Daily Archives: 07/15/2025
Courier Letters to the Editor 7-16-25
VA officer election debacle
Dear Editor,
I want to personally thank Rex Rice and the Pickens County Legislative Delegation for showing me what democracy actually looks like.
Walt Carter garnered 51 votes to John Hembree’s 48 votes.
But he didn’t win, according to the wise folks who govern us. Since they can no longer count votes in a “smoke-filled room” and elect whomever they decide, they now say if the election has a low turnout and the vote is close, they get to choose who won.
Isn’t that nice?
How many decisions have been made with ONE vote to make a majority? Maybe Rex Rice and his colleagues should read more American history. They don’t even have to crack a book. Just turn on the TV and see how a recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” managed to become law.
But they appear to be a law upon their own and ignore the wishes of the veterans who actually voted.
Did Mr. Rice or any of his colleagues vote? Or have they managed to be “Big Beautiful Citizens” without ever serving their country in uniform?
Did they ever get shot at trying to protect “one man, one vote?”
And Mr. Hembree has demonstrated his absolute lack of integrity by even accepting the position he now holds.
The hypocrisy in this whole situation is mind-boggling.
David Peart
1 Lt. Infantry
Marietta
Is the Antichrist among us?
Daniel 7:24-25 “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall 
subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High.”
Many have declared to believe a United States
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The latest recalls
With the increasing number of food recalls lately, it’s very tempting to buy a few rural acres and grow our own food, isn’t it? A dozen chickens, a milk cow, a veggie garden … 
what else would we need? Unfortunately for the majority of us, that’s not a possibility.
However, we can keep up with the increasing numbers
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Beware pension poachers
The VA’s Office of Inspector General recently put out a fraud alert about a series of schemes known as “pension poaching.” Veterans, heads up. You have a lot to lose if you 
fall for one of these scams.
The Department of Veterans Affairs pension is for wartime veterans or their surviving spouses and
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Courier Obituaries
DAVID GRAVELY
PICKENS — The kind, gentle soul of W. David Gravely left us on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Pickens on Aug. 31, 1932, to Tom and Mae Gravely, and as he always said “born in a house with no electricity.” After graduating from Pickens High School, he attended his beloved Wofford College, class of 1954, then went to the army and was stationed in Ingrandes, France, for the next 18 months, during which he traveled around Europe. While at Wofford, he met the love of his life and soulmate, Louise White. He returned from service in France, they married in October 1956 and stood by each other’s side for the next 63 years.
David never met a stranger or a person he could not strike up a conversation with. After his stint in the army, he returned to Pickens to work with his father at the Gravely Agency-Insurance and Real Estate, where he still “worked,” or at least showed up for work until several weeks before his death. He also served as a certified appraiser, REA Express Agent (the precursor to today’s package delivery services) and was a home builder. During his years in Pickens, he
Dive into summer with family friendly activities
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Whether at a beach, park, or even walking the neighborhood, families can have a list of objects that must be found. The first child to find all of the items on the list gets a prize, such as choosing which ice cream shop to visit.
Dance in the Rain
Summertime is known for the sudden arrival of storms. When a downpour occurs, have the family head into the garage with the door open to catch the amazing sights of Mother Nature.
Take turns briefly running out into the deluge to dance and splash in the rain. Retreat to the indoors when thunder and lightning are close by.
Make a DIY Snow Cone Station
Combat the heat with a cool treat by setting up a DIY snow cone or shaved ice station. Use a manual or electric ice shaver, offer a variety of flavored syrups, and let kids mix and match to create their own frosty concoctions. Add fun toppings like gummy bears or sprinkles to make it extra special.
Try Backyard Camping
Set up a tent right in your own backyard for a mini overnight escape. Bring out flashlights, sleeping bags, and tell stories under the stars. Roast marshmallows over a fire pit (or use the microwave for s’mores indoors if fire isn’t an option). Even just one night of “camping” close to home can feel like a big adventure for young kids.
