Natalie Netzel|The Observer

S.C. Sen. Ronnie Cromer presents a certificate to Little Mountain mayor Buddy Johnson on behalf of him and Dist. 40 Rep. Walt McLeod at Saturday’s dedication ceremony.

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Natalie Netzel|The Observer

Carroll Derrick thanks everybody for coming to the dedication ceremony Saturday, Dec. 3, for the Little Mountain senior center, library and community hall. Derrick is the oldest son of Louie Derrick whom the center is named after.

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Natalie Netzel|The Observer

The Louie C. Derrick Senior Center, Community Hall and Library held its grand opening and dedication ceremony Saturday, Dec. 3. After the dedication ceremony, the ribbon cutting was held followed by a reception. From left to right are: Carroll Derrick, representative for the Derrick family; Newberry city councilman Thomas Boyd; Betty Schumpert, Newberry Council on Aging board member; Dave Waldrop, chairman for Newberry County Council on Aging; Bettie Derrick, wife of the late Louie C. Derrick; Little Mountain mayor Buddy Johnson; Tony Kester, agency director for the Lt. Gov.’s Office on Aging; Lynn Stockman, executive director for Newberry County Council on Aging; and Sen. Ronnie Cromer.

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Natalie Netzel|The Observer

Dist. 40 Rep. Walt McLeod thanked people for coming and remarked how proud he is of the new facility in Little Mountain. McLeod said it is his high honor to represent the community of Little Mountain.

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The Louie C. Derrick Senior Center, Community Hall and Library was dedicated and officially welcomed into the community of Little Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m.

A host of people came out to recognize all who helped out with the facility including Little Mountain Mayor Buddy Johnson, S.C. Dist. 40 Rep.Walt McLeod, S.C. Sen. Ronnie Cromer, the Derrick family, Newberry County Council on Aging’s chairman, director and staff and other dignitaries and ministers.

Johnson welcomed everyone during the ceremony for the long awaited center.

“Little Mountain is growing,” Johnson said, citing statistics from the last census in 2000.

He said 29 percent of the citizens in the community are at least 60 years old and there has been a 97 percent growth in the area.

McLeod said he hopes everyone enjoys “the garden spot of the east coast of the United States” and that it is “my high honor to represent Little Mountain.”

Cromer also presented a certificate to Johnson on behalf of him and McLeod and told Johnson how appreciative they are of everything he has done.

Among everyone who attended, the seniors and their families were at the center enjoying the fellowship.

Dave Waldrop, chairman for the Newberry County Council on Aging, said it’s great to see the growth and is proud of having a place in Little Mountain for people to go. He said there are two groups of people to not forget and that’s the youth, or the people who get along, and the seniors, or the people who have got us to where we are today.

The community also is hoping to have a mentoring program at the center in conjunction with Little Mountain Elementary School but details are still in the works.

Tony Kester, agency director for the Lt. Gov.’s Office on Aging, complimented all who helped out and said, “I’m sure others are envious of what you have. A meal is nice, but we want more (than that). The mayor agreed to have activities. It’s not a place to eat and run. This building exceeded everything I could imagine.”

The center was named in honor of Louie C. Derrick and his wife, Bettie Derrick, cherished the memories of him.

She recalled her husband “was the sweetest person I know. I still love him.” Louie C. Derrick passed away in 1999 and was a local businessman.