May 30, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Memorial Display: The Ridge Spring American Legion and Auxiliary Post 133 has a Memorial Day display in the Town Square. There is a memorial ribbon for each serviceman killed during wars from the Ridge Spring, Monetta and Ward areas. John and Nola Burger designed and made the display, and this is the thirtieth consecutive year that the fallen soldiers have been honored on Memorial Day.

Boiled Peanuts... The Caviar of the South... Goobers... They go by many names and everyone has a different way of making them. One thing we can all agree on is no one does them better than the South, more specifically in South Carolina. Is your recipe the best? Do you have what it takes to win? Find out June 11 by entering our Boiled Peanut contest. More details will be coming out soon.

Come rain or shine the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is here!!!!!  The Highway 23 goes through Modoc, Edgefield, Johnston, Ward, RIDGE SPRING, Monetta, and Batesburg-Leesville.  Friday and Saturday are the days to come.  Who knows what you will find.  You know the saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”

Public Notice

Pursuant to Section 6-1-80 of the S.C. Code of Laws a public notice is hereby given that the Ridge Spring Town Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2016-17 on Thursday June 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Ridge Spring Library, 636 E. Main Street, Ridge Spring, S.C.  

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: $1,122,550.00

Projected Revenue for 2016-2017: $1,158,250.00

Percent Change: 3.13%

Current Year Millage: 95 mills     

   

A copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at Town Hall during regular business hours. Written or oral comments concerning the proposed budget may be presented at the public hearing.        

The Saluda County Library would like to encourage everyone to sign up for the Summer Reading Program 2016.  Come by the Saluda County Library at 101 S. Main Street to sign up or you may sign up at their website starting June 1^st! www.youseemore.com/saluda – Click on Summer Reading!  There are prizes for all ages, including babies, children, teens and adults!  You will also want to mark your calendar for the Summer Reading Events which will begin Friday, June 3^rd at 10 a.m. with the Marionette Theatre presenting The Tortoise and the Hare.  This event will be at the Saluda Theatre.  Remember that all events are free and for all ages.  You can pick up a schedule for all the events at the Ridge Spring or Saluda County Library or you can go to the library website.

Arthur Kenner: Jerusalem Baptist Church will have its Vacation Bible School June 7th - 9th from 6:30 until 8:00.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: The congregation of Ridge Spring United Methodist Church invites the community to a Retirement Drop In for John Kneece. The Drop In will be June 12, 2016, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. with a light lunch served. Join us at the Family Life Center, adjacent to the Church. At the end of June, John will retire from the ministry. For the past 20+ years, John has ministered to both Spann UMC and RSUMC. He has been active not only at church but in the community. Please come and share you memories and good wishes as John enters another phase of his life. He has been and is a treasure to us and will be missed.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church: Vacation Bible School here at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.  This year’s theme is “Submerged”.  From June 4-9, take your kids on an adventure like no other, deep within the mysterious sea. As kids submerge themselves in God’s Word, they will discover that Jesus didn’t just see what’s on the outside of people. He looked deep down on the inside. So grab your goggles, step into your flippers, and dive-in to find truth below the surface!

Josie Rodgers

It’s the last week of school for many of us!  We are tired and ready for a break; okay, the kids are, too!  Most teachers will be working this summer teaching summer school, attending training seminars, and/or taking classes.  My hope is that we recharge, relax, and renew ourselves so that we can continue our journeys to change the world one child at a time.  I myself have some serious goals for this summer and appreciate your prayers as I challenge myself to improve overall as an individual, family member, and teacher. 

Palmetto Dance Academy:   The annual showcase is Sun., June 5.  The theme is Under the Big Top, a circus adventure to celebrate 15 years of PDA!  The first show starts at 3 pm and features our Johnston students and advanced Saluda students.  The second show starts at 5:30 featuring all Saluda students, and seniors Brooklyn Newman, McKenna Palmer, Elizabeth Robertson present their senior pieces.  Admission is $10 for ages 6 and up.  Doors open at 2:30 and 5 pm.  PDA is also currently registering for summer and fall classes. Space is limited and classes fill up quickly, so register ASAP!  Email director@palmettodanceacademy.com with questions.

The RS-M Young Farmer Organization will meet June 16 at 7 pm in the RSM High cafetorium.  The SC Farm Bureau will present the topic “Agriculture Advocacy.”  Aiken County Farm Bureau will sponsor the meal served, and the public is invited.  RSVP Michael Crim by June 14 at 803/480-0386 or  tcrim@acpsd.net with the subject “YF Meeting.”

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):  Congratulations to Keagan  Gentry  and  Randy Renteral in Mrs. Shealy’s Second Grade Class.  At the beginning of the year, Mrs. Shealy set a goal of reading 100 books on Ticket To Read.  The class celebrated on May 20 for Keagan, and May 23 for Randy with ice cream parties.  In addition to the class celebration of “Keagan Day” and “Randy Day,” they both received a gift basket containing books and several other prizes. 

The end-of-school musical will take place on June 2 at 8:30 am. Students may dress up: K5 & 1st grade: sailors or pirates; 2nd & 3rd grade: sailors; 4th & 5th grades: pirates.

