Monthly Archives: October 2023
Think pink for breast cancer awareness
The Courier is going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of those whose lives have been affected by this devastating disease, we will accent our front page with pink every week of October.
The pink ribbon has been synonymous with breast cancer for years. Nowadays, people rarely think twice when they see pink ribbons, having
Daniel, Easley win Pickens County cross country meet
PICKENS — Pickens County saw a great showing from all four county high schools at the Pickens County Cross Country championship at Pickens High School on Saturday.
Daniel and Easley reigned supreme in the competition with the Easley boys taking first place, while the Daniel girls tied with the Green Wave
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YAM Alumni performed and competed at International Bluegrass Music Association
RALEIGH, N.C. — Each year in the early fall our Young Appalachian Musicians/YAM alumni have the ultimate chance to learn, network with other bluegrass enthusiasts, and perhaps perform at a large, international event—IBMA. The International Bluegrass Music Association is held around the first week in October in Raleigh, NC each year.
One of the best opportunities at IBMA is Kids On Bluegrass. Youths under 19 audition from all over the world. The ones who get the coveted
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Cub Scout explore the Upstate
Cub Scouts from Pack 51 rest on a railroad car after touring Stumphouse Tunnel in Oconee County. In addition to the tunnel, the Cub Scouts and their families hiked to the bottom of Issaqueena Falls, explored the rest of the park and finished up with a picnic lunch. Pack 51 meets on Tuesday night, 7pm-8pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens and youth can join the Pack if they are from ages 5 to 10. Please feel free to visit a meeting or if you need more information, please contact pickenstroop51@gmail.com.
Seeing the world with new eyes
Have you ever had a moment — even a few seconds — when you seemed to see the world with “new eyes?”
When something took you out of the “ordinariness” of everyday life, made you aware of the awesome reality of your place in space and time…
A contemplative moment.
I think I’ve come close a few times. You probably have, too.
We spend virtually every moment of our lives doing things, thinking about things or getting ready
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A scam close to home
Ooops. I came very close to falling for a scam just like the ones I always warn against in this column.
The text message on my phone appeared to come from the local pharmacy. The words said that they had questions and would I please call. 
Included in the text was a link to touch that would dial the number for me …
At the last minute I pulled my hand away and studied the message
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Never let go of enthusiasm
I dedicate much of my writing to providing positive and encouraging words of hope and inspiration, but I also must be truthful, we are growing older.
I apologize for reminding us about that, but instead of all the negative attributes of aging, we should embrace it more like we are a fine wine that is becoming more delightful and appreciated. Those of us who are noticing a few gray hairs and aching joints, relax and count
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They called him ‘Skyagunsta’
The Cherokee were primarily farmers, hunters and traders. They provided the English settlers with deerskins and, in return, they received tools and axes.
The Cherokee developed an extensive trade network that stretched from backcountry South Carolina to the ports in Charleston. But the younger generation grew concerned when the settlers began moving onto their lands and watched in dismay as tribal elders traded away their
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Holiday party at the VA 2023
Have you given thought to how you’re going to step up this holiday season and give a hand to other veterans?
If you’re in a veterans group such as American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars, you’re in a perfect position to pull off a holiday party at the closest Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
Your first step (after getting group consensus) will be to contact Volunary Services and let them know you’d like to host a party on one of the wards. (Suggestion: Long-term care has veterans who’ve been tAhere far too long.) Get their permission and input for the best path to take going
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COACH ANDREW ‘ANDY’ JOSEPH VIRGIL
PICKENS — Coach Andrew “Andy” Joseph Virgil, 80, loving husband of 51 years, Elizabeth “Beth” Virgil, of Pickens, passed away on Friday, 
Sept. 29, 2023, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Coach Virgil was born in Orange, N.J. on Nov. 24, 1942, to the late Louis and Josephine Szymanski Virgil. He graduated from Appalachian Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) with his Bachelor’s in Science in 1964, then again with his Masters Degree in 1965. Coach Virgil then began his career teaching at Pickens High School where he coached the Blue
