June 24, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Ridge Spring Farmers' Market, Open on Saturdays only: You know I have to start with the market!!!! We had 10 venders today. Four had fresh corn and I bought a dozen from each vendor.   We had honey from Dry Creek Honey Bee Farm, peaches, yellow and white, Crowder peas, zucchini, squash, tomatoes - grape, Cherokee purple, chocolate cherry,  celebrity, and with some of those green tomatoes to pickle or fry. You should have seen the choices of peppers, green, cayenne, poblano,  banana, and more.  We had string beans, pickling cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and of course boiled peanuts.  28:8 Farms had Pork Chops, Bacon, Picnic shoulders and butts, Onion Sausage, Mild Breakfast links,  Jalapeno & Cheddar Sausage, and Bratwurst along with their vegetables. WOW!!!! What choices you will have!!!

This year I am bringing pots of herbs for customers to cut what they would like for a small fee. A lady got some lavender to put in an arrangement on a picnic table so as to keep the mosquitoes away.  I think I will try that too. We start setting up around 7:00 and all are ready around 8:00 AM.  Many stay until lunch time too. WOW!!! Summer is here.

Dry Creek Honey Bee Farm is back in business.  David Day and his three children were at the market with a great variety of honey products.  He has honey for sale and h also does bee removal.  He will be back too.

I have a great quote from Denise Covington of Ridge Antiques and Dry Goods, "I am healthy, wealthy, wise, happy, joyous, and free."  What a wonderful attitude and she did have a bag of boiled peanuts to help her continue the feelings.  Another saying I had never heard was "Can't make it to market, got an ox in the ditch." Leonard Bell sent that last Saturday and I did not know he had an ox.  Later he told me it was an old saying his father taught him and it means he has too much to do.  I knew the saying as too many irons in the fire, but we both got the point.

Juniper Restaurant will be closed July 4th and 5th.   

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:

The first delivery of cleaning items were taken to Killingsworth this past Friday. RSUMC will collect cleaning supplies until Wednesday of this week. Those items will be delivered on Wednesday. An urgent email from Killingsworth Home (safe haven for women in transition) was received that they were out of basic cleaning needsGeneric brands/store brands are fine! The items are as follows:  pine-sol liquid, fabuloso liquid cleaner, furniture spray cleaner/polisher, windex for glass and mirrors, Swiffer wet mop sets, large sponges for cleaning, bathroom specific cleaners, and paper towels. We also need standard size bed pillows and zippered covers for them!

If you would like to help with this, leave your donation on the porch of the church or the Family Life Center and a church member will make sure they will make into the Big Red Box. Thanking all the community angels in advance.

A fine message was delivered by Pastor Ashley this Sunday. Theme was make sure you are connected: God, church, community. Remember if you are in despair or lose your way, Jesus can ‘jump start’ your connection. Church service is at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Join us. We will save you a seat.

 Art Center of Ridge Spring (Joanne Crouch):  The watercolor workshop with Anne Hightower Patterson was rescheduled due to the illness of Anne.  She has been hospitalized with pneumonia.  The workshop will be rescheduled until early fall after she gets well. In addition to the watercolor in the fall, there will be basic sewing classes, stained glass and pottery classes.  A list will be released soon.

Ron Buttler is the featured artist for June at Jim Harrison Gallery for the month of June. Barbara Yon is the solo artist in the member’s gallery at the Aiken Art Center.   Her abstracts were admired by many at her reception on Thursday, June 21^st.  Her work will be there until mid July. 

Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. There is no admission fee.   Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. Check out our face book page at Art Association of Ridge Spring& Gallery.

Josie Rodgers

Registration News for Aiken County Schools:  Registration can be completed ONLINE this summer!  You will still need to go to your child’s school to verify registration information and to show proof of address.  Parents/guardians of NEW students are asked to come to their respective schools to complete the registration process.

RSM Elem: Summer reading logs will be due when school is back in session.  Don’t wait until the last minute!  Read all summer!  Read what you like!  Read what you love!  Just READ!  Did you know that the more a child reads the higher level  his vocabulary will be and the more successful he will be in ALL of his classes?  Get to the library and explore!

