Daily Archives: 08/11/2015
Doodle Trail Walking Club being formed in Pickens
PICKENS — Have you stayed off the Doodle Trail because you didn’t want to walk alone?
[cointent_lockedcontent]The Doodle Trail Walking Club will start on Monday, Aug. 17, at the trailhead in Pickens at 8 a.m. The club will meet Mondays through Fridays.
Helen Dodgens of Pickens has started a walking club to help people become more active and feel better physically and mentally. There are no dues or fees — membership is free to all.
The purpose of the club will be to partner individuals with similar walking styles from beginners up, to enjoy the fellowship of others while walking to a healthier lifestyle.
Participants will need a good pair of walking shoes and running socks that minimizes friction and movement and wicks moisture away from your feet.
Hydration is very important, and participants need to bring water or Gatorade to drink. Diabetics also need to pack peanut butter crackers or some other protein bar to bring sugar levels up if they drop. Protection for diabetic feet is of utmost importance. Wear a hat, sunscreen and light clothing for this time of year.
A small wet towel around your neck helps keep your body cool. Talk to your physician if you have medical problems before starting a walking program.
The Doodle Trail does not have rest benches or trash receptacles at this time. You will be responsible for taking trash back to your vehicle. You can carry a small backpack or waist pack to help with your items. Rest benches are desperately needed for individuals with disabilities to be able to walk the trail. Bring your cell phone in case of an emergency.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Prater’s Creek celebration scheduled for August 23
PICKENS — Prater’s Creek Baptist Church [cointent_lockedcontent]will observe Celebration Sunday on Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. The church was organized in 1875 and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1975.
During Celebration Sunday, members will reflect upon God’s gracious blessings in the last 40 years. Everyone is invited to share in the celebration. A covered-dish luncheon will follow the worship service.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Pickens High School Class of 1960 reunion planned
PICKENS — Pickens High School’s Class of 1960 [cointent_lockedcontent]will celebrate its 55th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Blue Ridge Co-op Annual Meeting Facility on West Main Street in Pickens.
Activities will begin at 7 p.m. The class will have a time to reignite the Blue Flame spirit with stories of another time, as well as a chance to catch up on their life’s experiences.
Admission is $15 a person or $25 a couple. Food and drinks are included with admission. Dress is casual. For more information, contact Connie Bowers at jconniebowers@gmail.com or (864) 878-9925 or Jane Underwood Wyche at J9142@aol.com or (864) 982-1877.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Puerto Rico wins Big League World Series
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — After a week of competition, the Latin American [cointent_lockedcontent]team from Guayama, Puerto Rico, defeated the U.S. West team from Thousand Oaks, Calif., in the Big League World Series championship game last week.
Puerto Rico took an early lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. The West answered with one run in the third inning, but Latin America added one more run in the fifth inning and held on for the 3-1 victory.
The team that won this year’s BLWS was the fifth team from Puerto Rico to win the title, but the first from Guayama to take the championship. The other four were from San Juan. Puerto Rico has won the title five times dating back to 1982.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Do the good guys always win?
It’s interesting to see how history is changed over time. Well, perhaps not so much changed as reinvented. A recent visit to Charleston made me more aware of this.
Charleston is a great city to walk in and there is a definite feel of visiting a foreign country when you see the centuries-old churches and homes, so beautifully cared for by several generations of citizens.
This time I decided to go out to Fort Sumter and tour it, something I’d never done in previous visits. I’d already noticed that our hotel had a large and varied collection of visitors from other countries. The first morning in the lobby over coffee I met a family from Worcestershire, England, who were touring the south. One lady was from France and spoke perfect English. Another couple couldn’t speak English other than to say “good morning.” I don’t know where they were from. But they all came to Charleston.
The English family had been to Memphis to walk Beale Street and saw where Martin Luther King was assassinated. They’d gone to Nashville and walked down Broadway, gone to the Grand Ole Opry and seen the Parthenon. They’d gone to Atlanta primarily to visit Margaret Mitchell’s home. They had visited Boston and walked the Freedom Trail. They’d spent three days in Charleston and were going on to Savannah. They’d read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” numerous times and wanted to see another city in the South that had not been burned during the Civil War.
It was amazing to see how knowledgeable they were about American history, and their fascination with the South intrigued me. As I was the only southerner in the lobby and the only South Carolinian, it became apparent they viewed me as a source of information and referred to me as “an authentic Southern Belle.”
