This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
RUN OVER!! Red Devils pick more than 400 yards rushing in rivalry win over Pickens Daniel rebounds with win over More »
No vote taken on Pickens annexation
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com PICKENS — Pickens officials on Monday heard again from residents urging them to vote More »
Peabody Engineering expanding in Liberty
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com LIBERTY — A plastics manufacturer plans to expand its Pickens County operations, a move More »
Semper Fi Barn to host Community Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony
SIX MILE — The Semper Fi Barn will host a community-wide Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, offering area More »
Keowee Vineyards make donation to help ‘Feed A Hungry Child’
On August 27, the Keowee Vineyards CRO Advisory Board proudly presented a check to their Fund the Need recipient, Feed More »
Courier Obituaries 11-8-23
DAVID ‘PAPA DAVID’ SMITH
LIBERTY — Mr. David “Papa David” Smith, 83, loving husband of Mrs. Lynda Crowe Smith, of Liberty, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 21, 
2023, at his residence.
Papa David was born in Six Mile, on Sept. 27, 1940, to the late Cliff and Ethel Towe Smith.
A true Giant of a man, he loved big and only wanted what was best for those he loved, which included his family, both near and far, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, close friends, camping buddies, church friends and daycare babies.
Papa David had the best sense of humor and he loved to joke and would take every opportunity to make people laugh and smile. A man with an infectious smile that would light up any room, he was a joy to all who knew him with his jokes, simple smile, and happy-go-lucky personality. Papa David was loved by so many people, and his memory will be cherished throughout the years to come.
Papa David could always be found in one of his woodworking or metal shops. A true handyman who could fix or make anything you asked for, he truly enjoyed crafting things by hand for his family and friends. In his later years, even though Papa David couldn’t work as well as he used to, he could surely supervise the work being done in his shop and give you constructive criticism on how to do the job correctly (just ask his son-in-law or grandson-in-law).
Papa David was always an adventure that was waiting to happen. He cherished the time he was able to spend with his family, which included many trips all over the Southeast, where they would listen to old country music while he
Military vets to be honored this weekend
COUNTY — The Pickens County Veterans Affairs Office, in collaboration with the community, is inviting all to join in on a weekend filled with gratitude, honor and celebration as they pay tribute to veterans.
On Nov. 11, the Pickens County Veterans Appreciation Dinner will be held at Golden Creek Baptist Church in Liberty from 4-6 p.m. According to the county Veterans Affairs office, the dinner will be an evening of camaraderie and reflection as locals come together to express deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of local veterans. To RSVP, call (864) 898-5926 or (864) 898-5928. The Pickens County Veterans Day celebration will be held the next day on Nov. 12 at the Pickens County Performing Arts Center in Liberty. The event will start at 1 p.m., with vendors, food and a kid zone. There will be a parade at 3 p.m. and a show with live music and speakers beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event is open to every who wishes to remember and honor those who have served our country with dedication and bravery. For more info visit @pickenscountyveteransaffairs for details.
Officials excited about SC 183 grant
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY – Area officials are excited about the $95.2 million that will be going to improve and expand S.C. Highway 183 — and grateful for 
the collaborations that led to Pickens County being awarded the largest grant in its history.
Last month, the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (STIB) approved
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Project Linus gives blankets to kids in need
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A group that provides blankets to children in stressful situations has recently expanded into Pickens County.
Project Linus was created after a mother saw that a blanket given to her sick child made her feel better.
“She thought, ‘How would other kids in strenuous situations, sick, in domestic violence situations, how would they like blankets?” Maria Anderson said.
Anderson became the Project Linus coordinator for Anderson County about a
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County volleyball stars named all-state
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Four Pickens County volleyball stars were named to the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports All-State volleyball squads last week.
Daniel High School and Pickens High School were both equally represented on their respective classes squads with two representatives each.
From Daniel, senior outside hitter Sydney Siders and senior setter Lilli Ward for the selected to Class 3A squad.
For Siders, it was her third consecutive selection to the squad making her the first Daniel volleyball player to make it in three straight seasons since Carley Hoover from 2010-2012.
On the season, Siders led the Lions with 384 kills and was second on the team in both aces and digs. Meanwhile, Ward made her presence felt setting the table for Daniel with a team-high 889 assists.
