Daily Archives: 07/05/2022
Studying the second half of our lives
Sometimes the results of research and studies are suspect if we don’t trust the sources, but AARP and National Geographic recently published a joint study on the realities of the second half of life, and it doesn’t get any better 
than that.
Their study covered the big topics as we age: health, relationships, financial security, housing, independent living, end of life, retirement and
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New COVID rules at VA medical facilities
The Department of Veterans Affairs has just instituted a three-tier safety program to keep veterans, visitors and staff safe from COVID at medical facilities.
Starting in May the Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 Health Protection Levels program, aligning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s health care setting data, will determine on a weekly basis just what needs to be done before you can access care at a
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Courier Obituaries 7-6-22
MENDEL MASTERS
EASLEY — Mr. Mendel Ray Masters, 91, husband of the late Betty Cannon Masters, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
Born in Pickens County, a son of the late Russell Snow Masters and the late Lois Grant Masters, Mr. Masters was a graduate of Easley High School and North Greenville College. He retired as personnel director from Alice Manufacturing with 41 years of service and was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Masters was a member of many organizations, including the State Chamber of Commerce, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association and the Pickens Area Personnel Association, where he served as a former president. He was also a former president of the Pickens County
Camp held for special needs students
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — With the help of the Pickens High School cheerleading and girls’ basketball program, PHS hosted the 
inaugural Project Freedom camp for students with special needs in grades 6-12 on June 28.
According to event organizer Rikki Owens, Pickens schools had never hosted a camp for their special needs population. Owens, a special education teacher at Pickens Middle School, decided that needed to
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Sailor’s service to youth earns award, regional recognition
By Ulysses R. Grisette IV
Courtesy US Navy
news@thepccourier.com
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Originally from Clemson, U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller First Class Austin Holliday was 
introduced to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida after graduating high school.
Through his dedication and volunteering, he was recently awarded the Ron Mobayed Military Big of the Year Award for 2022. Holliday earned the award through mentorship and care for his little brother,
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First responder awards
American Legion Post 52 presented its annual Firefighter and Law Enforcement Awards on June 28. Pictured, from left, are Shannon Ellenburg with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office (2021 Sheriff’s Office Officer Award); Randall Tyler Carson with the Easley Fire Department (2021 Department Firefighter Award); Joshua Blinkey with the Easley Police Department (2021 Public Safety Award); and Justin Stegall with the Easley Police Department (2021 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer Award).
Northside Baptist to host VBS
PICKENS — Northside Baptist Church, located at 421 Sangamo Road in Pickens, will host its annual Vacation Bible School on July 21 and 22.
This year’s theme is Knights of North Castle.
Vacation Bible School will begin each evening at 6 p.m and last until 8 p.m.
Willows of Easley gets 5 Stars
EASLEY — Premier senior living community The Willows of Easley announced recently that it earned the Sensight Survey Resident Satisfaction Five Star Award in 2022.
The Resident Satisfaction Five Star Award is presented to senior living communities who attain an overall resident satisfaction score of 85 percent or higher and a minimum 50 percent participation rate.
Overall resident satisfaction is measured as the percentage of residents who Strongly Agree or Agree that they are very satisfied with their senior living community as a place to live, would gladly recommend their community as a place to live and rarely think of leaving their community to live elsewhere.
“The team at Sensight Surveys is thrilled to partner with Grace Management, an organization committed to high levels of resident satisfaction and engagement,” said Lynn Ackerman, Ph.D., co-founder and chief customer officer of Sensight Surveys LLC. “We are honored to bestow the 2022 Resident Satisfaction Five Star Award to these 12 Grace Management communities who put their hearts and souls into delighting their residents every day. Thank you for your passion and commitment to helping the residents of your communities live a truly awesome life!”
The Willows of Easley is an assisted living and independent living community located in Easley. Residents enjoy delicious restaurant-quality dining, a wealth of social activities, and the freedom to explore individual interests. The Willows of Easley provides countless opportunities to connect and grow with special amenities like a welcoming parlor and library, delightful sunrooms with spectacular views, fitness center, and much more. The community is managed by Grace Management Inc., a nationally recognized leader in the delivery of senior living management services.
“We are truly honored to receive this great recognition knowing that it directly comes from those we serve, our amazing residents and their loved ones, who are the heart of our community,” said Laura Spearman, executive director at The Willows of Easley. “Our team at The Willows of Easley is proud to serve all who call our community home and strive to continually elevate the senior living experience.”
At The Willows of Easley, home is truly where the heart is. Each day the community team is committed to providing a place that is welcoming and where each resident feels like they belong.
The community bills itself as “a place of comfort, compassion, support and respect where it’s not just like home, it is home.”
Scholarship winner
The local chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, Nu, recently awarded Pickens High School senior Jessie Lee Gilstrap with the 2022 ADK Nu scholarship. Gilstrap will be attending Clemson University and majoring in elementary education and early childhood education, with an emphasis in art. Gilstrap is the daughter of Tim and Jennifer Gilstrap of Pickens. She was presented with a $1,000 scholarship at Pickens High’s annual senior Awards Night ceremony in May and honored by the Nu chapter at its May meeting. ADK is an international honorary organization for female educators that builds educational excellence, altruism and world understanding through fellowship. Pictured, from left, are Jennifer Gilstrap, Jessie Lee Gilstrap and ADK Nu past president Dr. Betty McDaniel.
Community Calendar 7-6-22
• LHS Class of 1962 to hold 60th reunion
The Liberty High School Class of 1962 will hold its 60th class reunion on Saturday, Aug. 13. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Silver Bay seafood restaurant at 7027 Calhoun Memorial Highway (U.S. Highway 123) in
