Monthly Archives: May 2013
Pickens cuts ribbon on water plant
The new renovated City of Pickens Water Plant had its official ribbon cutting on Thursday as Pickens Mayor David Owens cut the ribbon during a special barbecue lunch provided by engineering firm Hulsey, McCormick and Wallace. The firm was instrumental in designing the $4 million in upgrades at the facility. The plant will offer the highest quality water for the citizens of Pickens, Owens said. Above, Owens, city administrator Katherine Brackett, members of city council and water plant operators, along with officials from Hulsey, McCormick and Wallace open the new plant.
Just turning the radio on
Olivia Fowler
On The Way
By Olivia Fowler
There wasn’t a television in my grandmama’s house. So back in the olden days when we were children, we weren’t exposed to Captain Kangaroo. Instead, after supper and before bedtime we’d all join Grandmama in the sitting room.
In winter we’d gather around the big kerosene heater on the old fireplace hearth and sit entranced listening to the radio.
She had a big old upright Emerson. I thought it was a magic box.
An example of a lifetime
Nicole Daughhetee
Life As I Know It
By Nicole Daughhetee
I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you much about my maternal grandparents. Growing up, they were a big part of my life, and I spent a great deal of time with them — especially after they relocated from Colorado to Bartow, Fla.
If they were still alive, they would be celebrating their 76th wedding anniversary today, May 15. I like to imagine them together in Heaven, loving one another more with each passing day of eternity.
Getting things going right
Ben Robinson
All About Ben
By Ben Robinson
When you’re trying to turn things around, it’s easy to get discouraged.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a small town in Georgia for a job interview.
The town is small and closed off by mountains that surround it. It’s a nice place, a little small for a weekly newspaper, but from what I was told, most people there subscribe to the newspaper there. Their only competition is the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but apparently the AJC no longer sends papers that far. Some guy in town apparently goes to Atlanta a few times a week, buys some papers, and then sells them for quite a profit.
Dr. John R. Brinkley: American Dream or Nightmare?
How a Jackson County, N.C., native went from richest doctor in the world to an infamous disgrace
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-week series written by Courier contributor Dr. Tom Cloer, Jr., about Dr. John R. Brinkley, Jr., born in neighboring Jackson County, N.C., and one of the most famous and successful men in the world in the 1930s before his unconventional methods and deceit led to his own fall from grace.
By Dr. Tom Cloer, Jr.
For the Courier
My maternal ancestors were here in the Pickens District in the 1700’s. But prior to the Civil War, my Great, Great Grandfather, Daniel Van Buren Moody, moved to East LaPorte, North Carolina, in Jackson County. Jackson County at that time bordered the Pickens District. My Great Grandfather, John Thomas Moody, son of Daniel Van Buren Moody, married Emma Wike there, and together they amassed an enormous amount of rich bottom land in the fertile Tuckasegee Valley. Therefore, throughout
Courier Obits 5-15-13
Marvin J. Lewis
Pickens — Marvin J. Lewis, 63, husband of Wendy Howard Lewis, of Pickens, died Thursday evening, May 9, 2013.
Marvin was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Berce William and Alberta (Bertie) Massingale Lewis. He formerly worked in textiles as a weaver and he was a member of Pickens Independent Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Wendy of the home, daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Coates and Randall of Pickens and grandson, Justin Coates. Also surviving are step-children, Katherine Heavlin, Shalane Tompkins, and Dolly Brannen, sister, Betty Haynes, nephew, Joe Hendricks, great nieces, Josie, Hope, and Heather Hendricks, and great great nephew, Weston McJunkins.
Courier Classifieds 5-15-13
Announcements
Do you own an antique or modern U.S. or foreign military vehicle? If so, “I WANT YOU” to join our veterans club, USMTM, please email for info: us.mtm66@yahoo.com. TFC
—————————————-
AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-367-2513. SW
—————————————-
MEDICAL CAREERS begin here – Train ONLINE for Allied Health and Medical Management. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 888-220-3872 www.CenturaOnline.com. SW
Pickens teacher named best in South Carolina
PICKENS — South Carolina’s 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year is Pickens County’s own Darleen Sutton, a first-grade teacher who has proudly served her community at Pickens Elementary School for the past seven years of a career that began in 1991.
“The first thing I thought when they announced the award was the incredible journey that’s ahead of me,” said Sutton. “Representing the teachers across South Carolina, and the privilege I have to represent teachers across Pickens County.
“I can’t wait to celebrate with my students because I can jump and scream with them, and they will be right there with me.”
Standoff with armed man ends peacefully
NORRIS — A five-hour standoff with an armed man in Norris ended peacefully on Monday.
According to Pickens County chief deputy Creed Hashe, deputies arrived within four minutes of receiving a call about a man outside a home on Old Schoolhouse Road armed with a handgun. Upon arrival deputies found the man, a Seneca resident, standing beside a vehicle with a semi-automatic pistol pointed at his chest.
Deputies began to talk with the man in an effort to persuade him to put the weapon down.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was deployed, and negotiators from the crisis intervention team made contact with the man via cellphone, quickly learning that the situation stemmed from a domestic dispute and the man was contemplating taking his own life.
4-year degrees coming to Easley with new SWU-TCTC partnership
Tri-County Technical College president Dr. Ronnie Booth, left, and Southern Wesleyan University president Dr. Todd Voss exchange paperwork for a partnership between the two schools at TCTC’s Easley campus last Thursday.
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
EASLEY — What began as a casual conversation between Tri-County Technical College’s Dr. Brian Swords and Southern Wesleyan University’s Jim Shelton has evolved into a revolutionary partnership that will allow for local students to earn four-year degrees without ever having to leave Easley.
Beginning in the fall of 2013, students who have historically attend TCTC to earn a two-year degree will now have the opportunity to earn a four-year degree on the school’s Easley campus through a pair of programs offered by SWU.
Tri-County president Dr. Ronnie L. Booth and SWU president Dr. Todd Voss met last Thursday at Easley’s TCTC campus to sign paperwork and make the partnership official.
