June 13, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The sorrow I feel for the senseless violence is overwhelming.  My prayers go out to all.

Samantha McClure, cochairman of Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market:  We had 14 Vendors at the market today! Wow. That is amazing for our first Farmers Market of the year. I spoke to several visitors and they said they really enjoyed what we had to offer. There were several new vendors today as well. I hope they will continue to come each week.

  Business was a little slower today than we would have liked, but it was just the first market of the summer. Business will pick up as the weeks go by. 

    There was a long line at the gazebo this morning. We are so lucky that our community is able to receive the Senior Citizen vouchers.  A great big thanks to the Saluda County Senior Center for distributing them to our community.  I know it is a big help to get fresh fruits and vegetables on the table.

  The Farmers Market pop up tents were used today. Two were at the gazebo to offer shade to senior citizens waiting to pick up vouchers and the other was borrowed by one of our new vendors. If you have one of your own, or an umbrella, please bring it to the market on Saturdays. They help us become visible to potential customers driving by. The market canopies are welcome on a first come, first serve basis.

 Don't forget to check out our Facebook Page and let me know what you will have on Saturday, no later than Wednesday. I like to let the community know through email and Facebook.  I hope you all have a great week and look forward to seeing you again on Saturday.

Abbie McClure won the boiled peanut contest.  Go Abbie!!!!

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:  Thanks to those who came to the retirement drop in for John Kneece, Sunday, June 12^th. Good friends, great food, a fun time was had by all. It was a bittersweet event.

RSUMC is partnering with Mt. Calvary Lutheran on one of their ongoing outreach ministries. This summer the Big Red Box’s cousin, The Little Red Bucket will be collecting box tops for Education and pull tabs from canned beverages.  If you would like to participate, leave what you have collected on the front porch of the Family Life Center and we will make sure they find their way to the LRB.  RSUMC is also partnering with Ridge Spring Baptist and will be collecting clothes detergent for their ongoing ministry for the Sheppard’s Hand. The Big Red Box is asking for donations through the months of June and July. Again, if you would like to help, leave your donations on the porch of the FLC and we will MAKE sure they find their way. Thanking you in advance for ALL your community support for these worthwhile endeavors.

Jerusalem Baptist Church will have its Men's Day/Father's Day program Sunday June 19th at 10:30 AM.  Rev. Preston Winkler will deliver the message and the theme is " A God of Second Chances".  The public is invited to attend and it you require additional information please call Deacon Arthur Kenner at 803-685-5453.

Effie Martin: Girl Scout Troop 2081Congratulations to: Markayla Abney, Alexis Gray, Chloe Hammond and Nytasia Martin who received the Silver Award from the Girl Scout Council Mountain to Midlands for distinguished achievement in earning the highest  award for Girl Scout Cadette by demonstrating leadership, strength of character, commitment to excellence, service to community and exemplifying the ideals of Girl Scout Promise and Law. This award requires eight steps: 1. Go on a Cadette Journey, 2. Identify issue you care about, 3. Build your Girl Scout Silver Award Team, 4. Explore your community, 5. Pick your take action project, 6. Develop your project, 7. Make a plan and put it in motion, 8. Reflect, share your story and celebrate. They had to do a minimum of 50 hours. This project had to make a lasting difference in the community. The name of their project was Operation Playground located next to the Star Center. .  The leader of Troop 2081 of Ridge Spring is Effie T. Martin. 

Thanks to Ridge Spring Town Council, Pastor George Key, Clifton Felder, Marion Williams, Joseph Butler, Bobby Oakman, Sr. and Juan Hammond Markayla Abney, Kayla Davis, Alexis Gray, Chloe Hammond and Nytasia Martin went to the S.T. E. M. at USC-Aiken on 9th -11th. This program was sponsored Savannah River Plant. They are members of Girl Scout Troop 2081, Ridge Spring.

Pastor George Key:  Announcements:  We have move our food bank back to 512 Meritt St to better serve the Community food bank will be open every 2nd and 4th Saturday 10-12 noon. Fathers’ Day Program will be this Sunday 11:000AM at the Helpful Hands Life Center 109 Pecan Grove Rd.  Preacher for the occasion will be Rev. Bennie Williams.

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING: Joanne Crouch, president

    Peach Tree 23 was very busy.  We had sales, inquiries about classes, inquiries about the building and inquiries about the town.

      Joanne Crouch will teach a Woodburning 101 on gourds class on Saturday, June 25^th from 1-4.  The class is for ages 10 & up and cost $30.  Students should bring a wood burner.  The wood burner cost around $15-$18 at Hobby Lobby but you may find cheaper on Amazon.  Contact Joanne Crouch at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave message to reserve your place in the class. 

     Barbara Yon will teach a collage class at the Art Center on Saturday, July 16^th from 10-1 for $30.  The students may bring items to put in the collage if you like.  Supplies will be provided.  Call Barbara Yon to reserve a spot @ (803)385-5396.

     Stay tuned for information on stained glass classes that will be coming to the Art Center in the fall.

     The Art Center of Ridge Spring is open each Friday and Saturday from 10-4.  Contact joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or artassnridgespring@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave message to reserve place in classes. 

Josie Rodgers:

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):   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.

RSM High:  Summer school and credit recovery begins next week.  Contact the school for more information.

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 1st! 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 3rd 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.

Review from David Marshall James:  "An Old-Fashioned Murder" by Carol Miller

   A visitor could well expect an expertly muddled Old Fashioned from the bountiful drinks cart at the Tosh Inn.

   In another respect, "old-fashioned" describes author Carol Miller's third Moonshine Mystery, set in rural western Virginia in a Victorian manse turned boardinghouse/inn.

   That's in a good sense, as the author cracks a trusty mystery-genre chestnut about a group shut off from the World, facing murder and mayhem in their stranded midst.

   In this story, it's a snowstorm that traps a weekend party of mostly locals, who all know one another, along with three of the inn's four residents, plus its proprietress, "Aunt Emily."

   The Moonshine Mystery series centers on Daisy McGovern, one of the residents, who has worked her way up from diner waitress to owner of a bakeshop.  Although Daisy's husband took a powder five years before and she's heard diddly from him since, she has plenty of male attention, including one of the snowed-in guests.

   Virginia author Carol Miller manages the inn with a flair toward suspense.  Gotta love the creaking floorboards and stair steps, the pounding on the door in the middle of the proverbial "dark and stormy night," and the inevitable power outage.

   She delineates the characters with pronounced personalities, so there's no question as to who's who.  They're all memorable, and she doesn't crowd the field with them. The story works well in that you'll never suspect "who's had it" and whodunit.

   The author's twists provide plenty of punch to the tried-and-true motif, making for a delightful Old Fashioned that Aunt Emily would be proud to place in your hand.

Harriet Householder: The heat is here.  Stay cool and watch out for standing water.  The Zeka virus carrying mosquito is suppose to be coming to us in the south.  If you have posts or trays, check them out.  I find that my empty hanging baskets have water in to bottom of them and I have to turn them upside down even if the hangers are still on.  Change the bird bath water often and just be aware we need to take precautions to protect all.

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