Tuesday, December 29, 2015

December 21, 2015
Ridge Spring News
Harriet Householder
Merry Christmas!!!! And a Happy New Year!!!!
Watercolor Classes:  Jan. 7 - Feb.11, Thurs.-6 week, $75. Instructor, Judy Adamick at Barn Studio, Ward, SC Call 803 685.5814
Harriet’s Garden will not have regular hours for the rest of December and January.  This is a semi vacation.  Plants and seeds do not take a vacation so I will be around and can be reached by my business phone or cell phone. Regular business hours will begin February first just in time for Valentine’s  Day.  I will also have guest writers for the month of January. 
Off the Beaten Path If you are looking for that special gift for Christmas, come by and take a look at all the unique items we have to offer. We will be openMonday and Tuesday from 10-5, Closed Wednesday and open Thursday 10-2 PM.
The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala December 31 8:00-12:00 PM.  Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual-$35, Couples-$55, and Families-$60.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 803-685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.
Juniper will be closed from Dec. 21-27.

Haley{Bee} Pop-Up Boutique is located at 401 E. Main St. in Ridge Spring (The Cumbee Place) The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed Wednesday), Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and  closed Sunday and Christmas Day.  She has women’s and men’s clothing with accessories and home goods
Spann United Methodist Church will hold its annual Christmas Eve service Thursday, December 24.  The program will begin at 5:30 with the decorating of the church.  The service will start at 6:00 and will include songs of the season and a Christmas message by Pastor John Kneece.  The church will be collecting peanut butter for Johnston Food Bank. All are welcome.  For more information - 803-430-1314.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Big Red Box
The month of December the BRB goes to the Helpful Hands ministry for use in their food bank. Approximately 200+ families use this food bank. Thank you again BRB Angles. ( the empty bags are on the porch) It’s not too late to contribute to the BRB for December. Leave your donations on the porch of either the Church or FLC and a church member will make sure it finds its way into the Box.
Face Book: RSUMC has a Face Book page. Visit us and see what’s going on.
Services: Unless otherwise noted, service at RSUMC is at 11 a.m. every Sunday.


2016 Baseball/Softball season is coming soon.  Registration dates are every Saturday in January from 9:00 to 1:00 PM at the RSM Little League Ballpark, 217 Musketeers Rd. Monetta, SC.  There will be T-Ball, Coaches Pitch, Minors, Ozone, and Pony League.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration please contact Leslie Long at 803.687.0857 or Ashley Bradley at 803.645.1433.