Elem Registration:  New students & their parents/guardians are asked to come to the school on Aug. 11 between 11am and 6 pm to register for school.  Meet the Teacher will take place Thurs., Aug. 16, from 3-6 pm.  Parents are asked to visit the school before Aug. 11 to verify the online information. 

RSM High:  RSM Lady Trojan Volleyball and Basketball summer schedule will resume Tues., July 10, at 8:30 am in the gym!  All mid or high girls interested in playing for the Lady Trojans should be at the gym with 2018-2019 sports physical in hand.

Registration will be held on Tues., Aug. 7, from 11 am until 7 pm in the cafetorium.  Even if you complete registration online, you must still come to the school to verify that information and show proof of address.

RSM High Class of 1988 will have a reunion on July 14.  If you are an ’88 graduate and interested, contact Carol Pittman via Facebook for details and payment information.  She needs a final count by July 2.  The page is RS-M Class of 1988. 

Book Review from David Marshall James: "Accustomed to Her Face:  Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood" by Axel Nissen

   Ona Munson, in her Belle Watling finery, graces the cover of Prof. Axel Nissen's third volume concerning classic Hollywood character actresses, following "Actresses of a Certain Character" and "Mothers, Mammies and Old Maids."

   Munson, who starred in "No, No Nanette" on Broadway, never knew the success in films that she found on the stage when she was younger, in spite of her role in "Gone With the Wind" (1939).

   To be sure, Hollywood provided a monetary refuge for actresses who had once been ingenues, or even leading ladies, on the stage.  Of course, many had to be content with supporting roles, but, with enough artistry, they often stole a film from its stars.

   For instance-- in addition to other GWTW players Barbara O'Neill (Ellen O'Hara) and Isabel Jewell (Emmie Slattery)-- this volume includes that great Irish expounder of Brooklynese, Connie Gilchrist, who proved unforgettable in the Oscar-winning "A Letter to Three Wives" (1949) as Linda Darnell's kitchen-table-poker-playing mother.

   Gilchrist displayed her range in another unforgettable part, as the theater maid who duets with Judy Garland on "Ev'ry Little Movement" in "Presenting Lily Mars" (1943).  Come to think of it, Gilchrist's maid could well have been the model for the mop-wielding character Carol Burnett portrayed on her TV variety show.

   Author Nissen-- a professor at the University of Oslo-- turns his European sense of scholarship on his subjects, compiling domestic and personal data from official sources on them.

   As aforestated, many of these ladies ventured to Hollywood via the New York stage, touring companies, and/or vaudeville.  Some of them had always played supporting roles, often owing to their having been born more beautiful on the inside than the outside.

   Case in point here is Margaret Hamilton of Cleveland, Ohio, who maintained an apartment on Gramercy Park in New York City, as she preferred stage roles, appearing at age 70 in Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music."

   However, she gained immortality for a film character she played back in 1939, a sterling example of the adage, "There are no such things as bit parts, only bit actors."

Harriet's Garden Tips:  I sold a clipping of the herb lavender to a lady at the market for she was going to put it in an arrangement for her table that night.  She said it would keep the bugs away.  I went to the internet and found the following information.  Amazing what you can learn from customers and the internet. "All About Lavender: Lavender has been known for its gentle and soothing fragrance since ancient times. Used by Greeks and Romans in the public baths, the word lavender is derived from the Latin word lavare, or to wash. As a strewing herb, lavender not only offers a pleasing scent to us, it also repels insects. It was used to mask the scent of foul smells in the streets of old, and remains a universally delicate and lovely scent for households worldwide."  I think I will grow more of it  next year to sell at the market

REMINDERS

June-August: Ridge Spring Farmers Market

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

            Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

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

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

Every first Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783

Every 1^st Thursday:  Audibel Hearing Center

Every Friday:  Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7-8 pm at The Ridge Spring Library

Every 4^th Saturday:  The Helpful Hands Food/Clothing Bank

June 18, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Ridge Spring Farmers' Market, Open on Saturdays only: We may have only had 6 venders today but look at the variety of fresh produce.  We had , peaches, yellow and white, red potatoes, yellow and green zucchini, squash, tomatoes - grape, Cherokee purple, chocolate cherry, yellow and celebrity, with some of those green tomatoes to make those hors d'oeuvre or just fried green tomatoes. You should have seen the choices of peppers, cayenne, white, poblano,  banana, and more.  We had string beans, cucumbers - burpless and pickling, string beans, kale, cantaloupe, and of course boiled peanuts and ice cold lemonade.   This year I am bringing pots of herbs for customers to cut what they would like for a small fee.  There will be corn this coming week. We start setting up around 7:00 and all are ready around 8:00 AM.  Many stay until lunch time too. WOW!!! Summer is here.

