Category Archives: Lifestyles
Brotherly love leads to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Pickens County family finds ties to Elvis Presley
PICKENS — It’s amazing sometimes what you might discover when you start a journey researching your family tree with today’s technology.
For Pickens County resident Ray Haskett, that journey started when his late brother Roger Haskett started dealing with a form of heart disease that doctors said would greatly shorten his life.
Haskett and his younger brother Mark decided they would get together with Roger one day a week and do something together. These activities included going out to eat or 
going to football games at Appalachian State, Mars Hill or Newberry College. They decided to try to make day trips outside of Pickens County to cross off some of Roger’s bucket list adventure items.
The brothers reminisced about their childhood days, which included memories of and going to
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Ballenger reflects on his career, legacy at Blue Ridge Electric
By Riley Morningstar
Special to The Courier
PICKENS — After 55 years of dedicated service, Terry Ballenger retired as the Senior Vice President of Communications of the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op at the end of December.
Born and raised in Pickens County, Ballenger began part-time work in high school and through college as a summer employee in the early 1960s. He credits getting his foot in the door of the co-op by being a neighbor of A.J. Hurt, Blue Ridge’s first CEO.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Ballenger began as a full-time staff
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New Year, New You.
Staying the course with resolutions
The holiday season is steeped in tradition. Many of those traditions are rooted in celebrants’ faith, but one of the last customs people embrace each year is largely secular.
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is older than many people may realize. According to History.com, the ancient Babylonians are believed to be the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, beginning roughly 4,000 years ago during a 12-day festival known as Akitu. That festival was religious in nature, but many people now make resolutions aimed at self-improvement unrelated to their faith. As people ponder their resolutions for the year ahead, a few strategies may help them stay the course over the next 12 months.
One effective approach is to give serious thought to a prospective resolution. Statistics regarding New Year’s resolutions vary, but a 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 13 percent of adults polled said they kept none of their resolutions. Numerous variables can affect whether a person follows through, but giving a resolution little thought ahead of time can make success unlikely. Any potential change should be considered carefully before committing. For example, those who aspire to lose weight should identify how they plan to do so by finding a local gym, determining ways to eat a more nutritious diet and, perhaps most importantly, figuring out how to make time to stay the course. A little legwork in advance can pay off in the long run.
Setting periodic goals can also help. Small goals along the way to a larger objective can serve as motivation to keep going. Someone who wants to watch less television and read more might resolve to read 100 pages per week, gradually increasing that total over time. Smaller benchmarks provide a way to measure incremental progress, which can ultimately make achieving a larger goal more likely.
It is also important to be realistic. Goals that are attainable are more likely to be achieved than those that sound good but are too difficult to maintain. For instance, aspiring to exercise for an hour each day may be unrealistic for someone whose work and family obligations leave little time for physical activity. In such cases, expectations should be adjusted in favor of a more achievable goal. Taking on too much can lead to discouragement when obstacles inevitably arise, increasing the likelihood that a resolution will be abandoned altogether.
Finally, people should not go it alone. Many rely on the buddy system to stay motivated with fitness-related resolutions, but that approach can be applied to virtually any goal. Having someone to provide accountability, and offering the same support in return, increases the chances of staying on track.
New Year’s resolutions are an ancient tradition, even if many are abandoned rather quickly. Still, anyone can buck that trend and stay the course by employing a few simple yet effective strategies.
Embark on a path to self-improvement
There is always room to develop, grow and become a better person. With a new year on the horizon, setting self-improvement goals now can help anyone navigate a path toward a better version of 
themselves.
Here are some New Year’s resolutions that can help people grow and nurture their well-being.
One goal is to focus on improving time management. Feeling rushed or lacking control over how time is
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The lower BANTAM CHEF… A Lasting Legacy
King reminisces on more than three decades serving Pickens
By Rocky Nimmons
Publisher
rnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The city of Pickens has a rich history spanning nearly 250 years. From the 
intial settlement of the town to the era of sawmills and cotton mills, and later the manufacturing jobs provided by the Singer plant, later known as Ryobi, the community has evolved over time.
Cruising on Main Street and the exceptional Pickens Blue Flame football run of the 1970s are among the moments that defined what some consider a “golden era” for the city, and one common thread through many of those memoriesis the lower Bantam Chef.
Pickens’ two Bantam Chefs
A local institution owned and operated for more than 32 years by Riley King of Easley, 
the lower Bantam Chef was one of two restaurants bearing the Bantam Chef name in Pickens in the late 20th century.
Bantam Chefs were a staple in most towns in the area in the 1960s and 1970s but King said they were all independently owned.
“Most owners had more than one location,” he told the Courier. “The lower Bantam Chef was only one I owned,” he continued.
