Monthly Archives: June 2019
Officials exploring career center options
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
LIBERTY — Pickens County School Board chairman Brian Swords said at a recent meeting that the time has come for the district to consider adding second career and technology center.
While the comment was made in jest, Swords was serious when he said the popularity of the facility has resulted in more students than available space.
“Our career center is at capacity, and there’s more students who need to be served,” he said.
Not only is the career center at capacity with around 1,300 students from all four high schools in the district, Swords said approximately 400 more students are waiting to get in.
“We have several options,” Swords said. “One is to look at our high schools and possibly explore the idea of a comprehensive high
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Pulpwood, you’re no friend of mine
Pulpwood, mind you, is really not wood. It’s generally roundish concrete cylinders made to look like wood, sort of. It takes a lot of sweat, a lot of muscle and a lot of ambition to cut, load and haul pulpwood. Not to mention the fun parts of pulp wooding, like yellow jackets, snakes, chiggers, chainsaws that don’t cut, briars, rain, sunshine and several more.
I have said and heard it said many times that the hottest place this side of Hades is a pine thicket.
We were a far cry from today’s pulpwooders. With the exception of the power saw, we did it all by hand. Today, they have machines that do it all — the cutting, trimming, loading and hauling. We had our two hands. There was no such thing as a stick of
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Overcoming the desire to remain the same
I’m sure you will agree that most of us humans have very peculiar and quirky personalities. It’s strange how we are easily influenced 
and persuaded in certain things, and stubborn as a mule about others.
When it comes to admitting we are wrong in our views or that we are heading in the wrong direction, it doesn’t take long for us to reveal our contrary and rebellious attitudes. Most people seldom say it out loud, but are content with the way they believe and hope that everyone will leave them alone and mind their own business. Which by the way, explains why many individuals are not interested in going to church or reading the Bible.
However, when it comes to personal transformation, our spiritual relationship with God is not the only topic on the menu.
I was reminded the other day about my own defiant nature when I was on the phone with my mother the other day and the conversation turned to food. We were talking about how difficult it is to diet and how
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Courier Letters to the Editor 6-19-19
A winning plan for mill
Dear Editor,
I enjoy reading the articles and letters to the editor concerning the Hagood Mill. As the public becomes more educated on the issue, public participation in the process has grown, and hopefully this time the final decision by the council will have the public’s wishes in mind.
Most above Highway 183 want grassroots tourism supported by local volunteers, with the purpose of protecting our wildlife and natural resources, while putting forth the Appalachian heritage, its community and family traditions.
This has been at the heart of the conflict. For instance, they grind grits at the mill and sell them. The volunteers see the heritage in the 150-year-old grinding process, and their purpose is to preserve that tradition. Chairman Roy Costner, the county administration and much of the council see the dollars, and want to commercialize the mill at the expense of the heritage aspect.
The idea of turning over the operation and strategic planning of the mill to the local volunteers and the Hagood Mill board is a good
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Courier Obituaries 6-19-19
TONY SHEHAN
PICKENS — Clarence Edward Shehan (Tony Shehan), born June 29, 1954, was called 
home and left this world on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
He was the son of Dewey B. Shehan Jr. and Hazel Ruth Durham, both deceased, of Pickens.
He leaves behind a former wife, Iva Stratton Shehan, and two step-children, Shelly Wilson and Erica Hyland. He had one sister, Ruth Smith, wife of Terry Smith of Pickens, and their two children, Missy Mauldin (Bear) and Chris Smith; a brother, David Bryan Shehan and wife, Robin, of Pickens; and a brother, Richard Allen Shehan (Al Shehan), deceased, and former wife, Angela Shehan, and their two children, Amanda Vaughn and Robbie Shehan. He also leaves behind several uncles, Ted Shehan, Albert Durham and Carl Durham, and an aunt, Helen (Susie) Bell.
Tony was a graduate of the Class of 1971 at Pickens High School. He loved playing music in a band in high school with his friends.
He was a registered land surveyor in Pickens for 38 years.
He was a former pilot, served on the aeronautics commission, and was a champion
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Maximize your relaxation while the weather is right
Summer can fly by. Because summer can sometimes seem to come and go in a flash, it’s important for everyone to make the most of this relaxing time of year.
Vacations from work and school are great ways to make summer memories, and the following are some ways to get even more out of these relaxing breaks from the norm.
• Disconnect for a few days. Truly disconnect from electronic devices for a period of time to give yourself a mental break. Stop answering work emails, avoid
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Use these tips to help your child avoid ‘summer slide’
Summer vacation presents an opportunity for students to enjoy an extended break from the classroom. While this respite from routine may be a welcome change to youngsters, teachers frequently lament that valuable educational lessons seem to be forgotten 
each summer. Educators then face tougher hurdles when students return to school in the fall.
Such a phenomenon is sometimes called “summer learning loss” or “summer slide” but it can occur during any extended break from school. Scholars have realized for some time that students’ rate of academic development declines during summer vacation. Oxford Learning, a tutoring and education training group, offers these eye-opening statistics.
• Over the summer, students tend to lose 2.6 months of math skills and two months of reading skills.
• Summer learning loss can be seen in students as young as six.
• It can take up to two months from the first day of school to get students’
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SWU gets approval from SACSCOC for E-Learning program
CENTRAL — Southern Wesleyan University recently received approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer a fully online M.Ed. in E-Learning and Instructional Design.
The profession of E-learning and Instructional Design is becoming a popular field and career path. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10-14 percent job growth between now and 2026, with E-learning and Instructional Design professionals earning a median income of $64,450. (https://onetonline.org/link/summary/25-9031.01).
Professionals in all industries are concerned with teaching and training students, employees and customers. Those completing
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Happy birthday
Happy birthday wishes to Ann Stancell, born June 12, and the late Charles Stancell, born June 29. They were married in 1958 and have one son, Gary Stancell, daughter-in-law Crystal Stancell and two grandsons, Casey and Jackson.
Courier Community Calendar 6-19-19
• Merck reunion set for June 23 at Secona
The annual Merck family reunion will be held Sunday, June 23, at the Secona Baptist Church fellowship building, located on Secona Road in Pickens. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., and family members are asked to bring a dish to share. Anyone related to the Mercks is invited, and everyone is invited to bring any old family photos or genealogy they may have. Contact Cliff Bryant at (770) 295-9396 with any questions.
• Youth cheer camp set at Pickens High
The Pickens High School varsity and JV cheerleaders are sponsoring a youth cheer camp set for Saturday, Aug. 3, in the cheer room at PHS from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $30 per child, and ages 6-12 may register beginning at 8:30 a.m. Cash or checks made payable to PHS will be accepted. There will be a showcase at 11:30 a.m., and all parents, families and friends are invited to attend. Contact AshleyButler@pickens.k12.sc.us or nicholsonbreann@gmail.com for more information.
• 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.
• Soapstone set to host fundraiser
Soapstone Church invites everyone to a special fundraiser at the church, located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens, on Saturday, July 20. The event will feature fine cooking and will be held from noon-8 p.m. Visitors will enjoy true Southern cooking, including a fish fry, barbecue and fried chicken with all the fixings right.
• Vets’ event set for June 22 in Dacusville
On June 22, the Quilts of Valor chapter of Oconee and Pickens Counties will host an event to honor veterans from both counties.
On that day, three veterans from Pickens and three veterans from Oconee will be honored through Quilts of Valor to acknowledge and show respect for their sacrifice.
A “Ride for Valor” will take place at the Dacusville Community Center Pavilion, located at 2671 Earls Bridge Road in Easley, made up
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