***ONLINE EXCLUSIVE *** Blue Flame head to Columbia in quest for 17th State Championship
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — For the first time since 2021, the Pickens High School volleyball team More »
Prisma to build hospital in Easley
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Prisma Health plans to build a new $138 million inpatient behavioral health More »
Blue Flame roll past rival Daniel to advance in Class 4A playoffs
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — After dropping two five set battles to rival Daniel in the regular More »
Swearing in
Members of the Pickens County’s Legislative Delegation take the oath of office on the Pickens County Courthouse steps in Pickens More »
This week in FOOTBALL FRENZY only in PICKENES COUNTY COURIER
LIONS OVERCOME SLOW START AGAINST SENECA TO WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT REGION TITLE; EASLEY DROPS FINALE TO GREENVILLE; RED DEVILS FALL More »
Selugadu set for this weekend at mill
PICKENS — Every November, the Hagood Mill Historic Site observes Native American Heritage Month by holding the Native American Celebration. More »
Surrendering our will is not an option
I was asked recently if being born again was the same thing as believing in God. I felt I needed to give a more thorough answer than just a simple yes.
It might sound strange, but it’s true that Christians do believe that God is real, and yet there are others who believe in God who are not born again. I realize this seems confusing, and how can this be? Well, the devil believes that God is real, but he does not love or serve Him. So we can see there is a big difference between just believing and being spiritually transformed and embracing Christ as the Lord of our life.
There is more to salvation than just acknowledging there is a God. It has everything to do with knowing
Courier Obituaries 6-24-20
BARBARA JEAN HOLLOWAY ROBINSON
EASLEY — Ms. Barbara Jean Holloway Robinson, 65, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020.
Born in Easley, she was the daughter of John Marshall Holloway and the late Betty Jean Bowens Holloway.
Barbara retired from the Easley Recreation Department and was a member of the Avon Club. She loved to read and cook. Barbara was a people person, always putting the care of others ahead of her own and loved meeting people at all types of sporting events. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Surviving, in addition to her father, are a stepsister, Yolanda Anderson; a stepbrother, George Davis, and his wife, Teresa; and their children, Porsha Mansell, Wesley Davis and Taylor Davis.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.
JIM REID
EASLEY — James Otis “Jim” Reid, 85, of Holly Bush Road, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late James Lewis Reid and Bertha Spearman Reid.
Mr. Reid was retired from General Electric in Greenville. He was formerly employed with Saco-
An in-depth look at of one of the world’s great wonders
By Dr. Thomas Cloer, Jr.
Special to The Courier
I have always been interested in caves. I have tried to psychoanalyze myself to understand why.
I think Mark Twain had an early effect on me. I do remember vividly the writings of Mark Twain
(Samuel Clemens) about Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. Becky was Tom Sawyer’s sweetheart. They were on a ferry boat ride that stopped to visit McDougal’s Cave in the novel, “The Adventures
Burkett named May’s Pinnacle Performer
COUNTY — Dale Burkett of the Pickens County vehicle maintenance department was recently named the Pickens County Pinnacle Performer for May 2020.
Burkett came to work for Pickens County as a mechanic II in 2001. He was promoted in 2016 to auto paint and body specialist, the position he holds today.
“Dale’s commitment to his job and the county is impeccable,” said county Emergency Services chief Kevin McClain, who nominated Burkett. “The job that Dale performs for the county saves the taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.”
McClain said that not only is Burkett’s skill level above average, but that he always has a great attitude and shows a willingness to help others.
Vehicle maintenance director Toney Chastain, who is Burkett’s supervisor, said “he is one of those unique employees that all managers long to have.”
He said Burkett shows up ready to work earlier than he’s scheduled so that he can open the shop and get it ready for the day.
“You never hear a complaint or negative comment from him, and his work ethic and attention to detail are second-to-none,” Chastain said. “He is in a position that is most often overlooked, but without him, our fleet of vehicles would not look as good as they always do. He has played a part in keeping all of the vehicles in service for the county. Whether it’s installing all of the decals on the sheriff’s office’s vehicles or repairing wreck-damaged vehicles, or completely repainting a vehicle or piece of equipment, he goes above and beyond to try to find the most cost-effective solutions when performing the body and paint repairs on our fleet of vehicles. I was glad to see Dale win the Pinnacle award. It is well deserved, and it was good to see him be recognized for the outstanding job he does for the county. He is truly an asset to us all.”
Pickens County Pinnacle Performers is a peer-to-peer recognition program that is designed to reward those who go above and beyond in their jobs. Some of the traits of a Pinnacle Performer include dedication and commitment to fulfilling their job responsibilities, good customer service, having a helpful and positive attitude and demonstrating initiative to save taxpayers money. One employee is selected each month. At the end of the year, one of the 12 recipients of the monthly award will be named Pinnacle Performer of the Year.
Pickens County also congratulated the following employees for being nominated for possessing the traits of a Pinnacle Performer: Samantha Greer — assessor’s office, Paula Wagler — assessor’s office., Anthony Raines — Sheriff’s Office, Melissa Rice — Pickens County Library System, and Harold Young — building maintenance.
Community Calendar
• Pickens Lions plan meetings each month
The Pickens Lions Club is in need of new members. The club meets the first and third Thursday of every month at Pizza Inn in Pickens. Dinner begins at 6:40 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to anyone interested in joining the club or simply finding out more about the club and how it serves Pickens. The Club will not meet the week of July 4. The next meeting is set
Now open in Pickens
Deep and Twisted Roots Bar and Grill held its formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Saturday, June 12. The new restaurant, located at 304 Ann St. in Pickens, offers a delicious selection of Cajun, soul, seafood and barbecue dishes. Pictured, Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry celebrates with owners Johnny Ferguson, Katrina Ferguson and Rodney Derossett during the event. To place an order or get more information, call (864) 507-2002.
CCNE grants accreditation for Southern Wesleyan University nursing degree
CENTRAL — The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granted accreditation for 
the RN to BSN degree program at Southern Wesleyan University.
“This was a major program initiative at Southern Wesleyan over the past two or more years in that we have heard the call from our communities for well-prepared bachelor degree nurses,” SWU president Dr. Todd Voss said. “Our RN bachelor of science in nursing program is extremely high quality and focuses on the kinds of areas the health care profession is seeking to fill. We are so delighted to
Cool as a cucumber summer salads
By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
Take advantage of cucumbers that are really fresh. Buy local if
possible. Did you know that some cucumbers lie around in the grocery store for days and days before going home with consumers? So, when you buy them, get the freshest ones you can find.
Right from the garden is best. If a drought is going on, cut the stem end off about a half an inch, as dry weather will make that end of the cucumber bitter.
They say now that it is safe to eat cucumber peel. And that may be, but I always peel mine, because anything a hog won’t consume can’t be that good. It is a matter of personal preference.
These recipes are easy, cool and refreshing. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does.
Courier Legal Notices 6-24-20
NOTICE OF SALE
Pursuant to the Special Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale in the Court of Common Pleas in the case of Pinnacle Bank, Plaintiff vs. The Personal Representative of the Estate of Kenneth S. Beasley, if any, whose name is unknown, and any children and heirs at law, distributes and devisees, and if any of the same be deceased, any and all persons entitled to claim under or through them; also all other persons entitled to claim unknown claiming any right, title,
