Monthly Archives: July 2018
Easley woman awarded first Zimmerman Scholarship
EASLEY — A second-career nursing student, prompted to go into the field because of how nurses cared for her dying grandmother, is the recipient of the debut Robyn Zimmerman Scholarship.
The award is in honor of longtime Greenville Health System public and community relations director Robyn Zimmerman, who retired from GHS in 2015. The scholarship will benefit students at GHS’ Medical Experience (MedEx) Academy, an innovative work force development program at Greenville Health System.
The first recipient is Octavia Frazile of Easley. Frazile will be a sophomore at Greenville Technical College this fall. The surprise honor was presented to Frazile by Zimmerman at the MedEx
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Banjo extravaganza coming to mill
PICKENS — Hagood Mill will host a banjo extravaganza on Saturday, July 21.
The educational event will trace the long history of the banjo from its earliest beginnings as a gourd instrument in Africa to today’s modern-day cousin, which we all recognize. A wonderful team of banjo musicians has been assembled who will guide attendees throughout the day.
Performers will include Bob Buckingham (Blue Ridge Rounders), Owen Grooms (Pretty Little Goat Sting Band), Mark Queen, Michelle Turner, Andy
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Events planned to mark 10th anniversary of YAMs
PICKENS — Excitement is mounting as the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAMs) will begin celebrating their 10th anniversary at 7 p.m. July 20 at the Pickens Amphitheater.
They’ll begin the celebration with a showcase of talent of their YAMs, YAM alumni, Sweet Potato Pie Kids (their performing band) and instructors.
North Carolina-based Bluegrass and gospel band Carolina Blue will end the
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Daniel’s McClung receives SWU ensemble scholarship
CENTRAL — Andrew McClung recently signed a letter of intent to participate as a percussionist in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble of Southern 
Wesleyan University, a National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institution.
McClung, a graduate of Daniel High School, will enter Southern Wesleyan this fall and major in worship in the university’s division of religion. Both of McClung’s parents, Rev. Mike and Rev. Linda McClung, are SWU religion graduates.
The music scholarship is renewable and open to students
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Local girls have great showing at USAV national championship
DETROIT — The 14U Elite Pickens team of the Carolina One Volleyball Club known as “Fire” won four of their last five matches at the 2018 USAV Girls 
Junior National Championship in Detroit, Mich., June 25-28.
After a slow start on Monday, Fire played excellent volleyball against powerful teams, battled hard in very close contests and represented our area very well.
“I felt we should have been 4-1 in pool play, but we didn’t have it together and didn’t play our usual game, eliminating us from contention,” head coach Peggy Anthony said.
Fire lost to Maryland Juniors 15-25, 21-25; East Coast (Drexel, Pa.) 27-25, 19-25, 11-15; Rockwood Thunder (Eureka, Mo.) 16-25, 23-25, and to the No. 1-seeded team, the East Valley Juniors (Tempe, Ariz.)16-25, 12-25, but defeated North Juniors (St. Paul, Minn.) 25-18, 25-12.
“After our team meeting on Wednesday, we refocused, settled down, got our unity and confidence back, and played awesome,” Anthony said. “I am extremely proud of the fight and heart they showed from then on. They were
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Soccer, volleyball signups now open
PICKENS — Fall soccer and volleyball registrations are being taken now through July 20 at the Pickens Recreation Center on Sangamo Road in Pickens.
For soccer, the following coed age divisions are offered: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15.
For volleyball, the following age divisions are offered: 7-9, 10-12, 13-14 and 15-17.
Following registration, a skills/evaluation day will be held for each age division in each sport.
The registration fee provides a jersey to be kept. The fee is $45 for in-city residents and $55 for out-of-city residents.
Birth certificates are required at registration, and birthdate cut-off is Sept. 1, 2018.
If you are interested in coaching or need additional information, call the recreation department at (864) 878-2296.
In the eye of the beholder
Sometimes on the hill across from us there will be several hawks soaring. It looks like fun.
But sometimes, on the hill across from us there will be a lot of large birds circling. A quick look and I’ll think, “Oh, they must be hawks.”
But a closer look, with the help of binoculars, proves me wrong.
They’re not hawks, but buzzards, or the more sinister name, vultures.
I’ve always thought buzzards look ominous.
This is not their fault. I suppose buzzards are beautiful to other buzzards, just as frogs and alligators find beauty in their companions.
At least I think they do. For all I know alligators eat each other, but at some point in time, they find mates they think are attractive.
But I digress.
After doing a little research online, I learned that we have two kinds of
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Buyer beware of bogus bargains
One way to save money is to buy used stuff. But avoid being burnt by being aware of bogus bargains, deceptive duds and painted pigs.
There are more than 5,000 flea market-type operations in North America, of which at least 1,000 are considered semipermanent, according to losspreventionmedia.com. These markets are also referred to as swap meets, trash and treasure, boot sales and outdoor markets.
Watch out for new paint on old items at yard sales, flea markets, auctions and Craigslist. Heads up on a fantastic deal that’s just too good to be true. Pay attention to the long-winded sales pitch.
I bought an outdoor wooden bench at a flea market. I knew it was older, but I
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Courier Letters to the Editor 7-11-18
ClemsonFest thanks the community
Dear Editor,
A special thank you to the thousands of good folks who joined us at the new location for the ClemsonFest celebration. The fireworks were spectacular, not only for the new expanded fireworks, but as well for the enhancement of nature. The lightning streaks interspersed with the manmade show really lit up the sky.
As those of you who attended can attest to, this annual event has outgrown its old location at the Snow Family Recreation Center (formerly Y Beach). We have plans for further additions and improved parking and traffic control. Our thanks to Pickens County sheriff’s deputies for their help throughout the evening. The lower price for a glass of beer was well received, as was the larger selection of food vendors. Next year, we will see the addition of a misting tunnel to cool adults and entertain the kids. Stay tuned as 2019 rolls around for new entrance and exit instructions.
We are especially grateful to the many volunteers who gave their time and provided much welcome support.
For those of you who missed our 25th annual ClemsonFest event, pencil in your 2019 calendar for July 3, where we will again be celebrating at this new location at 1569 Eighteen Mile Road in Central, a quarter mile off U.S. Highway 123.
Our thanks to many — attendees, sponsors, volunteers, community supporters and chamber staff.
David Lane
President/CEO
Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce
Beware of rabid skunks
Dear Editor:
I live approximately three miles from downtown Pickens. On Sunday, July 1, we saw a skunk walking around our yard in the bright sunlight. He crossed the road and went into the woods. A few hours later, we found him hiding between a large box that we store yard tools in and our back porch. When he finally came out, he could barely walk. He was dragging his hind legs. Then he
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Courier Obituaries 7-11-18
RONNIE REX “RON” BLACK
CENTRAL — Ron Black, 72, of 480 Pin du Lac Drive in Central, went home to be with 
his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
Ron is survived by his wife, Laura Neath Black; daughter, Leanne Broome (Devon); stepson, John Vinson; grandsons, Ransom and Oron; sister, Elaine Memmott (Richard); and first wife and special friend, Sandy Alexander (Jimmie), who both provided non-stop support, prayers and encouragement.
Ron was born in Greenville, on Jan. 28, 1946, to Lang and Jessie Black. After graduating in 1965 from Carolina High School, Ron furthered his education by attending Mars Hill University (BA), Converse College (M.Ed.) and Clemson University (Ed.S.). As an educator for 38 years, Ron touched the lives of many in the School District of Pickens County before retiring in 2007.
Ron Black’s family was his constant joy. If they were happy, then so was he. He adored