Area 4 Bus Transportation Registration for the 2016-2017 school year will take place on June 27 (10 am-2 pm) and June 28 (1 pm-5 pm) at the RSM Middle/High Cafeteria. Call 803/ 685-2103 for more details.

The 5th grade Walk/Jog Club reached their goal of walking the 212 miles it takes to get to Myrtle Beach!  Great job walkers!  Rising 5th graders, be ready to join the club next year and start walking!

RSM Summer Reading information will come home with report cards. Each child that participates will be rewarded with a ticket to an RSM varsity football game and a varsity basketball game. Information and reading log will also be available on the school’s website.

First in Math: Our students have been competing against themselves, students in our school, and all across the nation to boost their math skills. This is our final update to let you know who is in the lead within our school. For the week ending May 20, RSM has completed 642,474 math problems and earned 214,158 stickers. The team of the week is Mrs. Ford’s 3rd grade class, and her student Briston Matthews is the player of the week is Briston Matthews with 1951 stickers.  The top teams for each grade level are Mrs. Hallman (K5), Mrs. Carson (1^st grade), Ms. Martin (2^nd grade), Mrs. Ford (3^rd grade), Mrs. Byer (4^th grade), Ms. Young (5^th grade).

RSM High:  Graduation is this Friday, June 3, at 3 pm at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.  You must have a ticket to attend.  Congratulations to the Class of 2016 for all of their accomplishments and best wishes for bright futures!

Review from David Marshall James:  "Stealing the Countess" by David Housewright

   Her name almost invites theft:  The Countess Borromeo.  When she disappears following a summer concert-in-the-park in a Wisconsin resort town on Lake Superior, her lover is willing to pay 250 G-spots for her safe return.

   Shouldn't the police be searching for the missing countess?  What about the FBI?  Yes and yes, they are, but their aim is to haul in a perp as well as the missing Stradivarius.  Yes, the Countess Borromeo is a $4 million-plus violin, and, when maestro Paul Duclos speaks of her, it's as if she's the great love of his life.

   That, even though he's wed to the manager of the foundation that supplied him with his instrument. The reader could enter into a rather Freudian discussion of that scenario, but let's leave it for some Minnesota winter's night, before the fire.

   The maestro just wants to be able to fiddle on his fiddle once more, so to speak, and the perp be damned.

   The constabulary, along with the countess's insurers, want a conviction in the case.  The insurance company is refusing to pony up a reward without that conviction.

   So, the maestro fears he may never handle the countess again.  So, he contacts another maestro-- former St. Paul, Minnesota, cop turned millionaire turned favor granter, Rushmore McKenzie.  In McKenzie's for-instance, "favor granter" translates as "pro-bono P.I."

   McKenzie's off in his new, tricked-out "Stang," a gift from his significant other, Nina Truhler, who owns Ricky's:  The cool restaurant/bar/jazz club where McKenzie hangs out in-between granting favors.  As in, "Everyone comes to Rick's."  Or, Ricky's.  Google that if you don't get it.  It's important to be pop-culturally with-it, beyond last month's electronic midden of text messages.

   Much of this thirteenth McKenzie novel is set in that Wisconsin resort town where the maestro lost the countess.  Why would he be performing there?  He's a hometown boy, which adds more layers to the story than one of Ricky's chocolate/raspberry tortes.

   Author David Housewright sets up a winning locale in yet another winning mystery, which he brings to a crescendo with a Benadryl-busting sting, followed by a satisfying denouement.

   Yet the concert isn't over until the re-appearance of Heavenly Petryk, the alluring woman of mystery who popped into the proceedings of a previous McKenzie novel, "The Curse of the Jade Lily."  Miss Heavenly has a thing about booty, missing and otherwise.  McKenzie figures that she's the flip side of Nina Truhler.  Now, that's Freudian.

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

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

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

May 23, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering was a wonderful success.  It started off looking like it was going to continue to rain but the mist ended about 8:00 and the sun kept peeking out.  The vendors were wonderful with their selections.  I have already reserved next year’s booth.  I also had boiled peanuts and I did sell out.  They were good, too.  That leads up to the Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market which is just around the corner.

At the gathering a couple pulled up, got out an old fashion baby buggy, placed a nice box in it and then brought out 6 of the cutest puppies.  We all had to look, pet and hold these cuties.  They were Australian cattle dog puppies.  I asked if they were for sale and the answer was no.  They were a little too young, but they were letting them socialize.

Lutheran Men in Mission served breakfast and lunch at the Gathering.  They had sausage biscuits for breakfast and hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. All proceeds go to the annual service projects that include financial support for individuals/ families needing help.  They also have built ramps for seniors. Each Christmas they support Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child.  

Before we get to the Farmers’ Market, we have the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale on Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4.  It is 44 to 46 miles long including Batesburg-Leesville, Monetta, RIDGE SPRING, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield, and Modoc.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church: Vacation Bible School here at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.  This year’s theme is “Submerged”.  Take your kids on an adventure like no other, deep within the mysterious sea. As kids submerge themselves in God’s Word, they will discover that Jesus didn’t just see what’s on the outside of people. He looked deep down on the inside. So grab your goggles, step into your flippers, and dive-in to find truth below the surface!

