This WEEK in FOOTBALL FRENZY
Green Wave lose homecoming heartbreaker to Mauldin; Daniel shuts out Travelers Rest; Devils to open region play; Pickens to return More »
Soup kitchen celebrates two decades of service
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com EASLEY — For more than two decades, an organization in Easley has provided hot More »
Lions win county golf tournament
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — For the first time in more than 10 years, The Rock Golf More »
Local residents, businesses provide aid to neighbors, WNC after Helene
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — Following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, many people in the Pickens More »
This WEEK in FOOTBALL FRENZY
Swinney becomes ACC’s winningest coach in road victory over FSU; Wave announce 2024 Hall of Fame class and Red Devils More »
Homeschooling parents invited to presentation
PICKENS — The Prevention Department of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County is inviting homeschooling parents to attend a special presentation 
next week.
The talk will be held from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Café Connections in Pickens. The topic is “Safe Medication Storage in the Home.”
Coffee and cake will be served, and attendees will have a chance to win a medication lockbox.
The event is free, but registration will give the presenters a head count.
To register, search “Safety at Home Homeschool Event” at eventbrite.com.
Café Connections is located at 319 E. Main St. in Pickens.
Main Street water tank in ‘very bad shape’
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens officials last week approved undertaking a report that will tell them if a part of downtown’s landscape can remain standing.
During a special called Pickens City Council meeting March 21, Massie Hughes with American Tank Maintenance presented officials with options concerning the inactive empty water tank that overlooks Main Street.
The company assessed the tank prior to the presentation, and Hughes said the company recommends council approve an engineering structural analysis of the tank “before we
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By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — About 40 to 50 people, some who have lived for years in a historically black area of Central known as “Head Town,” are worried about having to 
relocate as the owner of the property plans to sell.
However, Black Lives Collective and Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) officials are working with about 18 families and asking Central Town
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Central officials eye options for Head Town residents
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — Addressing pleas by residents of a predominantly African American neighborhood fearing displacement as the property they live on is up for sale, Central Mayor Andrew Beckner and town council say they plan to do everything they can to help.
Beckner said he hasn’t received a formal proposal from Wayne Head, owner of the property known as “Head Town,” but is concerned.
“(Displacement) is the No. 1 thing I want to avoid,” Beckner said. “It gives me a pit in my stomach to think it would happen,
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Azalea Festival continues to grow
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The 2022 Pickens Azalea Festival is set for Mother’s Day weekend.
Festival director Roy Costner IV spoke about the festival and requested $6,500 from hospitality taxes at a special called Pickens City Council meeting on March 21.
“We are extremely excited for the 2022 Pickens Azalea Festival,” Costner said. “We have moved
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‘For the Better of the World’ Upstate Conference April 1-3
GREENVILLE — As one of thousands of global conferences, the Baha’is of the Upstate of South Carolina, including Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg counties, will host their local area conference the weekend of April 1-3 in Greenville.
The global conferences are bringing a hopeful direction to the world by inviting local action so together all “well-wishers of humanity” can help build vibrant communities that are a “haven of peace” and “may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony.”
Attendees will examine Baha’u’llah’s vision for humanity and reflect on how that vision has, during the past century, inspired communities to work on building unity among the peoples of the world.
For more information about the conference and to register, call (864) 855-2072 or visit the Pickens County Baha’is and Friends Facebook page at facebook.com/pcbahaifriends.
Baptist Easley hosts diaper distribution
During a Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Diaper Bank distribution event in Easley on March 22, volunteers provided more than 16,500 diapers and pull-ups, totaling around 220 children served. Families also received giveaway bags from Healthy Blue South Carolina and Pampers, as well as information on where to get their car seat checked locally. Of those families, officials were also able to provide brand new car seats to two families who did not have children in car seats when they arrived. “We heard from the many families that we served how appreciative they were of our services,” said Candi Forester-Smith, manager of the Prisma Health Baptist Easley Foundation. Pictured, from left, are Prisma Health employees who volunteered their time to participate in last week’s diaper bank event at Baptist Easley — Forester-Smith, Lloyd Sarbacker, Dana Rutland, Mary Fields, Renee Hunter, Nancy Kendall and Andrea Stegall.
Courier Obituaries 3-30-22
FREDDY DODSON
CENTRAL — Mr. Freddy Dodson, 64, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Freddy was born on Oct. 4, 1957, to Fred Dodson and the late Phala McKnight Dodson. Freddy was a loving father, devoted husband and a friend to many. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, could answer any trivia question asked and always had an entertaining story to tell. He touched the lives of countless coworkers and strangers throughout his life. He is truly missed.
In addition to his father, Freddy is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Pamela Dodson; five sons, Curtis Dodson of Tennessee, Ben Cherami of Seneca, Elijah Dodson of Central, Israel Dodson of Central and Malachi Dodson of Central; two daughters, Zoe Dodson of Central and Rebekah Dodson of Central; and one sister, Sue Wood (Mark) of Pickens.
In addition to his mother, Freddy was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Gayle Dodson; and his stepmother, Vivanee “Boots” Dodson.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunearls.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
JAMES RAY ALLEN
PICKENS — Dr. James Ray Allen, 87, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
He was born on March 19, 1935, in Ellaville, Ga., to the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Allen. He was married to his devoted wife, Marilyn Scott Allen,
for 65 years.
He and his wife served as a ministry team touching untold numbers of lives in their 20 churches in the Carolinas and Georgia. He also invested his life in his students as a professor at Berry Academy in Rome, Ga., and Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton. He truly exemplified the greatest commandment, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). His life was one of loving and serving God and the many people he came in contact with, whether it was a church member, a student or a bag boy at the grocery store.
He received his associate’s degree from Norman Park Junior College, bachelor’s degree from Lagrange College, master’s
Pickens team wins Palmetto Region championship
PICKENS — The Pickens Carolina One 18 Elite volleyball team won the USAVolleyball Palmetto Region 2022 Championship on Sunday at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center.
The Pickens Carolina One club volleyball team, which goes by the name “Pride,” won seven matches during the March 25-27 tournament. In the championship final, Pride defeated the Sumter Juniors Volleyball Club in two sets, 25-16, 25-17. The Pickens team did not drop a set during the Rock Hill tournament.
With the win comes a bid for Pride to play in the USAVolleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship April 22-24 in Phoenix, Ariz.
“This group of young women continues to amaze and impress me,” Pride coach Nikki Anthony said. “They were fierce competitors on the court and a class act off the court this weekend. This team handedly won the Palmetto Region Tournament, as no team scored more than 17 points against us all weekend. The work they have put in all season prepared them for this final Palmetto Region Tournament, and all players contributed in the championship match.”
Pride also recently captured the tournament championship at the Shamrock Scuffle March 12-13 in Suwannee, Ga.
Pride features 11 upper-level players from five area high schools: Pickens, Belton-Honea Path, Easley, Walhalla and Wren. Players from Pickens High are Calie Covey, Alaina Craigo, Lauren Dow, Macie Gentry, Caroline Lucas and Emma Van Daele. Emmie Williams plays at Belton-Honea Path High, and Polly McCollum comes from Easley High. Payton Burkett is from Walhalla High, and Karson Haley and Ashley Stein play for Wren High.
Carolina One Volleyball is a locally owned nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting volleyball in Upstate South Carolina. Carolina One is now in its 15th season and is the longest-running volleyball club in the state of South Carolina.
