Category Archives: Lifestyles
‘Where my heart is’
Easley artist’s new show at county museum gives glimpse into life in local mill villages
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS —
A local native who has been called “the Grandma Moses of the mill village” has a new show at the Pickens County Museum of Art and History.
Easley resident Judy Young has been an artist for more than 40 years, but for the past 25 years or so she
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Local squad 1-1 after first days of Senior League World Series
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The 2019 Senior League World Series is off and running, and for the local S.C. District 1 team it has been an emotional roller coaster thus far.
District 1 opened up play Saturday against Naamans Little League from Wilmington, Del., representing the Eastern U.S. Naamans opened up play in the top of the first, picking up one run following a number of errors by the home team. Things continued to go wrong for District 1 in the second, as Deuce Rzucidlo 
drove in two more runs on a double to put Naamans up 3-0.
Just when things seemed as if they couldn’t get any worse, the
Eastern champs added five more runs in the third to give them a seemingly insurmountable 8-0 lead. The teams traded outs through the top of the fifth until the host team finally got things going in the bottom of the inning.
Andrew Dent opened the inning with a double before being driven home by the next batter, Chip Jenkins, to get District 1 its first run of
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Simply the best
Youth baseball players converge on Easley to decide world champion
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Senior League World Series, which pits the best 13- to 16-year-old baseball players from around the world against each other, is descending upon Pickens County once again.
The tournament, which is in its third year in Easley, will feature six international teams and six U.S. teams and will kick off Saturday at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex.
The tournament’s championship game is set for a 2:30 p.m. first pitch Aug. 3 and is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.
As of press time Tuesday, the international 
division’s qualifiers had all been chosen, while all United States division teams remained
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From the heart
YouTube channel gives flea market pickers online ‘shrine’
When you write a column called “Mountain Rhythms,” you can’t pass up a story like this: “Old-time Flea Market pickers live forever in the cloud.”
Old-time pickers happen to be one of my great interests in life — partly because I’ve become one of them myself. And the group that gathers every Wednesday morning to entertain bargain hunters at the Pickens Flea Market has become, like the Rolling Stones, an institution.
But it’s an institution that, sadly, is fading slowly away. At least that’s the way Chris DeJong felt
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TCTC students’ NCLEX scores surpass state, national rates
PENDLETON — Tri-County Technical College’s recent associate degree nursing graduates earned a 92.59 first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX).
Their performance on the exam surpassed both state and national pass rates.
According to the National Council State Board of Nursing, the state pass rate is 92.42 and the national average is 89.27.
Following May graduation, 54 first-time candidates took the computerized licensure exam, which tests a graduate’s basic nursing knowledge and decision-making ability on commonly encountered health-care situations. Graduates of Tri-County’s RN program
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Making memorable family moments
Educational activities ideal for making memories together
Family Features
ducational activities and plans that allow kids to flex their brain muscles in fun and creative ways can be ideal ways to spend family time that makes lasting memories.
While children typically gain invaluable knowledge and experience in the classroom, purposeful activities done outside of that setting can help encourage kids to keep learning and make family moments more enjoyable for everyone involved.
From planning trips that celebrate animals and the great outdoors to rainy day activities at home that inspire creative expression, these ideas can produce some family moments worth remembering.
1. Go on a scavenger hunt. From native species of plants, animals and insects to neighborhood landmarks, there are plenty of interesting things that can be found right in your own backyard. Organize a scavenger hunt and work together in teams of family members to search for each item on the list, then do more research on the things you found once you return home. For a real challenge, expand your hunt to the city limits of your hometown and make a day trip of the adventure.
2. Hang out with wildlife. Learn about different species of animals, how to help protect them and the importance of eco-friendly everyday practices by visiting a destination like an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoo or aquarium. You can explore the challenges facing endangered species, discover how community programs are spurring positive
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Tips to keep your holiday happy and safe 4th of July
Independence Day is a celebration of the United States of America. The holiday is marked by fanfare and large parties, complete with barbecues, fireworks and parades.
As fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly. An estimated 11,000 people visited the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, fireworks aren’t the only danger this time of year. In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips.
• Do not drink and drive. Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities. For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe. Otherwise, utilize any number of ridesharing services or available taxis.
• Swim smartly. Always swim with a buddy, and consider hiring a lifeguard if you’ll be hosting a pool party and cannot keep a watchful eye on guests in the pool. Adults also should not swim intoxicated, as it can impede the ability to stay afloat and may lead to risky behaviors.
• Leave fireworks to the professionals. Watch a public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the street or in the backyard.
• Exercise caution with sparklers. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers.
• Review safe boating practices. If July 4th festivities find you out on the water, be sure that life jackets are worn and set boating and water safety rules for the family.
• Check in with a vet. The Fourth of July can be traumatic for pets not accustomed to fireworks and other loud noises or crowds. Behavior therapy, medication and ensuring that pets do not run away from home and get lost may be necessary.
• Watch food temperatures. Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour.
These are some of the safety strategies that can keep Independence Day celebrations both safe and enjoyable.
Easley FIRST Lego League team competes at invitational
EASLEY — A FIRST Lego League robotics team from Easley, the Thunderbolts, competed at the FIRST Lego League Razorback International Invitational at the University of Arkansas from May 17-19.
The Thunderbolts are one of many teams sponsored by BOSCH Anderson. They were elated to hear their team name called out as a Champion’s Award Finalist during a carnival Friday night, held in conjunction with the invitational. To be considered for a Champion’s Award Finalist was a huge honor. The Champion’s Awards are presented to those teams who excel in all four areas of the
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Fourth of July events planned across county
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — As Independence Day nears, Pickens County is preparing for a number of events celebrating America’s oldest holiday.
Clemson will kick off the festivities on July 3 with the 26th annual ClemsonFest. The event
will be held at Spittoono field, located at 1569 Eighteen Mile Road in Central. The cost of the event is $5 per person or $10 per carload.
The gate will open at 5 p.m., and the festival will continue until 10 p.m. Carolina Coast Band will provide live entertainment starting at 6 p.m. and will continue until the fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Following the fireworks, the band will continue to play until close.
According to organizers, problems with entry and exit that affected last year’s event have been remedied this year, as three gates will be open to get attendees inside and parked smoothly. At least 1,750 cars will be able to park on the grounds — 75 percent more than last year. More information
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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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