The Friends of Ridge Spring met Thursday and had Robin Freeman and Jason Booth to speak.  They are the Republican candidates for sheriff of Saluda County.  Cal Forrest dropped by and spoke, too. The Republican Primary is June 14^th.

The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival awarded three scholarships to Noah Scott, Micala Fox and Miranda Middlebrooks.  All three winners were from RSM High School.

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING BY Joanne Crouch, AARS president

Had a great time at the Magnolia Ridge on Saturday… It was a beautiful day. Got to meet many friends and make some new ones. Looking forward to this event again next year... If the Art Center had a prize for the visitor that had traveled the farthest, I could have presented it on Friday evening. I was packing for the Magnolia Ridge event when a gentleman drove up and asked if we were open. I explained that I was packing some things but he could come in. After a bit, I asked where he was from. He said SOUTH AFRICA!!!! He explained that he was here to install some equipment at Titans Farm. He travels all over the world. He said that he had two teenage children at home that he misses much. He was very interested in the art and loves photography. He visits many art festivals in his travels. He told me about the “Burning Man Festival” in the desert. Please google it and check it out. DS Owen is offering a 50% off his work that has been on exhibit at the center on this Saturday from 10:00 to ­1:00. The exhibit is coming down. Donna Minor won an honorable mention at the Aiken Members Show on Thursday, May 12th and her other piece sold before the reception. Come visit us. We are working on many projects at the Art Center. In the foyer, we have designated that area as our Gift Shop. Items in that location are $50 or less. On Saturday, June 25th, Joanne Crouch will lead a Woodburning on Gourds workshop from 1­4 for ages 10 and up. The class cost $30. The attendees will need a simple woodburner such as the Walnut Hollow woodburner at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Contact joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685­5577 and leave message to secure spot in the class. The Art Center is open from 10­4 each Friday and Saturday. Stop by to enjoy the art of the local talent that the Ridge has to offer. Contact joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or artassnridgespring@gmail.com or call (803)685­5577 and leave message to reserve place in classes.

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):   RSM Elementary’s end-of-school musical will take place on June 2 at 8:30 am. Students may dress up: K5 & 1st grade: sailors or pirates; 2nd & 3rd grade: sailors; 4th & 5th grades: pirates.

Congratulations to our March Terrific Kids for character trait of self-discipline: Shamira Gibson, Luke Gillian, Katelyn Long, Dane Edwards, A’Laysia Smith, Trevon Williamson, Connor Morphy, Alexia Smith, Cheyenne Gergen, Joshua Arzola, Stella Edwards, Brailon Frazier, Larry Andraca, Jakavious Culbreath, Peyton Holsomback, Cade Cockrell, James Smith, Abria Kinard, Jordyn Gilliam, DeAnte Hopkins, Aniyah Jennings, & Amy Oxendine

The 5th grade Walk/Jog Club is almost to the coast! Last week, the students made 10 miles and are now only 6 miles from Myrtle Beach. The students are on Hwy. 501 right beside the Tanger Outlets (virtually, of course!).

The Teacher Olympics will be held on Fri., May 20. The cost to attend is $1. Money should be sent on the day of the event. Don't miss out on the fun!

Josie Rodgers: Congratulations to my sister-in-law Brandie Rodgers, who was named Teacher of the Year for Merriweather Elementary! Brandie is a kindergarten teacher with a degree from USC-Aiken and a master’s from Walden University.  Our family is very proud of her and cousin Tonya Rodgers for being their schools’ TOYs this year!

RSM High:  On Friday, April 29, RSM M/H hosted its first Project Unify Bocce Ball Tournament.  Approximately 130 special needs students and their buddies from 12 different schools in Aiken County participated in the tournament.  Participates, buddies, and volunteers were treated to a hot dog lunch, snow cones, and popcorn.  Activity booths were set up for the athletes and their buddies during times between games that included face painting, croquet, hat making, corn hole, bird feeder, and a bouncy house.  RSM M/H faculty, staff, and students came together to make this a special day for all our special needs students.

"The Art of Murder" by Elaine Viets; Reviewed by David Marshall James

   Elaine Viets's mystery novels, which feature a pair of married P.I.'s who live and work out of jalousie-door apartments in a retro Fort Lauderdale, Florida, complex, have proven as consistently inviting as a trip to the beach.

   Not that Helen Hawthorne and her hub, Phil Sagemont, see much of the seaside, although they're wrought up in high-rise condo hi-jinks in one of the plot branches here.  And the view from up there is truly fan-Atlantic.

   Plus, the Nick and Nora Charles of Fort Lauderdale (there's no Asta, but a six-toed cat named Thumbs) employ their hunky neighbor, Markos Martinez, as an operative in the case of the high-rise thefts.

   When he's not studying to be a chef-- and the Food Network would grab him by the spatula-- Markos is mixing vintage cocktails and offering eye candy at the apartment-complex pool, where the perennially purple-clad landlady, Margery, presides over her residents' daily "sunset salute."  Gotta love The Marge.  Vintage cocktails every afternoon at a retro complex, with Margery and Markos?  That'll have you skipping "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy."

