Category Archives: Lifestyles
How to save on school supplies
Back to school season can be as expensive for parents as it is exciting for students.
School supplies can be expensive, but parents can employ several strategies to save on supplies now and in the future.
Once the initial letdown of the end of summer vacation wears off, many kids are excited to return to school, where they can see their friends, study their favorite subjects and participate in extracurricular activities.
[cointent_lockedcontent]Parents of school-aged youngsters may share in that excitement while also knowing that back to school season can stretch their budgets. One of the ways to salvage those budgets is to save on school supplies. Fortunately, there are several ways parents can do just that.
• Be patient. Shopping early can save shoppers money in many instances, but parents may benefit by exercising patience when it comes to buying school supplies for their children. Teachers often give students lists of supplies they will need for each class, and parents who wait to receive such lists can avoid spending money on items their kids won’t need. Even if you wait it out, you may be able to get a head start, as some teachers may post supply lists on school websites, while others might email lists to parents before back to school season hits full swing.
• Take inventory. If you have more than one child, chances are you already have lots of school supplies around the house. Dust off kids’ backpacks and study areas from last school year to determine which supplies you need to buy and which you already have. Going forward, encourage kids to store their supplies in a predetermined area once the school year ends, as this will make next year’s inventory that much easier to examine and assess.
• Spend more now to save later. While inexpensive supplies can be hard to resist, such items likely won’t withstand the test of time, forcing you to spend time and money each year buying replacement supplies. Paying more now for certain items, including stronger backpacks and more highly rated calculators, may end up saving you money in the long run, even if the initial pill is somewhat tough to swallow.
• Use technology to your advantage. Department stores and businesses that sell school supplies, such as pharmacies and office stores, may or may not discount too many items once back to school season hits full swing. But savvy parents can still find deals by using technology to their advantage when shopping for school supplies. Download apps like RetailMeNot to your smartphone and enable its updates so your phone essentially notifies you of any discounts the moment you walk into a given store. If you don’t receive any updates, search for discounts via the app or the Internet as you shop. Chances are strong that there are deals to be had, even if you don’t learn of the deals until you arrive at the store.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Add health screenings to back-to-school checklist
As summer vacation winds down, thoughts turn from jaunts to the beach to readying for a new school year. To-do lists include many of the typical tasks that precede going back to the classroom, including shopping for new clothes, purchasing school supplies and finishing summer reading assignments.
Another essential requirement parents must find time for is completing their children’s health screenings and immunizations so youngsters can return to school.
Schedule visits to the doctor, dentist and an eye doctor so your child is up-to-date upon the dawn of a new school year.
Health screenings may include, but may not be limited to, routine physical exams, eye exams and dental cleanings. Each school district may have its own set of health requirements that must be met in order for children to attend school.
Many schools require that children are up-to-date with all immunizations before they can begin a new school year. While the issue of vaccinations has inspired debate in recent years, parents should recognize that many schools will only exempt students from receiving certain vaccinations due to religious reasons. For a list of state vaccination requirements and possible exemptions for schools in the United States, visit www2a.cdc.gov/nip/schoolsurv/schImmRqmt.asp.
Students who have specific learning disabilities or medical conditions that require classroom modification should obtain recent documentation from any therapists or specialists prior to beginning a new school year. Doing so facilitates the process of setting up procedures within the school while ensuring children have what they need to excel in the classroom. All parents may want to ask doctors to provide copies of medical and immunization records so that schools will have the most recent copies on file.
Parents should schedule eye examinations well in advance of the first day of school so they have ample time to fill new prescriptions for youngsters before school begins. This ensures kids won’t be starting off on the wrong foot because of vision problems that could already have been addressed.
Parents of adolescents or students on the verge of adolescence may want to address the subject of bodily changes before the school year begins anew. Address which changes can be expected, including the start of menstruation for girls. This will help children better understand what is happening when they witness changes in themselves and fellow classmates and give them a chance to receive accurate information rather than gossip from their peers.
Keep in mind that health screenings conducted in advance of the school year may not preclude students from school-sponsored screenings. Schools may offer their own vision and hearing screenings and may take physical measurements to ensure students are growing on schedules in line with normal development.
Take a Hike
Although he hits the woods as often as he can, hiking the Foothills Trail was a particularly taxing endeavor for Yates, who trained for months prior to making the 77-mile trek.
72-year-old proves it’s
never too late to hit the trails
By Caitlin Herrington
Courtesy The Journal
cherrington@thepccourier.com
At age 72, Tom Yates is aware any day could be his last, so when he was told hiking the[cointent_lockedcontent]
Why we celebrate the 4th of July
In July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. Thereafter, the 13 colonies embarked on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays is traditionally celebrated with parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country. As you send out your July 4th party invitations, take a minute to think about how much you really know about what we are celebrating.
The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without
‘Better not miss’
Although lives have been lost on the treacherous yet awe-inspiring Half-Mile Falls of the Thompson River, Pickens County Courier contributor Dr. Tom Cloer and his friends and family have escaped major peril in a series of mishaps in the area over the years. According to Cloer, the falls, more commonly known today as “Big Falls,” are unmatched in majesty and grandeur in the Jocassee Gorges.
Photo courtesy carolinawaterfalls.com
A series of mishaps near
Half-Mile Falls
By Dr. Thomas Cloer, Jr.
