June 27, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Town Hall now has a drop box at their new temporary location for those needing to pay bills when they are not open.  The building is located behind Cumbee Place. How long will they be at this location is depending on many variables.  I am just glad they are no longer exposed to that massive accumulation of mold.  Someone did pick the white eggplants at the town square location.  Now the question is how did you cook them???  Go by and check on the vegetables growing there.  If anything is ripe it is yours.  It was planted by RSM Elementary students for the community.

The Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market was as busy as ever Saturday.  We had 10½ vendors.  George Raborn came with 4 pecks of Crowder peas and they were gone in less than an hour.  He sure enjoyed seeing all of us too.  We had two vendors with corn which leads to Sherald Rodgers getting 12 dozen orders for this coming Saturday.  We had three kinds of peaches, peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, bread, jam, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and more. There were watermelons and cantaloupes, too. I actually had a half bushel of plums picked off our tree by grandson Carter Senf and Bob.  The Yonces had their beautiful plants and day lilies with their gourds.  We had muffins, spice mixes, plants from Harriet’s Garden at a bargain price, and of course boiled peanuts.  The lemonade stand will be back this Saturday.  I hate to throw way plants, but I do not mind selling them to others at a very reasonable price.

This coming weekend is the 4^th of July weekend.  It is a time to celebrate our liberty and our freedom!!!  Come by the market and get home-made hotdog buns, hamburger buns, corn, slicing tomatoes, and fresh peaches.  Then go to Cone’s Meats to get that hamburger meat. Samantha McClure will have homemade buns and there will be plenty of produce to complete your menu for the Fourth. Enjoy the cook-out for all!!!

The next program from the Saluda County Library will be Friday, July 8th at 11 a.m. at the Saluda Theatre.  Steve Langley, the Bubble Guy, will use the magic of soap bubbles to educate, engage, and enlighten everyone.  There will be all kinds of fun and exciting bubbles!

The Ridge Spring Library has received donations and in the back room of the library there are new donations for adults as well as children.  Be sure to stop by the library and check out a book today!

Juniper will be CLOSED for July 3, 4, and 5 in celebration of our Independence!!

The blueberries are plentiful at the Daylily Depot (381 Trojan Rd. Ridge Spring, telephone 685-7219).  It’s pick-your-own, $3 a quart or $10 a gallon; it’s best to go early before it gets too hot.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCHRSUMC 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. On cereal, granola bars, etc. the top will say: Box Tops for Education. The teachers can use them as points for stuff.   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.

JOHNSTON FARMER’S & ARTIST’S MARKET is held on Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 PM In front of the Library/Warehouse building on Calhoun Street.  Available will be local artworks and vegetables: tomatoes, corn, green beans, potatoes, cantaloupes, yellow squash, watermelons, peaches, fresh baked breads, cinnamon buns and  other baked goods. Italian Ice – come cool yourself with this treat!!!

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING: Joanne Crouch, president

     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.  . 

Review from David Marshall James: "Burn What Will Burn" by CB McKenzie

   Way out in West Pigtrack, Arkansas, not-so-old-or-young widower Bob Reynolds is slumming, along with a front porch packed with poultry, collecting his dividend checks.  He's blissfully isolated, or so he thinks.

   Out for an early perambulation on the dirt road that connects him with what passes for civilization, Bob discovers a body floating in a creek over which he crosses.  He would happen to be nursing a grand-mal hangover when he fishes the body away from the fishes, though it's still laden with crawdaddies.

   Worst of all, he is about to upset a carefully-stacked line of dominoes in a community in which it would seem that nothing much ever rattles the status quo-- not even the snakes-- except when Miss Ollie changes her diner's blue-plate special from chipped beef to something other than chipped beef.

   Blissfully ignorant at the time, Bob doesn't realize how he has stacked himself into that precariously-set line of dominoes.  Too many hangovers, too many nights next-big-town-over, at the Crow's Nest Lounge in the Holiday Inn, where he mingles with would-be poets, moonshiners, and the occasional college student schlepping hooch in quest of bettering herself.

   CB (no periods) McKenzie, author of "Bad Country," presents a novel that reads as if he were writing a combination scenario/script for the late film director Nicholas Ray.  The reader can picture Joan Crawford, hair dyed to the fiery red of her 1950s movies, as Miss Ollie, arms-a-loaded with blue-plate specials, in garish Technicolor.

   McKenzie sets each of his major players onstage one at a time, vis a vis Bob Reynolds, so that each human domino in the chain of the plot has a star turn of his/her own.

