Daily Archives: 02/24/2026
AWL returns to Pickens with ‘4EVER’ anniversary event
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PICKENS — Excitement is building as the American Wrestling League storms back into Pickens this Saturday, Feb. 28, for its second local event of 2026. The Market at the 
Mill, located at 225 Pumpkintown Highway, will host “AWL: 4EVER,” the organization’s high energy four year anniversary show.
The Market at the Mill has quickly become a hotbed for mat action, with fans packing the building during January’s Rumble at the Mill. Now, anticipation is running high for round two — another night of hard hitting, family friendly
Whatever happened to the fear of sinning?
What does the average, or maybe we could say normal, person think about sin? Have 
you noticed that most people would rather listen to messages that talk about how much God loves us and wants to bless us, than how His heart is breaking over us failing Him?
Some of you might be thinking, you thought this was an inspiring and encouraging column, but my response is
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Skills build on skills
John 21:17 “He said unto him, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved 
because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.”
After teaching industrial arts and working as a carpenter for many years, I suppose I had sawdust flowing through my veins. The wood shop must
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Courier Letters to the Editor 2-25-26
Do you remember?
Dear Editor,
There were things when I was a child we had or did that would be considered wrong in today’s world but were accepted as normal back then.
Do you remember if you were a boy in school the principal could make you have your hair cut or you could be expelled? I remember a photo of several teenage boys being loaded on a school bus to be driven to the barber shop to have their hair cut. Try that today and you’d have the ACLU on you.
I wish that was all we had to worry about today with our children.
Do you remember being a child or teenager and being able to buy a pack of cigarettes
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Courier Obituaries 2-25-26
DONNA PARSONS SCHULTZ
EASLEY — Donna Parsons Schultz, 82, wife of Henry Schultz, of Easley, passed away 
peacefully at her home with her husband at her side on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Born on May 18, 1943, in Pen Argyl, Pa., to the late Beulah Pritchard Parsons and the late Elwood Parsons, Donna spent her youth in Bangor, Pa. She received practical nurse training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., and served as a licensed practical nurse at Easton Hospital, Easton, Pa., before her life as a military and corporate wife took her to Florida, Japan, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and to her home of the past 30 years, Anderson County.
A lifelong Lutheran, and a pianist from childhood, Donna provided her music skills to her church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley and to “Just Friends,” a group of fellow Lutherans and musicians who entertained over the years at various retirement homes in the Easley area. She strongly believed the saying “Who sings, prays twice.”
In addition to her loving husband of 61 years, Donna is survived by her four children; sons, Michael Schultz (Karla) of Easley and Steven Schultz (Erin) of Chuckey, Tenn.; and daughters, Sheri Paznokas (Pete) of Harleysville, Pa., and Laura Harrison (Pete) of Romney, W. Va.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, James Parsons (Kay) of Bangor, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is especially proud that she passed on her love (and talent) for music to her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Neil Parsons.
In spite of her many relocations, more than 20 different addresses, Donna found close friends at each stop, and her cooperative spirit made her welcome and involved at each stop.
Raising her four children, and seeing the life skills she passed on reflected in the lives of her grandchildren, was her greatest joy. Although homebound for the past six years, she received updates and visits from her scattered family, and celebrated the milestones and successes of each. Her memories and love of her family and friends remained strong, even as she lived her last weeks at her home under the care of her husband, family and Hospice of the Upstate.
She and her family are especially grateful for the care and support they received from Prisma Health and Hospice of the Upstate.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley, followed by a visitation and fellowship at the church. Donna and her husband will have their urns entombed at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Md., at a later date.
Flowers will be accepted and the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Donna’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley, 101 E. 1st Ave., Easley, SC 29640.
Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.
FRANCES ‘TUNKIE’ COLE STOKES
PICKENS — Frances “Tunkie” Cole Stokes, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence.
She was born on Aug. 20, 1938 in Greenville, to the late Richard Ansel Cole and Mozelle White Cole. She met and married the love of her life Sam Watson Stokes, Sr in Pickens. Tunkie graduated from Pickens High School then finished Columbia College. She was a successful entrepreneur and teacher, partnering in two successful businesses and
Skardon’s ‘Clemson 8 Challenge’ celebrates legacy of POW heroes
CLEMSON — Long before his death at 104 in 2021, retired U.S. Army Col. Ben Skardon made it his mission to ensure the stories of Clemson University’s prisoners of war
would endure.
A survivor of the 1942 Bataan Death March during World War II, Skardon founded what became known as the “Clemson 8” Challenge, originally honoring the five fellow Clemson alumni who survived the brutal march alongside him.
The event has since expanded to commemorate all 28 known Clemson POWs from every American conflict,
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Upstate Forever protects Duck Haven
UPSTATE SC — In the final months of 2025, local conservation nonprofit Upstate Forever worked with landowners and partners to close on more than 2,100 additional 
acres of conservation easements across seven counties: Anderson, Oconee, Greenville, Laurens, Pickens, and Spartanburg in SC, and Polk County in NC.
“We had a great year-end in 2025, with nine new and amended conservation
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Camp Hagood 2026 registration now open
PICKENS — Registration is now open for Camp Hagood 2026, a three-day immersive summer camp experience taking place June 9–11, 2026 at the historic Hagood Mill 
Historic Site.
Designed for students rising into 2nd through 9th grade, Camp Hagood offers hands-on learning experiences that bring history, nature, and Appalachian culture to life. Campers will explore traditional skills, crafts, music, storytelling, and outdoor activities that highlight the heritage of the Upstate region.
Set on the scenic 56-acre grounds of Hagood Mill, participants will engage in interactive
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