Category Archives: Lifestyles
The Clemson bus driver who talks smiles
By Grace Dumit
Special to the Courier
gdumit@g.clemson.edu
CLEMSON — On a weekday morning, Clemson University students rushed to board the Blue Route Tiger Transit bus at a remote commuter parking lot to get to class on time. The doors swung open to reveal the warm, inviting smile of their bus driver, Arthur Lynn Collins. Jr.
Students affectionally call him “Mr. Lynn.” He welcomes every passenger who steps on his bus with that inviting smile, no matter the time of day. The students also encounter his signature bowl of candy and rows of colorful rubber ducks that line the bus’s dashboard.
“I’m just a simple, quiet person most of the time, and when I get around here, I feel I may be offering a little bit
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National Vietnam War Veterans Day | March 29
How can you honor Vietnam veterans in your community?
The Department of Veterans Affairs notes that approximately 2.7 million Americans served in the Vietnam War. There was strong domestic opposition to American involvement in the conflict, and many veterans returning from the war were treated poorly and unfairly. That made it difficult for Vietnam veterans to adjust to life at home, a problem compounded by the trauma of the war.
Although it is impossible to reverse time and remedy the poor treatment of Vietnam veterans, there are ways that the public can honor those veterans who sacrificed their safety and health in service of their country. These ideas can
The continuing importance of Black History Month
No one has played a greater role in helping all Americans know the black past than Carter G. Woodson, the individual who created Negro History Week in Washington, D.C., in February 1926. Woodson was 
the second black American to receive a PhD in history from Harvard—following W.E.B. Du Bois by a few years. To Woodson, the black experience was too important simply to be left to a small group of academics. Woodson believed that his role was to use black history and culture as a weapon in the struggle for racial uplift. By 1916, Woodson had moved to DC and established the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and Culture,” an organization whose goal was to
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Courier Community Calendar 2-19-25
• SMEC set to host annual oyster roast
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will host its annual oyster roast from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at 1200 Powdersville Road in Easley.
Proceeds from the event benefit multiple charitable organizations in Pickens County. Attendees will be able to enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, Brunswick stew, sides, and beverages (photo ID required). If oysters aren’t your favorite, the event offers many additional food options. Tickets are $45 for adults, $10 for children 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. Rain or shine, oyster-shucking takes place outdoors, so attendees should dress accordingly. Please also bring personal oyster knives and gloves.Tickets are available for purchase by mail or at the church office, and order forms are available at
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Give the gift of healing this year
The gift of massage treats recipients to relaxation and the healing power of therapy and can serve as an escape from the stresses of daily life.
In their 21st annual consumer survey, the American Massage Therapy Association says 19 percent of consumers reported receiving a massage from a professional therapist in the previous year. Many
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Choose wisely when selecting Valentine gifts
As the clock ticks down to Valentine’s Day, the pressure is on to find the ideal gift. While some 
sweethearts may provide some clues to help with Valentine’s Day shopping, many gift-givers are on their own.
The National Retail Federation predicts that, in 2025, consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, up from last year’s $25.8 billion and slightly above the previous record of $27.4 billion set in 2020. With so much money invested, shoppers no doubt want to find the best gifts possible. When shopping for Valentine’s Day, try to avoid these common mistakes and choose gifts that are creative and heartfelt.
- Skip the gas station flowers, candy or last-minute gifts. Valentine’s Day is a time to show you care. If you’ve left gifting to the last minute, you may make the situation worse by giving somethingYou must be logged in to view this content.
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Cherokee Powwow coming to Hagood Mill Historic Site
PICKENS — The Eastern Cherokee Southern Iroquois United Tribes of S.C. are set to bring together tribal members and the community to celebrate and learn Native American singing and dancing, storytelling, classes and much more on May 3 at the Hagood Mill Historic Site, located at 138 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens.
There will be a variety of vendors and food trucks along with activities for kids and music. Visitors are invited to experience and learn about American Indian culture and dance.
Admission to the event is $5 per adult and free for children six and younger.
Activities will include MMIW dance, Native American singing, dancing, drumming and storytelling.
For more information and a vendor application, visit facebook.com/events/s/eastern-cherokee-southern-iroq/4031619880497266/.
Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life
Many physical activities fall under more than one type of activity. This makes it possible for your child to do two or even three types of physical activity in one day. For example, if your daughter is on a basketball team and practices with her teammates every day, she is not only doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity but also bone-strengthening. Or, if your daughter takes gymnastics lessons, she is not only doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity but also muscle- and bone-strengthening.
It’s easy to fit each type of activity into your child’s schedule — all it takes is being familiar with the Guidelines and finding activities that your child enjoys.
What can I do to get — and keep — my child active?
As a parent, you can help shape your child’s attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity, and knowing these guidelines is a great place to start. Throughout their lives, encourage young people to be
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