Ridge Spring News: February 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

February 27, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Juniper Restaurant has been invited to participate in the Charleston Food & Wine Festival this coming weekend!!! We are so exited, if your are going stop by and say hello! We will be there Wednesday as part of the South Carolina Chef Ambassador program and again on Friday representing Juniper and Ridge Spring!! In addition we will be open our regular dining hours, for more information on CFWF check them out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChsWineandFood/

Anne Rauton Smith and Judy Adamick have an exhibit hanging at the Aiken Center for the Arts until March 25th. They are included in the main gallery with a group called "The Five".

The Saluda- based churches in our association are joining forces together to have a Spring Festival on Saturday, April 15 from10-12 noon. We will have a community - wide egg hunt, jump castles, air slides and several children’s games. All events and amusements are free and we will be selling BBQ and drinks at the Park. Come join us meeting our community and celebrating Easter with them. All churches are welcome to participate in this festival.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Big Red Box is FULL of soup. Thanks to the soup elf who left 4 cases of soup that have been added to the Box. As of now, the Falcons have a slight lead over the Patriots 45 to 44, with a total today of 89 cans. These will be delivered next week to local food banks. Thanks members and community for your help. Beginning on March 21, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center, Pastor Miriam Hadden will conduct a series on the Book of Revelations. All are welcome to participate. No reservation necessary.

BBQ Benefit for Joey Fox – Saturday, March 18 - 4 – 7 pm

The Lutheran Men in Mission at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church are sponsoring this benefit for Joey, a member of our church, who has leukemia. He is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Tickets are $10/plate (pulled pork, slaw, baked beans, bread) – eat in or take out.

In addition to dinner, we will have a Bake Sale with lots of homemade goodies and a Silent Auction. A number of items will be up for auction including a condo for a week at Fripp Island, gift certificates, basket of “Southern Things”, artwork….Tickets can be purchased from: Church Office (685-7523) Monday thru Wednesday 9:30 am – 2:30 pm; Maxwell & Halford Drug Store-Johnston; Larry Hatcher (275-4839); Eric Carlson (275-3140); and Joe Derrick (803-480-0067). The benefit will be held in Mt. Calvary’s Fellowship Building. The church is located at 1186 Mt. Calvary Road, Johnston.

Denise Attaway, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Public Service and Agriculture February 22, 2017:

CLEMSON — A group of Clemson University students is taking its peach research to San Francisco in April to compete in the American Chemical Society National Meeting Competition.

This is the first time a Clemson undergraduate team has been invited to compete in the food chemistry category. They will compete with students from Cornell University and from Germany. Their Creative Inquiry project, “The Investigation of Antioxidant Capacity and Bioactive Chemicals in South Carolina Grown Peaches,” is the result of related research conducted by Clemson student Ryan Ramey and project adviser Feng Chen, a professor in the food, nutrition and packaging sciences department.

The research focuses on the nutritional value of peaches, finding specific chemicals called phenolics and measuring the phenolics to determine how and why these chemicals are beneficial to humans.

The project is funded by the Carr Family Endowment and Clemson University Creative Inquiry. Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, owners of Titan Farms and funders of the project, said they are excited to see what doors it may open for the South Carolina peach industry.

“Chalmers and I believe the Creative Inquiry program is an outstanding way to engage students, faculty and businesses like ours in looking at real-world issues and possible solutions,” said Lori Anne Carr. “We are delighted to be on the ground floor of research that could dramatically increase consumer demand for peaches and, most especially, South Carolina peaches.”

Josie Rodgers

Illness is running rampant not just in our local communities, but across the state. It is imperative that we try to prevent serious illness by taking precautions such as washing hands often, covering our coughs and sneezes, and staying away from others if we are contagious or running a fever. It is crucial that we keep our children home from school if they have a fever or virus or have vomited in the last 24 hours. We will only pass the sickness around and around if we send kids to school before they are well. We’ve also already seen pollen flying through the air. If this is your time to suffer from seasonal allergies, get a head start on prevention!