   The "art" of the matter in this latest Viets mystery concerns the death of an up-and-coming painter and Helen's subsequent probe into the matter, entangling her in the lives and loves of the local art colony.

   One of the enticing elements of this series is that Helen has evolved so much over the course of the volumes.  When she first arrived in Fort Lauderdale, her life had no direction, other than that she was determined not to pay the court-ordered alimony to her skankified scuz of an ex-husband.

   So Helen just drove off from her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, into the sunrise (literally and metaphorically).  Once she dead-ended at the Atlantic coastline, she adopted an incognita lifestyle, working a series of under-the-radar, paid-under-the-table jobs.  The "Dead-End Job" moniker of the series plays as a double-entendre, as Helen invariably stumbles upon a murder mystery with each new occupation.

   However, the pair o' P.I.'s premise that has developed works more plausibly, as Helen returned to St. Louis some volumes back to settle the matter of the grabby ex, and boy did that come out a cropper.

   Viets's lush Floridian details and characterizations, along with her well-placed sense of humor, contribute to this reliably readable series.  Pour us a stiff one, Markos.

Reminders:

June 3^rd and 4^th will be the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale. Have you begun to clean out those closets in preparation for that big weekend?

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

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

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

May 16, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

We have gone from summer back to spring, to early spring and back to summer.  I do enjoy the cooler days, though.  The Ridge is in full bloom and the PEACHES are being picked.  Dixie Bell  on Main Street in Ridge Spring has some for sale. 

Take advantage of the many packages that The Gables Inn & Gardens has to offer.  The outside gardens make for a relaxing weekend getaway.  Consider planning your next gathering at our beautiful historic home.  We are located at 105 Ward Ave. in Ward.   Let us help you plan your next event whether it is a weekend getaway, a wedding, a birthday party, or family reunion. We also offer space for corporate luncheons and retreats. 803-685-0099. 

Off the Beaten Path would like to welcome their new artists to Ridge Spring. Pieces of E have beautifully photographed wood, metal, and matted prints. They also have transformed their art work into calendars, notecards and ornaments. Elizabeth Warren, the artist behind Hungary Hawk Studios, is an incredible photography also. She has her photos screen printed to create beautiful, lightweight and flowing scarves. They are great to dress up our summer wardrobe. White Rose Artisans Boutique has also joined us. She has an incredible collection of repurposed vintage things from clothing to household decorations. Come take a walk through and see all the new stuff we have. Store hours are 10-5PM daily except Wednesday and Sunday!

As you already know (I hope) Saturday is the Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering.  I am real excited for this year I have herbs, too.  Go around, check out the antique and vintage dealers, buy a unique container, come back to the fence that holds Harriet’s Garden’s display, and buy your herbs to plant.  I keep seeing in “pinterest”, facebook, and other Home and Garden shows displaying ways to set up your own herb garden.

Here is a reminder: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering is this coming Saturday.  This place is located at 2136 Mt.Calvary Road in Ridge Spring. (Hwy 23 and turn at Derrick’s John Deere) It is Saturday May 21 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  Besides the antique and art vendors, there will be breakfast and lunch foods available for purchase.  You can visit the place at www.magnoliaridgesc.com

Ridge Spring may have one spot left for the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale.  The Peach Tree is a 44 or 46 mile long yard sale that takes in all of Highway 23.  It includes Batesburg-Leesville, Monetta, RIDGE SPRING, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield and Modoc.  It begins Friday and goes through Saturday.  Start in Ridge Spring on Friday and then go either east toward Batesburg -Leesville or west toward Modoc.  Then on Saturday start in Ridge Spring and go in the other direction.  I guess you can say I am partial to Ridge Spring.

The Spring Big Delicious was a wonderful hit at Camp Gravatt Conference Center.  The meal put on by Chef Brandon Velie and his staff included spring salad, Juniper crab cakes, and waffle with fresh fruit.  Each year I plan to go and enjoy Camp Gravatt and the food.  Somehow it gets past me.  I did attend Camp Gravatt in 1958 as a young girl and have fond memories.  It is a wonderful retreat for all and for all ages.

RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE / HIGH SPRING CONCERT: The RS-M Middle School Chorus and the Middle and High School Bands will present their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the high school gym.  The concert is free to the public.  Please come out and support the band and chorus students at RS-M.

Carmen Holley, M.Ed, Art Teacher: Art students at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School traveled to the Morris Museum of Art Wednesday, May 4th.  Students toured exhibits, both contemporary and classical, discussing the elements and principles of selected pieces of art.  Students visited the Augusta Canal as well.  Picking up lunch from Fat Man's, they ate on a boat while touring the intriguing history of the Augusta Canal, built in 1845 as a source of power, water and transportation.  Students enjoyed a day of history and culture. 

