Monthly Archives: July 2014
Farm day in Six Mile
Farm day, sponsored by Medi Home Hospice of Seneca and Mile Creek Farm of Six Mile, began last year in Six Mile. With the positive feedback from residents and family members from the community, officials decided to make it an annual event. Medi Home Hospice goes beyond the healthcare that is delivered to patients; it is a “gift” to those who are living with a terminal illness and a “gift” to their families. Farm day is an example of that; the gift of independence during outdoor activities, the gift of re-acclimating with Mother Nature, the gift of making new friends and spending time with old friends, the gift of being able to mobilize outside of daily routines and the number one gift that is most talked about is, the gift of Medi Home Hospice and Mile Creek Farm bringing back some of the things that were familiar, such as farming and everyone being able to sit around and reminisce over fond memories. Participants in farm day get to take part in goat milk tasting, snap bean contest and lunch is served. Residents and families are invited to pick vegetables from the fields if they choose and visit the on-site chickens. More than 60 residents participated in this year’s event, held on July 8, including hospice patients and their families, along with residents from Heritage Healthcare of Pickens, The Residences at Park Place Assisted Living, Seneca Health and Rehabilitation Center, Morningside Assisted Living and Belvedere Commons Senior Living.
Supreme Court autopsy ruling trumps public accountability
For the second time in a month, the S.C. Supreme Court has ruled against openness and punted important issues back to the Legislature for change.
Last week, the court ruled that autopsy records are exempt from release under the FOIA because they are medical records.
Why does this matter to the public?
It matters because the next time police shoot an innocent man, don’t expect the public to have access to the autopsy report giving the details of the death.
That is what this case was about… the shooting of an innocent suspect. Supposedly in self-defense. Problem is, the autopsy showed the suspect in Sumter County was shot in the back.
Can you see now why autopsy records should be public?
This is a terrible ruling that will allow coroners to withhold information the public has a need to know.
Where Chicken Little went wrong
With age comes perspective, that most valuable quality and one poor Chicken Little did not possess. After all, he was a very young chicken.
In comparing my life to that of Chicken Little, I do feel that in this one example I have come out ahead. Yes, friends, I feel superior to Chicken Little. What an accomplishment. This should not be considered a trivial achievement either, because I come from a long line of champion worry warts. These people believed in being prepared for the 
worst. And yes, to give credit where credit is due, I know they had experienced the worst.
Most of our ancestors lived through war, pestilence, disease and poverty.
So yes, they had reason to worry about the future. On their behalf, I must say they never quit and when each crisis occurred they found a way to meet the challenge. Chicken Little did not share their experiences. Far from it. He spent most of his time and energy focused on responding to something that didn’t happen.
His motives were pure. No question. He lacked perspective and common sense. Chicken Little would have benefited greatly if he had reflected a little more wisely. If he had paused to explore the facts, analyze the situation and act appropriately, everyone would have been spared and we would never have had to
Courier Letters to the Editor 7-23-14
Explaining accreditation
Dear Editor,
By law, the South Carolina Department of Education accredits all public education units — school boards, school district operations and schools, and certifies the diplomas issued by school districts in the state. The School District of Pickens County is accredited by the state, which in its 2012-13 report gave our district a 3.93 (out of 4.0) score. The state gave our school board the highest score of 4.0 or “All Clear,” showing it was and is compliant with state education laws, regulations and standards.
AdvancEd is a private organization our school district pays a fee to to accredit its schools, board and district. This is separate from the accreditation process of the Department of Education; it is voluntary and not required by law. Colleges look at this AdvancED accreditation, so our district chooses to participate in its accreditation process.
In December, AdvancED recommended renewal of our accreditation. Like most all audits or review processes,
Courier Obituaries 7-23-14
Floyd Ramey
Liberty — Floyd Lee Ramey, 61, of 122 Patterson Road died peacefully, Tuesday July 15, 2014 at his residence after a 4 year courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Pickens, he was the husband of Carolyn Kay Reece Ramey of the home and a son of the late Roy and Lula Bell Barton Ramey. He was retired from Climate Control and loved watching all types of racing. He also loved attending church at Liberty Church of God of Prophecy.
Surviving in addition to his wife are four daughters, Lisa James(Rex) of Spartanburg, Terri White(Tony) of Pickens,
Big League World Series brings baseball to Easley for 14th year
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
With first pitch set for this afternoon, the Big League World Series returns to Easley for the 14th year in a row to determine best 16-18-year-old baseball team in the world.
The field for the tournament, held at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex, was finalized over the last week as regional tournaments wrapped up around the U.S. and the world.
The host team, S.C. District 1, is one of two teams that received an automatic bid into the tournament.
Trying to win its first series crown since 2007, the host
Courier Community Calendar
• Sertoma Club invites locals to meet
The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all interested local residents to attend its meetings. The club meets at noon the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Occasions at Wedgefield, located at 1551 Eighteen Mile Road in Central. New visitors are always welcome. Those interested are asked to call Randy Shaw at (864) 423-5469.
• 4H20 camp set for July 28-30
Pickens County is offering a four-day program for ages 9-14 at the Outdoor Lab in Pendleton on Lake Hartwell on
Downtown Easley merchants to host sidewalk sale Saturday
EASLEY — It’s a sidewalk sale with a yard-sale twist.
The members of the Easley Downtown Business Association (EDBA) are excited about the sidewalk sale, which will take place in Easley this Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Merchants have invited employees and friends to set up tables or tents for yard sale items as well. The EDBA intends to fill the sidewalks with merchants, sellers and shoppers.
“This sale is designed to offer the best of bargain shopping to benefit the merchants as well as the bargain hunters,”
Courier Legals 7-23-14
NOTICE OF SALE
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF PICKENS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CASE NO. 14-CP-39-191
Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.Plaintiff, -vs- Roy E. Pitts and Rebecca W. Pitts, Defendant(s)
BY VIRTUE of a judgment heretofore granted in the case of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. vs. Roy E. Pitts and Rebecca W. Pitts, I, R. Murray Hughes, Esquire, as Special Referee for Pickens County, will sell on August 4, 2014, at 11:00 am, at the Pickens County Courthouse, 214 E. Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671, to the highest bidder:
ALL that certain piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being situate in the State of South Carolina, County of Pickens, located about 6 miles southeast of Pickens, and containing 12.069 acres, more or less, and being known as “Tract
Courier Notice to Creditors 7-23-14
The publisher shall only be liable for an amount less than or equal to the charge for the space of the item in error in the case of errors in or omissions from any advertisement, and only for the first incorrect insertion.
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on Form #371ES with the Probate Court of PICKENS COUNTY, the address of which is 222 MCDANIEL AVE., B-16 PICKENS, SC 29671, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All