Day of Caring: On Wed., March 1, Aiken County Public Schools invites you to roll up your sleeves with us for a day of service devoted to our community’s public schools. From refurbishing flower gardens, pressure washing, trimming bushes, painting and building outdoor classrooms, to sorting books, painting a mural and creating displays for student achievements, March 1 is an opportunity for interested volunteers, businesses, clubs, groups and organizations, to join us as we work TOGETHER to enhance educational environments and spruce up curb appeal district-wide. Most schools have both an outdoor morning project and indoor afternoon project. Volunteers may register to support the school during the morning, afternoon or both. To help with the ONE K-12 COMMUNITY DAY OF CARING, view the Calendar for March 1 for the Day of Caring Project List with all volunteer opportunities. Projects are also located on the calendar (for March 1) of each individual school webpage. Once you've found a project that interests you, please register to participate. All volunteers for the ONE K-12 COMMUNITY DAY OF CARING will need to set up an account and register. Registration is simple and easy. Just follow the Step-By-Step Registration Instructions. Businesses interested in providing materials or funding for project supplies are encouraged to contact our school principals directly (contact information is on the listed projects for each school/project).

RSM Elem (Rene Miller): 4-K registration for the 2017-2018 school year begins March 6 and ends April 28. Parents must bring the following items for children to be considered for the program: Official (long-form) birth certificate (shortform will not be accepted) , updated immunization record, 2 proofs of address (electric bill, water bill, mortgage/rental agreement) , either the child's Medicaid card OR a W2 form and pay-stub (if child does not have Medicaid), parent ID. For more info, please ask for Mrs. Abellan or Mrs. Mims-Herrera.

The RS-M Elem Natural Pageant will be held March 16 @ 6:30pm. Registration fee of $20 & application fee are due by March 3. The pageant is open to girls & boys in Miss and Master categories. Admission to pageant is $5. See Mrs. Cockrell for more info.

PALS, 4k and 5k News: What a wonderful time we had at our Family Enrichment Session. During the February parenting class, the participants engaged in sharing information about themselves during a relaxing coloring session. The participants also shared information concerning their child’s progress in school. Our next session will be March 7 beginning at 1:30 p.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. The class that has highest percentage of parent participation will win a Movie Party!

The RSME Walk/Jog Club traveled 15.6 miles last week. That puts us at 306.45 miles for the year out of the 516 miles that we need to get to Washington D.C. We are currently on I-95 in Smithfield NC. It is not too late to join! Just bring in your signed participation form and help us walk/jog to Washington D.C.! We need to average 18 miles per week for the rest of the year to make our goal so come early, come often, and RUN!

RSM Middle: The science fair was a great success! Just walking into the cafetorium and seeing all the amazing presentations was wonderful! Winners are as follows: 8^th grade: 1^st William Moyer, 2^nd Audrey Derrick, 3^rd Arteria Knight, Honorable Mention Chelsey Ricker; 7^th grade: 1^st Madison Wooton, 2^nd Logan McClure, 3^rd Jordan Gibson, Honorable Mention Meleah Jones; 6^th grade: 1^st Trinity La Brew, 2^nd Luciana Charamonte, 3^rd Robby Mitchell, Honorable Mention Yazmine Cannon.

RSM High: Congratulations to senior Alicia Key for being a semi-finalist for the National Beta Club Scholarship!

REMINDERS

March 11 Benefit for Ricky Rodgers at the Civic Center from 4-7pm.

March 18 BBQ Benefit for Joey Fox at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

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

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

February 20, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

FORS will meet this Thursday at 5:00 at the Ridge Spring Library. WE received funds for the Saluda County Council ATA funds. We are thankful for the money given to this organization to benefit Ridge Spring. This will be one of the topics.

Next Harvest Festival Meeting - March 7th 7 pm at the library

Ridge Spring Farmers' Market News: The 2017 Farmers' market Nutrition Program Reauthorization is in the mail. The period has begun for this reauthorization and will end Friday March 17, 2017. Farmers are not required to attend a formal training session until 2018 unless notified otherwise. Mail application to Emily M. Joyce at SC Dept of Agriculture. Information will be posted later. This is so vouchers may be accepted by individual farmers at the market.

