Category Archives: Lifestyles
McKenzie descendants to celebrate exodus from slavery at Hagood Mill
PICKENS — The descendants of Berry and Caroline McKenzie will gather at the Hagood Mill Historic Site on Saturday for the first time in more than 150 years to celebrate their exodus from slavery at the mill to freedom in the 
Golden Grove community in Travelers Rest.
The McKenzie family will visit the Hagood Mill site where generations of their ancestors toiled and built the wealth of one of Pickens County’s most prosperous families. The history of Hagood Mill cannot be completely told without the narrative of enslaved families who made it thrive.
After a tour of the Hagood Mill site, the McKenzie family will travel to Cold Springs Church and to the Hagood family cemetery to pray and lay flowers on the graves of slaves in honor of Berry and Caroline McKenzie, who are believed to be buried in one of these plots.
As an integral part of Pickens County’s culture and heritage, the McKenzie family seeks to celebrate the efforts of South Carolina churches, Pickens
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Best bet for BACK TO SCHOOL
Every family needs the right items on hand to ensure students are geared up to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field. These supplies and handy tools are designed to make back-to-school season easy as 1-2-3 for kids and parents alike.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
A sticky solution
Art projects abound when a new school year begins and the perfect paper crafts require a secure bond that withstands transportation from school to home. An Elmer’s Re-Stick Glue Stick lets little hands fine-tune placement of different pieces for up to five minutes before a permanent bond forms. The sticks apply smoothly and dry clear for a mess-free appearance that is ideal for younger learners, as well as making poster presentations,crafts and more. See what ideas will
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Laying the foundation
Easley set to honor state championship team as Senior League World Series begins
By Zack Mauldin
Editor
zmauldin@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Baseball and Easley — the two words have become closely associated over the last generation, as the city has played host to
Bert Owens
tournaments featuring some of the world’s top young players every year since 2001.
And both baseball and Easley run in Bert Owens’ blood.
The city’s J.B. “Red” Owens Sports Complex bears his father’s name, and Owens himself has been a coach in the Easley community for more than 30 years now.
“I’m probably the only human being in the world who wants the alma mater of Easley High School played at my
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There’s a new game in town
Easley gearing up for first shot at Senior League World Series
Although 2017 will mark the 17th consecutive year the city of Easley will play host to dozens of the best youth baseball players on Earth battling for the title of world 
series champion, the city will have more representation than ever before in the tournament.
After 16 years of hosting Little League International’s Big League World Series and some of the world’s best 15-18-year-old players, Easley has instead taken over host duties this year for the Senior League Baseball World Series, which will bring teams of players ages 13-16 from around the world to converge on the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex from July 29-Aug. 5.
And with the change in age range comes a change in the host team.
In years past, the S.C. District 1 host team for the Big League World Series had been
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Slide into summer safely
Tips for a fun, safe summer
Summer is a time for playground fun, camping, boating, swimming, biking and other outdoor activities. Longer says mean more time outside and more physical activity, 
which translates to increased potential for injuries. Playground falls, lawnmower accidents, campfire and fire pit burns are some common childhood injuries that can happen during summer months.
“Sustaining a serious injury can be a life-altering event for a child,” said Chris Smith, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children®. “We see patients every day with injuries caused by accidents and we are
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battling addiction
AParticipants needed for local meth research study
Results could give doctors more tools in fight against Addiction
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
COUNTY — A new research study aims to help meth users who are ready to cut down their usage — or quit entirely.
The study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which has funded a number of the studies at Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County. Pickens 
County is one of seven different sites nationwide taking part in the study.
Participants are needed to take part in the study.
“We’re all working the same goal, which is to help people in our community who are struggling
Dream Center provides A HAND UP for those in need
Opportunity Village shining on national stage
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A local effort to provide a hand up to those in need has earned some national recognition.
The National Make A Difference Day organization has honored The Dream Center of Pickens County for its one-of-a-kind Opportunity Village project.
Oct. 22 is National Make a Difference Day.
“That is a day across the country where people do projects in their community to make a difference,” said Chris Wilson, executive director of The Dream Center of Pickens County. “The one we did is where we built 13 Tiny Houses. We had 500 volunteers come in and we raised up 13 houses in that day.”
In just 14 hours, the group raised up 13
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Maintaining A Tradition
Annual Confederate Memorial Day celebration planned Saturday at Hagood-Mauldin House
In the depths of the winter of 1903, 38 years after General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, Emily Ambler Gilreath conceived the idea that the town of Pickens should establish its own chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
According to the memoirs of the late Vesta McFall, “With characteristic energy, Emily set about interesting the people in her undertaking, and meeting with considerable encouragement, issued a call for those interested to meet at her home to talk it over. Very few responded to the first call — not enough to attempt to organize — but true to her convictions she was not discouraged, and called another meeting. The response this time was quite gratifying…”
On April 10, 1903, the Pickens Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized with 17
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Show you care this Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is the one day each year when men, women and children across the country gather to honor the mothers in their lives. Though it can be challenging to find new and unique ways to display your 
affection for Mom on Mother’s Day, rest assured that sometimes the simplest concepts are the ones mothers most appreciate. This year, look no further than the following ideas for some inspiration as you aim to make this Mother’s Day as special as possible for the mother or mothers in your life.
• Give the gift of sweet treats. What better way to highlight mom’s sweetness than with some delicious treats made just for her? Whether you decide to whip up some homemade confections in the kitchen or visit a nearby store for something decadent, mom will no doubt appreciate the chance to indulge on her big day. Moms who
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Pickens comes alive for annual Azalea Festival!
The city of Pickens celebrated spring with its 33rd annual Azalea Festival on Friday and Saturday. The event featured a classic car cruise-in and live music from The Tams on Friday night and a full day of festivities on Saturday, including food, a record number of arts and crafts vendors, rides, games, live music and much more.. Rocky Nimmons/Courier
