Category Archives: News
Dacusville Middle’s Hazel given award named for late teammate
EASLEY — Emotions ran high at Dacusville Middle School on Thursday as faculty, staff and studentsgathered in the gymnasium for the inaugural presentation of an award named in honor of a student who died tragically over the summer.
The Play Like Payce award, set to be given to one female volleyball player in the Anderson, Oconee, 
Pickens Middle School Athletic Conference (A.O.P), is named in honor of Ansley “Payce” Chappell, a Dacusville Middle School student and volleyball player, who passed away from bacterial meningitis on July 1 at the age of 12.
Dacusville Middle School’s Lucy Hazel, a lifelong friend and teammate of Chappell, received the inaugural award at a surprise assembly held at the school.
Both Chappell’s family and Hazel’s family were there to witness the announcement, along with the entire
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Pickens Folk Festival set for this weekend
PICKENS — The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce and Hagood Mill Historic Site are set to host 
the third annual Pickens Appalachian Folk Festival this weekend.
The festival will be a two-day event, taking place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at 138 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens. The festival is free, but attendees are asked to bring their own chairs.
“The festival promises two unforgettable days filled with live
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Local couple gives millions to CU to fund scholarships
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Supporters of higher education gathered Thursday to celebrate a generous gift and to lay 
down a challenge to others to expand its reach.
Pickens residents Jim and Julee Kaplan made a $2.5 million Academic Cornerstone gift to Clemson University that will help Pickens County students lay the foundation for their educational and career goals.
Officials celebrated that gift and the newly announced Pickens County Promise: Kaplan Scholarship Challenge on Thursday at a reception at the Kaplans’ home.
“Their commitment in elevating and supporting
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This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
600
DANIEL PICKS UP 600TH WIN IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH VICTORY OVER TRAVELERS REST
EASLEY FALLS AT MAULDIN; LIBERTY LOOKS TOWARD CHESNEE; PICKENS PREPARES FOR DANIEL; TIGERS BASH BOSTON COLLEGE all this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $36 per year (in Pickens County).
Call us today at 864-878-6391 and get your subscription started and never miss any of the action in South Carolina’s best sports section!
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Pickens downs Daniel to reclaim Region 2-4A title
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — One year removed from dropping its first region championship in over a decade, the Pickens High School volleyball team looked to reclaim the Region 2-4A championship against Daniel last Thursday.
Despite dropping their first set in the entirety of their unbeaten region run, the Blue Flame were able to take care of business against the Lions pulling out a 3-1 win to secure the region crown.
“It means everything to these players,” Pickens head coach Mellie Crumpton said. “This was one of our goals and we just talked about in the huddle after the match, ‘Goal #1 is there’ so now we can add another up to that wall and that banner.”
The Blue Flame came out of the gate strong building an early lead in the opening set. Daniel tried to battle back, but Pickens never gave up its lead as Lily Clarkson (Three kills, five assists, two aces) and Kaci Gillespie (four kills and three assists) put together a masterful set to allow the Flame to take the opener 25-17.
The Lions responded in the second set taking control with a block from All-State middle blocker Zara Russell. This time, it was the Lions who maintained control throughout the set with libero Ava Ross throwing herself all over the floor to showcase her defensive prowess, while outside hitter Anusha Venayagamoorthy found her groove with six kills as the Lions took the set 26-24.
Having dropped their first set in region play, the Blue Flame came back in the third with a dominant effort in the third set, taking it 25-17 to build a 2-1 lead.
“We knew it was going to be a fight,” Clarkson said. “We knew what we had to do and I think we executed really well.”
The Lions found even more trouble to start the fourth set with setter Maleah Gibson going down with an injury early but stayed close by trailing 17-15.
The Blue Flame finished strong with Gillespie picking up a kill as well as two aces to help the Flame get to match point. There, she assisted Clarkson for the final point as the Blue Flame took the set 25-18 to secure the 3-1 win.
While disappointed with the loss, Daniel coach Hayley Hoover was still encouraged by the play of her team in the loss.
“We had a lot of great moments tonight, we just had a really hard time stringing them all together and getting on some runs,” Hoover said. “We’re going to tighten up a few things and focus on finishing region strong next week.”
The Lions were set to finish region play with matchups against Blue Ridge and Greer at home this week, while the Blue Flame hit the road for region matchups against Seneca and Travelers Rest.
The Class 4A state volleyball playoffs are set to begin on Oct. 22.
t to begin on Oct. 22.
Liar’s Competition returns to Hagood Mill Oct. 17 & 18
PICKENS — This October, the Hagood Mill Historic Site will once again echo with the laughter, chills, and wonder of Appalachian storytelling. On October 17–18, 2025, the annual Storytelling Festival & Liar’s Competition returns—this year featuring Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories for a spook-tacular 
kickoff.
Friday Night Frights – October 17, 6:30 p.m.
The festival opens with an evening of spine-tingling tales hosted by the incomparable Johnny Thomas
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Spooky Halloween Fun Around Pickens County
Pickens County is ready to celebrate the spooky season, with events planned around the area throughout the rest of the month.