Rod Lewis, Senior Pastor Hollywood Baptist: The Saluda area churches will be sponsoring a Spring Event on April 15th from 10-12 noon at the park in Saluda. We will have an Easter egg hunt, Inflatables, and several children's activities. All events are free to the public. We will be selling BBQ for your enjoyment!

Children's Pottery Class at the Art Center of Ridge Spring Tuesday, March 7 at 4:00-5:30 each Tuesday for 6 weeks with last class being Wednesday, April 12. Cost of $80.00 includes everything to make glaze and fire several finished pieces. Call Joanne Crouch for more information (803) 685-5577.

Benefit for Ricky Rodgers:

On December 23rd, Ricky was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer and is currently undergoing chemo every 2 weeks. There is going to be a benefit held on March 11, 2017 to help raise money for Ricky’s medical expenses, medicine, and household bills due to his no longer being able to work. Any help is greatly appreciated! Ricky is 46 years old, a father of 4, and a wonderful husband to his wife Tasha, who is also undergoing treatment for M.S. (multiple sclerosis).

We are selling Chipped BBQ plates including: cole slaw, baked beans, bread, and tea.

The plates are $10 each and are to be purchased in advance to allow us a head count. You will be able to pick up the plates at the Civic Center from 4-7pm. While picking up your plates you can enjoy a silent auction(4-7pm) and live entertainment starting at 6:00 pm. The Ace of Clubs featuring Joey Cromer will be performing. Jenifer has tickets with her at the bank or you can contact one of the below coordinators. We are also raffling off a Yeti Cooler. Raffle tickets are $5 each. The drawing will be held at the benefit. You do not have to be present to win.

All proceeds go to the Cancer Fund for Ricky Rodgers. An account has been opened at First Citizens Bank for anyone wanting to make a donation, or you can contact one of the below coordinators. Donations, Ticket Purchases or Questions contact:

Joe Rodgers-864-992-2257; Phyllis Shealy-803-369-4553;Joni Pope- 803-687-4006; or

Jenifer Gentry- 864-323-4140

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle-High School is converting into a healthy living campus by putting a tasty spin on Agricultural Science.

RSM is the first school in the district to offer a farm-to-table class. The new program benefits everyone in the county because once the crops are ready they’ll be enjoyed by all Aiken County students.

“This is science,” said Agriculture teacher Michael Crim. “This is the original science.”

Aiken County student, William Newsome says he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of his labor.“After I get these planted we are going to put them in those pots with water so they will grow,” Newsome told WJBF News Channel 6.

Seeds of jalapenos and peppers aren’t the only things growing, in the greenhouse, at Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle-High School. The Agriculture teacher is planting a more important seed, the seed of knowledge. “They’re producing what they are going to be eating,” Crim said. “It teaches them where food comes from, it teaches them a little bit of management skills.” Crim is leading the new farm-to-table initiative in Aiken County. For a class period students go to the greenhouse to learn what it takes to run a farm.

“You have to make sure you don’t flood the plants. You have to make sure they have enough water. You have to keep an eye on them. Different plants need different sun level and if you give them too much sun they either burn and if you don’t give them enough they won’t grow.” Newsome said.

Repeat:

At the Friends of Ridge Spring meeting, Vickie Baker shared information from the Saluda County Chamber of Commerce meeting. Vickie is going to be the representative from Ward and Kristi Harris will be the representative for Ridge Spring. Sherry Ward (Pres.) and Tom Brooks (VP) were in attendance to discuss ways the Chamber could help Ridge Spring with their events and possible create new ones. They shared about the events they have had in Saluda and the things they have learned. Discussion ensued about the possibility of a movie night in Ridge Spring at the new Town Hall. Information was given as to how to get the land cleaned up and ready, how to run electricity, and other logistics. It was decided that it would be held May or June. it will cost approximately $600 to hold a movie night.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: So maybe your pick to win the Super Bowl didn’t, you can still be a winner by donating soup to the RSUMC Souper Bowl Shoot Out! Place your donated soup on the porch of the Family Center in front of the Team of your choice. Currently Atlanta is ahead 20 cans to 12…A church member will make sure your donated soup is placed in the Big Red Box. Come on, community, there is plenty of time left in February to make your Team a winner AND help those who might not have enough to eat a little more comfortable. RSUMC Services are held at 11:00 AM every Sunday unless otherwise noted.

