Category Archives: Community
Five generations
Celebrating her 95th birthday on Aug. 13, Inez Owen Ammons will be enjoying a get-together with her family on Saturday, Aug. 12. Pictured above is Owens with five generations of her family — Ophelia Ashe, Keith Ashe, Alexis and Wesley. Ammons, the mother of nine, including triplet boys, has been an inspiration to all who come in contact with her as she has shared years of memories with her 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. Happy birthday, Mom, and we wish you many more. We love you.
Courier Calendar of Events 8-9-17
• CAAAM to host Black Business Expo
On Sept. 9, the Clemson Area African American Museum (CAAAM) will host a Black Business Expo at Calhoun Bridge Center. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free to the public.The expo will be an opportunity for Upstate African-American business owners and
Joint worship service planned at Griffin Ebenezer with Pickens Presbyterian
On Sunday, January 15, members from Pickens Presbyterian Church along with their brothers and sisters in Christ at Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church will be celebrating their first ever joint worship service to celebrate unity. During these times of national unrest between races, these churches feel as though it is vitally important for Christians to show love for one another and 
unity in Christ. Griffin Ebenezer and Pickens Presbyterian have a strong history of working together to strengthen relationships with each other and building a bridge between the two churches.
As part of this ongoing effort, the two churches will worship together at Griffin Ebenezer with The Rev. Nath Briley from Pickens Presbyterian preaching, and following worship, all will gather for a shared meal together. This event promises to be a spirit-filled worship of our Lord, and a time of building community in the name of Christ.
Snow!
Several inches of snow blanketed Pickens County over the weekend, and children and adults alike made the most of the winter weather, sledding, building snowmen and just plain having fun. Courier readers submitted photos of their snow day shenanigans online at Facebook.com/PickensCountyCourier. To see even more reader-submitted photos, turn to page 6B or like us on Facebook.
Beloved local writer Dot Jackson dies at age 84
Photo courtesy Cindy Morris
Beloved local writer and friend to all Dot Jackson died at age 84 at her daughter’s home in North Carolina on Sunday.
By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
Dorothea Mauldin Jackson, 84, died Sunday night at her daughter’s home in Newland, NC. She has left the mountains she so loved but leaves behind a formidable legacy.
She was born in Miami on Aug. 10, 1932. She grew up in Florida and studied music and dance at the University of Miami. But she never considered herself a native.
PCLA book sale starts Friday
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Book and bargain lovers, rejoice: It’s almost time for the Pickens County Literacy Association’s Fall Used Book Sale.
The sale will kick off Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the All Saints Hall at Pickens Presbyterian Church. The sale will be open until 6 p.m. that day and resume from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Pickens wins 2016 4A Region I Volleyball title
4A playoffs start Thursday at Pickens High
PICKENS — It’s in the books, another undefeated season in region play for the Pickens High Lady Blue Flame.
The team ended the regular season with a win against rival D.W. Daniel and completed another perfect season in region play. PHS holds a 204-13 regional and playoff record since head coach Jennifer Gravely became took the reins in 2003.
Courier Community Calendar 10-12-16
• Free movie night planned by BHSPC
Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County Youth Board along with the Steppin’ It Up Coalition, will be hosting a Drugs are Despicable Family Movie Night at the Central-Clemson Recreation Central on Monday, Oct. 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The movie “Despicable Me” will be shown, and Youth Board members will perform a skit to raise awareness about substance abuse.
PCSO Explorers bring home top honors at SC SCALE Competition
COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 was named the state’s 2016 Explorer Post of the Year and earned first place overall during the recent South Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Explorers (SCALE) competition.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Pictured, back row, from left, are Deputy Brandon Brewer, Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman, Deputy 1st Class Michael Torres and Sergeant Robert Porter. Front row: Explorer Captain Brandon Smith, Explorer 1st Class Kaleb Grant, Explorer Lieutenant Tyler Brown, Explorer Lt. Caleb Cassell, Explorer Sergeant Maddy Blanton, Explorer Deandre Mansell, Explorer Sergeant Alex Harbin and Explorer 1st Class Eli Harbin.
The annual event was held July 18-22 in North Charleston and is the focal point of the organization’s summer conference, where Explorer posts come together to test their skills and knowledge in pursuit of one day becoming law enforcement officers.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office enjoys a strong and dedicated group of Explorers who attend several meetings each month and vigorously train to become first responders in years to come. Eight Explorers from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 were in attendance at this year’s SCALE competition.
The 2016 competition was attended by 14 teams of Explorers that were sponsored by 11 different law enforcement agencies.
“Our Explorer program is a reflection of our entire agency in that we strive to serve as a model for other programs to follow,” Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said. “The future for law enforcement in Pickens County has never been brighter with the quality of young men and women that are already experiencing the calling to serve others through public service. I am so very proud of our Explorer post and of our deputies that graciously devote so much of their personal time to this program.”
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers won first place in the highly sought after award for being named the SCALE Post of the Year 2016 — an award given to the group with outstanding community service and superior leadership.
The 2016 First Place Overall Award was also brought home by the Pickens County Explorers after achieving the highest average score accumulated from team events.
The Pickens County team also finished first in the domestiv violence, armed robbery and open door/burglary competitions.
Local Explorer Captain Brandon Smith and Explorer First Class Kaleb Grant also took first place in the individual pistol and male physical agility competitions, respectively.
The Explorer program is a nationally recognized program among law enforcement agencies. Candidates must meet certain criteria to become a member. Participants must be between the ages of 14 to 21, and anyone under the age of 18 must have the consent and approval from their parent or legal guardian. Candidates must maintain a “C” average in school and must have completed the eighth grade upon being selected for the program.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers often give back to the community through volunteering at large public events, fundraisers and ride-alongs with the sheriff’s deputies.
For more information, contact Pickens County Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman at (864) 898-5539 or by email at elijahc@co.pickens.sc.us.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Workshop for 50-plus job seekers planned for Aug. 4
UPSTATE — Tri-County Technical College’s Anderson QuickJobs Center will host a free Smart Strategies workshop for 50-plus job seekers Thursday, Aug. 4.[cointent_lockedcontent]
The workshop will be held from 2-4 p.m. and is offered at no charge. Participants will learn about the seven Smart Strategies needed to get back into the workforce and will have the opportunity to apply for the Back To Work 50-plus Coaching and Training Program. They also will receive the AARP Foundation’s free job search guide.
Tri-County’s Back To Work 50-plus team can help individuals update job search strategies, practice for interviewing and networking, and assist with enrollment in training programs that employers value.
To register or to learn more, visit aarp.org/backtowork50plus or call (855) 850–2525.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