It is so much fun being at the market.  Byron Rikard of Roadside BBQ came by.  He said that by the end of this month he hopes to be open on Fridays and  Saturdays all day.  IT will be mainly take-out but there will be some outside tables for sit at and eat.  He plans to  have BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, BBQ pork, hash and rice.    BBQ baked beans, potato salad, slaw, and a vegetable will be available.  He will also have chicken thighs that as Patrick Arnold said he "just sucked the meat right off the bone".

 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival: BIG NEWS! We are bringing back the Miss Harvest Festival Pageant! Tentative date is set for September. We will have an official press release. You will be able to find entry forms at the RS Town Hall soon and we will post the form on our website ridgespringharvestfestival.com.    We had to move our Harvest Festival meeting to this week due to so much going on last Tuesday. We will be meeting Thursday June 21st at 7:00p at the Ridge Spring Town Hall.   We have about 5 teams signed up and looking for more. If you are interested in signing up please visit our website ridgespringharvestival.com or visit the South Carolina BBQ Association website's Events Calendar page and find us on October 13th. Download the Cookers pack and send it on in!

Harvest Festival will meet Thursday June 21at Town Hall at 7:00 PM.

RSM Registration News:  Registration can be completed ONLINE this summer beginning June 6!  New students, however, are asked to come to the school on Aug. 1 between 11am and 6 pm.  Meet the Teacher will take place Thurs., Aug. 16, from 3-6 pm.  Parents are asked to visit the school before Aug. 11 to verify the online information. 

Art Association of Ridge Spring: Wow, it really has been HOT.  We are so greatful that the Art Center now have air conditioning!  Please come and shop our “cool” art in comfort.  Please continue to watch for upcoming classes.  If you have a particular class that you would like to attend, please contact Joanne Crouch inperson or call (803)685-5577 and leave a message or leave a message at the Art Center.

 Anne Hightower-Patterson is offering a 2-day workshop, “Taking your watercolor to the next level” on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 from 10-4 with 1 hr for lunch.  Total cost will be $130 for both days of instruction.  Supplies not included.  Spots are limited.  To reserve your spot, call (803)685-5577 and leave message.  Spots are limited.

D.S. won 2^nd place for “Morning Calm” at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta in the Open Sessions Exhibit.  Ron Buttler won 3^rd place for “Beauty and the Beast”  at the event on Thursday, June 7^th.  Ron Buttler is the featured artist for June at Jim Harrison Gallery for the month of June.  Barbara Yon is the solo artist in the member’s gallery at the Aiken Art Center with a reception on Thursday, June 21^st @6pm. 

Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. There is no admission fee.   Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30.  Check out our face book page at Art Association of Ridge Spring& Gallery.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:   

For the next two weeks RSUMC will be collecting cleaning supplies. An urgent email from Killingsworth Home (safe haven for women in transition) was received that they were out of basic cleaning needs.  The items are as follows and Generic brands/store brands are fine:

 pine-sol liquid

fabuloso liquid cleaner

furniture spray cleaner/polisher

windex for glass and mirrors

Swiffer wet mop sets

large sponges for cleaning

bathroom specific cleaners

paper towels

 We also need standard size bed pillows and zippered covers for them!

If you would like to help with this, leave your donation on the porch of the church or the Family Life Center and a church member will make sure they will make into the Big Red Box. Thanking all the community angels in advance. Church service is at 11:00 AM unless otherwise noted.

