Monthly Archives: April 2019
The visitors
Each year in mid to late November, you would see them walking toward the house from mid-afternoon until just before dusk — generally one or two at a time, and sometimes more.
Some wore their work clothes, while others wore some type of camo or dull clothing. They all wore boots or work shoes, and none were hatless. Occasionally, you would see a man bringing his son.
I don’t believe we had zombies back in those days, but if we did, these men and boys surely would have set the mood. They all carried firearms — from shotguns to pistols, and here and there a small-caliber rifle, with lots of ammo swinging in a bag at their waist. Each bag had a large opening for quick access to more ammo.
These people did not speak — at least not loudly. They all had stern, driven looks on their faces. Some were there smoking,
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Thank God for atheists
Dear Editor,
I’d like to say thank God for atheists. Say what?!
Seriously, they’re helping to keep God’s existence fresh in the minds of the people. If it weren’t for the atheists continually harping on God with such things as taking down the 10 Commandments or trying to remove prayer from school, He’d probably be forgotten by now. I know it isn’t intentional, but thank you anyway.
If we had to rely on so-called Christians to keep God alive in the memories of all, He would have been forgotten long ago. Many Christians go to church once a week and listen to several hymns and a sermon, then leave and probably never mention or think of God again until next time they’re in church. The way some
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Praying and waiting on our miracle
I received a letter the other day from a reader who wanted to know more about praying for miracles and how long a person 
should keep asking. My first response is to ask, “Just how serious are you about receiving your request?”
I realize the subject of faith is actually more complex than it seems and one that I have attempted to address in my new book, “Convictions and Considerations,” which will be released this summer.
There are many people, including myself, who are seeking and
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Courier Obituaries 5-1-19
RICHARD RIGGINS
SIX MILE — Richard Andrew Riggins, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at AnMed Health Cannon Hospital.
Born in Six Mile, he was a son of the late Jerry and Laura Stephens Riggins. Throughout his life, he worked as a brick mason and builder. He was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are his loving wife, Shelba Smith Riggins of the home; four daughters, Sam Howard of Central and Renee Thrift (Bobby), Connie Medlock and Jennifer Williams, all of Six Mile; a son, Andy Riggins (Karen) of Six Mile; 12 grandchildren,
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Nuclear station to host event with free tree giveaway
SENECA — Duke Energy’s World of Energy at Oconee Nuclear Station will host a free Earth Day in May festival, partnering with Keep Oconee Beautiful Association (KOBA) to highlight the shared responsibility of taking care of our piece of the planet.
The festival, open to the public, is set to take place from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the World of Energy. Activity stations will be in the World of Energy butterfly garden to teach children and families what small steps they can take to make a positive impact on our environment. Guests can take home a free tree to plant, too.
“KOBA is excited to be partnering together with Duke Energy’s World of Energy for the third Earth Day in May celebration,” KOBA executive director Danielle Pankuch said. “Last year, we had a great turnout, and the kids really enjoyed the different
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Section of Jocassee Gorges road closed after landslides
SUNSET — A three-mile section of Horsepasture Road within the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens County has been closed by the 
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) due to unsafe landslides caused by massive rainfall in the area.
The three-mile section of Horsepasture Road that is now closed is from Bootleg Road south toward Jocassee Dam. The road, closed until further notice, is unsafe due to landslides,
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Scaly Adventures films at Easley elementary school
EASLEY — Scaly Adventures filmed at Forest Acres Elementary School in Easley on April 24, marking the local show’s first stop in a Pickens County school for its broadcast television series.
The TV spot will highlight teachers making a difference in the lives of students, according to Tanya Curren, who runs Scaly Adventures alongside her husband, Rick, and son, Pierce.
Scaly Adventures, a family-friendly educational television show that features the Curren family as they learn and teach about a variety of animals, partnered with AirWorx Unmanned Solutions, based in Easley, who filmed overhead drone footage. The entire student body went outside for the filming, and the drone flew overhead to include as many students as possible in the TV spot.
“We are grateful for the dedication of our teachers and are
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Dobbins receives professional service award
COLUMBIA — Dr. Tom Dobbins, state director of the Cooperative Extension Service at Clemson University, is the recipient of the Outstanding Professional Service Award 
presented by the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson in concert with its National Agricultural Alumni Board of Directors, according to SC Agri-News Service director John W. Parris.
A farm boy from the Townville community and a graduate of Pendleton High School, Dobbins graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga., in 1980 with an associate degree in agriculture and from Clemson University in 1982 with a B.S. in agricultural education. He also received an
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SWU holds 2019 religion commissioning service
CENTRAL — Each spring, Southern Wesleyan University’s Division of Religion commissions its graduating students as 
they prepare to move into ministry or additional ministry preparation.
A commissioning service was held April 17 in ALIVE Chapel at Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center, located on the university’s campus in Central. Preaching at the service was Rev. Mark James, pastor of
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Courier Community Calendar
• Community Wide Reunion is May 4
The second annual Pickens Community Wide Reunion is set for this Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The event will again be held this year at 450 Garvin St. in Pickens.
The free fun-filled event will feature food vendors, games, arts and crafts, raffles and prizes, classic and muscle cars, classic motorcycles and musical entertainment. Organizers say new activities have been added that will be fun for all.
Those interested in being a vendor, showing a car or motorcycle or volunteering are asked to call Lynne Perry at (864) 567-7282 or (864) 878-6123.
The event is sponsored by Arise From The Ashes Community Development Corporation (AFTA-CDC). The AFTA-CDC is a local nonprofit that is focused on community revitalization within Pickens.
• Artisans’ work sought at museum
The Pickens County Museum of Art and History’s gift shop is opened for business. The shop, located inside the museum, offers many wonderful crafts and gift. The shop is now accepting new crafters.
Anyone wishing to sell their handmade crafts should stop by the Pickens County Museum of Art and History at 307 Johnson St. in Pickens.
The museum is open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Housed in a 1903 jail and expanded in 2006, the Pickens County Museum of Art and History houses artifacts representing the heritage of Pickens County, from prehistory to current events.
Three art galleries are changed to feature the artwork of local artists.
The landscape is native gardens. A museum shop offers regional artisans’ work.
• Davis reunion schedule for May 5
The annual Davis reunion will be held on May 5 at the Tabor United Methodist Church fellowship building, located at 1943 Ireland Road in Pickens.
Lunch will be at 1:15 p.m. Paper supples will be furnished. The Rowdy Mountain Boys will entertain with music. All family and friends are urged to attend. For more information, call Lib Cowan at (864) 878-9999.
• Mile Creek Baptist to host May days
Mile Creek Baptist Church pastor Kevin Kuykendall and the Mile Creek church family will welcome all in Christian fellowship to their annual Tuesday night services in May. There will be special singing and preaching each week with services starting at 7 p.m. Those planned to be there are Barry Spears on May 7, C.T. Townsend on May 14, Eddie Davis on May 21 and Joe Arthur on May 28.
Mile Creek Baptist is located at 104 Lakeside Drive in Six Mile. For more information, call (864) 868-4612.
• PHS Class of 1956 plans annual lunch
The Pickens High School Class of 1956 will have its annual lunch at noon May 18 at the Gatehouse in Pickens. For reservations, call (864) 878-6101 or (864) 878-9124.
