February 26, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

March 9 and 10 Quilting on the Ridge

The Quilt Raffle: Our featured handmade quilt will be raffled off at the conclusion of the weekend. The quilt is by Anne  Curley, the maker of the quilt that is being raffled. The quilt is machine pieced but hand stitched. It is from a non smoking home. She said to wash it on the delicate cycle in cold water but she throws a color catcher in with it. Dry on low. She thought it was the perfect one for the raffle! Tickets will be available at the shops for $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. 

The Quilt Trail: Take part in the Ridge Heritage Quilt Trail and visit the shops of Ridge Spring as they showcase beautiful, handmade, and historic quilts.  Participants are encouraged to start at The Art Center of Ridge Spring at 108 Maintenance Building Circle, behind the Civic Center. For an optional $5 registration fee, participants will receive a Ridge Spring Goodie Bag containing a map, one free raffle ticket, and discounts to area stores. Tickets will be available at the shops for $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. ( if  you see my car at the shop, stop by and buy your tickets.)

The beauty of the South is definitely blooming upon us.  The peach trees are blooming early but they are gorgeous.  You can see different varieties by their being in full bloom or just budding.  I do not know which is blooming at which time but the orchards are in different stages of blooming.  How else can we have peaches all summer.  Webb Photography can take beautiful family portraits in a peach orchard with the blooming trees as the back drop.  Every year I want to cut down this flowering peach tree in my yard but then I see it in bloom at this time, and I know that I cannot do it. I love spring!!!! 

The Art Center of Ridge Spring will reopen on Friday, March 2nd from 10-2. We are making a change in hours to better serve our customers. Out regular hours will be Fridays & Saturdays from 10:0 until 2:00 PM. Quilting on the Ridge is on March 9th and 10th and will celebrate quilts. Many quilts will be available for viewing in businesses throughout town. There will be heirloom quilts in addition to the art of local artists. Barbara Yon will lead a workshop on painting a quilt block at the Art Center. A drawing will be held for a quilt on Saturday, March 10th at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. You do not need to be present to win. Contact a member of AARS, FORS, or Town Hall for tickets.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:  If you were planning to donate soup to be taken to local food banks you still have time.  Church members will be collecting and distributing the soup at the end of the week. The church continues to collect items for personal hygiene bags. Some items needed are: full size bar soap, full size tooth paste, individually packaged tooth brush, combs, nail files/emery boards, bath towels, wash clothes. If you are interested in helping leave your items on the porch of either the FLC or the church and a member will make sure they are placed in the Big Red Box.

Next Sunday will be the first Sunday of the month and that means communion. The Methodist Church offers ‘open’ communion meaning anyone of any faith or not is welcome at the our table. Please join us during regular Church service for Communion. Sunday Service is at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted. We’ll save you a seat.

American Legion Post 133: The Post is selling Boston Butts on Good Friday, March 30, Easter Weekend.  The proceeds will sponsor local students to Boy's State. Contact any Legion member for tickets or call Phillips Boatwright at 685.7753.  Ticket are $35.00 each and the Boston Butts can be picked up at the Legion Hut on Pecan Grove Road on March 30 between 3:00 PM  and 5:00 PM.

Cub Scouts: We would like to put that Pack 555 is recruiting new members.  Boys and girls are invited to join.  We meet every 2nd and 4th Monday at Ridge Spring Baptist Church at 7:00.  Any questions, contact Melissa Stover at mostover310@gmail.com

Security Federal Bank  will be opening accounts for its customers from 1-5  March 7, 8, 14, 15, 20 and from 9-12 and 1-5  March 26-30. Their plans also include having a soft opening on April 2. 

Wendy Arndt, Magnolia Ridge: The 9th Annual Antique and Art Festival is May 19 2018. Horse riding Summer programs available for children or adults beginner through advanced. The flag on the gazebo it is from the winners of the Harvest Festival BBQ.

The Department of Agriculture is holding classes for farmers so they can accept vouchers this summer.  These vouchers are given to people over a certain age to use to get fresh fruits and vegetables. A Win for the farmers and a  Win for the participants.   For more information contact the department at 503.734.2224.  If you missed the class that was in Aiken, there are others being offered throughout the state.  Just call the number for the schedule. 

Rene Miller, RSM Elementary School

RSME Miss and Master Pageant: Applications for the RS-ME Miss and Master Natural Pageant were sent home Tuesday, February 20th.  The cost of the pageant is $20 per contest- ant.  Applications and payment are due to 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Cockrell, no later than March 16th.  The pageant will be held in the RS-ME gymnasium on March 22nd at 6:30pm.   Audience members can purchase a ticket for $5 at the door the night of the pageant.  Come out and support our little kings and queens!