Josie Rodgers:

Aiken County Public Schools’ Area Four Town Hall Meeting will take place Tues., Feb. 21, at 6:30 pm at Calendonia Baptist Church at 1887 Old 96 Indian Trail in Batesburg. Superintendent Dr. Alford will also provide updates on the progress of the district as well as future plans.

RSM Elem: Congratulations to Teacher of the Year Betsie Davenport! The First Year Teacher of the Year is Kristin Boney and the GEM is Ms. Driggers!

Aiken County Public Schools and Aiken County First Steps are offering free monthly parenting classes at RSM Elem. Contact the school for more info.

RSM Middle: Several students participated in the MathCounts competition on Sat., Feb. 11 at Aiken Technical College. After only a few weeks of practice, they finished in the top 10! Now that they have the experience under their belts, we expect them to do amazing things for competition next year! Great job Franklin Starkey, Nehemiah Blacks, Chaley Robb, Camren Samuels, Trinity LaBrew, and Larry Price.

RSM High: Congratulations to sophomore Crystal Preston who was named Co-Player of the Year by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. She has also recently scored her 1,000^th career point! Senior Tyson Bettis made the All-State Basketball Team. Coach Mark Wright for being chosen to coach in the North South All-Star basketball game this year!

Congratulations to Teacher of the Year Mrs. Tiffany Middlebrooks, First Year Teacher of the Year Kimberly Patterson, and GEM Mrs. Ella Wigfall.

The Black History program was last Friday. It was full of amazing performances. Many of our own students participated and performed. We enjoyed the Gospel Warriors mimes, Sistaz 4 Christ, Karisma, Wayne Jay, Gary Smith, The Voice, Rashod Roland, and more. The special guest speaker Maggie Wallace Glover, senator from Florence County. Many thanks to Mrs. Monica Jones and all of her helpers.

Review from David Marshall James: "The Nowhere Man" by Gregg Hurwitz

Gregg Hurwitz's follow-up to his 2016 novel, "Orphan X," sizzles with top-shelf thrills, his stylistics as slick as an iced-over freeway on-ramp.

With masterful control, he depicts protagonist Evan Smoak, a former black-ops U.S. government operative who has ditched the feds to become an underground righter of the seriously wronged.

However, the tables turn on Evan during one of his rescue missions, breaking up an underground ring supplying teenage girls to the highest bidders.

Tasered and shock-collared, he winds up a prisoner in a madman's mansion, secluded in a bleak valley in who-knows-where. He's a real Nowhere Man, sitting in this Nowhere Land.

Of course, Evan's hardly sitting. He's highly proactive, enlisting every opportunity to get a grip on his surroundings and to plot an escape. Trouble is, he's surrounded by heavily armed guards and Dobermans.

Plus, said madman, who plans to force Evan to wire over millions from a secret bank account, is up to some seriously freaky activities that would make Dr. Frankenstein tap through several choruses of "Puttin' on the Ritz."

Nevertheless, everything remains frighteningly real at the fingertips of the author, who steadily ratchets up the excitement, presenting some grandiose "wow" moments. It's as if there are three conclusions to this super-sized story.

Meanwhile, Evan looks down the barrel of his life from the other end-- has he made the right choice as a self-appointed superhero, leaping into the fray du jour in his gray Ts? Why doesn't he just play it low to some isolated isle, sipping ultra purified vodka martinis (his beverage of choice) and blending with the natives, like a refugee from the HMS Bounty?

Lay down his sword and shield, as it were, after all those years of black-opping?

The author exhibits a fine hand with his flavorful dialogue and juicy syntax in a red-hot read that fairly renders the pages combustible. In all, it's Smoak-in'.

On a personal note: this is the first year since I have opened 14 years ago that I did not participate in selling roses at Valentines. I remained closed. WOW!!! How fortunate I was to have made that decision - I got the flu and it knocked me down for almost two weeks. I would not have had any way to fulfill any orders. You can call it silver linings or mysterious ways but I sure was thankful. Now to start my seeds for spring. The bulbs and flowering trees are just beautiful. The Peach trees are blooming early but they are still magnificent. How fortunate we are!!!

