March 27, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Juniper is excited to announce that we have been invited to cook at the distinguished James Beard House in NYC! Our dinner is scheduled for June 20, 2017 we will share our journey in preparing for this event on our Facebook page and on Instagram #JamesBeardBound. This is an incredible opportunity and honor for us and we cannot wait; for more information on James Beard and his incredible contribution to the culinary world check them out at jamesbeard.org  Juniper's Easter Sunday Brunch is April 16th 11-2pm make your reservations today!! Brandon Velie  was the chef on WLTX-TV showed how to fix salad which included the greens from the tops of beets and spring chicken served over grits.  Local vegetables included were asparagus, beets, strawberries, and then local Adluh grits.

TRENTON, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The head of a large peach farm in Edgefield County says he will need nearly 500 fewer workers this year after last week's hard freeze destroyed 85 percent of his crop. Titan Farms is responsible for 50 percent of the peach crop in South Carolina, which took a big hit. On a good year, Titan Farms' CEO, Chalmers Carr, says workers box up and ship out two million boxes of peaches. This year, he's expecting that number to be around 200,000 late in the season. The state is the second largest producer of peaches in the United States only behind California. But that loss is hitting some of the region's smaller communities that depend on the fruit to bring in business.

Monday, March 20, 2017 RIDGE SPRING, S.C., (WRDW/WAGT) -- Peach farms in Ridge Spring produce more than 1,500 jobs, but his year there is no need for that many workers. Chalmers Carr, CEO of Titan Farms, says he's already sent home a few hundred workers.

"We've actually have to send home workers and we won't have nearly the amount of workers we had. Last year we had 640 employees, this year we're looking at about 150" said Carr.

Thursday's freeze killed 85% of Titan Farms' crop. On a good year, the farm ships 2 million peaches, this year, hopefully 200 thousand.

"Right now we have no peaches in April, May, or June, and what few peaches we do have will be in July or August" said Carr. Carr says this is a very tough hit because his farm produces 50% of the state's locally grown peaches. This means stores in the area will have to find their peaches elsewhere.

"They're not going to have these peaches at least early in the season and quite possibly not at all because whether we have enough to ship or not is still being determined" said Carr.

"Unfortunately the consumer is going to be looking for west coast product, which we don't think is nearly as good."

South Carolina is the second leading producer of peaches in the U.S. The crop brings in about $3 million dollars per year for the state, but this year will be significantly less. Carr says he hasn't seen anything like this since 2007.

Sometimes one is just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.  My husband Bob and I joined John Faye Berry and grandson Alex  for a super lunch at Juniper Restaurant right there in Ridge Spring.  Alex is attending Clemson and Bob and I both finished there. When we asked John Faye about his connection with Clemson, he began telling us the story of his trip to Clemson when he was a junior at Ridge Spring High School.  Tom Wright was the Ag teacher and also helped with the FFA, Future Farmers of America organization.  He took John Faye to the Clemson  College Farm and Home Week.  There he competed for a calf.  Understand this was to be done on the football field now known as Death Valley.  The competition was that there would be 10 calves weighing between 300 and 450 pounds turned loose and fifty boys would line up at the other end of the field to catch them, put a halter on their calf and take it to the judging table.  All calves had been caught but the last one.  That last one was charging to get away and John Faye was going to get him and he did. He wrestled him down.  He got that calf down on the ground and then realized that halter was over a ways from where he and the calf were.  He asked Tom Wright to get it for him but the rules did not allow that and Tom Wright told him "NO", it was up to him.  After the calf and he rested a minute, he did drag this 400 lb. calf over to where his halter was, got it on  him, and then dragged the calf and himself over to the table.  He got the calf.  He took it home, cared for it and the calf became a pet to him.  When his father Raymond Berry wanted to sell it, John just couldn't , but his father agreed to pay John for it.  That is when John Faye agreed to let the calf go. 

Barbara Yon recently received "Honorable Mention" for "Summertime Blues" at the North Augusta Spring Fest March, 2017.

Sorry for the error about Easter and not Eastern: Rod Lewis, Hollywood Baptist and Director of Missions for Ridge Baptist Association: April 17 will be the Spring Fest at Saluda Park with Easter egg hunt, and the inflatables, games, egg dying , food, 10:00 AM until noon.

AARS Art Center of  Ridge Spring: We are currently looking for students  for the Monsters to Dinosaurs Hand building Pottery workshop on June 12th-16th from 9-12.  The week of instruction will be taught by Kim Ruff.  Cost is $100 for the week-$80 for the second child from the same family. Reserve spots at the Art Center on Fridays or Saturdays from 10-4.  You may also contact Kim Ruff by email- makerart@aol.com.  Check out the work of local artisans for that unique gift for someone special or for yourself.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: During the month of March the Big Red Box will be accepting donations of non perishable food items. Juice boxes, micro wave meals, crackers are just a few of the items that can be used for the Back Pack Ministry. Please help to make sure members of our community have something to eat over the weekend. Items may be left on the porch of the Family Life Center and a church member will make sure to place them in the BRB. RSUMC wants to thank the Ridge Spring community for its continuing support of its outreach efforts. We are all in this together. The free series on the Book of Revelations is at 6:30 every Tuesday at the Family Life Center. Do not need to register. Church is every Sunday at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Carmen Holley, M. ED, Fine Arts Teacher, Ridge Spring- Monetta High School: Mrs. Holley and Ms. Riley's Digital Media Arts class visited SCETV, South Carolina's Public Broadcasting, Storytelling and Education Network, in Columbia South Carolina Friday, March 17th. The mission of the company is to share the history and culture of various institutions and people of South Carolina.  Students visited Master Control, where shows are either shared with ETV or by ETV to other stations.  They learned that digital sound effects are actually better inserted into videos after they are made, rather than sound being included with video. Ms. Desiree Cheeks, Graphic Artist for SCETV, showed students many different studios; a music studio, a radio studio where the walls were either acute or obtuse, but not right angles for optimal sound quality.  Students visited studios with different types of lighting, one with 1500 pound doors to ensure sound tightness.  Ms. Cheeks answered many questions about the broadcasting, communication, and arts industries and sent students away with a thought, "Everyone wants to be in front of the camera but consider a career in broadcasting, communication or graphic arts because there are many more opportunities behind the camera."

