Category Archives: Opinions
Follow the Cherokee Path
Dennis Chastain was hot on the trail of the Cherokee Path.
The Cherokee Path was a trade route that extended from the Upstate all the way to Charleston. He discovered some old maps that identified segments of the Path, and realized that portions followed S.C. Highway 11 (where he lived) and that another portion of the trail ran along Main Street in Six Mile. He was
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Solutions for traffic in Clemson
Dear Editor,
According to county council records, there are 1,289 miles of state roads in our county, 639 miles of county roads and 256 miles of roads inside the cities (Clemson has 70 miles).
The state legislature’s 2026 session is winding down, and House Bill H5071 has caught my eye. This is an attempt by the legislature to give state-owned roads to the county government for maintenance. I
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Comforting those in need of an encouraging word
For those who have visited a nursing home or a medical care facility, you know what I mean when I refer to these places as difficult and uncomfortable. The sights and sounds are difficult for our emotions 
to process, which explains why many would rather avoid them altogether.
I’ve heard people say they dislike hospitals, nursing homes, or funerals, and this is usually because they prompt us to think more deeply about our own future. When we look around and witness how individuals are coping with aging and health problems, it’s a
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A smidgen is a unit of measure
Psalm 90:4 “For a thousand years in thy sight are but yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.”
Anyone that considers themselves a southern gourmet cook knows what a smidgen is. It’s like a “bit” or a “pinch” or a “tad.”
At any rate, a smidgen is a legitimate unit of measure south of the Mason-Dixon Line. As of yet however, I haven’t seen a
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Protecting our precious resources
Every Earth Day, we are reminded to reflect on the natural resources that define our 
communities and the responsibility we share in protecting them.
In Pickens County, we are especially fortunate. From our mountains and woodlands to our lakes and scenic corridors, our natural environment is not just a backdrop to our lives. It is central to who we are as a people and as a community.
Over the past seven years, Pickens County has taken deliberate steps to renew and strengthen its commitment to preserving our natural heritage. These efforts reflect a shared vision among county council, staff and engaged citizens who understand that
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The universality of God’s love
Through the power of his creative spirit God creates and sustains all things; this all-
powerful Holy Spirit animates and vivifies creation; a creation and humanity that is one and whole.
In Psalm 36:5-7 we read, “Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths… All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.” and in Matthew 5:45 we read, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that
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Courier Letters to the Editor 4-22-26
Speedway deserves recognition
Dear Editor,
The Greenville-Pickens Speedway has a long and storied history from its very first race on July 4, 1946, attended by over 17,000 enthusiastic fans. Almost all of racing’s most famous names raised the dust of the early half-mile dirt track — Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, David Pearson, Fireball Roberts, Darrell Waltrip and Curtis Turner, among many others. The local drivers like Butch Lindley, Donny Bishop, Maurice “The
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