The City of Spartanburg will play host to the signature Carolinas Classic All-Star boys and girls basketball games for three consecutive years, beginning March 21 at Dorman High School. 

Carolinas Classic coming to Spartanburg for the next three years

City likely to secure event for long time to come 

By L. C. Leach III for The Spartan Weekly News

It took 28 years of building, a recent collaboration of four different organizations and the local chamber of commerce, and some last-minute red carpet treatment for organizers by tourism and athletics officials.

But beginning this March, the City of Spartanburg will not only play host to the signature Carolinas Classic All-Star boys and girls basketball games for three consecutive years, it is now the odds-on favorite to become the event’s permanent home.

“This is one of the most prestigious all-star basketball games anywhere in the country,” said Phil Weaver, executive director with the North Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (NCACA) in Greensboro, N.C., one of the event’s longtime partners. “It’s the only time the kids get to play for their state, and the quality of the game is hard to top.”

The awarding of the Classic came in early January through a combined effort from officials with OneSpartanburg, Spartanburg School District Six, both NCACA and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA), and Dorman High School.

Dorman’s facilities and longstanding reputation for basketball competitiveness and excellence were significant factors in the selection – as was the obvious and eager desire by local officials to secure the event.

“They wanted it more than anyone else,” said SCACA executive director Scott Early. “And Spartanburg is the up-and-coming tourism spot for sports in all of the Southeast.”

The Classic will be held March 21 at Dorman High, and feature a boys game and girls game, showcasing the best high school basketball talent across the Carolinas.

“I have been blessed to coach in the game on two occasions,” said Dorman boys head basketball coach Thomas Ryan. “And it truly is a special event for the players and community.”

Players on all four teams represent 90 percent Power 4 athletes – meaning most are caliber for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC.

“It’s like watching college basketball – and the girls level is higher than the boys,” Earley said. “Over 50 percent of the kids in these games are already committed to playing in college.”

And, the Classic is certain to be a boon to the local economy.

“The event is expected to generate over $100,000 in direct visitor spending from athletes’ families, coaches, officials, and spectators,” said John Mark Freeze, OneSpartan-burg vice president of tourism development. "Our team helped align local stakeholders, support the bid process, and facilitate communication with event ownership, while demonstrating Spartan-burg’s ability to successfully host a high-profile high school all-star event.”

With its securing of the Classic, Spartanburg is now home to both it and the Shrine Bowl, which showcases the best football talent between the Carolinas.

“Spartanburg has hosted the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas for over 20 years,” said Billy Dunlap, OneSpartanburg chief tourism development officer. “The Carolinas Classic is the hardwood equivalent of the Shrine Bowl, so it’s only appropriate the tournament be held in Spartanburg for the next three years.”

But if all goes as expected, Earley said Spartanburg could become the Classic’s permanent host city.

“Since the event began in 1998, it’s been hosted by Rock Hill (1998-2007), Charlotte (2008), Myrtle Beach (2009-17), and Wilmington (2018-2025) – The  thought was that it should be in N.C. sometimes and S.C. sometimes,” Earley said. “But we are hoping that from this point, the Classic will have a permanent home in Spartanburg, because when you have a permanent home, it makes your game a lot more attractive. And we are excited to be in Spartanburg.”

USC Upstate hosts second annual MLK Community Builders Breakfast

The University of South Carolina Upstate held its second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Builders’ Breakfast, bringing together students, faculty, staff and community members from across the Upstate to honor individuals committed to service and civic engagement. The event recognized efforts to advance what King called the “Beloved Community,” grounded in justice, equity and shared responsibility.

Recipients of the 2026 Community Builders Awards included students Zella Jackson and A’Kya Watson; staff members Alphaeus Anderson and Victoria Lockhart; faculty members Colby King and Claudine Feig; and community leaders Charles Mann, Ryon David Smalls, Tony Tanner and Marilyn Mitchell Varner. The awards acknowledge sustained leadership and contributions that strengthen both the campus and the surrounding community.