I felt a real responsibility to hold up my end and represent the region in a positive way, which I did to the best of my ability. It helped that I was dressed in a long cotton sundress and had on a hat in preparation for the morning’s walk.
When I joined the Fort Sumter assortment of tourists on the ferry, there was a young family of Japanese tourists, a large multi-generational family from France, a group of Scandinavians, an Italian family and several English families.
There were also people from the Midwest and the Northeast.
I overheard snippets of conversation in a mix of other languages.
Then came the tour of the fort.
It is very true that the victors of war get to write the history of events. For the most part, the narrative was pretty accurate but the park ranger had a carefully edited script.
This was brought into perspective for me when a 12-year-old from Illinois said to his father, following the presentation, “See, Dad, the good guys always win.”
This took me aback. That’s a nice way of saying I was mad as fire.
Every one of my male ancestors fought in that war. They came home — those who survived — to a land that had been completely destroyed.
This was the first war in modern history that was waged against civilians. And the scorched-earth policy put into practice by Sherman left scars on the southern soul, some of which are still waiting to be healed.
The history I grew up with was told by a people who had lived it and somehow survived it.
It was a war that should have never happened, and if the finger of blame is pointed, no entity would be without guilt.
We can even go so far as to say that the New Englanders who amassed fortunes from bringing captured West Africans to this country and selling them like cattle in the market were the worst offenders. That’s where it all began. And they only decided slavery was wrong after there was no longer an economic need for slavery in the north. It was no longer profitable, so they felt free to moralize.
Funny how that profit margin is so important.
Slavery was wrong. It was always wrong and is still going on in various parts of the world. But killing civilians, starving women and children, stealing everything that isn’t nailed down, driving off stock, burning homes and churches and pulling up the sweet potatoes out of the field is wrong too. Torturing a slave for information about where the hams are hidden is wrong. Raping women is wrong.
And grinding an entire part of the country into abject poverty leaves a legacy of bitterness among the descendants of those who suffered such indignities.
After World War II, European countries were rebuilt. Japan was rebuilt. Debts were forgiven, and the conquerors were merciful to the survivors.
The Civil War ended more than a century ago. How different our world would be if the policies enacted during Reconstruction had never been implemented.
So, little boy from Illinois, who were the good guys?
Letters to the Editor 8-12-15
Brothers and sisters in arms
Dear Editor,
Since my last letter, when I was “confused,” I have bought a modern computer and started some research and fact finding. As far as I have gone, it gets more interesting.
Here goes…
Confederate soldiers, sailors and marines who fought in the Civil War were made U.S. veterans by an act of the United States Congress in 1957 — U.S. public law 85-425, section 410 was approved May 23, 1958.
This made all Confederate Army, Navy and Marine veterans equal to U.S. veterans. Additionally, under U.S. public law 810, approved by the 17th U.S. Congress on Feb. 26, 1929, the War Department was directed to erect headstones and recognize Confederate grave sites as U.S. war grave sites.
Just for the record, the last Confederate veteran died in the 1950s. So in essence, when you remove a Confederate statue, monument or headstone, you are in fact removing a statue, monument or headstone of a U.S. veteran, and as a disabled veteran myself, all veterans are brothers. It doesn’t matter if we are red, yellow, black, white, green or purple.
Now, the definition of monument is “a structure made to keep alive the memory of a person or event.” So the way I read this is nobody in South Carolina had the right to vote or otherwise remove the Confederate flag. I always thought there was the federal government, state, county and city, in that order.
Well, I haven’t found where the federal government has changed these laws. The bad part is the ones who break these laws are felons according to the facts so far. Felonies are punishable by no less than one year in prison and as much as death.
If convicted, you are not allowed to hold public office or even vote or possess a gun or a passport.
So if prosecuted, we would have no governor and very few senators or members of the House, because by rights and laws they broke them by taking and voting to take the flag down and dig up the pole and concrete.
Most of them have never been in service or a war zone. Maybe they all need to be sent to one and dodge a few bullets and become a veteran, along with all these people who want to march about everything. It would give them a reason to believe in their heritage, freedom and rights. I think there would be a whole lot of changes going on about their fellow mankind.
A lot of our past presidents fought in service, but nowadays they just sit in Washington and say “go get ‘em.”
A lot has changed since Vietnam — nowadays the girls fight right alongside the boys. So now as veterans, we are not only brothers, but sisters, too.
