Category Archives: Lifestyles
Preparing to head Back-to-School
Preparing our children for the future
By Nicole Guttermuth, Courier Staff
Nicole Guttermuth
About this time for the last few years I’ve shared with readers fond memories of my childhood gearing up for the first day of school.
A self-professed nerd, dork and over-achiever, I’ve always loved school and I’ve recently been tinkering with the idea of enrolling myself into a Ph.D. program to earn the doctorate that’s always been part of my grand master plan for life.
Earning an education is stressed in my home to the point that I’m sure my girls roll their eyes behind my back occasionally. The older and wiser I become, the more life I experience, the more firmly I hold tight to the notion that having an education is essential for lifelong success.
Weighing the pros and cons of Common Core Standards
Putting the children first
Nicole Guttermuth
By Nicole Guttermuth
Even though I am an only child, I was never particularly selfish. This debt of gratitude I owe to my mom, who is one of the most selfless human beings I know. One of her sayings that has always struck with me throughout life is “it’s nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.”
As a mother, she always put me first. Not in a “the world revolved around me” sort of way, but in the way, in my humble opinion, parents should put their children first in most instances. Despite that she might have been tired from an eight or 10-hour day on her feet as a nurse, caring for the needs of others, when we got home from school and work, her focus was on helping me get my homework done, making sure I ate dinner and took a shower, and tucking me into bed at a reasonable hour so I could get up in the morning and be ready to tackle another day at school.
It was only after my needs were met that she turned her attention to other things. Truth be told, by that point she was probably ready to climb into her own bed and go to sleep so she could start another day taking care of other people.
When I became a parent, life ceased to be about me. If I had to pick a pivotal moment when I understood this fully it would have to be this: my own personal comfort became less important than that of my daughter being able to sleep peacefully and soundly.
Concord Baptist Church celebrates 125 Years of of God’s faithfulness
CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH
Concord Baptist Church has been a fixture in Pickens County for well in excess of a century.
Pastor Roberts
On June 30, the church celebrated 125 years of ministry, as members dressed in a variety of old-fashioned styles, many drove classic cars and matched their clothing to their car models. An antique doctor’s buggy even made an appearance.
Church music director Roger Ellenburg led the congregation in a capella music, including selections sung at the church’s very first service on June 30, 1888. Members were challenged by messages from pastor Guy Roberts, who has served the church alongside his wife Wanda since November 1999, and former pastor Tommy Hayes.
The church’s anniversary celebration will continue throughout the summer, with special music, testimonies from church members, and the sharing of historical facts about the church’s culture.
The celebration will culminate during a Homecoming service on Sept. 22 with a documentary film highlighting the church’s history. Church officials invite family and friends to any services, especially the Homecoming service, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. and be followed by a meal on the grounds, with the film showing at 2 p.m.
Hayes will preach the morning message.
For more information, contact the church office at (864) 878-7461 or find Concord Baptist Church on Facebook.
Roberts, Hayes and the Concord Baptist congregation rejoice in what the Lord has accomplished, praying that God will continue to use the church fellowship for His glory.
From the Mill Hill to Calvary’s Hill
- Jack Hester and his wife Shirley pose for a snapshot in 1961.
Dr. Jack Hester shares story of
longtime ministry in new book
Dr. Jack Hester shares story of longtime ministry in new book
By Ben Robinson, For the Courier Courier
Courtesy Jack Hester
Jack Hester poses for a photo with a ball and glove during his younger days, when he was an avid baseball player.
Dr. Jack Hester looks over his notes for his next sermon. If you are familiar with Hester, as many in the Upstate are, you may be surprised that he is still active.
Hester, who is 83 years young, is the interim pastor at Mountain Grove Baptist Church in Pickens, and — as of right now — has no plans as to when to take another step into his retirement.
“I feel better today than I did when I was 50 years old,” Hester said.
“So what should I be doing but raising the Lord and sharing His story with as many people as possible? When I signed in for this job, there was no place to sign out.”
Hester has been preaching the gospel for more than 62 years.
“My wife Shirley has been blessed with a beautiful voice, and I have blessed to have her sing at many of the churches who asked me to come preach,” Hester said. “Sometimes I think people are really wanting to hear Shirley sing and are just willing to put up with my preaching so they can get her. But we make a good team.”
Hester has just completed an autobiographical book entitled, “My Story for His Glory.” The book is subtitled, “From Baseball to the Bible; From Mill Hill to Calvary’s Hill.”
Hester’s story goes back to when he was an infant and Hester reveals what God did in the life of a young man who had made a life in baseball, his lifelong dream. Yet knowing God’s call was upon him, he continued to rebel until the time he made a total surrender to God’s call, turning from baseball to the Bible… from the Mill Hill to Calvary’s Hill. He shares a moving illustration of his life.
Hester became an avid baseball player in his youth, earning looks from professional teams.
“I turned down a large contract from professional baseball and concentrated on what I felt was a stronger calling to share the word of God,” Hester said. “Since then I have plowed, planted and reaped both nationally and internationally through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
He has recorded more than 30,000 conversions in his career.
Hester began his ministry at Grace Baptist Church in Simpsonville. While there, he began a radio ministry, “The Gospel Dynamite Hour,” which continued for more than 25 years.
Eventually, he was called to Powdersville First Baptist Church. He “retired” from there in 2002. He was then asked to be the interim pastor at Nine Forks Baptist Church in Dacusville, and he fell so in love with the people there that he eventually accepted the position as full-time pastor.