The program featured remarks from Dr. Marlon A. Smith, a USC Upstate professor and director of the Center for Africana & African American Studies. Smith, a nationally recognized scholar and author, spoke on the enduring relevance of civil rights advocacy, social justice and criminal justice reform, urging continued action toward equity and collective progress.

Spartanburg County groups launch work-based learning partnership in law and public service

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Two Spartanburg County organizations have announ-ced a new partnership aimed at giving high school students hands-on exposure to careers in law, civic service and the judicial system.

The Institute for Youth Justice and OneSpartanburg Inc. said the countywide initiative will expand work-based learning opportunities, including internships, for students interested in public service and justice-related careers. The program is designed to create a clear career pathway by connecting students with local courts, agencies and public-sector employers.

The partnership plans to create 50 work-based learning placements within the county’s judicial system.

“This collaboration allows us to build on our relationships with school districts and justice partners while reaching even more students across Spartanburg County,” said Hope Blackley, founder of the Institute for Youth Justice.

Founded in 2016, the Institute for Youth Justice operates a five-month leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors. The program focuses on educating students about how the justice system works, addressing misconceptions and strengthening relationships between young people and criminal justice professionals. More than 100 students from Spartanburg County school districts, private schools and homeschool groups have participated since the program began.

Blackley said early exposure to careers plays a critical role in helping students plan for the future.

“By expanding internship opportunities beyond our current capacity, we believe this partnership will have a lasting impact on both students and the local justice system,” she said.

OneSpartanburg Inc., a nonprofit focused on economic and workforce development, has spent the past two years coordinating work-based learning opportunities for high school students across the county. Those opportunities include internships, apprenticeships and similar placements.

Employers committed to 203 student placements in summer 2024. That number increased to 556 in summer 2025 and is expected to exceed 600 in summer 2026.

Taylor Dement, OneSpartanburg’s vice president of talent strategy, said the partnership reflects the county’s collaborative approach to workforce development.

“Internships are essential experiences for students, and they also serve as a practical talent pipeline for both public- and private-sector employers,” Dement said. “They are a key step toward long-term career success and economic mobility.”

Claudia O’Steen’s In Extremis is currently on display at the Spartanburg Art Museum through March 28. Spartanburg Art Museum photo 

Spartanburg Art Museum showcases ‘In Extremis,’ a multimedia exploration of South Carolina’s changing landscapes

By Melissa Rhine for The Spartan Weekly News

The Spartanburg Art Museum has long served as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape, offering free access to visual art, educational programming and community engagement opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, the museum presents rotating exhibitions, outreach initiatives and special events designed to make the arts accessible to all. Admission to the museum is always free, reinforcing its mission to foster creativity, dialogue and connection through the arts.

Currently on display at the Spartanburg Art Museum is In Extremis, a multimedia installation by North Carolina–based artist Claudia O’Steen that examines the transitional and often fragile landscapes of South Carolina. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how environmental change, erosion and human intervention shape the region’s coastal and natural environments.

O’Steen’s work combines found materials such as erosion-control equipment and sandbags with projectors, digital imagery and sculptural elements. Together, these components create an immersive experience that reflects both the physical and emotional impact of environmental transformation. Through layered visuals and materials, In Extremis explores the tension between preservation and loss, highlighting the vulnerability of landscapes many South Carolinians know well.

The exhibition runs through March 28 and is on view during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to take their time moving through the installation, as its shifting imagery and spatial design offer new perspectives from multiple vantage points.

The museum hosted an opening reception for In Extremis last week, welcoming community members to experience the exhibition firsthand. The free event included light refreshments and provided guests an opportunity to engage with the work in a social setting while celebrating the museum’s continued commitment to contemporary art. The reception reflected the museum’s role as both a cultural and communal gathering space in Spartanburg.

In addition to visiting exhibitions, community members can support the Spartanburg Art Museum’s programming in several ways. Contributions and memberships through the museum’s 1907 Society help fund exhibitions, educational outreach and free admission for the public. The museum relies largely on individual donations to sustain its mission and expand its impact throughout the community.