 Day of Caring: We are looking for volunteers to help with our Day of Caring. The Day of Caring is on April 14, 2018. If you are good with handiwork and outside projects, WE NEED YOU!   Also, we are accepting financial donations to the school to purchase materials and supplies. If you have any questions, please contact (803) 685-2000.

 4K Registration: 4K registration will begin March 5 and run through April 13, here at RSME.  Please be aware that there are limited slots. For more information go to:  https://www.acpsd.net/domain/94

Josie Rodgers, RSM High School: The Trojans are going to State!  The varsity boys basketball team, under the coaching of Mark Wright, defeated Lewisville last Friday night to win the Upper State Championship!  The winning shot was made at the buzzer by Melvin Alewine.  The team will travel to Colonial Life Arena this Saturday to play for the State Championship!  Tickets are $10.  #trojanstrong  RSM High:  The varsity softball team is having a 50-inning softball game fundraiser on Sat., Mar. 10 beginning at 10 am.  Admission is $3, and lunch will be on the grill at 1. The players are taking donations per inning that they play.  See any JV or varsity softball player to help support this fundraiser. The Black History Program at RSM High was absolutely wonderful!  Under the direction of Felicia Key, the students presented a variety of talents to highlight the contributions of African-Americans to our culture.  The program culminated with the Gospel Warriors Praise Group.  It was a very special day to share with our families and communities. 

Review from David Marshall James:  "A Whisper of Bones" by Ellen Hart

   Mystery novelist Ellen Hart can take a seemingly simple premise and coax it to bloom into a many-streaked tulip, to borrow an image from Dr. Samuel Johnson, whom Hart references several times in her latest Jane Lawless mystery.

   When Jane's Minneapolis restaurant, the Lyme House, isn't running her ragged, she moonlights as a P.I., should the case intrigue her.

   As the plot germinates, a prospective client-- referred by Jane's best bud, theater owner and Ph.Diva Cordelia Thorn-- approaches Jane about a missing cousin.

   Said client-to-be, Britt Ickles, is attending a symposium at "The U" (-niversity of Minnesota).  She has popped in to visit some aging aunties in St. Paul who were estranged from their sister, Britt's now-deceased mother, Pauline.

   Britt hasn't seen aunts Lena and Eleanor for about 40 years.  When she recalls playing with Lena's son, Timmy, on her last visit, during the 1970s, both aunts state that she must be confused, that there never was a Timmy.

   Thus, the proverbial barn door swings wide, letting loose a wildly spinning tale that would cause Alfred Hitchcock to do-si-do with Eva Marie Saint and Tippi Hedren, what with a root cellar, a basement, and a creakingly creepy old house.

   Meanwhile, Jane is dealing with now-on-again paramour Dr. Julia Martinson, who's not Cordelia's favorite person in the World.  As for La Thorn, she steals the show with the legerdemain of Cary Grant in Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief."

   Moreover, author Hart balances the tragic and the comic elements of her novel with well-honed skill. Aunt Lena gives Cordelia a run for her money in the let-her-rip department; indeed, she could be the Ghost of Cordelia Future, especially if La Thorn switches her bevvie-of-choice from black-cherry soda to Black Jack.

   Tastes may vary, but this novel may be Hart's best yet, and it comes on the heels of her receiving the Grand Master award at the 2017 Edgar awards for mystery writers.  We would say she's on a hot streak-- right, Dr. J.?

Harriet's Garden Tips: So much is blooming that it is  hard to believe.  A good rule of thumb is to prune after something has bloomed which is before next year's blooms are set.  It is too early to plant many vegetable seeds but you can plant beets, spinach, carrots, lettuce, snap peas, English peas, and many other vegetables that are considered spring plants.  I am thinking of  planting potatoes.  There are red, Irish, and even purple ones.  Get that rain gauge out and place in the garden to make sure you get at least an inch of water each week.  I already have tomato seeds sprouting in the shop.  The plants should be ready by the end of April. 

REMINDERS

March 9 & 10:  Quilting on the Ridge

March 13: RS Harvest Festival meeting Town Hall

March 15: Friends of Ridge Spring Meeting at Town Hall

March 30: American Legion Boston Butt Sale

May 19:  The Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Festival

Ridge Spring Library hours: Reopen soon

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

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

Every Friday & Saturday:  AARS hours 10 – 4 or by appt, free admission