April 21, 2014

The Friends of Ridge Spring met Thursday night at the Episcopal Church’s Parrish House.  Several local farms were represented and we listened to Jackie Moore and Will Culler who are both interested in supporting and promoting Agri-Tourism.  Finger food was served with the emphasis being of everything coming from our local sources.  The sandwiches were from Juniper, asparagus, peach salsa and strawberries from Watsonia, the best bar-be-que made from Cone’s Meats by Noel Steele, pecans and dipping sauce from the Nut House and plates, napkins and drinks from Dollar General.  All were interested and delighted with the meeting.  Hopefully Cumbee Place will become a hub for the tourism, for our farms are working farms and need to work... Farmers’ Market is coming soon and the vouchers will be distributed as last year, June 14^th.  We will be receiving a grant from AgSouth to help promote the Farmers’ Market.

Joanne Crouch is heading up the Harvest Festival again and we are thankful.  These are some specific places you can volunteer to help.  She needs the following: decorating Committee (2), Phone tree (1), Brochure Committee (2), Country store (2 or more), Beauty pageant gate entrance (4 or 5), and Historical display.  We need your valuable input.  If we do not get adequate assistance this year, the future of this 33-year-old tradition will be in jeopardy.  Email Joanne Crouch at  joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 before 9pm.  Leave message and she will respond to you. Have a club or civic group?  Got an idea that we could add to the festival that you think will enhance this family friendly festival.  Scouts need services badges?  Consider using the Harvest Festival to get the work out about you and your group.

RIDGE SPRING FIRE DEPARTMENT BENEFIT In Memory of MICHAEL B. ADAMICK will be held Saturday, May 3, 2014 5:00 pm – til There will be a street dance Street Dance  with MUSIC BY STEELE JUSTICE BAND Tickets are $10.00 for the  BBQ Dinner  that will begin being served at 5:00 PM Bake Sale included. The Auction will begin at 6:00 PM. The event is held at the Ridge Spring Fire Department near the town square. 

Effie Martin

SPRING BREAK 2014:  A group from Mount Alpha Baptist church went New York. They had a nine hour tour: visiting The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, 911 Memorial, eating lunch in Italy or now it is becoming more of Chinatown etc. They stayed in Philadelphia at the Embassy Suite. In Philadelphia, they visited the National Liberty Museum and Independence Hall.

Mount Alpha Youth Day will be Sunday, April 27, 2014, beginning at 11:00 A.M. The speaker will be Mrs. Sharon Davis Padgett.

Effie Thompson Martin was inducted into the Half Century Club at Benedict College on March 20, 2014.

Congratulations to Robin Wright Mitchell who completed Master of Science Degree in Nursing with Specialization as a family nurse Practitioner from Walden University with a 4.0 GPA. She will walk on July 12th. They only have ceremonies twice a year. Robin has passed the board exam. Robin is a member of Mount Alpha Baptist Church in Ward, South Carolina. She was also inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. Membership is by invitation only.  

The fourth annual Magnolia Ridge Antiques & Art Gathering takes place on Saturday May 17^th from 9 till 4. Joining us this year will be the Palmetto Vintage Tractor Club. Our friend Wilma from the Mennonite community will come with her wonderful baked goods, and the Lutherans Men’s Mission Group will sell breakfast sandwiches and lunch.  Miss Ermine Smalls from Mt Pleasant will be here with her Charleston baskets, all to add to the great array of Antiques and Art.  If you go into our website magnoliaridgesc.com you will see how beautiful and peaceful it is here at the farm. You can also see photos of past shows and detailed directions…Word of warning, the GPS does not bring you here!!!  There is no entry fee so please just come and enjoy the farm, and the town of Ridge Spring….Bev and Gretchen Arndt

*PS Coffee will be on compliments of the farm

The Town of Ridge Spring needs two people to serve on the Election Commission, this is a volunteer position.  Please call Town Hall for more info.

The RS-M Reunion of 1956 to 1968 will be May 24^th at the Civic Center (Old Gym) beginning at 6:00 PM.  Contact Harriet Householder at 803.480.1207.

Pat's Corner will be closed temporarily. Visit us again in May

Rene Miller, RS-M Elem/Middle

Book Fair: Our final book fair of the year will be here from April 25 - May 2. This will be our buy one get one free book fair. 7% tax will still be charged. This is a great time to buy some summer reading for your child.  The fair will be open from 7:50 – 3:00 every day. We will also be open the afternoon of May 1st from 3:00 – 5:45 p.m., just before the Chorus concert. We will also open Friday morning, May 1 during the Mom and Dad breakfast. If you have any questions, or you would like to volunteer to

help during the book fair, you may call 685-2009. Thank you.

Advance ED Survey: Aiken County Public School District would like to ask parents to take part in a Parent Survey as part of its upcoming AdvancED accreditation process. Outside experts will come in to examine our current process for continuous improvement. Part of this process is to gather feedback from our parents. Please visit the survey link at: http://acps.schoolfusion.us to complete the survey. All surveys are anonymous. We will have opportunities for parents to take the parent survey in the computer lab on the following dates:

Thursday, April 17 (3:15 - 5:15)

Monday, April 21 (3:15 - 5:15)

Tuesday, April 29 (3:15 - 6:15)

As an incentive, if at least 80% of parents complete the survey, middle school students will receive an additional courtyard and elementary students will receive extra recess time.

Book Parade: We had a very successful Book Parade on Friday, April 4. A special thank you to Brian Derrick from the Ridge Spring Fire Dept. for leading our parade with the fire truck. Thanks also to Sheriff Perry and his deputies for coming out to support our parade and for making it safe for all of us. Thank you, also, to the RSM administration, teachers, and parents for all the support and cooperation in making it a successful Book Parade. We look forward to next year’s parade.

Reminders:

May 3: RS Volunteer Fire Dept. Fund Raiser

May 17: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering

June 7: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 14: Farmers’ Market Opens

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 12:30 pm -4:30 pm; Sat 9 am -12:00 noon. The Ridge Spring Library always needs volunteers to help.  They have also received donated books. 

Every 2^nd & 4^th Monday:  Kids' Corner Story Time 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Ridge Spring Library. 

Every first Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets 685-5783

Every Wednesday:  AA meets at Recovery Works

Every Monday & Friday:  Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7:00 pm at The Ridge Spring Library