Special to The Courier
My dad, Carl T. Cloer, Sr., grew to adulthood in Jackson County, N.C. There were 13 members of his family and two orphans whom my Grandma and Grandpa Cloer raised during the Great Depression. Dad helped supply the table fare with his hunting and fishing. He caught trout in every major river now flowing into Lake Jocassee and from every tributary of the rivers. In autumn and winter, he supplied groundhog, squirrels,
The history of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25
Though many people are quick to refer to Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer, the day is much more than that. Initially known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day to remember those military members who died in service of the country.
The origins of Memorial Day remain a topic of debate. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. However, the roots of Memorial Day likely run
Daniel VanBuren Moody: Civil War Casualty From a Pickens Pioneer Family
By Dr. Thomas Cloer, Jr.
Special to The Courier
Introduction
My mom is Grace Moody Cloer. She celebrated her 90th birthday on Veterans Day 2014. Daniel VanBuren Moody was my great-great maternal grandfather, who was born in Pickens District on Aug. 18, 1838. His family, like so many families during the Civil War, was split over the ideology of that turbulent time.
DANIEL VANBUREN MOODY
The very name, Daniel VanBuren Moody, reflects something about the political nuances involved. His father’s name, Martin Moody, was also given in honor of the politician and President Martin Van Buren, who was president of the United States from 1837-1841. Daniel VanBuren Moody was also a namesake of his grandfather, whom I’ll call Papa Daniel. Papa Daniel was my great-great-great-great-grandfather of the old Pickens District. But, why would Papa Daniel Moody and his son, Martin, in Pickens District, S.C., become so influenced by a politician such as Martin Van Buren from the state of New York?
Martin Van Buren: The President
Martin Van Buren was the first president not to be born as a British subject under
Shop smart for Mother’s Day
Come spring, shoppers often ask, “What gift should I get Mom for Mother’s Day?” How do people transform the sentiments they have for their mother into gifts that represent love and devotion? Buying a Mother’s Day gift is no easy task, especially for those who wait until the last minute to do their shopping.
Beginning early can ease the pressure of Mother’s Day shopping. Research gift options at least a month prior so that you can read reviews on products and services to guarantee quality. You also want to make sure the gift will arrive on time if you will be ordering your gift online. Here are other ways to shop in a smart manner.
• Do some sleuthing. Play detective and take inventory of what Mom likes to do the most. If you ask your mother what she wants, she will likely brush off the question and tell you nothing. It is up to you to do the investigative work. Pay attention to conversations and see if there is anything she mentions wanting to try or something around the house that may need updating. Practical gifts are less likely to end up unopened in the basement or attic.
• Check expiration dates. Gift certificates and cards for particular stores or services are popular come Mother’s Day. But it is essential to check expiration dates on the certificates or find gifts, as there is a good chance Mom will put off pampering herself and you would not want the gift to expire before she has a chance to use it. In compliance with the law, chain restaurant gift cards don’t expire for at least five years from purchase. Those might be your safest bet.
• Verify a business. Although Mom may love a cute boutique that just opened, verify the business before buying a gift card from it. An unpredictable economy has made it even harder for new businesses to succeed, and you don’t Mom to be stuck with a worthless gift card should the new business not thrive. If she really likes a particular new business, take her on a shopping spree at the store instead.
• Skip the chocolate overload. Flowers and chocolates are traditional Mother’s Day gifts. However, calorie-conscious women may not want to be faced with the temptation of a warehouse-sized box of chocolate treats. If Mom truly loves chocolate, treat her to a gourmet piece or two, but don’t make that your main gift.
• Avoid “final sale” items. It can be tempting to peruse the deep-discount rack at Mom’s favorite store when retailers cut prices on items in anticipation of a new season. However, these sales may come with restrictions on returns or exchanges. Unless you know Mom will like what you pick out, avoid the “final sale” racks in favor of items that can be returned or exchanged.
• Ask for a price match. In an effort to keep a loyal customer base, many stores will price match against competitors’ ads. Therefore, if you feel more comfortable at a certain store, print out the advertised price and bring it to your favorite store. There’s a good chance they will give you the item for the same price. This works particularly well for tech gifts that typically go on sale in the days leading up to a holiday or special event.
There are different ways to make shopping for Mother’s Day gifts a little easier and guarantee the best experience for Mom as well.
Cannon Memorial Auxiliary offering Harden Scholarship
PICKENS — Cannon Memorial is offering its annual scholarship to a graduating high school senior and/or a member of the community already in the medical profession or continuing their education in the medical field.
The recipients will have their scholarship money paid directly to the school of their choice.
To be eligible to apply for the Harden Scholarship, applicants must be a student of Pickens High School, student of Liberty High School, student of Prince Avenue Preparatory, student of Lakeview Christian School, student of Soaring Eagles Christian Academy, an employee or active volunteer at Cannon Memorial Hospital, their spouse or child age 25
Pickens Museum hosts 36th annual Juried SC Artists Exhibition
Show on display until June 11
PICKENS — The Pickens County Museum of Art and History’s 36th annual Juried South Carolina Artist’s Exhibition reception and awards ceremony was held on Saturday.
first place — “Balancing Act,” mixed-media
sculpture by Greenville’s Diana Farfán
The competition was open to all South Carolina artists 18 or older working in any medium. The exhibition is on view until June 11.
The panel of jurors for this year’s competition represented the best and brightest in South Carolina. An associate professor and gallery director at Coastal Carolina University, Jim Arendt is an artist whose work explores the shifting paradigms of labor and place through narrative figure painting, drawing, prints, fabric and sculpture. Victoria Cooke joined the curatorial staff at the Columbia Museum of Art in January 2013. She holds an MA in art history, specializing in 18th and 19th century French painting, from Tulane University and became a