Going down memory lane can be so refreshing.  This was a beautiful story submitted to me in 2012 by the late Warrena Stywaskee Broadnax Hankinson or better known as “Stu” .  ENJOY!!!
The Surprise Birthday Party of the Unknowns
“Stu” Broadnax Hankinson
It has been thirty one years since I lived in Ridge Spring. Charlotte is now my home, but as my front car tag proclaims, I am a “proud product of Ridge Spring, SC.”  At an event held at my Mom’s (Ora Broadnax) house last week, it was once again clear why I love The Ridge and how you simply cannot beat small town, Southern living.
I introduced one of my Charlotte friends to my hometown about 11 years ago.  She became enamored with the town, its people and all things local--- Ridge Hill Baptist Church and its powerful gospel choir, Cones Meats, Stuff and Things, and Shealy’s.    She confided in me that she actually thinks she could live in The Ridge now that she is retired.  She will call me to say that it is time for her to have her “Ridge fix” which means a 2-3 day overnight stay at my Mom’s house doing nothing but resting, relaxing, and talking.
As frequently happens with busy lives, my friend had a birthday in early July but we had not had a chance to get together before last week.  I told her I’d treat her to the Ridge Spring trip. The only agenda items were a trip to Shealy’s and a trip to the movie to see “The Help”.  Little did she know that I had planned what I dubbed “A Surprise Birthday Party of the Unknowns”, named such because in addition to being a surprise party for her, she knew no more than about four of the fifteen invited guests?
It was supposed to be a simple gathering of ladies for an evening of fun and games and getting to know each other.  Cake and ice cream were supposed to be refreshments.  Gifts were not necessary but if guests were inclined to give, they were encouraged to make it something inexpensive and practical (ex. roll of toilet paper or bottle of nail polish remover.  It was even suggested that something from their re-gifting stashes would be in order.)
It was when I began to call the guests and explain what I was planning that I was reminded of why I love this community and the people in it.  Excitement about the party was more infectious with each call that I made.  “Are you sure you don’t want me to bring something?” “Can I do something to help you?” “You know I don’t too much come out in the evenings and at night, but I’ll be there.”
Getting my friend away from the house was almost too easy.  All the guests arrived within a 15 minute window. Within minutes the table was decorated and spread with not just cake and ice cream but with pasta salad, cheese balls, shrimp, fruit and veggies due to the generosity of “the unknowns”.   When my friend wandered back into the house seeking me out to find out why all the cars were in the yard, she was indeed surprised when greeted with a melodious rendition of the birthday song.  Each guest had been given a slip of paper with a fact about her.  As they went around the room the unknowns shared something about my friend as if to say you may not know me but I know this about you.
As had been the plan, the evening was filled with women’s chatter.  The unknowns became like family after about twenty minutes.  The event for my friend will be one that she treasures for the rest of her life and one that will make Ridge Spring an even more special place for her. 
As for me and Ridge Spring and the excitement I feel every single time I come home, the theme song from Cheers captures it best:  Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re all so glad you came.
Josie Rodgers
Don’t you wish people had a Christmas attitude all year?  Everyone is so much nicer during the holiday season.  People smile more, help more, and are generally more pleasant.  I hope that you all have a peaceful Christmas, full of love, family, forgiveness, gratefulness, and joy. 
It is our first Christmas without Princess Leagrace.  I know that I write and talk about her a lot, but she was my little Pooky, my sunshine!  So many people knew her and loved her, and I simply cannot let her be part of our past.  She is part of our present and our future.  She is dancing in Heaven and celebrating her first Christmas in Heaven.  I cannot begin to imagine the wonders of that day in God's Holy Kingdom!  I remind myself that though we feel emptiness, she is whole and happy and does not want us to go through our lives depressed.  She KNOWS the answers to all of the questions we have, and she KNOWS that God has us in His hands.  It brings us great comfort to know that she is with the King, and she has joined other princesses like Dani Yonce and Autumn Winn in the heavenly dance ensemble.  Ironically, all three of these girls celebrated birthdays in Heaven last week.  Don't believe in God?  Boy, I feel sorry for those that don't believe. 
The youth at St. William Catholic Church presented A Superhero Christmas last Sunday evening.  Superman (Quinten Miller), Wonder Woman (Texanna Miller), the Hulk (Aiden Rodgers), Spiderman (Alex Cochran), Iron Man (Jon Rodgers), and the Green Lantern (Isaac Rodgers) are afraid of losing their jobs once they learn of a new superhero coming to earth.  After much searching, they find this new superhero as a baby born in Bethlehem.  The play was absolutely hilarious with a frustrated Joseph (Jason Rodgers) and sassy little Mary (Annalee Rodgers) trying to find a room.  Add to that a couple of hip shepherds, one tired of a lame job (TaylorRodgers) and the other, one of those "God" people (Savannah Rodgers) receiving a visit from a voice (Russ Miller) in the night telling them of the good news.  After the play, Aiden Rodgers sang "Silent Night," and the entire group sang "Joy to the World" and "Jingle Bells."  Everyone enjoyed food and drink and then a visit from Santa!  They exchanged gifts and spent the evening in fun fellowship with each other.  Many thanks to Richard Elders for the sound and lights and to the entire parish for all of their support and love (and great food!). 
St. William will celebrate mass this week:  Dec. 24, 8 pm, Spanish mass; Dec. 25, 12 am, Midnight Mass in English; Dec. 25, 10 am, mass in English; Dec. 26, 6 pm, Spanish mass; Dec., 27, 10:15 am, English mass.
            The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala Dec. 31 from 8 pm to 12 am.  Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual $35, Couples $55, and Families $60.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 803/685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.


Reminders: 
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 pm -4:30 pm
Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30
Friday & Saturday:  AARS hours 10 – 4 or by appt, free admission
 3rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5 pm
1st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783
 Wednesday:  AA meets at Recovery Works
 Monday & Friday:  Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)


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