Create a Sidewalk Art Gallery
Give the kids a big bucket of sidewalk chalk and encourage them to turn your driveway or sidewalk into a public art gallery. Themes like “Under the Sea” or “Our Favorite Summer Memories” add creative structure. Once finished, host a mini “gallery walk” and let neighbors or family members vote for their favorites — prizes optional but encouraged.
Families have plenty of ways to fill the dog days (and nights) of summer with entertaining games and other activities. Whether staying cool in the pool, playing in the rain, or getting creative with chalk, summer fun doesn’t have to be expensive or far from home.
Pickens Chamber hosting community events at the Pickens Amphitheater
PICKENS — The Pickens Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to come have fun at the Pickens Amphitheater during the summer months. Events started in June and will continue through September, with family fun on the fourth Friday of each month during Fourth Fridays on the Lawn.
Upcoming events will be held on July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept. 26. Also this summer, families can
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Courier Community Calendar 7-16-25
• Harmonizers to celebrate 39 years
All are invited to join the Mighty Gospel Harmonizers of Liberty as they celebrate their 39th anniversary on Sunday, July 20, at 103 West C Ave. Ext. in Easley.An evening of praise, worship and gospel music will begin at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m. There will be several special guests for the event, including the Gospel True Notes of Travelers Rest, the Mitchell Gospel Singers of Wellford, the Gospel Determines of Gaffney, Men of Faith of Chesnee, the Gospel Truetones of Easley, and the Rev. Floyd Johnson & the Silvertones of Iva. Devotional leaders will be the New Popular Springs Male Chorus of Central, and the M.C. for the evening will be the Rev. Julius Hunt. The singing is a free event, but a love offering will be collected.
• Legion Post 67 seeks members
American Legion Post 67 in Liberty is accepting applications for membership from all U.S. military wartime veterans. For more information, call (864) 787-2322.
• Legion Post 52 to meet on 4th Tuesday
American Legion Post 52 officials invite all military veterans to join them in Easley.
Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Post building at 310 Pope Field Road in Easley.
• H.O.P.E. meetings scheduled monthly
Dillard Memorial Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park have announced the renewal of the H.O.P.E Ministries program. The program, which helps others through programs and the exchange of ideas and information, will host its next meeting on July 22.
“We are pleased to offer this as a support system for families in our community and surrounding areas who have experienced a loss,” said Tanya Gravely, general manager of Dillard Memorial Funeral Home. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Hillcrest building beside Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with the Rev. Lewis Edwards, community relations and director of H.O.P.E. For more information, call (864) 878-6371.
• Fleet Reserve meets on third Saturday
Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 15 meets on the third Saturday of each month at Chicopee United Methodist Church, located at 403 S. Catherine St. in Walhalla.
The Fleet Reserve is open to all veterans of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Contact Tom Smith at (864) 868-9397 or fleetrevbrn015@gmail.com for more information.
• Pickens Rotary meets Wednesdays
The Rotary Club of Pickens meets at 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Pickens County Museum. Guests are invited to the meetings to learn the 20 reasons to join Rotary.
• Dacusville Lions to host monthy bingo
The Dacusville Lions Club will be hosting Bingo night on the second Thursday of each month at the Lions Building in Dacusville, located at 1384 Thomas Mill Road.
The next Bingo session will be Thursday, August 12.
There are set to be 10 games beginning at 7 p.m., and
proceeds will go toward funding community events and other community needs.
The games should conclude around 9 p.m. Bingo night will be a family-friendly event and monetary prizes will be available. Cards are $1 each, with no limit on the number of cards that can be purchased for each round. For more, contact Bob Spalding at (864) 430-0119 or bob@bobspalding.net.
• Widowed persons group meets monthly
Moving Forward, a widowed persons group meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Silver Bay Restaurant at 7027 Highway 123 in Easley. For more information, call Marian Huskins at (864) 270-6032.
• Sertoma Club invites locals to meet
The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all local residents to attend its meetings. The club meets at noon the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Occasions at Wedgefield, located at 1551 Eighteen Mile Road in Central.
