August 3, 2015

Ridge Spring News

Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market was great again.  The heat is beginning to take a toll on the produce but you can still get the freshest.  Two vendors had figs, too.  Denise Boatwright and Samantha McClure had baked and properly wrapped items that were delicious.  Carter and I eat breakfast there each Saturday, too.  The Georgia rattlesnake watermelons were selling.  Leonard Bell, Jeanette Carr, Sherald Rodgers, Bobby and Loris Yonce, Jerrold Watson and I were there with fresh peaches, peppers, watermelons, corn, cantaloupe, beautiful flowers, boiled peanuts and so much more.  Lee Ann Perez- One Ash Farm and Dairy gets there around 10:00 with her specialties. Come join us through Labor Day.

The Harvest Festival is September 17-19.  The date has ben changed to help get it moving again.  Some things have been dropped but any others have not.  There will be BINGO, Gospel Night, the parade, entertainment at the Gazebo, the Cake and Pie Contest sponsored by Bank’s Drugs, the Country Store, Crafters and vendors, simple rides and more.  Mark your calendar.

The T-SHIRTS are in.  Prices are children’s shirts $10.00 in medium and large.  Adults are short sleeve for $12.00 and long sleeve are $15.00 each in sizes small to XXXlarge.  There are no sweat shirts but there are long sleeve T-shirts.  Contact Noel at Cumbee Place.

Jeff Clamp, Band Director, Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle / High School: The RS-M Band Boosters will be having a yard sale / car wash on Saturday, August 8th at the Ridge Spring Fire Department.  The yard sale / car wash will be from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  All items in the yard sale and the car wash will be by donation.  Bring a bag or box and fill it up with yard sale items and donate whatever you feel is fair and get your car washed while you shop.

Effie Martin: Mount Alpha Union is sponsoring a Back to School Blast at the Star Center on August 8 from 10:00 A.M. to noon. The workshop speakers will be Trudy Boyd from the Security Federal Bank in Aiken, Gabriela Burrell on Health, Mr. M.J. Raffield on safety. School supplies will be given out after the workshops. You MUST attend the workshop to receive school supplies. Lunch will be served.

Mount Alpha Baptist Church in Ward,SC will be having their revival August 2nd -6th. Sunday, Wednesday &Thursday Rev. Dr. Michael Ross will be the speaker. Monday & Tuesday Rev. Otis Cunningham,Sr will be the speaker. Sunday afternoon service will begin at 1:30 pm and nightly service  will begin at 7:30 pm.

JOHNSTON FARMER'S & ARTIST'S MARKET continues each Thursday afternoon on Calhoun Street in front of the Library/Warehouse from 4 - 6 p.m.  Locals are offering fresh fruits & vegetables, handmade soaps, apothecary items, fresh milk, and lots of baked goods (including sourdough, cinnamon and oatmeal breads). Lion's Club brooms, notecards and prints by local Artists.

Jane Autrey Insurance has a word for parents: I would like to remind everyone that this is the time of year to make preparations for back to school. Remember that if you have a child going away to college and taking a car you need to change the "garage" address on your insurance policy for that car. If I can be of service to anyone please call 
803-685-0090 or come by. We are located behind Cumbee Place, come by for a quote.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:  Ridge Spring United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Water/Gator Aide Blitz to help the Ridge Spring Volunteer Fire Department. On August 22, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the RS Fire Department, Church members will accept donations of water and GatorAide (cash donations are also accepted). If you would like to donate before August 22^nd, leave water and/or GatorAide on the porch of the Family Life Center next to the Church, DuBose Street or you may leave it with Jim Campbell at Ridge Auto. Checks or cash donations may be mailed to the Church. Come on Ridge Spring, let’s help our firemen stay hydrated while they are protecting the community!!! Look for posters and flyers around Town announcing the Blitz!

Don’t forget the prayer box is located on the porch of the FLC. The box is checked and requests placed on the Sunday service pray list. Ridge Spring United Methodist Church has a Face Book page. Check us out, like us and keep up with the activities of this small but vibrant congregation.

Church Service is at 11 a.m. Sundays unless otherwise noted. Join us.

Josie and I share our news. She has said so eloquently about the family’s loss and all who knew her the loss of such a wonderful princess. 