Rene Miller, RSM Elementary

Ticket to Read Goal Reached! Congratulations to Abigail Jimenez and William Goode in

Mrs. Shealy’s Class and to Lesly Fierros Garcia in Mrs. Bouknight’s Class. At the beginning of the year goals were set to read 100 books on Ticket To Read. Abigail was second in her class to reach this goal and William was third in his class. Lesly was first in her class to reach this goal. Each student had their own day to celebrate with an ice cream party and each received a gift basket containing books, and several other prizes. Both classes hope to be having more reading celebrations before the end of the school year!

First in Math: Our students are competing against themselves, students in our school, and all across the nation to boost their math skills. We will update biweekly in the school newsletter to let you know who is in the lead within our school. For the week ending May 6: Our school has completed 637,653 math problems. We have earned 212,551 stickers.

The team of the week is Ms. Young’s 5th grade class. The player of the week is Yazmine Cannon. She earned 3780 stickers. She is in Ms. Young’s 5^th grade class.

The top team for each grade level is: Kindergarten: Mrs. Hallman’s class; 1st Grade: Mrs. Carson’s class; 2nd Grade: Mrs. Shealy’s class; 3rd Grade: Mrs. Dressel’s class

4th Grade: Mrs. Najmola’s class; 5th Grade: Ms. Young’s class.

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING by Joanne Crouch, AARS president

     The Art Center will again have a booth at Magnolia Ridge on May 21^st.  We hope to see you there.  There is still time to see the works of DS Owens and Ron Buttler.  They are two very talented artists.

       There will be a class, “Woodburning on Gourds 101 on Saturday, June 25^th from 1:00-4:00.  Joanne Crouch is the instructor.  Cost is $25.  The only requirement is a woodburner.  There is a reasonably priced one at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  This class will be available for ages 10 and up.  To register for this class, contact Joanne at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave a message to secure your spot.  Membership meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30.  Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday from 10-4. 

Review from David Marshall James: "The Rainbow Comes and Goes:  A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss" by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt

   Gloria Vanderbilt, 92, takes her time owning her divahood in this frequently philosophical back-and-forth commentary/Q&A between her and the youngest of her three surviving sons, journalist Anderson Cooper, soon to be 49.

   She broaches the topic of her funeral, remarking that she would like to be cremated:  "I don't want you scrounging around thinking, 'What is she going to wear?'  This way you don't have to worry about anything; it's all mapped out for you."

   Then, a few paragraphs later, she delivers a GV180, the Mother of the AC360:

   "If there is an open casket at Frank E. Campbell's* funeral home, dress me in one of the Fortuny dresses (the yellow one perhaps), which are in a box in the cedar closet in my apartment.  Please have Aki do my hair ('Vanity, vanity, all is vanity').  Also ask him to select someone to do my makeup-- I do not want the funeral home's cosmeticians to do it."

   *Reviewer's Note:  For more than a century, Frank E. Campbell's funeral home, on Madison Avenue in New York City, has held the viewings of many celebrities, among them Rudolph Valentino, Jeanne Eagels, and Judy Garland.

   Thank you, GV:  Now you're talking like an American legend.  You've earned it-- own it!

   When you get right down to it, it's improbable that fate would unite GV with Wyatt Cooper (her fourth and last husband), a writer/actor from a large family in Quitman, Mississippi.

   Neither Eudora Welty nor Truman Capote could have dreamed up such a fanciful story, including the name "Quitman."  With all GV's and AC's discussion of psychology, it's informative to note that the only photograph herein in which GV is looking down the camera and smiling-- beaming, actually-- is in one with Wyatt Cooper.

   If GV had been born in Mississippi, she would be tellin' AC what to serve at her funeral dinner, from the fried chicken and pineapple-glazed ham to the coconut cake and banana pudding.

   Make sure she's in that yellow dress, AC.

Reminders:

Saturday will be MAGNOLIA RIDGE ANTIQUE AND ART GATHERING. from 9:00 AM UNTIL 4:00

This leads into June with the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale. Have you begun to clean out those closets in preparation for that big weekend?

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

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

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

May 9, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder.

From the Mayor's Desk: Thanks for your patience with Town Hall last week. We had to make a quick move and could not take water and SCE&G bills for the week. The water bills will be due on the 16th of May with no penalty. The drop box at the old Town Hall may still be used. If you wish to pay in person the Town Hall is temporarily located behind the Cumbee Place in the small building. We appreciate your understanding.  We recently, with the help of the GT 3rd graders from RS-M, planted a community garden in front of the Town Hall in town, please enjoy watching it grow, pull up a weed or two if you find them and share in the vegetables as they ripen. For the next few months the council meetings will be held in the library conference room. The firemen did a wonderful job with their benefit last Saturday night and brought some excitement to Ridge Spring.

Archie and Cynthia Padgett’s daughter P'Laura Artega Padgett received her Master of Science Degree in Leadership last week . My husband and I are very proud parents She received a dual degree in sociology/physiology from USC-Aiken in 2012. She is currently employed at Ridge Spring Monetta High. CONGRATULATION WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Plans for the Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market are under way.  Samantha McClure led the luncheon/meeting for the vendors that was held at the Episcopal Church’s Parrish House.  Saluda County will be getting their proportion of vouchers this year.   AgSouth also has provided a grant for us to spend on promoting the Market.  Plans are to use pop up tents, signage, and for advertising.  The second Saturday in June will be a peanut boil contest without Harriet Householder competing which is completely understandable.  Anyway the winner will get a gift credit card. Stay tuned for more information to come.