   This hard-boiled novel doesn't waste pages, yet it's filled with cinematic images and laced with humor that rises off the proceedings like a heat mirage over sun-seared asphalt, drenched with Southern flavor, like the ice-covered Coca-Cola that Bob procures at his neighborhood filling station.

   Because of its cinematic qualities, it's easy to picture "Burn What Will Burn" as a film project.  Tom Cruise ought to purchase the property, casting himself against-type as the corrupt "Lord High Sheriff," Sam Baxter.  It's a supporting role, but it has Oscar written all over it.

   No matter how good a film version will be, it will probably not be better than the book, so don't miss this.

Harriet Householder: Watch out for standing water.  The Zeka-virus carrying mosquito is here according to an article in the State Newspaper.  Usually mosquitoes ignore me but they have started trying to bite.  Keep vigilant for all!!!  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

June 20, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

As you probably know the Town Hall has been moved because of the terrible mold issue.  The Town Hall is now behind Cumbee Place on Main Street.  Before the move we had the class from RSM Elementary School come and plant the beds in front of town hall with vegetables and flowers.  Because the town Hall is not there anymore we seem to forget to go by and check out the vegetable garden.  It is free for the “picken” to all.  Saturday there was a discussion about the WHITE eggplants that were ready to pick (we think) and how in the world do you cook WHITE eggplants. They look a lot like eggs.  I hope someone will let me know so I can put the recipe in this column.  There are tomatoes almost ready for picking to.

Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market News: There were twelve vendors at the market. Leonard Bell had corn, green beans, cukes, peppers, peaches, and corn.

 Loris and Bobby Yonce had beautiful daylilies cannas and other plants.  

Jeanette Carr had corn, cukes, peaches, kale, cantaloupe, one cabbage, string beans watermelons, and a butterbeans that went too fast.  Jerrold Watson had Titan Farm Peaches also.

Christie and Ryan Harris are new vendors.  They are veterans that have returned from deployment in Kosovo.  The sell cupcakes and hope to open their own store named “Cake by Cup”. 

Bubba had tomatoes and watermelons. 

Samantha McClure was there with breakfast, blueberry muffins plus her fresh bread, jelly and cupcakes. 

Harriet Householder came with boiled peanuts and beautiful plants.

Another new vendor is “Sweet Thanz” that had pecan pound cake, cupcakes, and other layered cakes.

Sherald Rodgers had cukes, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, and hot peppers.

Yons had corn galore.

And one more new vendor is Julianne Jett who had boiled peanuts, green beans, and cantaloupe.  Julianne has just finished Clemson and will be attending Medical School at USC in the fall.  This is a nice break for her.

Smith had corn, too.

It was a good day for all.  Do join us on Saturday early.  I got there at 7:45 and was told by several that I was really late.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCHRSUMC 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. On cereal, granola bars, etc. the top will say: Box Tops for Education. The teachers can use them as points for stuff.   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.

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):   RSM Summer Reading: 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.

The Saluda County Library’s Summer Reading Program is in full swing! Come by the Saluda County Library at 101 S. Main Street to sign up or you may sign up at their website:  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. 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.

This Friday, June 24, the library will present The Critter Keeper at the American Legion Building.  The Critter Keeper will bring more than 15 critters!  On Fri., July 8, Bubble Guy Steve Langley will share the magic of soap and bubbles at the Saluda Theatre from 11-12.  On Thurs., July 14, Cirque du Todd will be at the Saluda Theatre from 10-11 with juggling, circus skills, magic, & comedy. Magician Caleb Alexander will perform Fri., July 22 from 10-11 at the Theatre.  On July 29, Lew-E the Clown will perform in Read-O-Lympics with circus skills, magic, & bringing books to life.  Don’t miss all these great shows that encourage reading in your young people!

Josie Rodgers: My family experienced yet another great loss two weeks ago.  After about 3 years of horrendous suffering, my dad, Jim Pressley, left us for Heaven.  But our blessings still abound!  I was able to spend all day with my dad Tues., June 7, two days after his birthday.  He slept a lot, but my mom and I and Miss P kept him company all day.  I moved his chair over to make room for another chair so Miss P and I could sit beside him.  I held his hand and talked to him when he would wake up.  We watched the Carolina baseball game, and I kept him updated on the score. It was a peaceful passing, and I can only imagine an amazing reunion in Heaven with Christ, Leagrace, and my sister!  Once again, our extended family, friends, and community swooped in to take care of us.  We can never repay everyone for all of the love and support that has been shown to us.  WE appreciate the company, the words of comfort, the sharing of memories, the beautiful flowers, the memorials, the food, the cards, and so much more.  We are so blessed to be enveloped by such loving and kind people.  My dad was a wonderful person, and it showed by the overwhelming outpouring of support and compassion we received.  Thank you.