Josie Rodgers

Jordyn Rodgers, a recent dance graduate from Coker College, is holding "Movement Madness" dance classes for autistic children ages 5-10 for $80 per child.  It will be an exciting week with creative dance classes and fun activities that will strengthen both the body and the mind and geared specifically for children with autism.  The classes take place July 16-20 from 3-4 pm at Palmetto Dance Academy in Saluda.  Jordyn earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Movement Therapy and a minor in psychology.  Space is limited for the class, so register today by calling 803-331-1578 or emailing jordyn.rodgers@coker.edu. 

Registration News for Aiken County Schools:  Registration can be completed ONLINE this summer!  You will still need to go to your child’s school to verify registration information and to show proof of address.  Parents/guardians of NEW students are asked to come to their respective schools to complete the registration process.

RSM Elem: Summer reading logs will be due when school is back in session.  Don’t wait until the last minute!  Read all summer!  Read what you like!  Read what you love!  Just READ!  Did you know that the more a child reads the higher level  his vocabulary will be and the more successful he will be in ALL of his classes?  Get to the library and explore!

Elem Registration:  New students & their parents/guardians are asked to come to the school on Aug. 11 between 11am and 6 pm to register for school.  Meet the Teacher will take place Thurs., Aug. 16, from 3-6 pm.  Parents are asked to visit the school before Aug. 11 to verify the online information. 

RSM High:  Registration will be held on Tues., Aug. 7, from 11 am until 7 pm in the cafetorium.  Even if you complete registration online, you must still come to the school to verify that information and show proof of address.

Book Review from David Marshall James:  "True Fiction" by Lee Goldberg

   Oh.  My.  "G" exclamations, as many as you can think of, then start creating your own.  What a thriller prolific novelist and TV writer Lee Goldberg has crafted-- it's the beach book for all seasons.

   And, catch this:  It's all about a lumpy thriller writer evading what he thinks is the CIA.  Ian Ludlow is mini-fridge-ing it up on his latest book tour, promoting his new thriller, which features Clint Straker, who holds a B.A. in "Bad A."  Some of us are born in a cabbage patch, but Clint's sprung out of the zucchini field.

   However, he's just a character, whilst his creator garners most of his exercise pacing in front of the McDonald's self-serve soda machine, anxiously awaiting his XXXL meal.

   If he were Clint, Ian probably would have bought a clue by this point, what with his broken arm and blown-up house, back in L.A.  His overhead light bulb finally blinks on when the black Mercedes comes careening toward him, sans driver.

   Then, there's that select group of his fellow novelists, the ones who've been dropping like flies.  Maybe Ian's injury wasn't just the result of a bicycle accident; maybe he didn't leave the gas on by mistake in his house.

   It's fight-or-flight time, and we've established that Ian is no Clint Straker.  Still, it's scarcely the golden age for dropping off the face of the Earth, what with security cameras, embedded chips in things you've never dreamed of, and tracking devices.

   If someone with a Captain Nemo arsenal of computers wants to find you, then you'd better start buttering your buns, because you're toast.  Therefore, Ian is about to tune into the Clint Straker channel.  And he's going to channel his inner Clint with the help of two unlikely companions:  His Seattle book-tour guide, along with a former TV action-series star who's gone to seed, off the grid, prepping for the day when every conspiracy theory comes true.

   The author-- Goldberg, not Ludlow-- gooses up his zippity narrative with so much juicy dialogue and so many "no, he did-dunt" scenarios that you can't turn the pages fast enough.  Oh.  My.  Get-you-some, too.

Harriet's Garden Tips:  I have pulled up the last of those gorgeous tall zinnias.  They were just too tall.  Check  your pots to see if the dirt seems to have pulled away from the side of the pot.  If so, when you water, the water will be going down the sides instead of to the plants.  This explains why the day after you water, the plant is wilted badly.  Solution is to 1. Repot, 2. Set in a tub of water and allow the air bubbles rise then add fresh soil to the top, 3. Try breaking up the top soil some. as you water and add more soil if you can.  You can always try what you think will work and let me know if it did.  Just keep the blooms coming.  Deadhead every time you walk by that plant, especially those petunias.

REMINDERS

June-August: Ridge Spring Farmers Market

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

            Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

June 11, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Ridge Spring Farmers' Market opened Saturday. It was a slow day .  We had a new vendor from Pelion with fresh vegetables.  Hope to see you this coming Saturday.   