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering is only 2 weeks away.  This place is located at 2136 Mt.Calvary Road in Ridge Spring. (Hwy 23 and turn at Derrick’s John Deere) It is the third Saturday in May, May 21 to be exact, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  Besides the antique and art vendors, there will be breakfast and lunch foods available for purchase.  You can visit the place at www.magnoliaridgesc.com

RSM High:  Congratulations to Ms. Kerry Jackson, English and drama teacher, who was honored at the 14th annual Garcia Theatre Project at USC-Aiken on Fri., May 6.   Carlos and Karen Garcia, founders of the project, presented Ms. Jackson with a monetary award.  Ms. Jackson began the drama program in 2003 and has directed 13 plays involving more than 100 students. She began teaching at RSM High in 1998; currently, she teaches English II & IV as well as drama. During the Garcia Awards ceremony, Amber Bailey and Kiowa Aimar were named to the All-Start Cast.

Review from David Marshall James:  "The Cat Sitter's Whiskers" by Blaize & John Clement:

   Ah, to reside right on the beach, on a coastal island.  And, to tend to stay-cationing cats and dogs for a living, while their owners are away at work, or at play.  It gets better:  Dixie Hemingway lives in the garage apartment next to her firefighter brother, Michael, and his companion, Paco, both of whom like to serve up eye-catching dinners and otherwise make sure that Dixie's doing better than okay.

   However, Dixie has traveled a long, sad road to her present, having lost her husband and young daughter, as well as her job as a police detective.  Nevertheless, she has grown almost as sensitive to her surroundings as her bewhiskered charges, and she's going to need that heightened awareness when she's knocked over the head with a bizarre-looking figurine at one of the more unusual residences where she "tends kitty."

   That unexpected bash will lead Dixie in search of a probable witness-- a friend from high school-- who turns up on his doorstep dead as a, well, doornail.  From that point through the next few days, the oddities and oddballs form a veritable parade through Dixie's life.  Well, this is Florida-- the above-mentioned key lies off the Gulf Coast from Sarasota-- so anything goes and often does.

   Writer John Clement took over the Dixie Hemingway series upon the death of its creator, his mother Blaize.  He offers plenty in the way of setting and the regular cast of characters; furthermore, the premise of a pet-sitting protagonist is ideally suited to a mystery series.  Clement maintains his story's momentum, flashing a sense of drollery that's never pushed too hard.

   With the island locale, the series possesses a sort-of "eternal summer" sensation that's swim-suited for a beach read.  This title brings the series' volume count up to ten, so lace up your Keds (the main character's favored footwear) and spend some on-the-tail time with Dixie.

Rick Hairston and Canines for Service: The Women’s Study Club of Ridge Spring would like to extend an invitation to all civic minded groups in our area. We will be hosting an informative presentation by Rick Hairston with Canines for Service. We will have sandwiches, chips, tea, water, and a dessert available.  The meeting will be in the Fellowship Hall of Ridge Spring Baptist Church on Thursday, May 12^th, at noon. The sandwiches will be available beginning at 11:45am. If you have questions or are interested in attending the meeting, please contact Denise Boatwright at 864-445-1121 or email her at dbshorse@aol.com.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: RSUMC has a Face Book page. Visit and like us and see what is going on and how you can be a part. Church Services are at 11 a.m. every Sunday unless otherwise noted.  (On a side note to their collection of shoes, when I went to pick up the key from Mr. Boatwright I told him someone left their shoes at the Parrish House.  He reminded me of the shoe collections being done by the Methodist Church.  We can all work together in a small town!!!!)

One more recollection:  I was at my shop and thought I saw that Mayor Pat was at home.  When I drove up I realized it was friends I hadn’t seen in a while.  One I had not seen since I graduated.  Pat had a table and some chairs in the front yard so we sat and visited.  Other customers came up and assumed we were the owners.  We told them to just look around.  If they saw something they liked we would take their money and make sure Pat would get it.  We had such a good time visiting that we ended up visiting for over an hour.  Only in a small town!!!!

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING by Joanne Crouch, AARS president

     The Art Center will again have a booth at Magnolia Ridge on May 21^st.  We hope to see you there.  There is still time to see the works of DS Owens and Ron Buttler.  They are two very talented artists.

       Candace Pugh has her 1^st Saturday Needle Arts on the first Saturday of each month.  Candace is an experience knitter and can help you with problems that you may have with your knitting projects.  She is there from 9-1.  Bring your projects and sit a spell with Candace.

       There will be a class, “Woodburning on Gourds 101 on Saturday, June 25^th from 1:00-4:00.  Joanne Crouch is the instructor.  Cost is $25.  The only requirement is a woodburner.  There is a reasonably priced one at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  This class will be available for ages 10 and up.  To register for this class, contact Joanne at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave a message to secure your spot.  Membership meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30.  Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday from 10-4. 

