Monthly Archives: September 2017
Which flu shot is right for you?
It’s that time again … flu season is on the way. Vaccines already are available in most locations, so we have no excuse not to get a flu shot soon.
Sometimes the dilemma can be deciding which shot to get. Most flu vaccines contain protection from three strains of influenza, called trivalent vaccines. Those contain two A strains and one B strain of influenza.
Some of them add coverage for a fourth strain. Those shots are called
quadrivalent and contain two A and two B strains. With two Bs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t have to flip a coin to decide between two equal B vaccines; it can just include both.
In addition, there are high-dose flu shots especially for seniors age 65 and older. As we age, our immune systems don’t respond the same way, and a regular flu shot might not get us the strong immune response we need to avoid the flu.
The strains change every year, which is why most people need to “renew” their flu vaccine each year. The CDC tracks which influenza hits, and when, in making its calculations for the following year. For the 2016-2017 season, it calculated that those who received flu shots reduced their overall risk by 34 percent for A strains and 56 percent for B strains.
Your best (safest) bet: Ask your doctor which flu shot you should get. Some of us under 65 shouldn’t have the high-dose shot for one medical reason or another. Don’t delay; it takes about two weeks to have immune coverage after receiving a shot.
If you have Medicare Part B, the cost of the shot is covered, as well as the vaccine for pneumonia and hepatitis B.
© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
Courier Letters to the Editor
One letter that messes us all up
Dear Editor,
Today there is a letter that messes us all up. Just one little letter out of all 26 in the English alphabet, yet it is powerful enough to bring torment, destruction, possibly death. The letter “I.” “I” thinks it knows more than God Himself and boldly goes forth into the world to try and prove it daily. No concern about what God thinks or commands, because “I” knows best. “I” myself and no one else.
“I” thinks it can run everything alone. Run, however, when “I” gets involved,
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Courier Obituaries 9-13-17
Blanche L. Martin
Easley — Flora Blanche Lesley Martin, 83, wife of the late Dorsie R. Martin Sr., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017.
Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Ira B. Lesley.
Mrs. Martin was a lifelong member of Corinth Baptist Church. She was a very talented seamstress and worked for several retail stores including, Alexander Drug Store, Kmart and Gay’s Clothing and also worked with Swirl Manufacturing.
Surviving are her children, Flora Emma Nell Martin Taylor (Sammy), Myrtie Diann Martin James and Dorsie R. Martin, Jr. (April) all of Easley; grandchildren, Bridget James (Mark), Megan Mclane (Allen), Tammy
Central native Kenny Johnson is member of Sigma Alpha Lambda
CLEMSON – Sigma Alpha Lambda is proud to announce that Kenny Johnson of Central has recently become recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at Clemson
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SC State Fiddling Championship is Saturday
PICKENS — As autumn approaches and the leaves turn their brilliant colors, it signals the time for fiddle music in the mountains.
On Sept. 16, vintage fiddle music will fill the hills and hollers around Hagood Mill as it once again hosts the annual South Carolina Old Time Fiddling Championship.
There will be cash prizes for competition in the senior and junior “old-time
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LHS Class of 1950
The LIberty High School Class of 1950 held its 67th class reunion on Aug. 17 at Mutt’s BBQ in Easley. Pictured, standing from left, are Charles Busha, Clarence Young, Faye Gravely Sanders, Leland Pilgrim, Betty Davis Hood and Olin Craig. Seated are Calvin Mull, Barbara Smith Hudson and Sue Watson Hayes.
Appalachian Evening Music lessons scheduled to begin later this month
COUNTY — Enrollment is now underway for the Appalachian Evening Music Program, which will teach those interested to play the banjo, fiddle, guitar or mandolin.
The next six-week session will begin the week of Sept. 25, on various evenings at various locations. The program is open to students from third
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Courier Community Calendar 9-13-17
• Pickens Literacy needs old books
The Pickens County Literacy Association is collecting books for the Semi Annual Used Book Sale to be held Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Pickens Presbyterian Church Social Hall. Book collection sites are listed on the PCLA Facebook page for Pickens, Easley, Liberty, Central and Clemson. The association is also looking for new students who desire to read or read better with a 1:1 tutor. For more information, email pickensliteracy@yahoo.com or call Bill Shields at (864) 617-4237.
• Chastain family reunion is Sept. 17
Family and friends of Oscar and Bertha Chastain will hold a pot luck lunch
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Defense shines as Tigers topple Auburn
By Scott Adamson
Courtesy The Journal
scott@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — One of the oldest clichés in sports suggests that defense wins championships.
If that’s the case, the 2017 Clemson Tigers should feel pretty good about defending theirs.
Brent Venables’ bruise crew punished Auburn from wire to wire — finishing with 11 sacks — and the Clemson offense had just enough punch to deliver the knockout blow in a 14-6 win on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
“Welcome to 1988,” joked Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. “That’s what it felt like tonight. It’s been a long time since we’ve punted the ball that many times and played that conservative, but man, that was a great defensive game. Just dominant football defensively.”
Kelly Bryant shook off a big hit in the first half to lead the defending
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Flame rushing attack burns past West-Oak
By Cole Little
Courier Sports
news@thepccourier.com
WESTMINSTER — The Pickens Blue Flame collected their first win in 
rather grand fashion, outgaining the West-Oak Warriors by more than 300 yards en route to a dominant 48-13 win on the road in Westminster on Friday night.
Propelled by a breakout 214-yard performance on the ground from wing player Nate Thomas, the Blue Flame controlled the contest from start to finish, utilizing their rushing attack to earn an impressive victory — the first under first-year Blue Flame head coach Chad Smith.
“That’s what we try to do every week,” Smith said, speaking on his team’s 462-yard rushing output. “Our kids ran hard tonight, and I was proud of them.”
In a game highlighted by intensity, including 120 penalty yards, two ejections and a couple of blocked extra points, Thomas set the tone early in the first quarter with a 71-yard dash for the end zone. Taking advantage of holes in the West-Oak
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