Rene Miller RSM Elementary School

Pageant Winners Congratulations to all our RSM all natural Pageant winners. They were as follows: Wee Miss: 2nd Runner Up, Sophia Ildefonso; 1st Runner Up, Madison Simpkins; Winner, Harmony Whittle. Little Miss : 2nd Runner Up, Zoe Ford; 1st Runner Up, Jamiyah Williams; Winner, Gracie Temples. Pre-Teen: 2nd Runner Up, Natalie Mitchum; 1st Runner Up, Gracelyn Padgett; Winner, Kaileigh Smith. Wee Master: 2nd Runner Up, Kedron Abraham; 1st Runner Up, Marcellus Wideman; Winner, Aaden McCormick. Little Master: 1st Runner Up, TaShaun Myers; Winner,Ty’Zai Smith. Pre-Teen Master: Winner, Jarvis Bush.

4K Circus Canceled The 4K Circus that was originally scheduled for this Friday, March 24 was canceled. It will be rescheduled at a later date, after Spring break. We will keep you posted.

RSM Musical: RSM Elementary will present Schoolhouse Rock, Live! Junior at 8:30 am in the gym on Friday, March 31. Students may wear regular school clothes for this production.

Josie Rodgers

Basketball is not my favorite sport, but it has been exciting to watch Gamecock Men’s and Women’s basketball as they move through the NCAA Tournament, showing the nation what Carolina is made of.  Everyone is so proud of these teams!  I know that my dad (Jim) is watching from above.  He loved every Gamecock sport and knew all the details about every player and coach.

RSM High:  Alfredo Cabana Mendez was selected as a Delegate representing the State of South Carolina at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders. He was recognized because of his outstanding grades, his leadership potential, and his desire to contribute to the field of science and technology.

The Interact Club will host a pancake dinner Thurs., April 20, from 6 pm – 8 pm in the high school cafeteria.  Dinner will include 3 pancakes, 2 sausages, and orange juice for $5.  The money will be used by students to implement projects in the community.

Review from David Marshall James:  “In Such Good Company” by Carol Burnett

 Bump up the lights, because Carol Burnett is ready to answer your questions about making her CBS variety show, all 276 episodes, from 1967 to 1978.

   In addition to regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner (early on), and Tim Conway (later on), Burnett recalls the incredible talents who guest-starred or made appearances during the show's run:  

   Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hope, Martha Raye, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Stewart, Gloria Swanson, and Lana Turner.

   Also, future Oscar winners Liza Minnelli and Shirley MacLaine.  Future Broadway superstar Bernadette Peters was a frequent guest.  Then there were comedy legends Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, and Jonathan Winters.

   Among the musical guests were Ray Charles, Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Cass Elliot, and the Jackson Five (multiple times, including during an earthquake).

   Plus, together and separately on many occasions, Steve & Eydie.  That's Lawrence and Gorme to you Millennials.  The late, great belter Eydie Gorme is being increasingly rediscovered.  Go to Youtube to witness her performances of "What Did I Have?" and "What I Did for Love," both from the Burnett show.

   In addition to recalling such personages, Burnett details the "minimusicals" and movie parodies for which the show was famous.  And infamous:  Rock Hudson loved the spoof of "Pillow Talk" and later guest-starred.  Doris Day was less than enthused, and she never appeared.

   Joan Crawford enjoyed the send-up of "Mildred Pierce" but didn't go for the one of "Torch Song."  

   Behind-the-scenes celebs included designer Bob Mackie, who costumed each and every episode.

   Burnett also discusses the recurring sketch characters, the most popular of which were Ed & Eunice, plus Mother Harper, who were featured more than 30 times, and then later in spinoffs and specials.  

   San Antonio native Burnett writes that she automatically read the character of Eunice with a Texas twang, although their region of origin wasn't specified by the writers.

   Incidentally, Cary Grant cornered Burnett at a party and proceeded to tell her that he hated the sketches with "those horrible people."  

   At least he watched the show-- in such good company.

REMINDERS

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 am - 12 pm; Wed., 8:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Ridge Spring Post Office hours:  Mon-Fri. 7:30 am – 11:30 am; Sat 9 – 10 am

Saluda County Library Hours:  Mon/Wed 8:30 am-5 pm; Tues/Thurs 8:30 am – 6 pm; Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm; Sat closed

Recycling Center Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 1-7; Sat 7-7; Sun 3-7; Tues/Thurs closed

First Thursday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

Third Thursday of the Month: FORS at Library at 5:00