Reminders:

The third Saturday will be MAGNOLIA RIDGE ANTIQUE AND ART GATHERING. This will be held on MAY 21^st from 9:00 AM UNTIL 4:00

This leads into June with the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale. Have you begun to clean out those closets in preparation for that big weekend?

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

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

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

May 2, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder.

Ridge Spring's May Council meeting has been postponed until MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016 @ 6:30pm

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

 The Annual RS Fire Dept Benefit in memory of Michael Adamick will be held Saturday, May 7, at 5:00 PM until at the RS Fire Department. Food, music, and an auction are all happening at this event.  Tickets are $10 and can be bought in Ridge Spring or from any RS fireman.

CAKES ARE NEEDED: the Auxiliary of the Ridge Spring Fire Department would appreciate donations of cakes for the benefit being held next Saturday, May 7th at the fire department. Drop off of baked goods can be left in the fire department kitchen the day of the BBQ, auction and dance.

Jerusalem Baptist Church will have its Mother's Day program Sunday, May 8th at 10:15 AM.  The speaker for the occasion will be Mrs. Earline Coates and the public is invited.  If you require additional information please call Rev. Sim Murray at 706-210-0433

Saturday we had several vendors on the street including Harriet’s Garden.  We all had a great time and I even sold some tomato plants.  It is so good to see the small town feeling being so well promoted.

Friday the class from Ridge Spring Monetta Elementary School came to the Ridge Spring Town Hall and helped to plant vegetable and bedding plants in the flower beds.   They planted tomatoes, squash, zucchini, basil, chives, oregano, marigolds, geraniums, and sunflower seeds. Everything was watered in and now looks great.   Vivienne Mann directed the planting with the help of Mayor Pat Asbill and me. Check out town of ridge spring facebook page.  .The vegetables grown are for the community so enjoy.  

Harriet’s Garden: Reserve your pink Hydrangea for Mother’s Day.  There are other plants too, for this special day. There are EIGHT varieties of tomatoes that I am going to have to repot into larger pots. I would prefer to sell them now for $1.00 each.  That is a bargain.

The Ridge Spring Farmers Market: FORS will be holding a vendor luncheon on May 7, 2016 at 11:30am. The luncheon will be held at the Parrish Hall at the Episcopal Church in Ridge Spring located at the end of Green Street. We ask each guest to please bring a side dish to add to the meat dish we will furnish. At the luncheon, ideas and information for the upcoming Farmers Market will be shared. We invite all past, present and interested, future vendors to come fellowship with us. Farmers Market opening is getting closer.

Rick Hairston and Canines for Service: The Women’s Study Club of Ridge Spring would like to extend an invitation to all civic minded groups in our area. We will be hosting an informative presentation by Rick Hairston with Canines for Service. We will have sandwiches, chips, tea, water, and a dessert available.  The meeting will be in the Fellowship Hall of Ridge Spring Baptist Church on Thursday, May 12^th, at noon. The sandwiches will be available beginning at 11:45am. If you have questions or are interested in attending the meeting, please contact Denise Boatwright at 864-445-1121 or email her at dbshorse@aol.com.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: We asked for help and you came through in a BIG way! The shoes4water 2016 campaign is over and we will be sending $200 in donations and 537 pairs of shoes! RSUMC is proud to be a part of this giving community. Thank you to all those who donated, spread the word and helped.  Look for pictures and more details on our Face Book page. Again thanks so much.

RSUMC has a Face Book page. Visit and like us and see what is going on and how you can be a part. Church Services are at 11 a.m. every Sunday unless otherwise noted.

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING by Joanne Crouch, AARS president

     On Thursday, April 28^th, a group from South Carolina Welcome Centers toured the Art Center.  It was a short visit, but they were impressed with the quality of the works.  Many took rack cards back with them to their prospective centers.

     On Saturday, April 30^th, Joanne did a wood burning on gourds demo.  The businesses of Ridge Spring are trying to offer these events from time to time.  In addition to the gourd demo, there was Dove Chocolate and a scrapbooking supply lady.  Samantha McClure had baked goods and Harriet had plants available.  Stay tuned for more events later. 

     The Art Center will again have a booth at Magnolia Ridge on May 21^st.  We hope to see you there.  There is still time to see the works of DS Owens and Ron Buttler.  They are two very talented artists.

       Candace Pugh has her 1^st Saturday Needle Arts on the first Saturday of each month.  Candace is an experience knitter and can help you with problems that you may have with your knitting projects.  She is there from 9-1.  Bring your projects and sit a spell with Candace.

       There will be a class, “Woodburning on Gourds 101 on Saturday, June 25^th from 1:00-4:00.  Joanne Crouch is the instructor.  Cost is $25.  The only requirement is a woodburner.  There is a reasonably priced one at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  This class will be available for ages 10 and up.  To register for this class, contact Joanne at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave a message to secure your spot.  Membership meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30.  Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday from 10-4. 

Josie Rodgers: Of course, Mother’s Day is Sunday.  My mom (Rosalyn Pressley) is a special lady to me.  We’ve been through so many experiences together, good and bad.  We have always held onto our faith in the joyous times as well as the sorrowful times.  We have learned from each other and continue to grow our relationship as we journey through life.  And we are so very lucky to still have my grandmother!  Five generations of women! Cherish the women in your family for we never know when God will pluck those flowers for His heavenly garden.