ART CENTER OF RIDGE SPRING: Joanne Crouch, president

     Members of the Art Association of Ridge Spring are deeply saddened by the death of Jim Harrison.  Harrison from Denmark, SC, has had a reception for the last 2 years at the Art Center.  He was such an approachable soul that reached out to artists and communities alike.  Rest in peace, Jim Harrison.

      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.  . 

Review from David Marshall James: "Murder on the Hour" by Elizabeth J. Duncan

   Readers who gravitate toward traditional English village mysteries:  Wipe the strawberry jam and Devonshire cream from your lips and commence smacking them for another reason. 

   You'll devour this latest mystery from Canadian author Elizabeth J. Duncan, as well as her six other Penny Brannigan books, even though they're set in Wales (about 50 miles in from the seaside city of Llandudno).  Well, even more so because they're set in Wales.  After all, May's turning into June, the spring lambs are frolicking in their breathtakingly green fields surrounded by field stone enclosures, and the white lilacs are giving way to the white roses.

   The Welsh World is falling in love, or back in love, and spa co-owner Penny is no exception, be she ever so preoccupied with wedding parties-- nails, make-up, hairdo's.

   Penny, a Canadian herself, arrived in the fictitious village of Llanelen as an art student, many summers gone.  With little family to pull her back, she transplanted herself in the rich soil of the scenic hill country, surrounded by mountains, and once trod by the Romans as they expanded their Empire.

   Penny manages to sell a painting here or there, and she's worked her way up from a small manicurist's shop to the spa business.

   Nevertheless, something always gets Penny's amateur detective juices flowing.  In this case, it's the arrival of an "Antiques Roadshow" type program in Llanelen, an event that she's co-chairing.

   As marvelous as it may seem that Aunt Tillie's old soup tureen is surprisingly worth Bob's-your-uncle, there are plenty of caveats against digging for buried treasure, even if it's in the back of your closet.   You can never be certain what's buried in that treasure.

   And so goes the sad case of a century-old mystery unearthed, involving an old clock, a handmade quilt, and a hidden map, which results in the murder of a local woman just getting a new lease on life.

   Everything clicks like expertly crafted clockwork in Duncan's latest mystery, perhaps her shiniest "Penny" to-date.  It's time for a Welsh Rarebit, so praise be and pass the tea.

Harriet Householder: Watch out for standing water.  The Zeka-virus carrying mosquito is suppose to be coming to us in the south.  Usually mosquitoes ignore me but they have started trying to bite.  Keep vigilant for all!!!  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

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

June 6, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

                         

Vouchers will be distributed at the Gazebo this Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM with the opening of the Farmers’ Market.

Mayor Pat Asbill: You bought WHAT?? at the Peach Tree?? That's what one woman must have said to the man I saw carrying the giant red high heel slipper chair on his head in the Town Square. Friday was the usual line of buyers and sellers, but Saturday exploded with traffic, people and sales. Probably the icee and ice cream people out sold before everyone else because of the heat. The Peach Tree has become more than just a yard sale; we have become a place where the buyer may find almost anything including a pricey cannon or an ancient fossil.   Spaces are at a premium and some have already been reserved for next year. Thanks to everyone who shared the event and everyone who worked to make this a fun, safe event. 

There will be a Town Council meeting Monday night at the library at 6:30. On the agenda is the public hearing of the budget ordinance, and second reading of the 2016-2017 budget. You may pick up a copy of the budget at Town Hall.

Grand Opening of the Ridge Spring Farmers Market is Saturday, June 11th. Come on out and meet your local farmers. Plenty of produce to be found... Market starts at 8:30 a.m. We will have peaches, tomatoes, squash, boiled peanuts, fresh baked bread and more! Be sure to join our email list and check out our Facebook page! EAT FRESH, BUY LOCAL!
Boiled Peanut Contest!
Are you a boiled peanut fan? Is your recipe the best? Do you want a chance to prove it? Then come on out to the Ridge Spring Farmers market, June 11th and enter. Bring two pounds of your best recipe by 9 a.m. to enter. Visitors to the market will be our judges. Winner will receive a $25 gift card and bragging rights. For more information, email us at ridgespringfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Chef Brandon Velie and Sous-chef Dwayne Ligons of Juniper Restaurant in Ridge Spring represented South Carolina at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.  Fantastic!!!!!!!

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. Calvary Lutheran Church: Vacation Bible School will be June 20-24. This year’s theme is Barnyard Roundup.   A trip to the farm by hayride is included. Supper will be served each evening at 6:00 PM with the classes to follow from 6:30 -8:30 PM. All ages are invited. The adult class is based on the 23rd Psalm. Please come and join us.

