Daily Archives: 04/14/2026
Avoiding cognitive decline
Scroll around the internet to look for ideas about avoiding cognitive decline, and you’ll find a wide variety of suggestions and studies. One thing many of them agree on, however, is the value of playing 
games.
UCLA has it narrowed down to four types in particular. Brain training games came in at the top of their list after they did a
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Extra education benefits for vets
Have you been using your veterans’ educational benefits? Are you running out of time because you’re 
coming to the end of the standard 36 months of benefits you received? Because of two new rulings, you might be one of a million veterans who are eligible for an additional 12 months.
The rulings in question (Rudisill v. McDonough and Perkins v. Collins) say that certain veterans could get more education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI
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Courier Obituaries 4-15-26
LORETTA J. BURGESS
EASLEY — Loretta J. Burgess of Easley, and formerly of Vero Beach, Fla.; passed away on March 29, 
2026, at the age of 95.
Born on Feb. 13, 1931, in Decatur, Ill., she was the daughter of Frances and Emerson Shaner. Loretta was an active member of Easley First United Methodist Church for many years and enjoyed helping in the community wherever she was needed.
Hiking in the mountains was one of her great passions, as well as travel, and in her earlier years she especially enjoyed RV camping and motorcycling all around the United States with her late husband, Willard.
Loretta is survived by her daughters, Patricia Dean and Sandra Delorenzo; granddaughter, Alissa Sugrim; and great-grandchildren, Will Sugrim, Ben Sugrim and Cate Sugrim.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willard B. Burgess, and her brother, Edwin Shaner.
Inurnment was held on April 10 at Hillcrest Memorial Park with family and friends in attendance.
Palmetto Cremation Service is assisting the family.
HAROLD EDENS ‘PUFF’ BOWIE
PICKENS — Harold Edens “Puff” Bowie, 73, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at his home, 
surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 3, 1952, in Pickens County, Harold was the beloved son of the late Lee Albert Bowie and Dewey Louise Bowie-Gillespie. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, he carried a spirit of service and dedication throughout his life. Harold found great peace in the simple joys of nature, especially while fishing along the banks of the Eastatoe River and Laurel and Hardy Fishing Lakes, places he dearly loved. He also cherished time spent at the Holly Springs Country Store, where he enjoyed fellowship and the comfort of familiar faces. Above all, Harold loved his family deeply, and the time he shared with them was his greatest treasure.
Harold is survived by his children, Toby Barnett (Kaitlyn), Scott Bowie (Nicole), Greg Bryant and Michelle Franco, all of Pickens; grandchildren, Joshua, Alexus, Dillon, Daniel, Alyssa, Aaron and Alicia; great-grandson, Ivan; brothers, Leonard Lee Bowie (Kathy) and Henry Alvin Bowie (Marie); in-laws, Vickie Bowie of Liberty and Evelyn Bowie of Pickens; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Harold was predeceased by his wife, Shelby Bowie; stepfather, B.C. Gillespie; brothers, Allen Eugene Bowie and Stanley Ray Bowie; and sister, Vicki Mae Bowie.
Let it grow
Tips for the gardening beginners
Gardening has become an incredibly popular hobby around the world, and its appeal is continuing to grow. According to Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate, there are currently an estimated 71.5 million gardening households in the United States alone. This translates to around 185.9 million people who engage in some form of gardening, whether as a hobby or as part of their daily routine. The United States is not alone in this gardening boom; other countries, such as Australia and China, also boast large numbers of enthusiastic gardeners. This global trend highlights how gardening is not just a
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Meals on Wheels volunteers honored for dedication to local seniors citizens
COUNTY — The volunteers at Meals on Wheels was recently recognized for their outstanding 
commitment to serving our community and its senior citizens by Rep. Phillip Bowers, who represents the Six Mile, Central and Clemson area in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Meals on Wheels volunteers provide and deliver meals to homebound individuals and senior citizens within the
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Old-Time Weekend Jam returns, April 17-18
Pickens — Get ready for a toe-tapping, foot-stomping celebration of traditional Appalachian music and culture as the Old Time Weekend Jam returns to Hagood Mill Historic Site on April 17–18, 2026.
This beloved annual event brings together talented musicians, traditional craftspeople, and history enthusiasts for a full weekend of music, hands-on demonstrations, and community gathering in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Weekend Schedule
& Highlights
Friday, April 17
Gates open at noon for campers, with the weekend kicking off at the Heritage Pavilion with a lively evening concert beginning at 7:30 PM. Featured performers include:
• The Blue Wall Ramblers
• The Down Homesteaders
Saturday, April 18
(10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
The music continues with a full day of performances from some of the region’s finest old-time
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Easley Area Museum added to Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail
EASLEY — The Easley Area Museum is pleased to be the newest location for a hand-painted quilt panel on the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. The double-sided panel was recently unveiled at its permanent home in the front yard of the museum at 201 South Pendleton Street in Easley.
Easley resident Kent Dykes sponsored this project using a quilt gifted to him from his grandmother, Lola Carlock Bridgman (1899-1994). With fond memories of sleeping many nights under the quilt at his grandparents’ home, Mr. Dykes eagerly shared this textile-art craftsmanship with the public by partnering with the Upstate Quilt Heritage Trail. “Having a quilt panel at the Easley Area Museum and becoming part of the upstate Quilt Trail is a perfect addition to our facility,” said John Cutchin, founding member of the museum. “We share the same goals to capture our history and tell its stories with the Heritage Quilt organization, and our location in the heart of downtown Easley is a perfect spot along the Quilt Trail. We are most thankful for Kent Dykes and his sponsorship of this project.”
This particular quilt panel took over 800 hours of painting and sealing time.
It is through the work of artists with UQHT, a volunteer group, that these local traditions are so prominently displayed in communities. Residents of and visitors to Upstate, South Carolina can find more than 300 quilt patterns displayed on hand-painted panels throughout
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Community Calendar 4-15-26
• PHS Class of 1976 plan 50th Reunion
The Pickens High School Class of 1976 will host its 50th class reunion from noon-5 p.m. May 9 at the Hagood Mill Pavilion. The Hagood Mill Pavilion is located at 129 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens. arbecue, macaroni and cheese, and slaw will be provided. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Tea and water will also be provided. The Traveling Tap, a local beer truck, will be on hand selling beer and wine. A professional photographer will also be available to take a commemorative PHS 50th anniversary class photo for only $20. The event will be $40 per person. April 1.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the once‑in‑a‑lifetime Class of 1976 Pickens High School reunion, contact Mike Dickard by phone at (864) 505‑2147 or by email at mikedickard@bellsouth.net.
• Food pantry hours announced at PPC
The Food Pantry at Pickens Presbyterian Church is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To receive food, individuals must present a valid ID showing residency in Pickens County. Pickens
Streambank workshop aims to protect the Saluda
EASLEY — Save Our Saluda and Clemson Extension are excited to announce the 2026 Streambank Stabilization Workshop on Tuesday, April 28 at the Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center.
The workshop will include an indoor morning speaker session with topics including streambank repair,
riparian buffers, restoration sauccess stories in the Upper Saluda Watershed, exotic invasive species
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