May 2-6 is National Teacher Appreciation Week.  It’s the time of year that your teachers feel the most haggard with standardized testing, spring fever, and end-of-year duties.  Show a little love to a teacher by sending a sweet note, a little surcie, or just verbal words of thanks.  May 6 is National School Nurse Day.  Can you imagine what these people see on a daily basis?  Let’s show them how much they mean to us as well!

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):  Congratulations to Larry Andraca in Mrs. Shealy’s Second Grade Class. At the beginning of the year, Mrs. Shealy set a goal of reading 100 books on Ticket To Read. Larry was the first student in the class to reach this goal. The class celebrated on April 15 with an ice cream party. In addition to the class celebration for “Larry Day,” Larry also received a gift basket containing books, and several other prizes. We hope to be having more reading celebrations before the end of the school year!

The 5th Grade Walk/Jog Club walked 11 miles last week. They are just west of Aynor, S.C. on Hwy. 501 (virtually, of course!). They are only 28 miles from the coast! Myrtle Beach, here they come!

On Friday, April 15, first grade held its annual Egg Drop Contest. Students designed containers to prevent a raw egg from cracking when tossed from the roof of the first grade building. The container could be made of and padded with any material. Each year we are intrigued by the creative projects. Well over 50 children’s eggs survived the drop!

For the past nine years, we have had an animal workshop at school. We connect the workshop to the big book, How Teddy Bears Are Made. Reading this book gives the students background knowledge of how stuffed animals are made. Students were actively involved in a step-by-step process of listening and following directions. Students brought their animals “to life” by hand stuffing it and creating a birth certificate. Students had a great time engaging in the learning process while making connections with text. Students used their teddy bears in the book parade.

Read Across Aiken: On Thurs., April 21, Linda Washington from the Aiken

County First Steps office came to our school as part of the "Read Across Aiken" campaign. She read the story The Napping House to both of the 4K classrooms. At the end of story, Mrs. Washington gave each child their own personal copy of The Napping House to take home.

RSM High:  On Wed., May 4, the school will hold its annual Career Fair from 8:50 am- 12:20 pm. Students will rotate from room to room in four, forty-minute rotations. In the afternoon, we will be having a celebration for seniors who are going to college or the military from 1 - 3 pm. The celebration will take place during 6^th and 7^th periods in the middle school cafeteria.

Redemption Road" by John Hart Reviewed by David Marshall James:

   Five years have passed since North Carolina author and double Edgar Award-winner John Hart's last novel was published; indeed, he seems to have jammed five years' worth of plot into his latest book, "Redemption Road."

   "Gut-wrenching" and "riveting" may be overused adjectives in describing crime novels, but they apply to an exponential degree in this story of a small-city N.C. police detective, Elizabeth Black, who comes to a crossroads in her mid-30's lifespan worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy.

   She's a noble soul cast into a web of corruption and malfeasance, not unlike Hamlet.  And, like that Great Dane, she's bearing the weight of paternal issues thrust upon her by her rigidly dogmatic father, a preacher.

   Elizabeth's harrowing-- another overused yet highly applicable adjective-- youth has led her to her vocation, and to her attachment to a boy named Gideon Strange, the son of a murdered woman who was allegedly killed by a police officer, Adrian Wall, who has been serving a hellish prison sentence under a sadistic warden.

   Just as Adrian is about to leave prison under an early release-- part of the warden's nefarious plans-- Elizabeth is under scrutiny by the State Bureau of Investigation after shooting two black men.  Dead.

   Uh-oh.  There's a story proverbially ripped from the headlines.  Meanwhile, Gideon seeks revenge upon Adrian, who quickly becomes a suspect in another murder with the peculiar modus operandi of that of Gideon's mother, Julia.

   Just as matters seem clear in a given situation, the author muddies the waters with fresh information regarding a character's past.  As with "Hamlet," almost everyone seems to have taken a generous serving from the pot of corruption, or is at least keeping mum about some major no-no.

   Enter aged attorney Faircloth Jones, who defended Adrian during his murder trial.  However, the defendant withheld vital information in order to protect other persons.  That's one of the many ethical questions raised by the author:  How far do husbands and wives go in protecting one another, and their children?

   Faircloth's re-entry into the Adrian saga deepens the attorney's connection with Elizabeth, who has cherished a special act of kindness from the ex-cop/ex-con.

A murder mystery threads through the novel, tied to the crime for which Adrian was charged.

   The reader will zoom through Hart's plot-packed novel like the detective protagonist in her vintage Mustang.  Her road leads to a finale reminiscent of Act Five of "Hamlet," with blood spewing and bodies strewn.  The reader may require a generous belt of Faircloth Jones's Belvedere vodka before the curtain closes.

Reminders:

The third Saturday will be MAGNOLIA RIDGE ANTIQUE AND ART GATHERING. This will be held on MAY 21^st from 9:00 AM UNTIL 4:00

This leads into June with the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale. Have you begun to clean out those closets in preparation for that big weekend?

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

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

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783