Daily Archives: 08/19/2025
Farley: Locally made products found all over the world
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — When Alliance Pickens executive director Ray Farley travels, he usually
finds products made in Pickens County at his destinations.
Farley, who has been in his role for 23 years, gave remarks Aug. 12 at the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturers Council Luncheon.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in that time period,” he said.
Farley was gifted tickets to attend the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., this
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Blue Ridge Electric celebrates 85 years serving Pickens County
PICKENS — Today, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative celebrates 85 years of powering rural communities through quality service and reliability. Over the next year, the co-op will reinvest in our local community by supporting public school teachers and 
launching an energy efficiency grant program to benefit residential members.
Under the “Built on Service. Wired to Deliver.” campaign banner, the co-op will also share legacy stories of employees and historical moments across social media. Members will have the opportunity to win energy-efficient programmable thermostats and other prizes through targeted events.
On January 7, 1941, Blue Ridge energized its first section of power line. The co-op served 1,680 members and 486 miles of power lines at the time. Today, the co-op serves over 74,000 meters and maintains 7,500 miles of power lines. Blue Ridge
Reaping the Harvest
“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them…so that they 
may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads.” Ezekial 11:19-21
God alone, through the power of His holy spirit, has the
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Letters to the Editor 8-20-25
Annexation issues
Open Letter to Mayor and City Council,
Thank you for the work you do for the benefit of the City of Pickens. For more than two years the subject of annexation, leading to a high-density development, has consumed much time and effort.
As one who has followed this closely, it appears that more effort has been directed toward making annexation work than toward evaluating why it should be approved.
Despite a lack of critical information from the developer, on May 28, 2025, Council
Is the Antichrist a real person?
Last week, we began a conversation about our current position in the biblical prophetic 
timeline. We touched on the subject of the Anti-Christ and the Rapture, and this week I want to delve into a little more detail. As you know, there are many books on this subject, and they all have their own interpretations, which makes it difficult to
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Courier Obituaries 8-30-25
MELBA JO CHILDS NICHOLS
PICKENS — Melba Jo Childs Nichols, 87, of Pickens, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Born on Jan. 3, 1938, in Pickens, to the late Laura and Norman Childs.
Melba was a devoted NASCAR fan, especially of her favorite driver Jeff Gordon. As a lifelong cat lover, she never met a cat she didn’t want to live with her. Melba also had a deep passion for Clemson football. She frequently stayed up watching games and enjoyed discussing the team’s performance with her family the next day.
Melba cherished time at the beach with her family, with many of their fondest
Hagood Mill hosts SC Old Time Fiddler’s Convention Sept. 19-20
PICKENS — Old-time musicians from across the region will gather at the Hagood Mill Historic Site for the annual South Carolina Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, featuring the official SC State Fiddling Championship, on Friday and Saturday, September 19–20. This beloved, state-sanctioned two-day event draws competitors, music lovers, and 
families for an unforgettable weekend of traditional tunes, history, and community.
The festivities begin Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Pavilion with a special concert featuring Kristen Harris, Taylor Trew, Ben Riesser along with Evan and Mick Kinney.
On Saturday, the SC State Fiddling Championship kicks off at 9
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Now Open in Pickens
Rusty Rooster at 19 East Main Street, Pickens celebrated its grand opening on August 14. This fantastic store has relocated all of its carefully curated merchandise from Easley to Pickens. Be sure to stop by to explore their beautiful collection—from unique home décor and handcrafted jewelry to vintage treasures you won’t want to miss. Pictured are Dave and Ivy Michel, Theresa Dye, Trish Morgan, Lisa Nicholson, Kim Day, Adrienne LaRusso, Meechie Green, Melisa Sedler and Harold Alexander
Courier Community Calendar 8-20-25
• Firelocks exhibits coming to Museum
The Pickens County Museum of Arts and History will be host “Firelocks of the American Revolution” on September 6 from 4 – 6 p.m.
The exhibition will open with a reception. There will be free food and drinks. All are invited to meet collector Ken Nabors and see many reenactors in American Revolution period dress.
During the American Revolution (1775-1783), flintlock rifles stood as both a practical tool of war and a symbol of the colonists’ determination to secure independence.
The Ken Nabors collection features examples of rifles, pistols, powder horns, and other objects from the Revolutionary period.
The Pickens County Museum of Arts and History is located at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens.
For more information of the incredible exhibition call864-898-5963
• Anderson family reunion is August 24
The family of Joseph Rugless and Nancy “Nealy” Anderson will hold its annual reunion on Sunday, Aug. 24, at Mountain Grove Baptist Church, located at 644 E. Preston McDaniel Road in Pickens. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.
• Gospel singing set in Easley Aug. 30
Get ready for a soul-stirring evening of Old School Gospel Music at the fifth Saturday Gospel Singing, hosted by Divine Purpose Outreach Ministry in Easley. The singing is Aug. 30 with doors oping at 3 p.m. and singing starting at 4 p.m.
The master of ceremonies will be the Rev. Charles Hendricks. The devotional team is The Mighty Gospel Harmonizers.
The event will feature performances by Pastor Rebbeca Mackey, the Butler Brothers, Joe Chancellor and the Chancellor Singers and the Rev. Bobby Johnson and the Johnson Family, the Horns of Praise, Bro. James Gaines, Bro. David Galloway and the The Kindred Family. Pastor Tim Sutton and the entire Divine Purpose Outreach family invite you to come and be blessed by an evening of uplifting gospel music, praise and fellowship the old-fashioned way.
• H.O.P.E. meetings scheduled monthly
Dillard Memorial Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park have announced the
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