Category Archives: Lifestyles
A refresher course in school bus safety
The dawn of a new school year is a time marked by change and fresh opportunities. For many children, school marks the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period of 
time. It also may be the first time they ride in a vehicle other than their parents’ cars.
Each school day, 25 million children ride a bus to school in the United States. A school bus is among the safest modes of transport and one of the most regulated vehicles on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Riding a school bus can be a novel experience no matter a student’s age or
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How to prepare kids to go back
The end of summer can be a bittersweet time for students. While many students look forward to seeing their friends, few want to say goodbye to the relaxing days of summer.
Parents know that getting their children back in the school day swing of things can be a challenge. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly.
• Introduce more structure as summer vacation winds down. The chance to unwind in a structure-free setting can benefit students at the onset of summer vacation. Many parents grapple with the notion that their children’s lives are overscheduled, and the Cleveland Clinic notes that limiting organized activities clears up down time for kids to play and relax and spend time with their
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How college students can confront return to campus
The world’s response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus left no aspect of life untouched. People 
from all walks of life had to make sacrifices to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly virus, and college students were no exception.
Many colleges and universities abruptly canceled in-person classes in mid-March 2020, forcing students to finish their coursework via remote learning. That response had a significant impact on the 2019-20 school year, and the virus figures to affect the upcoming school year just as much. In fact, many colleges and universities are beginning the coming
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SC Botanical Garden offering activities for families at home
CLEMSON — While COVID-19 may have halted in-person activities at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, families can still use information from the Garden as a resource to stay in touch with nature.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden has created activities for youth to learn about nature without leaving the safety of home.
The Garden staff has created an array of online activities that can be done from the safety of people’s homes. Activities for Families at Home or in the Garden teach about bats, bugs, trees and more. Information about these activities can be found on the Youth and Family Programs page of the Garden’s website.
“We developed these materials after the Garden was shut down in early spring because of COVID-19,” said Sue Watts, educational program coordinator for the Garden. “We had to cancel all in-person
County rolling out new brand
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY —
Pickens County rolled out new branding last week following a presentation from the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.
County community relations manager Jamie Burns said in a release that a new slogan — “Adventure Starts Here” — was adopted as part of the rebrand, along with a new county logo modeled after the county seal with mountains, lakes and four stars representing the four Medal of Honor recipients in Pickens County.
Beginning earlier this year, Pickens County parks, recreation and tourism staff oversaw the branding process in collaboration with the National Heritage Corridor, Burns said.
SC National Heritage Corridor president and CEO Michelle McCollum gave a presentation to county council members at their July 13 meeting.
“My team has had a blast doing this project,” she said, before hitting the highlights of a branding
A scary encounter with wild boars in the Pickens mountains
I am almost ashamed to recount this frightening encounter with wild hogs in this article. Some may wonder about my mental acumen. However, I will recount exactly how I planned to avoid disaster, and that might mitigate your thoughts of my possible mental deterioration — at least somewhat.
Unfortunately, wild hogs are everywhere in our state, including the Upstate. It is important to note that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources encourages the harvesting of wild boars. They are destructive to habitat and voraciously eat all the food that falls to the forest floor. They root with their snouts, make destructive gullies and cause mountain erosion.
A Serene and Successful Hunt in the Pickens Mountains
I was hunting up U.S. Highway 178 in the Pickens mountains when I found unbelievable gullies made by wild hogs while rooting for acorns that were falling. I made myself a natural blind out of downed logs in mountain laurel. I sat for several evenings waiting for a boar to appear. I was situated so I could see all the gullies. After sitting for several trips, I decided to try and call a buck since the fall deer season was underway. I would call about every 20 minutes with grunts that, I thought, resembled a big buck wanting
Run-ins with the dangerous creatures of the Jocassee Gorges
My children and grandchildren always loved the classic children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak.
The Jocassee Gorges here in our county are full of wild things. While these wild animals may not be as bad as imagined by the main character, Max, in Sendak’s classic, there are still some dangers.
My ancestors and my immediate family have spent many wonderful hours collectively camping, picnicking, exploring, fishing, hunting and photographing in Jocassee and other wilderness areas in
An in-depth look at of one of the world’s great wonders
By Dr. Thomas Cloer, Jr.
Special to The Courier
I have always been interested in caves. I have tried to psychoanalyze myself to understand why.
I think Mark Twain had an early effect on me. I do remember vividly the writings of Mark Twain
(Samuel Clemens) about Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. Becky was Tom Sawyer’s sweetheart. They were on a ferry boat ride that stopped to visit McDougal’s Cave in the novel, “The Adventures
Dad-approved gifts to celebrate Father’s Day
An entire day dedicated to dear ol’ dad may not be enough to show the depths of your appreciation, but a hug, a heartfelt thanks and some quality time (even from afar) are great places to start.
When it comes to giving gifts for Father’s Day, practical and purposeful gifts are high on most dads’ lists. Think about his favorite things to eat and the ways he spends his coveted down time. A gift that celebrates the things that matter most to him is sure to earn dad’s gratitude.
Find more ideas to make it a Father’s Day to remember at eLivingtoday.com.
Special steaks to celebrate dad
Father’s Day gifting can be pretty simple: Many dads want a delicious steak. Give him a collection of
Financial support needed for Soapstone Baptist Church
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PUMPKINTOWN — Soapstone Baptist Church has been a part of Mable Clarke all her life, and she 
wants to make sure the church is on a firm financial footing when she is gone.
A fundraiser is underway to pay off the church mortgage’s remaining $50,000, Clarke said.
“We’re down to nine members that’s left at the church,” Clarke said Sunday. “We have to get this paid off by December, because we’re facing a maturity date coming up on the church.”
For the past 14 years, Clarke has been overseeing monthly fish frys to support the church and its
