December 15, 2014

Ridge Spring News

December 13th thru January 3rd

CHRISTMAS ON THE RIDGE HOLIDAY SHOWCASE

At Cumbee Place

401 E. Main St. Ridge Spring, SC

Come and experience the holiday season at Cumbee Place in Ridge Spring with our first Christmas on the Ridge Holiday Showcase beginning Dec. 13.

Cumbee Place in Ridge Spring has six rooms highlighting the unique products of 15 local businesses in small towns including Saluda, Johnston, Edgefield, Monetta, Gilbert, Ridge Spring and Batesburg-Leesville. Each room within the holiday showcase is decorated for Christmas and includes gifts, furniture and holiday items for sale. We also have two local farms and a local winery selling items.

“At Cumbee Place, we strive to highlight all the amazing things The Ridge Region offers,” says Noel Steel, Cumbee Place developer. “It’s thrilling to see the diverse businesses in these small towns unite to offer a festive and fun event to holiday shoppers.”

The Christmas On The Ridge Holiday Showcase will have Mercer House Estate Winery on the 20th and we will be doing a wine tasting that afternoon.

Dec. 15 to Jan. 3, 2015
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 12:30-5 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please note that Cumbee Place and the holiday showcase are closed on Wednesdays and on Sundays after Dec. 14.

Cumbee Place, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community development center, develops businesses and promotes agri-tourism to strengthen communities within The Ridge Region. This region consists of rural areas in Aiken, Saluda, Edgefield and Lexington counties. Cumbee Place is located at 401 E. Main Street in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. For more information, visit www.cumbeeplace.com.

Patsy Asbill: The Ridge Spring Library has been fortunate in getting people to volunteer to help  keep the library open. We have enough people that we can now be open the entire day on Friday. Thanks to all those who give their time to keep the library open for as many hours as possible. Currently, we have an excess of donated books and need time to process those that we have. We appreciate all the public's help with securing books but ask that donations be held until the first of the year. 

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:

Big Red Box: Collections for the month of December go to the Helpful Hands Mission located in Ridge Spring. Non perishable food items will be delivered to the Mission before Christmas. If you would like to donate please leave your items on the porch of the Family Life Center (FLC).

Face Book: RSUMC is on Face Book. Visit our page, like us and keep up with the activities and services.

December 23, 2014: RSUMC will open the Church to the public on December 23^rd from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for prayer and reflection. Take some time for yourself away from the hustle and crowds to remember the ‘reason for the season’. A Church member will greet you and there will be devotional guides and Bibles available

RSM Elementary School Christmas Musical:  This year, our Christmas Musical will take place in the gym during the school day on December 19, 2014. All parents are invited to attend. The performances will take place as follows:
Grades K-2 - 8:30 a.m.
Grades 3-5 - 10:00 a.m.
Each grade level will perform a song or two. Then we will finish up with an old fashioned sing along for the entire audience! 

Lee Ann Perez/ One Ash Farm & Dairy-

Anyone who lives on a farm knows that farm life is filled with something new each day, not all of which are fun or happy.  Some days it's extreme weather changes, some days it's veterinary needs, some days it's a need for animal   changes, some days pipes are broken, and some sad days there is death. It has been a little sad around One Ash lately, with a lot of that last kind of day happening.  The stories of our recently lost animals are ones that our family will remember for a long time to come, and ones that will always weigh heavy on our hearts.

But then there are the most exciting days -when God blesses us with new life on the farm.  And that happened a few days ago!  Last year we decided to purchase a boar to go along with our sows that were already maturing.  Well, we have been waiting for "Bo" the Berkshire pig to grow up enough to breed those girls.  And this week we have proof that he is indeed a big boy now.  We now have 4 adorable little piglets running around the pig pen, romping and hopping and burying themselves in the hay. And it appears that we have another sow ready to give birth any day!  We are thoroughly enjoying these little "bacon bits", as we like to call them! 

Despite the tough days on the farm, we are always receiving Gods blessings.  He knows why things happen the way they do, and we have the faith to accept His will and goodness. He always guides us through the difficulties, bringing us to a better place in the end.  I am amazed at the healing power and hope that has come from a few little piglets.  It's times like this that keep us farming, and loving our animals for as long as they are with us.  Life on the farm is good!

Josie Rodgers:

            If you missed Palmetto Dance Academy’s presentation of Frozen this past weekend, you truly missed out on a fabulous show!  The entire company told the story through dance set to the music from the motion picture.  From the tiny twirling tots to the graceful movements of the senior students, the entire production was breathtaking.  This is PDA’s annual charity show, financed by the yearly golf tournament.  All proceeds from the show and the toys collected at the door go directly to local children through Toys for Tots.  The theater was packed, so many, many children will be quite happy this year!

            Princess Leagrace turned 5 years old on Dec. 16.  It is hard to believe that five years ago, she almost left us and has had a few close calls since.  She has been pretty healthy lately with no hospitalizations in quite a few months, thank the good Lord!  Every day with her is a gift from God, and we treasure her every smile, her every laugh, her every breath.  She brings such joy to our lives and we are grateful for all she has taught us.  We will celebrate at Nana’s (that’s me!) house this weekend with a Frozen party.  Frozen is her favorite movie! 

             Palmetto Dance Academy:  On Wed., Dec. 17, PDA will host another guest artist, Josh Alexander, a top 20 contestnat on So You Think You Can Dance.  Josh is currently working on Glee coming from LA.  This session is open to any dancers:  Beginner/Intermediates from 4-5:30; Advanced 5:30-7.  Contact the studio to register.

            St. William Catholic Church youth presented “Christmas, Bah, Humbug!” last Sunday.  Annalee Rodgers and Jason Rodgers played a couple who were frustrated and bored with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.  A group of carolers (Kassey Kitchings, Megan Kitchings, Quinten Miller, Aiden Rodgers, Isaac Rodgers, Jon Rodgers, Taylor Rdogers, Alayna Way, Kenneth Way) just happen to drop by and share the Good News with the couple, who are reminded what Christmas is all about. The nativity scene comes to life through Joseph (William Bedenbaugh), Mary (Savannah Rodgers), and angels (Karoline Kitchings, Texanna Miller, and Leagrace Rauton).  Afterwards, everyone enjoyed refreshments and a visit from good old Saint Nick himself!

Reminders: 

Dec. 14-Jan.5: Christmas on the Ridge Holiday Showcase

No Harvest Festival meeting this month

No Friends of Ridge Spring meeting this month

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 pm.

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

Every 2^nd Monday:  RSM Elem PTO meets at 6:30 pm in the media center. 

Every Friday & Saturday:  AARS hours 10 – 4 or by appt, free admission

Every first Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

Every Wednesday:  AA meets at Recovery Works

Every Monday & Friday:  Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

Every 3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Cumbee Place 5 pm