Looking ahead, the Spartanburg Art Museum will host its annual 1907 Society Speakeasy Gala on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chapman Cultural Center Theater Lobby. The evening will feature drinks, small bites, games, jazzy music and a live artist auction, with all proceeds supporting the museum’s exhibitions, outreach and programming. Readers are encouraged to mark their calendars for the event and consider attending in support of the arts in Spartanburg.

For more information about In Extremis, museum hours or ways to support the Spartanburg Art Museum, visit them online at spartanburgartmuseum.org.

The Cook’s Corner: Creamy chicken stew to warm winter days 

The Cook’s Corner: A column from local kitchens

By The Kitchen Correspondent

Welcome to The Cook’s Corner, where seasonal recipes and everyday favorites are shared from kitchens across our community. Each week, we feature a dish we love- bringing the stories, traditions, and people that make our local food scene so special to the table. Enjoy!

 A Stew for Stormy Days

There are certain recipes that don’t just feed us — they comfort us, warm us, and remind us where we’re from. This week’s Cook’s Corner comes at the perfect time, as Spartanburg finds itself in the middle of an ice storm, with cold temperatures, slick roads, and neighbors hunkered down at home. When the weather turns like this, it calls for something hearty, simple, and made to be shared.

This creamy chicken stew checks every box. It’s warm and filling, can be made ahead and frozen for later, and is easy to scale up if you’re feeding a crowd — or a few cold and hungry neighbors. It’s also a recipe rooted deeply in local history.

For decades, Holden’s Ranch was a Spartanburg staple. The beloved fast-food restaurant was especially known for its chicken stew, which famously sold out on cold, rainy, or snowy days. Locals planned their visits around the weather, knowing that a chilly day often meant a pot of stew bubbling away inside. After 47 years in business, Holden’s Ranch closed in 2024, but for many of us, the taste — and the memories — remain.

This copycat recipe brings that familiar comfort back to life. It’s rich, creamy, and unapologetically old-school. Best of all, it can be made in a big pot on the stovetop or even on a propane burner if the power’s out — because good food doesn’t stop just because the lights do.

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Creamy Chicken Stew (Holden’s Ranch–Inspired)

Creamy and comforting, this rich chicken stew is a copycat recipe of the much-loved Spartanburg classic.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Stock Reduction: 2 hours

Total Time: About 3 hours

Ingredients

For the Stock

• 1 whole chicken (or cut into pieces)

• 1 gallon water (or enough to cover the chicken)

• 1 onion, quartered

• 1 carrot, quartered

• 1 stalk celery, quartered

For the Stew

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 4 cans evaporated milk

• 2 cups whole milk

• 2 cups chicken stock (homemade or store-bought)

• 1/8 teaspoon paprika

• Salt, to taste

• Pepper, to taste

• 1/2 can cream of chicken soup (or more, to thicken)

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Instructions

Make the Stock

Add the chicken, onion, carrot, and celery to a large stockpot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, skimming off any foam as needed. Cover and cook for at least one hour, until the chicken is beginning to fall apart.

Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool. Continue simmering the stock. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, separate the meat from the skin and bones.

Bring the stock back to a boil, then reduce to a heavy simmer and cook until it reduces to about 2 cups. Strain and remove excess fat.

Make the Stew

Finely shred the chicken and set aside. In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion in butter until translucent. Add the evaporated milk, whole milk, and strained stock. Simmer on low for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture is hot.

Add the shredded chicken, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 can of cream of chicken soup (or more, depending on how thick you like it). Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Serve hot with crackers, cornbread, and — if you’re a purist — a dash of hot sauce.

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Cold weather has a way of slowing us down and bringing us back to the basics. Whether you’re cooking for your family, stocking the freezer, or sharing a warm meal with someone who needs it, this stew is a reminder of how food connects us — especially in moments like this.

Until next week, stay warm, take care of one another, and keep something comforting simmering on the stove.

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Have a recipe worth sharing? The Cook’s Corner welcomes submissions from home cooks, local residents, chefs, and restaurants throughout our community. Selected contributors may be contacted for a brief interview so we can share the story behind the dish. To submit a recipe or inquire about a collaboration, email [email protected]