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!

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Sunday, June 5th - Friday, June 10th      6:00 - 8:30 pm

The Venerable Frederick Colclough Byrd, Class of '60 RSM, Archdeacon Emeritus, Episcopal Diocese of Upper Carolina

The year is 1964. It was my last year at Clemson and I had received my class ring, a prized possession. Some of my fellow students and I decided to go to Sliding Rock, North Carolina, for a restful outing. The setting was great and the water was very, very cold. After my second slide into that very cold water, I realized, to my horror that my Clemson ring had come off in the pool at the bottom of the slide. We looked to no avail. It was gone.

One afternoon in the spring of 2012 my phone was ringing as I entered my home in Newberry. It was the chief of police in Ridge Spring where I grew up. With the help of the internet he had located my phone number. He told me that he had a friend who owned a pawn shop in North Carolina and a customer had brought in a Clemson ring. He had been fishing near Sliding Rock and saw a glimmer of light in the stream and there it was, my class ring, which had been there for forty eight years. They had found my name and hometown on the inside band of the ring and called the chief for help in locating me. The man who found it was only interested in returning it to the owner. He told the shop owner that anyone who had a class ring had worked long and hard to earn it and deserved to get it back.

The chief gave me the name and telephone of the man who found the ring. I called him and had a long conversation, thanked him profusely, and made arrangements for it to be mailed to me. When it arrived and I took it out of the package, I was amazed to see that the ring looked almost as good as it did the day I received it.

I also share this additional sidebar. The year was 1960. I was a senior at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School. We had received our class rings. In those days the seniors went on a class trip and we headed to the Washington area going through the Shenandoah Valley. We talked the bus driver into a brief stop to have a snowball fight since snow was an atypical sight for us. After several snowballs left my hand, I discovered to my horror that my RSM ring had come off. We looked to no avail. It was gone.

 Just prior to our graduation, a package arrived at the principal's office. In that package was my class ring with a note from an Eagle Scout who had been looking for rocks and had found the ring. He called the Department of Education and got the address for RSM High School and mailed it to the school. I wrote the scout and thanked him profusely.

One can read these stories and conclude that I was an extremely lucky person and that, of course, is one way to look at it. Perhaps luck is part of it but the primary and most important thing is that four individuals, a fisherman, a shop owner, an Eagle Scout, and a chief of police cared enough to do the right thing and put forth the extra effort to make it happen. For me that is the moral of these stories.

Just in time for the Market is a review of a cookbook or all of us.

Review from David Marshall James:  “Fred Thompson's Southern Sides" 
    Southerners often make meals off of side dishes, particularly if they contain cheese, but what could be better, come autumn, than a baked sweet potato with collard greens and a wedge of skillet cornbread? 
   Heaps of family traditions abound in Fred Thompson's tribute to Southern side dishes, as he explains the origins, sources, and inspirations for each recipe (all 250) in this satisfyingly inclusive cookbook. 
   Among the many fine points of this guide are the author's specifications of  which product brands to use, say of mayonnaise when preparing pimento cheese, deviled eggs, potato salad, or coleslaw. He offers multiple variations of such classic dishes as these, as well as of baked beans and barbecue sauces.  For instance, one type of coleslaw pairs better with BBQ, while another is better suited to fried fish. 
   Another reason to rave on this volume is that the author-- a veteran cook, cookbook author, and North Carolinian-- goes retro with some wonderful Jell-O salad recipes.  My grandmothers whipped up homemade biscuits and pie crusts, but they were forever trotting out new
Jell-O recipes, or re-presenting the tried-and-true. Electric refrigeration emerged during their lifetimes. Any dish that could be prepared ahead, served cold, and that kept for several days was a boon to the busy housewife, who cooked primarily from scratch. 
   Thompson serves up an array of recipes for refrigerator pickles, chutneys, relishes, and conserves, stating how each complements other foods. 
   Aside from casseroles, he leaves off baking at biscuits and cornbread, again providing multiple variations on these indispensable Southern sides. 
   Potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and beans all receive their due, and then some, as do squash and eggplant. 
   Thompson includes some noveau-inspired and ethnic-influenced recipes. After all, his son-in-law-- a frequent collaborator-- works as a chef. Yet the author sticks mostly to traditional fare, from fried green tomatoes and fried okra to stuffed peppers and stuffing in general, as well as baked dressing.  The color photographs enhance the presentation—and further tempt the taste buds—in this handsome presentation from the University of North Carolina Press.

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