Advice to the newest generation

Dear Editor,

Here’s something for the newest generation to think on. Always follow your dreams, for if you give up on them you will never be happy.

It’s far better to try and fail than to never try and wonder for the rest of your life what might have been. Don’t spend your time on the way to the grave saying, “if only.”

Expect resistance, for everyone who dares to dream gets it.

There are always the two ones — ones as in, there is always one in every crowd, and one monkey doesn’t stop the show.

Fear will destroy you if you let it. Don’t.

You never know until you try.

When you succeed, don’t take on a narcissistic complex. Be grateful for the praise of others and be humbled by it, not letting it go to your head. In other words, don’t blow and brag about your successes in life. Braggarts are a dime a dozen. You are never too old to find success. Harland Sanders was 62 when he started a restaurant in Corbin, Ky., which eventually became Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He lived, I believe, to 97 years of age.

It’s never too late. Keep dreaming, keep trying.

Don’t stop believing in yourself.

Eddie Boggs

Westminster

Community should be proud of PSC

Dear Editor,

I have just been amazed at the Pickens Senior Center from the first time I visited there. Having taught in Pickens County schools for 36 years, I remembered the place as the old Hagood School.

I was visiting the center because a dear senior friend kept telling me about a jam session for senior musicians. He said that the seniors enjoyed playing string instruments together and a wonderful supper was served to seniors on Tuesday nights at a minimal cost. Since my 91-year-old father loves to pick his guitar and is constantly looking for jam sessions, I took my friend up on visiting the Senior Center, even though it meant a good 40-mile round trip to get there and back.

I was so surprised to see the transformation that had occurred in the old school and all the programs, activities and things to do that were offered there for seniors. I was told that the program is basically run with volunteer help. I understand that the building and programs operate with the help of fundraisers, donations and a very small membership fee. I was told that most of the renovations or repairs had been done basically by volunteers in the community.

The people at the center explained to me that a meal was available to seniors at a minimal cost at lunch time and on the Tuesday night music jam night another minimal cost meal was available. I may add that the meals are very tasty and are a balanced nutritional meal. There was a busy group in the kitchen preparing, cooking and cleaning up.

A real team spirit and effort was evident all around the center. As I sat there eating my meal, I began to realize that this center provides not just a meal or classes, but also provides a safe, caring place for seniors to come socialize and visit their friends and neighbors. Many of the people I have met there have no children living in the area and they are lonely at times and are seeking companionship and someone to talk to.

It is so nice to have a safe, warm and friendly place for seniors to come and enjoy themselves. It makes that 40-mile round trip we make every Tuesday evening worth the effort. The Pickens community should be proud!

Anita E. Collins

Greenville

Thank you to the Courier

Dear Editor,

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Blue Ridge Security Solutions employees recently delivered checks to all 12 of our Blue Ridge Fest-sponsored charities. We were joined by many of our corporate-sponsor representatives in making those presentatiosn. This year’s record $201,000 in net process, I’m proud to note, enabled us to leave a sizeable financial donation with each of these fine human-help agencies.

There were many ingredients that contributed to the success of this year’s charity fundraiser. Certainly one of those was the generous coverage Blue Ridge Fest received from the Pickens County Courier. The Beach Night attendance this time around was the best to date, and your promotion of the event undoubtedly helped to produce that happy result.

On behalf of Blue Ridge Fest, I want to extend my sincere thanks to you for your valuable support. You can be sure that multitudes of struggling individuals and families in this area will benefit from your involvement. I also want to add my commendation for the year-round quality job your news outlet does in serving our Upstate community.

Charles E. Dalton

Blue Ridge Electric Coop

President and CE

Thanks from local youth volleyballers

Dear Editor:

What outstanding folks we have in this area! When our 12 and under Carolina One Volleyball Team qualified for the 2016 USAV Junior Nationals in Indianapolis, and funds were needed in order to participate, we were overwhelmed with support! First of all, our team parents, led by Team Mom Lyndsay Earnhardt, stepped in, planned and organized amazing fundraisers. Our players and parents all worked hard, and the community stepped up big to the plate! I want to thank everyone who participated in our fundraiser activities, donated money, prizes and who in any way helped out the FIRE team!

The Pickens Azalea Festival organizers allowed us to set up a booth to sell raffle tickets and candy. We were also assisted by World’s Finest Chocolate. Bojangles’ gave us a percentage of sales at our Bojangles’ Night. The Pickens and Easley teams at Wal-Mart, along with Eric Butler of the Anderson Wal-Mart, allowed us to set up and collect donations. Off the Wall Monograms helped with water bottles for the team and coaches. Powdersville Embroidery’s John Brouse gave us a great discount on T-shirts. Former Pickens High volleyball players and other well-wishers contributed to a GoFundMe account for us. We were allowed to use Legacy Square for a very successful yard sale and a Boy Scout Troop whose number I regret I do not have, let us share the square with them as they washed cars for their own donations!

Jon Guenther, the pro at the Country Club, was very helpful with our golf tournament. Our hole sponsors were Whitaker Tires; Tietex International; Rudy’s Exxon; Brian K. James LLC, Attorney at Law; Precision Textiles; Vita Nonwovens; and Dolly’s Roofing Inc. Prizes were donated by Park Place Corp; TaylorMade; Solid Gold; Pizza Inn; Pepsi, Cherokee Valley Golf Course; Pickens County Country Club; Larry Looper; and Lowe’s.

The following area businesses made generous monetary contributions: Walgreens; Auntie Ann’s; Tony’s; Parkette Food Service; Pepsi; Future Foam; Pickens Savings and Loan; Hiott Printing; Border Concepts; Main Street Pizzeria; Universal Forest Products; Yanks; Coastal Corrugated Inc; Pickens Auto Repair; Fletcher Place Farm; The Gatehouse; ELABS; Pickens Family Dentistry; 183 Automotive; Thomas Realty; and Fiesta Grill Liberty.

So to those listed, and to everyone who bought raffle tickets, candy, or stuff at the yard sale, gave us donations at Wal-Mart, played in the golf tournament, or helped in any way, thank you all so very much! Our girls were allowed a wonderful experience because of your tremendous generosity. For any omissions on my part, I apologize, but please know we do appreciate your help.

By the way, FIRE did well, going 5-5 in the four-day event. We lost close matches to teams from Richland Hills,Texas; Kansas; Griffith, Ind.; Oklahoma; and Buffalo, N.Y.; however we defeated teams from New York City; Amarillo, Texas; Virginia Beach; Delaware; and Plainfield, Ind., finishing 35th out of the top 96 teams in the nation and Puerto Rico. Most importantly, FIRE represented Pickens, Dacusville and Powdersville with pride, effort, and class and had a wonderful time at Nationals!

Peggy Anthony

Head coach

Carolina One 12U Black Team, Pickens Division