Art Center in Ridge Spring

     A group led by Barbara Yon, Carolyn Boatwright and Kedryn Evans assisted a group to complete 6 new painted quilt blocks over the last couple of weeks.  Be sure and check out our facebook page.

       Kim Ruff, potter wil have a cup & saucer class on Friday, June 15^th @ 6:30.  Includes all firing and glazing for $35.  Call (803)685-5577 or contact joanne.crouch26@gmail.com to register.

      Anne Hightower-Patterson is offering a 2-day workshop, “Taking your watercolor to the next level” on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 from 10-4 with 1 hr for lunch.  Total cost will be $130 for both days of instruction.  Supplies not included.  Spots are limited.  To reserve your spot, call (803)685-5577 and leave message.  Spots are limited.

     D.S. won 2^nd place for “Morning Calm” at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta in the Open Sessions Exhibit.  Ron Buttler won 3^rd place for “Beauty and the Beast”  at the event on Thursday, June 7^th.

      Ron Buttler is the featured artist for June at Jim Harrison Gallery for the month of June. Barbara Yon is the solo artist in the member’s gallery at the Aiken Art Center with a reception on Monday, June 18^th. 

      Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. There is no admission fee.   Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30.   Check out our facebook page at Art Association of Ridge Spring& Gallery.

Kevin Yon has been named the South Carolina winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. What began with 100 head of cattle and borrowed equipment today is listed among the country’s 25 largest purebred operations by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). As a result of the success of Yon Family Farms, Kevin Yon has been named the South Carolina winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. He joins nine other individual winners as finalists for the overall award that will be announced in October at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Registered Angus bulls and females are the primary product marketed by Yon Family Farms, which has gone from offering 14 bulls in its first year to two live auctions annually — one in February and another in October — where 375 bulls and 150 females are sold.  Perhaps even more meaningful, the operation has become large enough to support multiple families — Kevin and Lydia’s children, Sally, Drake and Corbin, all play vital roles in the business, which also sustains 10 employees and their families. The operation now boasts 1,200 registered cattle, 590 commercial cattle and 90 fed cattle.

The Nut House and Country Store has their own version of a butter pecan ice cream. But it’s so much more than that. Pecans from Yon Family Farms’ The Nut House & Country Market are slow roasted with a hint of salt. The butter cream vanilla base is rich and oh so creamy. And for kicks and giggles, we delicately laced it with just enough decadent caramel. We’re thinking we should’ve named it something else to better represent this Southern classic dessert.

Juniper Restaurant: We are accepting reservations for our annual Father's Day Brunch. Seating times available 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 1:00, and 2:00. 

On June 16 Cub Scout Pack 555 Fundraiser will be at the  Ridge Spring Baptist Church from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  It will be eat In or take out for $8.00 per plate. Menu will be Wings, Celery, Potato Salad, Dessert, Tea/Lemonade with Wing Choice: Hot, Mild, Teriyaki, or Plain Please contact Melissa Stover, mostover310@gmail.com, or 864-323-5419.

I missed the opening of the RS Farmers' Market for Bob and I went to Clemson University to join our classmates in celebrating our 50th reunion.  It is hard to believe that it has been 50 years since we graduated.  We have been fortunate and hope we will continue to be. 

Josie Rodgers

On Sunday, Mark and I dropped off Annalee at Presbyterian College for a week of Palmetto Girls State.  She and Davis Wash are delegates from Wardlaw.  My niece Savannah Rodgers is a junior counselor there this week.  We were able to see her and get their picture together.  The entire check-in process and getting to rooms was so efficient and pleasant!  Everything was extremely organized, and every single person we encountered, from adults to counselors to delegates to parents, was so happy and helpful.  Aiden and I even had to run back to PC later that afternoon to take a forgotten item, and everyone was so accommodating and sweet.  I know that the over 600 young ladies are going to have a fantastic time this week.  Then it hit me:  32 years ago this week, my own mom dropped ME off at Girls State at Capstone on the Carolina Campus.  What a week! I can wait to show the girls my pictures of the cool clothes WE wore to PGS!