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

Thursday, February 16, 2017

February 13, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Harvest Festival Meeting scheduled for this past week had to be cancelled due to illness. It will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Sunday, February 19th the Jerusalem Youth Department will sponsor a "Souperbowl." Members are asked to prepare their favorite soup, and the members will determine which soup is their favorite.

Release: Parade Entries, Entertainers Wanted for the Johnston Peach Blossom Festival: web posted February 6, 2017
JOHNSTON – The Johnston, S.C., Peach Blossom Festival wants you!
Entertainment Entertainment has been a big part of the 34 years of the Festival, and now is your chance to be a part of the historic Festival. The Festival wants to feature talented people, local and not-so local, as part of the day-long entertainment in the 34th annual event, held in downtown Johnston on May 6, 2017. Entertainers who think they have what it takes to be a part of this year’s Festival should contact Tonya King, (803) 480-0427,tking@trantechradiators.com. Parade: The Festival is now taking applications for individuals, organizations and businesses interested in being a part of the Festival’s parade. Those interested in participating in the parade should contact Parade Chairman Roger Lamb, (803) 480-2690, 505 Roland Ave., Johnston, SC 29832, betty19331941@att.net. Applications and expressions of interest are also now being accepted in the following areas: Food Concessions: Noah Peterson, (803) 480-0135, P.O. Box 282, Johnston, SC 29832, amossonsfh@yahoo.com. Arts and Crafts: Arts and Crafts: Donna Livingston, (803) 275-7002, P.O. Box 311, Johnston, SC 29832, info@edgefieldcountychamber.org; Pageant: The pageant will be held April 15, 10 a.m. Applications can be obtained from Gina Logue, 1129 Hwy. 378 East, Edgefield SC, 29824, 637-5383; or for more information contact Janice Cleveland, (803) 334-2507, Jcleveland@edgefield.k12.sc.us; and Rides: Debra Aston, (803) 275-2345, 416 Lee St., Suite 2, Johnston, SC 29832, astond@bellsouth.net. Program Book Ads: Debra Aston, (803) 275-2345, 416 Lee St., Suite 2, Johnston, SC 29832, astond@bellsouth.net. The Johnston Development Corporation, a non-profit volunteer organization, sponsors the Festival. The Corporation works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston. To learn more about the Festival or the Johnston Development Corporation, visit the website at http://www.johnstondevelopmentcorp.org/.

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

Monday, February 6, 2017

February 6, 2017
Harvest Festival has been cancelled due to illness

February 6, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The next Harvest Festival meeting will be this Tuesday, Feb 7th at 7:00 pm at the library. Please attend the meeting and lend us a hand in planning for next year!

Last month there was a Friends of Ridge Spring meeting at the RS Library. What projects we are planning includes an updated Ridge Spring brochure that will be placed in the businesses of Ridge Spring and in the Welcome Centers of South Carolina and the Aiken Welcome Center. After the meeting Joe Cal Watson, Samantha McClure and I went to Juniper to dine. We were discussing our school years when Joe told us of the following incident. Winnefred Forrest (Rutland) had a first cousin visiting Elizabeth Edwards who found an arrowhead . She told Joe and George Newton Dorsett that they could fight over the arrowhead and whoever won got the arrowhead. Joe got the arrowhead, but he is not sure where it is now. Then the conversation continued to high school and then turning 21 years old. We talked about voting and possibly buying a drink. Then Joe told us about when he was 21 he was totally responsible for 3 officers, 80 enlisted men , 7 jeeps and 6 mortars. This was during World War II. The US Army issued a bottle of gin, 1/2 bottle of scotch and a carton of cigarettes to each officer.