He retired from Nine Forks a couple of years ago, but has stayed busy preaching revivals, guest speaking at various local churches, and serving as interim pastor where needed. He avoids using the “retirement” word because he does not know how long God will choose to use him.
Although Hester has spoken at some of the largest churches in America, he still makes time for smaller churches too.
“If you have been called by God to preach His word, there is no such thing as a ‘small church,’” Hester said.
For more information or to buy Hester’s book, call Mountain Grove Baptist Church at (864) 878-6399.
Honoring Their Service
Thank you for your Service
About Wounded Warriors Project
The mission of the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) is to honor and empower the men and women who have been injured in service to their country and foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
The WWP works diligently to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
Headquartered at the Sacrifice Center in Jacksonville, Fla., additional program offices are located throughout the United States and specific locations can be found at woundedwarriorproject.org.
100 ways to have fun this summer
Summer
By Nicole Daughhetee, Courier Staff
Nicole Daughhetee
It is the finish line children run toward the entire school year. Summer is filled with possibilities, adventure, and, best of all, no homework!
I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to have my girls home with me in the summer. When I worked more traditional 9 to 5 jobs, they toddled through summer day care and then day camp when they were a little older.
Last summer was an enormous time of transition for us, and I thought it best to keep them home so we could have quality time together. This year, aside from a couple of half-day volleyball camps, we don’t have other camps scheduled, which only means that we will have to be creative with our time.
The Downfall of Dr. John Brinkley
Minnie and John Brinkley, surgical partners.
The conclusion of a two-part series
Grave of John R Brinkley at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn.
By Dr. Tom Cloer
For The Courier
Editor’s Note: This is the conclusion of a two-part series written by Courier contributor Dr. Tom Cloer, Jr., about Dr. John R. Brinkley, Jr., born in neighboring Jackson County, N.C., and one of the most famous and successful men in the world in the 1930s before his unconventional methods and deceit led to his own fall from grace. The first half of this series was published in the May 15 edition of the Courier.
Brinkley Strikes Gold
Dr. John Brinkley enrolled in Eclectic Medical School in Kansas City, Mo., and after one additional year bought his M.D. in 1914. Here is ample evidence that this was indeed the golden age of hocus pocus. A sheepskin from this diploma mill would allow Brinkley to practice medicine in several states, Kansas being his choice. There was really no central regulating power for licensing medical doctors. Andrew Jackson was somewhat responsible for this. His idea was for “the common man” to have a chance. So, believe it or not, by the end of the 19th century only about three states had real licensing requirements. The American Medical Association had very little power, but that would change, primarily because of one man — John R. Brinkley.
Community remembers slain children
The Rev. Ashley McCoy-Bruce, left, speaks at a community service held in honor of Carly and Sawyer Simpson at Dacusville Elementary School last Thursday.
‘We’re helping each other get through this’
Carly Ashelyn Simpson
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
In the early morning hours of May 14, tragedy struck the Dacusville community when 7-year-old Carly Simpson and her brother Sawyer Simpson, 5, were found shot dead in their beds. Shot in the head, their father, Michael Simpson, 34, remains hospitalized in serious condition, while their mother, Anna Simpson, 35, faces murder charges in their deaths after her release from the hospital. Dacusville Elementary, the school both children attended, held a
Sawyer Russell Simpson
memorial service in their honor last Thursday evening. At left and below are transcripts from the speakers at the event.
The Rev. Ashley McCoy-Bruce
We are here tonight because Dacusville, the Simpson and Brown families, Dacusville Elementary and Pickens County have suffered a tremendous loss that has altered our lives in ways we have yet to fully understand.
I’m here to unify us in our faith and to speak as a mother. My children are raised in Dacusville. My sons graduated from this school. My daughter is a fourth grader here. We have worked together because we saw a need to gather quickly to express our heartfelt sympathy for the deaths of two beloved children, our concerns for a critically wounded father and for the soul of a broken mother.
Dr. John R. Brinkley: American Dream or Nightmare?
How a Jackson County, N.C., native went from richest doctor in the world to an infamous disgrace
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-week series written by Courier contributor Dr. Tom Cloer, Jr., about Dr. John R. Brinkley, Jr., born in neighboring Jackson County, N.C., and one of the most famous and successful men in the world in the 1930s before his unconventional methods and deceit led to his own fall from grace.
By Dr. Tom Cloer, Jr.
For the Courier
My maternal ancestors were here in the Pickens District in the 1700’s. But prior to the Civil War, my Great, Great Grandfather, Daniel Van Buren Moody, moved to East LaPorte, North Carolina, in Jackson County. Jackson County at that time bordered the Pickens District. My Great Grandfather, John Thomas Moody, son of Daniel Van Buren Moody, married Emma Wike there, and together they amassed an enormous amount of rich bottom land in the fertile Tuckasegee Valley. Therefore, throughout
Mother’s Day celebrations throughout history
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
Only recently dubbed “Mother’s Day,” the highly traditional practice of honoring of Motherhood is rooted in antiquity, and past rites typically had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones; societies tended to celebrate Goddesses and symbols rather than actual Mothers.
One of the earliest historical records of a society celebrating a Mother deity is found among the ancient Egyptians, who held an annual festival to honor the goddess Isis, who was commonly regarded as the Mother of the pharaohs.
