Monthly Archives: March 2019
Azaleas ready to bloom
The Pickens Azalea Festival Committee is working hard to get everything in place for another huge Azalea Festival in downtown Pickens on April 20-21. The festivities will get started on Friday night with the annual cruise-in featuring some of the hottest rides from around the area and the wonderful sounds of the Rock and Roll Reunion and Threshold. The committee is taking advantage of Pickens’ beautiful downtown amphitheater with entertainment being held in the center of historic Pickens. The downtown amphitheater, which was designed for musical events such as this, will offer spacious seating. Assistance will be available for anyone having trouble walking to the venue. The fun will continue on Saturday with an entertainment schedule loaded with talent, including the 7 Bridges Band, Brandon Rainwater and more. The festival will offer a variety of crafts and food, along with a large selection of carnival rides Friday, April 20, and all day Saturday, April 21. Pictured, from left, are director Carlton Holley, committee member Steve Raines, vice president Jeff Hogan, director Frances Wannamaker, festival coordinator Russ Gantt, committee member Julia Monks and sponsorship coordinator Jenny Mauldin. Not pictured is director Roy Costner.
Lakes and Bridges Charter School gets loan from new state program
EASLEY — South Carolina’s only charter school for students with dyslexia has received the state’s first loan from the South Carolina Charter School Facility Revolving Loan Fund Program.
The low-interest loan, awarded by the S.C. Treasurer’s Office to Lakes and Bridges Charter School in Easley, will allow the school to transform a former commercial building on Easley’s Main Street into a viable school facility for students and teachers.
“The loan award is a significant contribution to our ongoing capital campaign to renovate our new school building,” said Nancy Linvill, board chair of Lakes and Bridges Charter School. “It allows us to have a building specifically designed for the first tuition-free public school for children with dyslexia in the entire
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Community Calendar 3-27-19
• Pavilion opening in Dacusville April 6
The grand opening of the Dacusville pavilion is set for April 6. Gates at the event will open at 4 p.m. Special guests Little Roy and Izzy will begin their show beginning at 6 p.m. The Sweet Potato Pie Kids will open the show. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available, and those in attendance are asked to bring lawn chairs. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate the day of the event. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
• Pickens Lions Club to hold Rose Day
The Pickens Lions Club is selling roses to support its local community service projects.
Tickets will be on sale through March 31, and roses will be delivered on Saturday, April 27. They will also be available for pick up at Cynthia’s Fine Flowers in Pickens. Roses are $24 for a dozen and $14 for a half-dozen. Tickets are available from any Pickens Lion — check out the group’s Facebook page to see which Lion you know. Call Brian Siwicki at (864) 507-3146 for more information.
• PCLA plans spring book sale this week
The Pickens County Literacy Association’s annual spring book sale is scheduled this Friday and Saturday at the Pickens
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Nailbiter in the Horse Pasture
Editor’s note: Paul O’Shields is a local native who enjoys writing about his time as a youngster growing up in Pickens County. This is his first column for the Courier.
There was a place that my best friend Joe and I frequented 
called the Horse Pasture. It was a beautiful wilderness area in northern Pickens and Oconee counties, and it was open to the public. I believe this is where the confluence of the Whitewater River and Green River was located. Downward it becomes the Tugaloo River. We camped, fished and hunted up there. Little did we know that when we grew up, this pristine area would be at the bottom of Lake Jocassee. It would have to be relived in our dreams.
As you enter Horse Pasture from the east off U.S. Highway 178, a small creek (Cane Creek?) runs along the side of the road after you drive a few miles. As you continue to drive, at a right-hand
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Every porch needs a possum
You may have a low opinion of possums. They won’t win any contests based on their looks.
Once, as children, we were the temporary owners of a baby 
possum. He had lost his mother in an automobile accident and was dropped off by a relative for us to try to raise.
He was tame and could be handled, but he escaped one day and was never seen again.
Maybe he made it on his own and maybe he didn’t. No one will ever know.
Sometimes these experiments were successful and sometimes
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Imagine what we are missing every day
When we hold a tiny baby in our arms, do we consider how devoted they will be to God, or do we just see the natural and 
physical possibilities? As Christians, we have the opportunity to become as close to God and spiritually sensitive as we desire with the potential to discern wisdom that is hidden from our earthly understanding.
An important question is how many people, including all those tiny babies, will make the most important decision to follow this type of lifestyle? I realize it’s a sobering subject, but one that I believe is worth considering.
In Luke chapter 2, we read about an individual named Simeon who was a spiritually dedicated man of prayer and fasting as he is described in verse 25, “righteous and devout with the Holy Spirit upon him.” He was there when Mary and Joseph brought
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Filing your taxes on a cellphone
A recent newspaper story told of two senior women who were coaxed into an experiment e-filing their taxes on their cellphone 
and tablet.
E-filing apparently is becoming more and more popular, as 126 million people e-filed for the past tax year, and 85 million of those received faster direct deposit refunds because of it.
Would I do this, e-file on a handheld electronic device? No, I
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Honoring Their Service
Pickens High baseball hosts Military Appreciation Day event
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — For the first time, the Pickens High School baseball 
team held a rousing Military Appreciation Day celebration Friday to honor military personnel during a game against Walhalla.
More than 50 current and former members of the United States Armed Forces were in attendance for the game, which saw the Blue Flame come up on the wrong end of a 10-2 final score against the Razorbacks.
The night began with Cadet Maj. Jordan Rucker delivering a student-led message to those on hand before the game, and members of each branch of the military were honored as their service anthems were played.
The largest of the pre-game festivities started soon after, as Command Sgt. Russell Vickery, the state commander of the 
Army National Guard, flew onto the field in a Blackhawk helicopter. Vickery threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Pickens baseball player, and current Army National
The joy of cooking with Almonds
By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
Almonds are good for you. They enjoy a reputation as being a desirable nut to help keep hearts healthy.
And it must be said that almonds are delicious. They are good by themselves, but they can also be an excellent addition to several dishes. This week brings a main dish, a side dish and two desserts.
None of these recipes are difficult. All you need to do is make sure you have the ingredients and carve out some time to cook. Enjoy.
Courier Legal Notices 3-27-19
PETITION for DETERMINATION OF HEIRS
PETITIONER: DOROTHY ALLMOND
DECEASED: LOUISE GRIFFIN
DATE OF BIRTH: 03/12/1933
DATE OF DEATH: 07/03/1988
NAMES OF POSSIBLE KNOWN HEIRS AND RELATIONSHIPS:
DOROTHY ALLMOND
REASON FOR PETITION: To establish the heirs of the deceased dated on date of death.
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: April 4th, 2019
Time: 9:30 A.M.
Place: Probate Court
222 McDaniel Avenue
Pickens, SC 29671
PURPOSE: Hearing upon the Petition of DOROTHY
