard work in our program. Can’t beat a local Saturday night race.”

No need for my conclusion. These guys wrapped it up nicely. Here’s where I “drop the mic” and walk off the stage, feeling pretty darn good about my son, Jeremy Tumblin.

Contributed by: Celeste Culbertson