Category Archives: News
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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Lewis family gather for 100th reunion
By Lynn Townes
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The James and Mary Stewart Lewis Family celebrated their 100th family reunion on Sunday at Mountain Grove Baptist Church in Pickens. Many of your neighbors and acquaintances are in the lineage of this pioneering family, which has had untold influence on the communities across the country.
The Lewis Family have been a part of Upstate South Carolina since the mid-1700s when David Lewis and his bride, Ann Beeson Lewis, moved to the Pendleton District from Guilford County, NC. Ann, a member of the Society of Friends, was disowned by family and faith for marrying “out of unity.” Coming to Pendleton District they started a new
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Cannon auxiliary seeks new members
PICKENS — AnMed Cannon Hospital in Pickens is welcoming new members to its 
celebrated volunteer auxiliary.
The only requirements are a willingness to help the hospital and those it serves and four hours a week. Applications and more information are available by visiting the front desk of the hospital between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting anmed.org/volunteer-auxiliary-opportunities-cannon.
New book ‘a love letter to Pickens and Pickens County’
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Author Charles Hood has written many books but he says his newest publication “is the first one I’ve done that’s about me.”
“Looking For Space: My Pickens Journey” came out last week.
“I grew up in Pickens but I wasn’t born in Pickens,” Hood said.
The youngest of six kids, he was born in Indiana in 1961.
“My father passed away when I was 10 from cancer,” Hood said.
A brother, trained as a nuclear engineer, landing a job at the
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S.C. District 1 falls in bid for SLWS title
EASLEY — With a chance to bring home the area’s Little League Baseball and Softball 
championship since the Easley based S.C. District 1 won the 2007 Big League World Series Championship, the United State’s champion took on Amelia Baseball Club Little League of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on Saturday morning.
District 1 fell behind early but mounted a late comeback only to fall short of its ultimate
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YMCA partners with Easley Fire to support water rescue training
EASLEY — The Easley YMCA is supporting the Easley Fire Department by providing 
dedicated pool space for essential water training exercises.
The collaboration reflects the YMCA’s ongoing commitment to serving the community beyond traditional wellness programming.
These training sessions are critical for preparing first responders to handle water-related emergencies, including
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