At Pickens, senior libero Hannah Campbell and sophomore outside hitter Ava Owens both earned spots on the Class 4A squad.
Campbell took over the libero role from the graduated Macie Gentry and flourished in her senior season leading the Blue Flame with nearly 400 digs. Owens, also rounded into form in her second varsity season picking up a team-high 290 kills for Pickens helping them to reach the third round of the playoffs.
Pickens High graduate Wierzbicki hits 1000 kills
CHARLESTON — This “Cougar” recorded her 1000th collegiate kill in volleyball to match the number she hit during stellar career at Pickens High School.
Lexi Wierzbicki, a 2019 graduate of Pickens High School and graduate student at the College of Charleston recorded her 1000th kill on Aug. 26, her mother’s birthday, and was presented with a commemorative volleyball for the event.
Wierzbicki made a name for herself at Pickens earning the Class 4A South Carolina Player of the Year as a senior after leading Pickens to a 29-2 record and a state runner-up finish
For her career, she was a three-time Region I-4A Player of the Year and three-time CAWS 4A All-State selection.
Wierzbicki began her collegiate career at Jacksonville University in 2019 and transferred to the College of Charleston the next year. At Charleston, she has been a key member of the Cougars squad and earned All-CAA First Team honors in 2021.
As of Nov. 5, Wierzbicki has 1183 kills with three more matches plus the CAA Championship and is ranked 16th on the CofC all-time leaderboard.
Pickens cross country teams to compete for state championship
NEWBERRY — The Pickens High School cross country teams competed in the state qualifier playoff races at the Newberry cross country course hosted by Newberry College.
The Blue Flame boys punched their ticket for the first time since 2007 to the state championship meet on Nov. 10 at Newberry College. The Blue Flame were paced by sophomore Chase Ashe (17:36), senior Jeremy Sisco (18:01), sophomore Adam Ellis (18:02), sophomore Liam McCall (18:16), and junior Parker Hendricks (18:56).
Wes Atkins and Kadan McSweeney will also be competing for the Blue Flame boys at state.
Meanwhile, the Lady Blue Flame punched their ticket for the second year in a row to the state championship meet. The Lady Blue Flame were paced by eighth grader Ella Tetor (21:07), junior Ella Harned (21:34), sophomore Emerson McCall (21:56), sophomore Grace Newman (22:11), and sophomore Lilly Kutilek (22:11).
Allie Kutilek and Emma Grace Kutilek will also be competing for the Lady Blue Flame at state.
Panthers’ Wiliams to host Thanksgiving dinner giveaway
CLEMSON — Former Clemson Football standout and current Carolina Panthers defensive tackle, DeShawn Willams, is set to host aheartwarming Thanksgiving dinner giveaway on Tuesday, November 14th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Littlejohn
DeShawn Williams
Community Center, located at 644 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson., SC 29631. This event is open to families in the SHARE Head Start-Clemson and Littlejohn Community Center Afterschool
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DAR’s National Day of Service
As part of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) National Day of Service, Fort Prince George Easley Chapter members took student school supplies and staff thank you baskets to Lakes and Bridges Charter School, Liberty Primary School and Pickens Elementary School. Each school received baked goodies and health bars, along with educational supplies. “Our chapter loves to surprise the schools,” said community classroom committee chair Darlene Levy, who organized the event. Pictured above, Liberty Primary assistant principal Joy Ellison, Carolyn Nations, Darlene Levy and school counselor Tina Kelly are shown with the goodies the school received. At lower left, DAR members Joyce Hansel and Harriet Nash at Lakes and Bridges Charter School, and at lower right, Pickens Elementary assistant principal Lacey Rogers, Teresa Efant, Darlene Levy, Lana Beckley, Carolyn Nations and Harriet Nash speak during the DAR visit.
Courier Letters to the Editor 11-8-23
Honoring the elderly
Dear Editor,
The Bible says, “Once a man, but twice a child.”
I was thinking about that the other day. When you are a child and say or do anything silly or embarrassing, it’s overlooked. Same for when you get old.
It’s like, “Y’all excuse Daddy, he’s getting old.” To which you might reply, “Old? What do you mean old? I changed your diaper when you were
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