Category Archives: Opinions
How to plan for emergencies
The government has a comprehensive website full of information on how to prepare for emergencies, power outages, hurricanes, floods — nearly everything you can imagine. Should a disaster occur, we’ll be better off if we plan in advance.
On www.ready.gov, the section on supplies to keep on hand is a good place to start.
Click on “Build A Kit” for a list of suggested emergency items to keep on hand. The list of items they suggest you keep is extensive, so pick and
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Making the decision to live God’s way
Many are convinced that this life has been given to them to do whatever they want, and technically it’s true that God has given every human a free will to choose.
Most will agree this is one of the greatest gifts mankind has been given, but the problem is that our carnal human nature does not want what God wants. You see, the Lord desires to use us exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or imagine but the only way we can truly please Him is to do what He says. This sounds simple, but it’s no secret that humans are experts in the areas of
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Get easier access to military installations
The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have made some changes that will make it easier for veterans and their caregivers to get into various installations.
Whether it’s for medical appointments, shopping or any other reason, the changes will allow both veteran and caregiver to be electronically verified.
Ideally you’ll have a VA health car
d (the VHIC). If not, you can enroll for access by using a REAL ID driver’s license or an identification card if you don’t drive. Beginning November 2024, those without a VHIC
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Taking a moment to appreciate our blessings
The year has flown by, and now Thanksgiving is here. I hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving with family and friends.
The election is over, basketball is starting, and the sentimental feelings of fall have turned into the blah of winter. Many 
already have their Christmas trees up, and this week delicious turkeys will be the centerpiece of our tables. Actually, our celebration to give thanks was
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Thank you for a well-run election
Dear Editor,
Now that the election dust has pretty much settled and Thanksgiving is here, a big thank you to Pickens County Election Commission personnel and volunteers for a well-run election. According to scvotes.gov, an 80 percent voter turnout in Pickens County was above the statewide figure of 77 percent.
Thanks as well to everyone who helped with voter registration and education (candidate forum sponsors, Pickens County Courier reporting, meet-and-greets and so forth). Major attention was on the national candidates, but we elected a
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The Cherokee Path
As I write this, Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and we anticipate the joy of being with friends and family to celebrate life’s blessings.
Native Americans celebrated Mother Earth’s abundance long before the settlers arrived, so it is appropriate that we also celebrate Native American Heritage month in November.
Native American history can be told through the intricate patterns the Cherokee would weave into their baskets and blankets. The Cherokee knew a
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Pickens proves its doubters wrong
Since I started covering sports here in Pickens County in 2017, there have always been a few teams I could rely on to be contenders almost every single season. Daniel football, Liberty wrestling, Easley 
baseball to name a few, but none more so than the dominant volleyball program at Pickens High School.
Every year, I go into volleyball season expecting the Blue Flame to at least make it into state quarterfinals and for good reason. Outside of a two season stretch
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Password
November is a month of fiery color. Leaves turn red and gold, and the nights grow chilly. Brisk, cool mornings give way to sunny afternoons. November is the beginning of pumpkin spice mania and apple 
picking.
November is when Password caught a virus. Password is my laptop. I’ve had her for five years. I remember the first time I saw her, sitting on a counter with other laptops. She was all silver and shiny. She beckoned me over with a
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Living peaceably and grounded in Godliness
With the Republican victory over the Democrats, many are reflecting on the direction of the United States.
For the Trump side, this outcome brings hope and a sense of relief that the country can start heading in a better direction. For the Democratic side, there is concern, uncertainty and even
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Seniors saving money in 2025
In a few weeks, those of us on Social Security will be getting approximately 50 extra dollars in our monthly benefit. Minus the $10 increase in Medicare Part B, that brings the average increase down to $40 per month.
How shall we spend our windfall?
If food prices are going to come down after the recent
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