Yon Family Farm is holding their sale on February 18th There will be around 200 bulls and 75 females up for auction. People will be coming from around the southeast for a wonderful opportunity. Yon Family Farms is a family-owned operation whose primary purpose is to raise high-quality Angus, SimAngus, and Ultrablack cattle. The Yon family consists of Kevin and Lydia and their three children: Sally, Drake, and Corbin. Kevin is a first generation Angus breeder who got his introduction into the cattle business at the age of twelve. It was then that he borrowed money to purchase an Angus heifer. Kevin met his wife, Lydia, at Clemson University where they were both pursuing degrees in Animal Science. After college, they got their feet wet as a couple in the cattle industry by landing their dream job of managing a registered Angus operation, Congaree Farms, near Columbia, SC. After seven and a half years of growth there, the owner decided to disperse his cattle operation. Out of a job, but not their dream, the Yons took the plunge in 1996 and started their own Angus operation, Yon Family Farms in Ridge Spring, SC. What began on 100 acres with additional leased land has evolved into an operation utilizing over 2000 acres, which maintains approximately 800 head of registered brood cows and 200 commercial cows. The Yons will host both a Spring and Fall Production Sale where they sell around 400 registered bulls and 200 females each year. The Yons stress the importance of utilizing all the tools available. They develop three groups of sale bulls each year. Their operation is forage based and focuses on producing cattle for their customer base which is made up mainly of progressive commercial cattlemen.

Kenny Leapart has changed his hours at the Car Wash He will now be open after 2:00 during the week and regular hours on the weekend. You can call for an appointment, too.

The Gables Inn and Gardens enjoyed a great time scrapbooking the end of January. A fun weekend of laughing, crying, eating, drinking, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and scrapbooking of course!! Watch for our next one to be scheduled. Call now and schedule your Valentine getaway during February. Stay a single night or for the whole weekend. 803-685-0099

Off the Beaten Path celebrates 3 brand new vendors. D'Litefulls has beautifully crocheted shawls, ponchos, jewelry, and scarves. She also has painted glass globes and bottles with fairy lights. Rough Around the Edges has created some beautiful repurposed furniture. You have to see the incredible clock in the store window. We also have an artist moving in that hand paints wooden signs for our homes. Let us help you shop for the Valentine's in your life..

Recovery Works, a faith based residential recovery center for men, has closed its operations in Ridge Spring after 9 prosperous years. The Recovery center helped men locally and all across the USA for 9 years. Recovery works helped over 560 men to recover from the abyss of addiction/ alcoholism. We were happy to support the town of Ridge Spring in many ways. We supported the Harvest Festival, Local Police Department, Fire department and fund raising for many local events. We did this work without accepting any local , city , county, state or Federal Grant money. Please accept our many thanks to the people of Ridge Spring and surrounding areas for their support. It was a great pleasure to be of service to God and our fellow man . God bless America. Sincerely Flint R Thomas, Founder / Director.

Ten members of the Ridge Spring-Monetta High School Band attended the Limestone College Band Clinic in Gaffney, SC Thursday, January 26 through Saturday, January 28. The students auditioned and rehearsed on Thursday evening, rehearsed all day Friday and attended a concert by the Limestone College Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, and rehearsed and gave a concert on Saturday. It was a great opportunity for the students as they performed higher level music in the 115-member Honor Band. There was also time for other activities such as bowling, laser tag, and video games. Members from the RS-M Band to attend were: Joanna Kaiser (Flute), McKenzie Minor and Cameron Davis (Alto Sax), Tyler Rowe, Jonathan Cumbee, and Kandon Hastings (Trumpet), Jonathan Middlebrooks (Trombone), and Katara Coleman, D.J. Padgett, and Alex Timmerman (Euphonium). Special congratulations to Jonathan Middlebrooks for earning first chair in the trombone section!

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):

From Nurse Bearden: Nobody likes being sick. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and keep the flu away. Wash your hands, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, drink lots of water, get plenty of exercise, keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes, get 9 hours of sleep each night, dress warmly, and GET VACCINATED!!!

Josie Rodgers

Aiken County Public Schools will hold Town Hall meetings to hear the needs of the public concerning our schools. Superintendent Dr. Alford will also provide updates on the progress of the district as well as future plans. Area Four’s meeting will take place Tues., Feb. 21, at 6:30 pm at Caledonia Baptist Church at 1887 Old 96 Indian Trail in Batesburg.