Troy Black
Central
Courier Obituaries 8-12-15
JOHN J. HALLUM JR.
KENTUCKY — John J. Hallum Jr., 76, husband of Mable D. Hallum, passed away Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015.
[cointent_lockedcontent]He was the son of the late John J. Hallum Sr., and Margaret Martin Hallum. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Edith H. Hallum.
Jake is survived by his wife Mable; two sons, Todd Hallum of Cincinnati and Bart (Lisa) Hallum; a stepson, Ryan Redmond of Odenton, Md.; a sister, Dona (Joel) Wyman and nephews, Jay (Barbara) and Chad (Jessica) Wyman, all of Huntington, N.Y.
He began his high school coaching career at Pickens High School in South Carolina from 1960-62 and played four years of college football at Newberry College. Following his collegiate career at Newberry, he earned a Master’s Degree at Murray State University. He coached high school football at Hopkinsville and Ashland Paul Blazer High School, a run that included two Kentucky state titles. He guided the Ashland Tomcats to a state title in 1967 and was named the Kentucky High School Coach of the Year by the Lexington Herald. He was head football coach at Morehead State University from 1968-71. He joined Jerry Claiborne at the University of Maryland from 1972-81, where the Terps won three consecutive ACC titles. In 1982, he then followed Claiborne to the University of Kentucky. For eight years, he coached the offensive line for the Wildcats. He then finished out his college coaching career at Arizona State University. After completing a 24-year coaching career, he served as a senior scout for three NFL teams: the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns.
A gathering of friends and players was held on Aug. 11 at the K-House, 1398 Sportscenter Drive, Lexington, Ky.
Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 17, from 3-6 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home, 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.
A private burial will be on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Norris.
Donations can be made to Team Focus, PO Box 91626, Mobile, AL 36691.
ROBERT EDREW “ROBBY” PORTER
SIX MILE — Robert Edrew “Robby” Porter, 23, husband of Kalyn Ann Meaders Porter, went to be with Lord Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Anmed Hospital in Anderson.
Robert was born in Easley, a son of Edrew and Theresa Porter of Six Mile.
Robby loved music and playing his guitar. He also loved football and teaching his son how to dribble a soccer ball.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Robert Clark Porter, of the home; two sisters, Megan Porter and Andrea Porter of Six Mile; his mother and father in-law, Susan and Jeff Meaders of Six Mile; grandmothers, Margaret Black of Six Mile, Evelyn Porter of Central and great-grandmother Mildred Porter of Central.
A celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Porter family.
LARRY GRAY
EASLEY — Mr. Larry Gray, 71, husband of Betty Farmer Gray, passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Greenville County, a son of the late John Wesley and Lucille Patterson Gray, Mr. Gray retired from the South Carolina DOT and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 53 years, are three sons, Larry M. Gray (Robin) of Easley, Scottie L. Gray (Jan) and C. Jamie Gray (Denise), all of Pickens; a brother, Bobby Gray (Diane) of Easley; a sister, Ann Gravely (Steve) of Easley; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Aug. 6, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with burial following in Robinson Memorial Gardens, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
REBECCA JEAN SEARCY
PICKENS — Rebecca Jean Searcy, 29, passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015.
She was the daughter of Charles and Betty Nicholson Searcy. She was preceded in death her grandparents, Marie and Bud Searcy and Willie Mae and Harry Nicholson, and one uncle, Jerry Searcy.
Rebecca attended Pickens High School. She enjoyed sports and fishing. She loved animals. She was a caring and devoted mother.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by two sons, Steven and C. J. Dunn, and one brother, Jamie Searcy of Pickens.
Funeral services were held Aug. 6 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. Interment followed in Gillespie Evergreen Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.
SUSAN NEELY ACKER
PICKENS — Susan Neely Acker, 64, died on Aug. 4, 2015, surrounded by her family.
Susan is survived by her husband, George Acker of Pickens, her three children, Trent Acker (Erica) of Greenville; Katherine Brooks (Tripp) of Greenville, and Davis Acker (Allison), of Richmond, Va.; and her two grandchildren, Neely Brooks and Brady Acker. Susan is also survived by her father, Henry Neely of Charlotte, N.C., and her brother, Todd Neely (Kathe), of Raleigh, N.C.