RSM Elem (Rene Miller):  Students, faculty, staff, families, and communities members united to support the March of Dimes campaign.  They participated in a friendly competition between Clemson, Carolina, and other teams to see who could raise the most money.  The school donated a total of $286.23 to the March of Dimes.  On the last day of the contest, students wore purple to show their support.

Summer reading logs & supply lists for next year will be sent home with final report cards on the last day of school.

Greenjackets Readers:  Earlier this spring, some of RSM’s students participated in the Augusta Greenjacket Reading Program and made a homerun in reading and got a free ticket to the May 14 Greenjacket game.  Emmy attended the game with her family, participated in the book parade with mascot Auggie, and enjoyed Dippin’ Dots.

Registration News:  Registration can be completed ONLINE this summer beginning June 6!  New students, however, are asked to come to the school on Aug. 11 between 11am and 6 pm.  Meet the Teacher will take place Thurs., Aug. 16, from 3-6 pm.  Parents are asked to visit the school before Aug. 11 to verify the online information. 

RSM High: Graduation was held last Thursday, and it was certainly one to remember!  The most amazing part was was when graduate Glenn Gaskins walked across the stage to received his diploma.  Why?  Glenn has cerebral palsy and gets around in his high-tech electric wheelchair.  We have never seen him out of his chair.  With assistance, he transferred into a type of walker that held up his body and moved those little legs of his across the stage.  The huge grin on his face and the laughter in his eyes was more amazing than we could have ever imagined!  He was so proud!  The senior class and the faculty and eventually the entire audience gave Glenn a standing ovation.  Tears of joy and amazement and respect were flowing from faces all over the crowd.  What a blessing for us all!

Review from David Marshall James:  "Like to Die" by David Housewright

   Rushmore McKenzie-- just "McKenzie," ma'am or sir-- has the "knight in shining armor on a white horse" act down pat.  You could even say it's his raison d'etre.

   For McKenzie, the Age of Chivalry is far from dead; indeed, it's entering a renaissance.

   Not that he won't favor his buds with his favors, too.  If you get right down to it, this latest McKenzie novel gets under way as an "I'll look into it" favor for a member of his just-dudes poker group.

   Cue the brass as McKenzie meets up with said poker player's inamorata, a real doozy who's running her own company, shipping her specially made salsa from Minneapolis across the U.S.A.  For sure, it's as fresh and spicy as her own self.

   Business is booming, but sabotage threatens it with reversals.  "Salsa Girl" is hitting the bottle of well-aged bourbon stashed in her office with increasing regularity.  Enter Sir McKenzie.  Nevertheless, there isn't much he can do about the big-rich family with which she's conducting her biz.

   Other concerns grab McKenzie's attention; most of all, what's the deal with Salsa Girl herself?  Who is she and what was she before she had man-cave dwellers dipping into her wares in the glow of flat-screen  ESPN offerings?

   Is she the next Betty Crocker, or just a crock?

   McKenzie is up to his poblanos here, and like to die for same.  It's a wonder that his inamorata, Nina Truhler, doesn't heat up under her collar about McKenzie's latest chivalric quest, particularly with such a femme fatale in the mix.

   Author David Housewright brings his well-established storytelling flair to the action-filled narrative.  As always, the author is aces when drawing his supporting cast of characters, including Salsa Girl's have-more business associates, along with a rogue's gallery of assorted knaves, from coat-and-tie types to street types in hip-hoppin' T shirts.

   McKenzie takes more than his usual beating in his shining-armor showdowns for Salsa Girl.  Perhaps Nina should see to it that he folds out of that poker group and in with some bridge or canasta players-- preferably at a seniors' center, or someplace where they don't eat salsa.

Harriet's Garden Tips:  News flash - some plants are too big for your chosen spot.  I was so proud of my zinnias that I planted them in pots and flower beds.  The blooms are gorgeous.  Now the problem is they are too big.  They can't stand up by themselves, they crowd out other plants, and I can't believe that I did not take notice of the height of the mature plants.  This reminds me of the old adage: Do not assume.  I learn that every year for gardening is always a learning process for us all.

