Monthly Archives: March 2014
Pluckin’ the six-string
Ben Robinson/Courier
Andrew Dennis prepares to share a few chords on his guitar Saturday at Hagood Mill’s Kids Fest, which featured dozens of young artists from the Pickens County Young Appalachian Musicians program.
Author impressed with Pickens County economic development
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
COUNTY — Youth unemployment expert and author Nicholas Wyman visited Pickens County last week and shared his impression on economic development efforts made by Alliance Pickens.
Wyman is writing a book on the development of business technical skills and ways to bridge the skills gap in the United States. While doing his research for the book, he came across information about efforts by Alliance Pickens. Now, Wyman hopes to use what he learned as he tours the nation to speak.
“He was very impressed,” Alliance Pickens executive director Ray Farley said. “He looked at our economic development, our school district, the career center, basically all the things that are
Pickens mourns Alexander’s death
PICKENS — The Pickens community is mourning the loss of longtime local historian Julia Alexander, who passed away on Saturday at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion, N.C.
Alexander, a lifelong Pickens resident, was recently unanimously elected President Emeritus of the Pickens County Historical Society (PCHS) at its January board meeting, a first in the 56-year history of the organization, of which she was a charter member.
Alexander was born a daughter of the late Ernest Franklin and Frederica McDaniel Alexander. She was a graduate of Pickens High School and attended Draughon’s Business College in Greenville. She retired from Duke
County taking part in marijuana study
Ben Robinson/Courier
Pictured, from left, are Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County research liaison Margaret Garrett, research director Elizabeth Chapman and study physician Dr. Amanda Flynn.
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
COUNTY — Pickens County will be part of a national study on treatment of those using marijuana.
The study involves using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a treatment. The clinical trial involves NAC and a placebo in a 12-week outpatient treatment program that includes medical counseling and motivational incentives, targeting marijuana abstinence.
NAC is most often medically used as a treatment for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose and for pulmonary conditions, but is also available as an over-the-counter supplement.
Marijuana
Prior research indicates that NAC restores brain glutamate levels that are disrupted by substance addiction. Based on this research and on findings from an adolescent trial at the Medical University of South Carolina, it is believed that NAC is a promising candidate for the treatment of marijuana dependence, a condition for which there is no established Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication
Families for furry friends
Foothills Humane Society shelter manager Megan Brown holds a dog waiting to be adopted at the facility, located at 500 Five Forks Road in Liberty.
Foothills Humane Society finds
homes for unwanted animals
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
LIBERTY — The Foothills Humane Society animal shelter is under the leadership of a new director — Samantha Gamble, who began her duties in January of this year.
Gamble is already faced with a tough, overcrowded situation at the shelter.
During a recent day, the shelter was home to 39 cats, which is the shelter’s limit. New homes are needed for the animals before the shelter can accept more.
The shelter was also recently home to 38 dogs, which is close to its limit. Gamble said the shelter could probably handle up to 10 more dogs, depending upon their size.
Easley City Council moves to complete Couch Lane project
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
EASLEY — Monday night, Easley City Council moved toward completing its project on Couch Lane by awarding a contract to Premier Constructors Inc. to install pedestrian lighting along the path.
Bids on the project originally opened in January, but were too high.
The city adjusted the project, reducing the number of light poles necessary. The project was funded with C-fund money, so it required very little city funds, administrator Fox Simons said.
Council approved the motion with a 6-0 vote.
Young talent and old-time music headed to Hagood Mill Saturday
PICKENS — Super KidsFest, to be held at Hagood Mill on Saturday, will offer a day of fun and entertainment for all ages, with a special focus on youngsters who are keeping old-time music traditions alive.
Steve McGaha and Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield — the “Wizards of Odd” — will kick things off with a performance at 10:30 a.m. and then serve as emcees for bands from the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program. Old-time musicians Lucy Allen and Marshall Goers also will perform.
As a special treat for kids of all ages, McGaha and Barfield will conduct a jug band workshop and
Old dog’s healthy new trick
On The Way
By Olivia Fowler
Olivia Fowler
My brother, Matt, who has smoked since he was 16 years old quit smoking! He called and told me he hasn’t had a Marlboro cigarette in four weeks. This is the best news in the world to our family.
We grew up with tobacco as the big money crop. There was still cotton, soybeans and, lespedeza, but tobacco, unless something went wrong during the drying process, was where the money could be counted on.
Even back then we all had heard rumblings about lung damage. We had a science teacher, Charlie Parker, who referred to cigarettes as coffin nails, and said we’d all die early if we smoked.
Almost everybody in the family smoked, except for Grandmama and Uncle Walter. Grandmama never had
Courier Letters to the Editor 2-12-14
Motives are important
Dear Editor:
Motive is a very important part of judging the merits of an issue. Both sides of an issue always have a motive.
The Obama Administration, The CCSSO, The NGA, Achieve and Bill Gates all have claimed their motive is getting children college and career ready and able to work successfully to compete for jobs in the future. They have invested a great deal of our own taxpayer funds as well as their own personal wealth promoting these standards. They have invested a great deal of time in making sure these standards are touted as the best plan for America to be competitive in the global 21st century economy. Many have also earned a healthy income in the process of selling these
Courier Obituaries 3-12-14
Julia M. Alexander
Pickens — Ms. Julia McKenzie Alexander, 87, died Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion, N.C.
A lifelong resident of Pickens County, Ms. Alexander was born a daughter of the late Ernest Franklin and Frederica McDaniel Alexander. Julia was a graduate of Pickens High School and attended Draughon’s Business College in Greenville. She retired from Duke Power with 30 years of service, and was recognized as Duke’s first female branch manager. She was a member of Pickens First Baptist Church. Ms. Alexander, affectionately known as “Miss Julia”, was well known for her knowledge and records she kept of the history of the Pickens area. College professors and historians often consulted Julia on local history. At least three books have been written on the Alexander family heritage in the Upstate. She was elected President Emeritus of the Pickens County Historical Society where she was a charter member. She also received the I Fan the Flame Award from the Pickens County Revitalization Association for her support and contributions to the community.
Surviving are a sister; Frederica Black of Marion, N.C; two nieces, Linda B. Wood (Richard) of Marion, N.C, and Amy Alexander Schneider (Brett) of Lenexa, Kan.; one nephew, Joe Black (Katherine) of Buena Vista, Colo.; two great nieces, Heather Wood Anderson (Greg) and their children Grace and Molly of Marion, N.C., and Liza Wood Holmes (John) of Rock Hill.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Alexander was predeceased by a beloved brother, Vincent Holley Alexander.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Saturday, March 22 prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickens County Historical Society, P.O. Box 775, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Pickens First Baptist Church, 406 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Gertrude Bernice Owen Galloway
Pickens — Gertrude Galloway, age 72, died Monday March 3, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.
Mrs. Galloway was born in Transylvania County N.C., a daughter of the late Cassie Elzora Smith Owen and Avery Owen. Mrs. Galloway enjoyed cooking for her family at holiday gatherings. She also loved drawing and her family with all of her heart.
Survivors include one daughter; Tina Durham of Pickens, three sons; Johnny Posey wife Joy of Sunset, Ronnie Posey and Terri Riddle of Pickens, Randy Posey of Six Mile, three sisters; Gladys Norris husband Jack of Pickens, Hazel Couch husband Wallace of Pickens, Margaret Finney