It’s National School Counseling Week! This year’s theme is "School Counseling: Helping Students Realize Their Potential." Counselors in all schools do so much for our young people besides talk to them! These professionals are a major asset to our young people, helping them be successful in school and plan their futures. Thank a counselor today!

Cinderella Project (The Aiken Boutique) On Sat., Feb. 18, from 9 am to noon, high school young ladies can go to The Aiken Boutique at Maxwell Law Firm at 225 Chesterfield St. NW. They will have new and used dresses, accessories and more! All items are available at no charge to high school students. To enter, you must bring your student ID. Limit one dress per student. Questions? Please contact Ashley Hammack at 803/642-1557, ext 108.

RSM Middle: The Science Fair will be held Feb. 16. All students will complete a science project. We are excited to see what amazing projects our students create!

The Black History program will be held Fri., Feb. 17, in the gym. Based on last year’s program, you don’t want to miss this!

Every Friday during the month of February, middle and high school students will have an opportunity to win a $5 McDonald's gift card and other prizes by answering Black History trivia questions.

RSMMH is conducting a Black History writing contest in honor of Black History Month. The essays will be judged, and the top three essays will be selected as winners in both the middle and high school for a total of 6 students. The winners will be announced at the Black History program on Feb. 17. Most importantly, the winners will be given a certificate and also be treated to an all-you-can-eat-lunch at Shealy's BBQ.

Did you know that RSM High offers Saturday school to its students? Those in danger of failing, particularly due to absences, are encouraged to sign up and show up! For more info, contact the school.

Review by David Marshall James: "Audrey: The 50s" by David Wills

"Sabrina" (1954), in which the titular chauffeur's daughter returns to the Hamptons from her Paris studies "a la glam magnifique", became the makeover dream of millions of American women.

With a new coiffure, a trunk full of made-to-fit Givenchy gowns, and some of that fabled French je ne sais quoi, and you were all set to wed one of your daddy's megamillionaire employers.

Thus, Audrey Hepburn did more for the junior year abroad than countless college-catalog come-on's for croissant-crunching credit hours.

Although of Belgian birth-- with English schooling-- she never seemed like a foreign movie star, but more like an American actress with a whole lot of class.

She certainly didn't possess Greta Garbo's symmetrically fine features, nor Hedy Lamarr's otherworldly gorgeous visage. Rather, Audrey gave the ordinary woman hope that, with the correct beauty treatment and some tres-fab glad rags, allure was just within reach of her gloved fingers.

As The New York Times would note: "Half a generation of young females stopped stuffing their bras and teetering on stiletto heels."

Always self-conscious of her feet and height, Hepburn stuck to flats, ballet slippers, and "kitten heels." Yet, as with Garbo-- also always obsessed with her plus-size tootsies-- no one was really focusing there.

Audrey's rise to cinema glory was routed by some of Hollywood's greatest directors-- William Wyler, Billy Wilder, King Vidor, Fred Zinnemann, and (Columbia’s own) Stanley Donen-- and accompanied by such Hollywood legends as Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Henry Fonda, and one of the great loves of her life, William Holden, although they never married.

This volume includes a photo of Holden leaning against the hood of his to-die-for Nash-Healey convertible on a Manhattan curbside, during the filming of "Sabrina." Let's review: Hepburn and Holden in a Nash-Healey. That pretty well defines Hollywood cool.

America owned a real sense of glamour during the 1950s, and Audrey was at its forefront, like some chromium hood-ornament goddess. That feeling is captured in page upon page of this lovingly produced volume. Indeed, many of the pictorial delights hail from the personal collection of cinema chronicler David Wills, whose previous works include "Hollywood in Kodachrome" as well as "Audrey: The 60s."

Wills presents a Hollywood and fashion icon during the first decade of her film career, an actress who would come to learn what all her achievements meant in the long run: "People associate me with a time when movies were pleasant, when women wore pretty dresses in films and you heard beautiful music. I always love it when people write to me and say, 'I was having a rotten time, and I walked into a cinema and saw one of your movies, and it made such a difference.' "

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