REMINDERS

June-August: Ridge Spring Farmers Market

June 16: Cub Scout Pack 555 Fundraiser

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

            Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

June 4, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

TAKE TIME to join Mayor Pat Asbill and Aiken County Public School Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford on Tuesday June 5th for an open forum at Ridge Spring Town Hall to discuss education in the Ridge Spring - Monetta Community 6:30 PM. Vouchers will be given out Tuesday from 1:00 to 6:30 also.

The Peachtree 23 Yard Sale was a wonderful success.  The customers kept coming, the vendors kept up with lots of treasures, and I had a ball.  The town employees worked hard to keep the trash picked up, answer questions and one even gave me a short ride to my shop. Thank you!!! It was an awesome way to start the summer season.  We also had peaches, corn, string beans, plums and boiled peanuts. The Farmers' Market begins this coming Saturday.   I did sell all my black-eyed Susan vine handing baskets and will be setting up another crop of hanging baskets of these vines.  I do enjoy them.

The Ridge Spring Farmers' Market begins this Saturday. There will be peaches, corn, daylilies, and more fresh for all.  Come by visit, purchase and enjoy the old fashion market on the square.  There will be no peanuts this Saturday but I will be back next Saturday.  What time to be there is say around 8:00'ish to 11:30'ish.  It is hard to set a time exactly but you can enjoy the day.  Patience is a virtue. 

On June 16 Cub Scout Pack 555 Fundraiser will be at the  Ridge Spring Baptist Church from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  It will be eat In or take out for $8.00 per plate. Menu will be Wings, Celery, Potato Salad, Dessert, Tea/Lemonade with Wing Choice: Hot, Mild, Teriyaki, or Plain Please contact Melissa Stover, mostover310@gmail.com, or 864-323-5419.

The Art Center of Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch

 Anne Hightower-Patterson is offering a 2-day workshop, “Taking your watercolor to the next level” on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 from 10-4 with 1 hr for lunch.  Total cost will be $130 for both days of instruction.  Supplies not included.  Spots are limited.  To reserve your spot, call (803)685-5577 and leave message.

Ron Buttler is the featured artist for June at Jim Harrison Gallery for the month of June.

 Barbara Yon is the solo artist in the member’s gallery at the Aiken Art Center beginning June 18^th. 

Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. There is no admission fee.   Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. 

Josie Rodgers

The Peachtree 23 Yard Sale must have been a booming success!  I rode through Thursday am and pm and Friday am and pm and there were already so many people and vehicles filling the town.  Even when I returned from Aiken Saturday evening, some sellers were still set up and several shoppers still roaming through.  Amber, Aiden, and Nanny earned some beach money and had a great time people-watching and enjoying the company of Lexi Sterling & Rachel Burger who set up in Nanny’s yard.  I did not attend the yard sale, but I have a good excuse!  I was keeping my precious grandbabies so my daughter, son, and mom could participate in the event.  I dare say that I got the better end of the deal complete with snuggles and kisses and lots of laughter and singing!

St. William Catholic Church honored 6 graduates last Sunday with a special message, gifts, and a dinner.  Graduates include Samuel Bedenbaugh (Coastal Carolina), Tyler Berry (RSM High), Jordyn Rodgers (Coker College), Savannah Rodgers (Wardlaw Academy), Tyler Rowe (RSM High), and Laura Way (Saluda High).  Interesting side note:  graduates were either a Rodgers or his/her mom was a Rodgers!

RSM Elem:  Students and teachers celebrated Test De-Stress Beach Fest Last Thursday.  Kids enjoyed music, popsicles, and games.  Thanks to Betsie Davenport, Ms. Powden, and all teachers who made this event possible!

RSM High: Graduation ceremonies will be held Thurs., June 7, at 5 pm, at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.  You must have a ticket to attend.

The student body voted for new officers for the 2018-19 school year:  President Jason Rodgers; Vice-President Austin Scott; Secretary Kaylah Guinyard; & representatives Arturo Contreras, Akira Weathers, Jason Robinson, & Jerry Tyler. 

The Beta Club and National English Honor Society also held elections for next year’s officers.  Beta officers are President Austin Scott, Vice-President Morgan Berry, Secretary Johnathan Cumbee, Historian Symia Wilson.  NEHS officers include President Kelson Palmer, Vice-President Symia Wilson, Secretary Johnathan Cumbee, and Historian Morgan Berry. 