Susan was born on Aug. 11, 1950, in Charlotte, N.C., to Henry and Joyce Neely, along with two younger brothers, Henry Jr. (Hank) and Todd. Susan attended Peace College in Raleigh, N.C. While at school, Susan met her future husband, George, and earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). Susan also earned her Master’s degree at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte). Shortly after, the family relocated to Pickens.
Much of Susan’s life was dedicated to teaching, and she spent a majority of those years teaching at Pickens Elementary school. She and George were also active members of Pickens Presbyterian Church.
A memorial service was held at Pickens Presbyterian church on Aug. 8, with The Reverends Nath Briley and Beverley Kelly officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Family Promise of Pickens County. Their website is familypromisepickens.org
TERRY WAYNE VAUGHN
PICKENS — Terry Wayne Vaughn, 58, husband of Tammy Jean Bagwell Vaughn, went to be with the Lord Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Charleston.
Mr. Vaughn was born in Greenville, a son of Elizabeth Ann Nations Vaughn of Easley and the late Joseph Furman Vaughn.
Mr. Vaughn was a member of Morning Star Independent Baptist Church. He enjoyed flying remote-control airplanes and helicopters. His hobbies included camping, fishing and hunting. Mr. Vaughn had a love for his wife that was neverending. He also loved his dog, Ellie Mae.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years; one daughter, Jennifer Vaughn of Anderson; one brother, Joseph Furman Vaughn, Jr. and wife Phyllis of Easley; and five grandchildren. Mr. Vaughn was predeceased by his father.
Services were held Aug. 9 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Morning Star Independent Baptist Church, 111 North Cedar Rock Road, Easley SC 29640.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Vaughn family.
Juergen “Jay” Arthur Hermanns
Pickens — Juergen Arthur Hermanns, 54, passed away Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at his home.
Mr. Hermanns was born in New Jersey, the son of Diana C. Hitzler Profeta of Pickens and Juergen Hermanns of New Jersey.
Survivors include two sons, Kyle Hermanns of Pickens and Ben Hermanns of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two brothers, Erich Hermanns of Atlanta and Patrick Profeta and wife Angi of Keokuk, Iowa; two sisters, Joy King and husband JR of Easley and Melli Hermanns of Texas; and three grandchildren, Sydni Ann, Natalie Grace and Kolt Arthur.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Faith Lutheran Church in Pickens.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Hermanns family.
Gary Lynn Jones
PICKENS — Gary Lynn Jones passed away July 24, 2015.
A Pickens native, he was the son of the late Gary Jones and Julia Hayes Watson.
He was formerly employed by Crane Chevrolet and more recently owned and operated LJK Services.
He is survived by one son, Matthew Jones, three sisters, Terri Breazeale, Renee Golden, and Kenna Allen, and his stepmother, Nancy Jones.
No services will be held.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Doctors honor employee by shaving heads
Ben Robinson/Courier
Pictured, from left, are Dr. Matt Robertson, Dr. Shawn Irvin, Rhonda Robinson, Dr. Mike Boyer, Nikki Sorgee and Dr. Jason Looper.
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — When Rhonda Robinson found that her treatment to prevent the spreading of cancer would cost her her hair, she felt all alone.
[cointent_lockedcontent]The doctors of Upstate Bone and Joint, where Robinson works as a receptionist, joined her in her battle.
Already familiar with the treatment, as many of their patients have faced cancer treatment while seeing the doctors for other health problems, the doctors talked about what they could do to make Robinson feel more at ease.
The four male doctors decided that when Robinson’s hair began to fall out due to the treatments, they would shave their heads as a symbol of unity.
“We think a lot of Rhonda around here,” Dr. Matt Roberson said. “We wanted to let her know she wasn’t going through this alone.”
Fellow employee Nikki Sorgee did the honors last Wednesday as the four doctors took turns having their heads shaved.
“I cannot believe they did that just to support me,” Robinson said.
Robinson’s treatments will continue through the first part of October. Then she will return to work full-time.
“I can’t express my heartfelt thanks,” Robinson said. “We’re like a family and we try to support each other. These are very kind, caring physicians.”
While this is the first time Roberson has ever made such a statement, he did not eliminate the possibility of doing it again.
“(I would do it again) if I have somebody in my life who is going through a hard time and could use the positive support,” Roberson said. “If I could help get them through a dark time, I wouldn’t hesitate to do this. After all, it’s only hair.”