King said his father, JR King, Ralph Whitmire and Roy Campbell were originally in partnership and owned both the upper and lower Bantam Chefs and that they also owned Bantam Chefs in Easley, Piedmont and Belton.
“They leased them out on a percentage. After my
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Easley welcomes the world
Senior League World Series to open play this weekend
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley mainstay since 2017, the Senior League World Series will be 
returning to Pickens County this weekend.
The tournament, which pits the best 13-16-year-old baseball players from around the world against each other, will feature six international teams and six U.S. teams and will kick off this Saturday, July 26, at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex, running through Aug. 2.
As of press time Tuesday, the international division’s qualifiers had all been chosen, while all but two of the United States division teams remained in qualifier play.
The first team selected for the tournament was host S.C. District 1. The team, which is comprised of 16 of the area’s best young players, is looking to build upon its 2-2 finish
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Double first base to be utilized at Senior League World Series
EASLEY — To further enhance the safety and experience of its participants, the Little League® International Tournament Committee has approved the use of a double first base at all Little League Baseball and Softball Region and World Series tournaments in 2025.
“Safety has, and will always remain, a top priority for us at Little League and as we think about ways to continue to enhance our event each year, the addition of a double first base provides a great opportunity for us to increase safety while not impacting the experience of our participants,” said Dan Velte, Little League Vice President of Operations and International Tournament Director. “With the use of the double first base becoming more prevalent in both the high school and collegiate level,
the use of a double first base has become quickly adapted into the game, and we look forward to the enhancements it will provide to our teams throughout the summer as part of our events.”
Guidelines for using the double first base,
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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.
Local municipalities plan Fourth of July events
COUNTY — With the nation getting ready to observe its 249th Independence Day, people from around Pickens County will have plenty of places to celebrate over the next few days.
EASLEY
The city of Easley will host the Historic Easley 4th of July Festival for two days of excitement and fun on July 3-4.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, July 3, and continues through Friday, July 4, at Old Market Square. Admission is free, and the event will feature carnival rides, local vendors, food trucks and a fireworks finale.
The July 3 lineup includes performances by Luke Deuce at 4 p.m., Eaglewing at 5:30 p.m., and Jake Crutchfield at 7:30 p.m. Music will run until 9 p.m.
The festivities on July 4 begin at 4 p.m. with Commodore Fox, followed by a joint performance from Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker at 5:30 p.m. Country artist Tyler Farr will headline the evening at 7:30 p.m., with a fireworks display to follow his set.
Th event will also have offerings from food trucks serving various options to satisfy every craving, and visitors are encouraged to check out downtown businesses as they enjoy all the festival has to offer.
LIBERTY
Elsewhere, The City of Liberty is set to host its annual “Love My Liberty” Independence Day celebration on July 4 with an evening of family-friendly festivities, live music, and a fireworks show — all free to the public.
The event will take place at the Liberty Rec stadium, where gates will open to community members for a night of patriotic fun. Admission is free, and complimentary bottled water will be provided courtesy of Liberty Mortuary.
Highlights of the celebration include a kids’ area featuring bounce houses, water slides, inflatable games, a dunk tank and a train ride sponsored by Potters Clay Fellowship. Free games for all ages will be available throughout the venue, including cornhole, bucket golf and Jazzminton.
Live music will be performed by local group Songband, followed by a fireworks show to cap off the evening.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and money for food and beverage trucks that will be on site.
PICKENS
The City of Pickens will continue the Independence Day the following day with a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, July 5, at the Pickens Amphitheater, featuring live music, food vendors, children’s activities and a fireworks display.
The event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. at 114 W. Main St., and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of community entertainment.
The live music lineup includes performances by Whiskey Mountain Band, SongBand and Split Shot. Food vendors will offer a variety of savory and sweet options throughout the event.
Children can enjoy the free Kids Zone, which will feature games, inflatables and other activities from 4 to 9 p.m.
The evening will conclude with a fireworks show, launched from Bruce Field and visible from the amphitheater and throughout downtown Pickens.
SIX MILE
That same night, the town of Six Mile will host its Independence Day celebration from 6-9:30 p.m. at Ponderosa Park.
The event will feature live music, inflatables, food vendors, face painting, balloon artists and fireworks after dark.
Vendors, inflatables, face painting and balloon artists will be available to attendees starting at 6 p.m., and the fun will continue with a kids’ bike parade at 6:30 p.m.
Potato sack races will be open to those in attendance at 7:30 p.m. and The wiffle ball home run derby will begin at 8 p.m., with prizes being presented to winners in four different age groups.
Extra parking for the event will be available at Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church and a free, hayride shuttle is available to and from Ponderosa Park.