            The Athletic Banquet was held May 31 at the school.  Outstanding student athletes were honored:  Golf Sportsmanship, Lexi Sterling; Golf All Region, Alex Tarlton, William J Ward winner (senior, best sportsmanship/citizenship): Melvin Alewine

Athletic Academic Awards: Arturo Contreras, Jose Valeriano, Alieaun Gilliam, Kendra Storey, Kadaija James, Mikala Middlebrooks, Alexis Gray, Darren Abney, Tyler Stone, Reagan Cherry, Hayden Cherry, Conner Goss, Jason Rodgers, Kelson Palmer, Tyler Berry, Dawson Holsomback, Rachel Burger, Lexi Sterling, Austin Scott, Jay Sterling, Zambria Morris, Makayla Carson, Chesley Cooper, Courtney Lee

Review from David Marshall James:  "Retro Recipes from the '50s and '60s:  105 Vintage Appetizers, Dinners, And Drinks Everyone Will Love" by Addie Gundry

   Put on your June Cleaver pearls, your Uncle Charley (as in William Demarest, not Charlie Sheen) apron, or your Hazel Burke (as in Shirley Booth) scalloped cap:  It's time to whip up a Very Best Salisbury Steak or some Farmer's Pork Chops.

   'Course, you begin with a cocktail, such as an Old Fashioned or a Tom Collins.  Along with libations, indulge in an appetizer.  If you can do a full pinkie extension, call them "canapes."  Hazel was big on the Crab Puffs, or, go even farther uptown with the Rumaki.

   If it's time for luncheon, tone it down to the Cream Cheese-Stuffed Celery and the Southern Deviled Eggs, followed by Turkey Tetrazzini or Chicken a la King.  Serve alongside a Waldorf or a Watergate salad on a retro plate (and the ones featured in the recipe photos will supply inspiration), followed by Lemon Chiffon Cake.

   Back to dinner:  If you're having the boss over for dinner-- truly a retro practice-- there's Beef Wellington.  Did you know this was President Richard Nixon's favorite dish (even odds that Checkers got some under the table)?  That's just one of the many tidbits author Addie Gundry plates up in the headers to her never-go-out-of-style recipes.

   With that Beef Wellington, you may offer Peas Juliette and Herb Garlic Popovers.  Cherries Jubilee or Bananas Foster round out Dinner with the Boss, or with your Great-Aunt Edna, who's sitting on a pile-- of moolah of course, not a doughnut cushion.  Well, maybe both.  And, if you're afraid of alerting the Fire Department with a flaming dessert, substitute the Grasshopper Pie or the Harvey Wallbanger Cake.

   This lick-the-pages cookbook will help you serve anyone.  There're the Patty Melt, the Tuna Melt, Homemade Sloppy Joes, and Classic Meatloaf.  Get your kids started on the Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole.  A casserole topped with potato chips?  What's not to love about that?

   Why not bowl everyone over with the Sea Breeze Salad, or the Creamsicle Jell-O Mold, or both at a potluck or a festive gathering?  You can make them up the day before and transport them in one of those no-ice coolers.

   Why not inaugurate a Retro Dinner club with some pals?  At the very least, get up a game of "Hazel Burke Bingo" during reruns of "Hazel."  Every time Shirley Booth says, "Hey, Mr. B," you pop a crab puff, or a meatball, or a you-get-the-picture.  Every time someone compliments Hazel's cooking, just think, "I can do that, too."

Harriet's Garden Tips:  As hard as I try, the potted plants can still have dry spots in the soil.  It is always a good practice to set your purchased plants in a bucket of water and let them soak.  Air bubbles will show up letting you know there were air pockets in the root system.  You can do this with hanging baskets but it is not easy.  Check the rims of your large pots that can't be placed in water.  If the soil has pulled away from the sides, water will be running down the side and not into the root base.  Try to rough up the soil and place more soil on top to minimize up this problem.  We do seem to go from too much rain to HOT weather, but flowers are the magic.

REMINDERS

June 5: Voucher Distribution

June 5: School Open Forum at Town Hall at 6:30

June 9: Farmers Market Opens

June 16: Cub Scout Pack 555 Fundraiser

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

            Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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