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How to help kids make the transition back to the classroom
The dawn of a new school year is an exciting time. Kids may not want to say goodbye to days spent lounging by the pool, but such disappointment is often
As a new school year draws nearer, parents can employ several strategies to help their kids readjust to the rigors of the classroom.
[cointent_lockedcontent]tempered by the prospect of returning to school with friends.
For parents, getting kids ready for a new school year is about more than updating their wardrobe or organizing carpools with fellow parents. Reacclimating kids to the routine of school after a relaxing summer is a significant undertaking, and the following are a handful of ways for parents to get a head start as the school year draws closer.
• Establish a routine over the last few weeks of summer. Summer vacations typically lack the structure of the school year, and that lack of structure can help kids unwind and make the most of the freedom that summer vacation provides. But as summer starts to wind down, parents can begin to reintroduce some structure into their kids’ lives to make the transition back to school go more smoothly. Plan morning activities so kids can readjust to waking up early each day. In addition, serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time you typically serve it during the school year so kids’ bodies can begin to readjust as well.
• Take kids along when shopping for school supplies. If you plan to buy your child a new computer or other supplies for the upcoming school year, take him or her along on your shopping trips. Kids who get to choose their supplies might be more excited about returning to school than those youngsters who are given what they need without offering their input.
• Monitor or assign summer reading. Many students are given summer reading lists to keep their minds sharp over the summer and prepare them for upcoming coursework. Parents should monitor kids’ progress on such reading lists and even discuss the books with their kids when possible. Read the books along with them if you think it will help engage them. If kids were not assigned summer reading lists at the end of the school year, assign your own books, rewarding kids when they finish a new book. Kids who read throughout the summer may be more likely to start the school year off on the right foot than those who don’t crack a book all summer.
• Encourage kids to sign up for extracurricular activities. Many school-aged athletes get a head start on the new school year by trying out for sports teams. Such tryouts often commence a week or two before a school year is scheduled to begin, and this can help kids ease their way back into the school year. But even nonathletes can begin pursuing extracurricular activities before the first school bell of the year rings. Theater programs may begin auditions or encourage interested youngsters to attend orientation meetings before the dawn of the school year, and such sessions can be a great and pressure-free way for kids to ready themselves for a new school year.
The arrival of a new school year can be both exciting and daunting. But parents can help their youngsters readjust to school in various ways after a relaxing summer.
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How to save on school supplies
Back to school season can be as expensive for parents as it is exciting for students.
School supplies can be expensive, but parents can employ several strategies to save on supplies now and in the future.
Once the initial letdown of the end of summer vacation wears off, many kids are excited to return to school, where they can see their friends, study their favorite subjects and participate in extracurricular activities.
[cointent_lockedcontent]Parents of school-aged youngsters may share in that excitement while also knowing that back to school season can stretch their budgets. One of the ways to salvage those budgets is to save on school supplies. Fortunately, there are several ways parents can do just that.
• Be patient. Shopping early can save shoppers money in many instances, but parents may benefit by exercising patience when it comes to buying school supplies for their children. Teachers often give students lists of supplies they will need for each class, and parents who wait to receive such lists can avoid spending money on items their kids won’t need. Even if you wait it out, you may be able to get a head start, as some teachers may post supply lists on school websites, while others might email lists to parents before back to school season hits full swing.
• Take inventory. If you have more than one child, chances are you already have lots of school supplies around the house. Dust off kids’ backpacks and study areas from last school year to determine which supplies you need to buy and which you already have. Going forward, encourage kids to store their supplies in a predetermined area once the school year ends, as this will make next year’s inventory that much easier to examine and assess.
• Spend more now to save later. While inexpensive supplies can be hard to resist, such items likely won’t withstand the test of time, forcing you to spend time and money each year buying replacement supplies. Paying more now for certain items, including stronger backpacks and more highly rated calculators, may end up saving you money in the long run, even if the initial pill is somewhat tough to swallow.
• Use technology to your advantage. Department stores and businesses that sell school supplies, such as pharmacies and office stores, may or may not discount too many items once back to school season hits full swing. But savvy parents can still find deals by using technology to their advantage when shopping for school supplies. Download apps like RetailMeNot to your smartphone and enable its updates so your phone essentially notifies you of any discounts the moment you walk into a given store. If you don’t receive any updates, search for discounts via the app or the Internet as you shop. Chances are strong that there are deals to be had, even if you don’t learn of the deals until you arrive at the store.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