Josie Rodgers:

As you all know, Princess Leagrace is dancing on the streets of Heaven with her King.  She became sick on July 20, went into the PICU on July 21, had seizures and extremely elevated ammonia on July 22, and by July 24, doctors could detect no brain activity.  This is the most devastating thing that has ever happened to us.  Even though we knew that her liver disorder was forever life-threatening, nothing could truly prepare us for such a crippling loss. Leagrace was such an important part of our lives.  Her laughter and smiles touched people everywhere. Her disabilities didn’t stop her from loving life, laughing at our antics, enjoying watching other children play, and giving the best of herself to us all.  She was known all over for her contagious laugh, gorgeous smile, beautiful eyes, and kicking legs.  She wowed the audience in June with her first dance at PDA’s spring showcase.  There was not a dry eye in the house; we are so fortunate to have that memory.  We are so crushed with broken hearts and empty arms, a pain that will never go away.  However, we take comfort in the fact that she is with Jesus Christ and her Aunt Titi, walking and dancing, laughing and talking.  I’m sure she has a lot to say from her very short 5 ½ years on this earth! My Pooky girl is happy now, not restricted by her disorder or a wheelchair or the inability to speak words.  She is free.  My heart is broken, but she is free.

My family has been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support shown by our communities, friends, extended family, and schools.  We have received so many touching cards, texts, FB posts, phone calls, and visits.  We were blessed with food and other needs as well as beautiful flowers and plants to honor Leagrace.  Our cousin created a GoFundMe page that has raised money to help with funeral expenses (you can’t get life insurance on a child with a life-threatening disorder), and many others have donated directly to the family or to the wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation that sent her to Disney World last January.  Ridge Spring Baptist Church was overflowing with friends and family celebrating the life of our little Princess.  We sang “Jesus Loves Me,” “Because He Lives,” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”  When the congregation began singing the first song, I was overwhelmed with the grand volume and turned to scan the church. My eyes barely hit the balcony when I saw a sea of black and gold—the entire FWA football team and coaching staff was there.  I was touched by the attendance of teachers and administrators from the RSM and Aiken County schools, community members, friends from our hometown of Winnsboro, members of RS Baptist Church & St. William Catholic, and the extended Wardlaw family.  Davis Wash sang “Over the Rainbow,” and our cousin Katie read I’ll Love You Forever.  So many people helped with the beautiful celebration as well as the visitations at Leagrace’s Nanny and Papa’s home.  It was certainly a celebration of a life that touched so many others in such a short time.  We are sick with grief, but with the grace of God and the love and support of those around us, we will hold on to our faith and look forward to the day we see Leagrace again!

Jim Pressley (my dad) now has two legs!  I was lucky enough to watch him take his first steps last Thursday. Of course, I had to video it!  And he WALKED into church this past Sunday!  He used a walker, but he was on 2 legs!  It is amazing to see where he is now compared to where he was 2 years ago.  I do believe the man can do anything.  I’m sure Leagrace is looking down on her Papa and is very proud of what he has accomplished. 

Book Picks by David Marshall James:  Should you savor mystery novels and cooking, then several new books ought to tempt your palate.  Diane Mott Davidson is the queen of the culinary mystery, and she’s serving up a collection of recipes from her many mystery novels, featuring Denver, Colorado, caterer Goldy Schulz, in September:  “Goldy’s Kitchen Cookbook.”

     Speaking of Davidson, she is one of the scores of mystery and thriller novelists with recipes in “The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook.”  This delectable volume, slathered with color photographs, offers the side benefit of introducing the reader to a host of new writers.  Also, it’s fun to see what your favorite writers have submitted.  Who knew Harlan Coben likes a good crab dip?    

     Introducing yourself to new authors is also an extra with “The Cozy Cookbook,” a compilation of recipes from a smorgasbord of Berkley Prime Crime writers.  Many of the Berkley books are published in paperback, with artfully designed covers, although the publisher has been making a concerted effort over the past few years to supply more hardcover selections, which are naturally better suited to library use and general durability.

     Among the contributors to “The Cozy Cookbook” is the prolific Laura Childs, author of The Charleston Tea Shop mysteries, featuring (surprise) Charleston, S.C., tea shop owner Theodosia Browning.  This is one of Berkley Prime Crime’s long-running hardcover cozy-mystery series, one of the most tasteful set in the state.

Nonie's handmade children's boutique is still looking for people that makes things for children like clothes and accessories, toys, blankets etc. Call Noel Steele at 803-609-7152. We are looking to open in October.

Reminders:

Aug. 23: Beat the Heat Blitz

Sept. 17: Harvest Festival BINGO

Sept. 18: Cake and Pie Contest sponsored by Bank’s Drugs

Sept. 18: Gospel Night

Sept. 19: Ridge Spring Harvest Festival

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 am - 12 pm; Wed., 12:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; Fri 8:30 am -4:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 until noon,

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

RSM Elementary Summer hours:  Mon – Thurs 8 am – 4 pm

RSM High Summer hours:  Mon – Thurs 8 am – 4 pm