CLEMSON, OCT. 23
Clemson Heritage Senior Living is hosting a Trunk or treat Halloween Bash, 140 Cambridge Drive, Clemson. Grab your costumes and candy buckets — it’s time for some spooky fun on Oct. 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. What to Expect: Decorated Trunks – From spooky to silly, our residents and staff are going all out. Candy Galore – Bring your sweet tooth. Costume Fun – Dress to impress. Costumes encouraged for all ages.
LIBERTY, OCT. 24
Get ready for Halloween fun with City of Easley annual Treats on the Street, located downtown Easley. Bring the kids for candy, costumes and community spirit on Oct. 24 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
EASLEY, OCT. 24
Join Foothills Child Development Center for a spooktacular evening of family fun at their Trunk or Treat! Friday, Oct. 24 from 7 until 8:30 p.m. located at, 40 Southern Center Ct. Easley, SC 29642. Enjoy FREE hot dog plates for everyone! Bring your costumes, your family, and your friends for a night full of sweet treats and community fun. They can’t wait to see you there.
LIBERTY, OCT. 26
You’re invited to East Side Baptist Church’s Fall Festival. Join in for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship on Oct. 26 from 6:30 until 8 p.m. The church is located at 920 Anderson Dr, Liberty. Bring the whole family for a night filled with games and prizes, trunk-or-treat, face painting, Southern Sips Lemonade truck, The Blooming Bean Coffee truck, $5 hot dog plates, fried oreos and more.
It’s a free event for the community. No Scary costumes, please.
CLEMSON, OCT. 28
Ready for a wickedly fun night? It’s almost time for some Halloween festivities in downtown Clemson
Trick-or-Treat on Collage Ave. in Clemson, hosted by City of Clemson Parks and Recreation will be happening Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Get in the spirit and join in for this free event. Fill your bag with candy from local businesses. Connect with the community in a family-friendly atmosphere. Scary, silly, spooktacular, show off your costumes.
EASLEY, OCT. 29
Bring your trick-or-treater Wed. Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. to Georges Creek Baptist Church loacted at 1991 Saluda Dam Rd, Easley and see fun trunks and get free candy and treats. Nacho plates will be available for purchase. Parking in the field below the gym, as marked.
LIBERTY, OCT. 29
All are welcome to join Rice›s Creek Baptist Church locate at 504 Rices Creek Church Rd, Liberty on Wednesday, Oct. 29, beginning at 6 p.m., for the fall festival/ trunk or treat.
EASLEY, OCT. 29
Please join in the fun. Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m. Fall festival, Trunk or Treat’s, candy, pizza. All proceeds go towards the Youth Group of Hunts Memorial Baptist Church,
501 Alex Drive, Easley. FREE invite your friends and family to come for a night of food (pizza & candy), Fun (inflatables & hayrides) and fellowship. Come join the fun, your attendances is greatly appreciated.
CENTRAL, OCT. 30
Get ready for the cutest howl-oween ever. Join The Central Roller Mills on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m . for our Pet Costume Contest! From spooky pups to sassy cats, they can’t wait to see your furry friends strut their stuff.
Prizes for the best-dressed pets, lots of laughs, and plenty of photo ops you’ll want to frame. Costumes optional for humans… but highly encouraged.
PICKENS, OCT. 31
Get ready for a spooktacular night in Pickens! Join City of Pickens- City Hall on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. for the Annual Main Street Trick-or-Treat — it’s going to be frightfully fun.
Located on Main Street, Pickens (Ann Street to Catherine Street).
EASLEY, OCT. 31
Swing by Fleetwood Post Acute’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 27, 4-6 p.m. The Residents and Staff would love to see you there and give you a Sweet treat, 200 Ann Drive, Easley, SC 29640.
SIX MILE, OCT. 31
It’s that time of year again — Six Mile’s annual Trick-or-Treat on Main Street is back on Oct. 31from 6 – 8 p.m. Local businesses and churches will line Main Street to hand out candy, kids will parade in costumes, and families can enjoy an evening of community fun and Halloween spirit.
Families dress up, show out, and enjoy a night of community tradition.
LIBERTY, OCT. 31
This year, City of Liberty teaming up with Potters Clay Fellowship to bring even more fun to Halloween night.
In addition to Trick-or-Treat on Commerce Street, we’ll have a fall festival set up in Sarlin Park thanks to Potters Clay Fellowship. As always, this is a free event for the children in our community! The fun will begin at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31.
SIX MILE, NOV. 1
Join Gap Hill Baptist Church for thier Fall Festival on Nov. 1. The event goes from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be Trunk or Treat, Chili Cook-off, Cakewalk, S’mores, Hayrides and Fire Pits. Gap Hill Baptist Church is located at 127 Gap Hill Rd, Six Mile
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
SHUTOUT
LIONS LEAVE NO DOUBT IN HOMECOMING THRASING OF BEREA
wAVE DROP HOMECOMING TO GREENVILLE; RED DEVILS FALL AT CLINTON; FLAME HAVE NO ANSWER FOR GREER; TIGERS BOUNCE BACK AT UNC all this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $36 per year (in Pickens County).
Call us today at 864-878-6391 and get your subscription started and never miss any of the action in South Carolina’s best sports section!
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