August 13, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Part III

Article Appeared in the Sunday Morning State Newspaper August 6, 1905

FRUIT GROWING AT RIDGE SPRING

Written for the State by Fritz Hugh McMaster

Wanted - A General Superintendent

Probably one of the most popular citizens of Ridge Spring is Mr. T. B. Edwards, head of the firm of T. B. Edwards and Co.  He is one of the most successful merchants of the place and one of the most popular.  He devotes his time to his merchandizing and while he has peach orchards and ships large quantities of fruit he does not give it a great deal of his person attention. 

Mr. Edwards is of the opinion that it would be a profitable thing for the fruit growers to employ expert fruit grower who would have in his care all the orchards in a community.  His idea is to have a system that holds among tobacco growers.  The expert would give his whole time to the care of the orchards, their fertilization, pruning, spraying, the destruction of diseased trees and the planting of young ones.

            Mr. Edwards thinks this would result in the production of a finer grade of fruit and protection from disease.  The suggestion of Mr. Edwards may mean the chance for some practical fruit expert to get a good position and at same time serve a community well.

Apples Rarely Pay

            One of the youngest and most enterprising merchants of the town is Mr. W. H. Stuckey.  He also grows considerable fruit.  For about seven years he has been shipping apples.  He has about two acres in apples.  This year has been the most successful year he has ever had and his apples have netted him about $100 an acre. He is of the opinion that apples do not pay so well as other fruit in this altitude.  His apples are June Astracans. (this part was illegible but stated something to the affect that peaches are more profitable on a larger scale)

            Mr. Stuckey has five acres of peaches bearing fruit and three acres more of younger trees.  He bought the orchard already  planted.  It is about ten years old.  The replanting of trees does not amount to much and a healthy peach tree can be expected to bear fruit profitably for 13 to 15 years.  It is not unusual to find a tree 20 years old bearing fruit abundantly.  It can be estimated however, that a peach orchard will need to be replanted every 15 years.

            Mr. Stuckey's net returns from is peaches in 1905 were about $40 an acre and his average net return per acre has been from $30 to $35.  The varieties he has in bearing are Crawfords and Mountain Rose.  His younger trees are Elbertas and Carmen.  Mr. Stuckey comparing peaches with cotton finds that peaches pay best because land that will net $25 to the acre in peaches would not net more than five  410 bales.  In other words it takes better land in make cotton than will grow peaches profitably.  The best peaches are made on the ridges and hillsides and not in the valleys.  Light soils highly cultivated make the best peaches.  Mr. Stuckey is competent to make such comparison as he has made somewhat unusual crops of cotton on small plots.  On one 2  1/2 acre lot he made five 450 bales.  Mr. Stuckey has had very sound fruit as the growing of Ridge Spring generally have.  They are not troubled with unsound fruit.

Some Remarkable Yields

Messrs. M. W. Watson and Sons are experienced and successful growers of peaches plums, asparagus and Astracan apples. As with nearly all the other fruit raisers, peaches are their principal crop.  They have in bearing eight acres and have 35 more acres of Elbertas, two years old.  It is to be judged by this that they are believers in the value of Elbertas. 

             This firm has had some remarkable yields.  Three years ago they gathered 832 crates of peaches from 117 trees.  When it is remembered that a crate holds about three pecks.  It is seen that this average was about five bushels to the tree.  Estimating the new profit at 50 cents to the crate, the net average profit  per tree was about $3.50. 

            This year from 150 trees they have already gathered 200 crates and will gather about 300 more crates.  The net profit of 50 cents a crate is about what Messrs. M. W. Watson and Sons have found to be correct.

            From apples they have found the net profit to be more per crate, but not so much per acre.  The net profit per crate from apples is about 50 cents.  Charleston has been found to be the best market for apples and the Red Astracans find ready sale there.

            Messrs. M. W. Watson and Sons have three acres in Asparagus and their profits from this has been about $60 an acre.  They expect to plant more asparagus as their results from it have been gratifying.  A striking feature of asparagus shipments is that bleached grass sells best in the south and green grass in the north.  The experts say the green brass is the best.  In the larger markets the bleached grass will bring $3.50 a dozen bunches against $9 a dozen for the green grass.  

            This firm has been very successful with plums.  The average yield from the plums is about two and a half crates to the tree.

            Messrs M. W. Watson and Sons are in accord with the prevailing opinion in that the successful fruit raiser of the future is he who takes care of his trees, but so far their trees have given then little trouble as compared to their neighbors.  They have never had to spray their trees.  They attribute this to the fact that their orchard is far from other orchards and most of their bearing trees are old.  On their young orchard they expect to spray thoroughly.

A Crate Factory

            Mr. J. W. Seigler is the proprietor of the only crate and basket factory in this section.  His factory has a capacity of 400 complete crates a day. A complete crate is the crate itself with a dividing rack and six baskets.  Mr. Seigler finds it somewhat difficult to get sufficient quantities of the right kinds of woods for crate making.  Poplar and sweet gum are the best kind but pine is also used.  The making of the crates and baskets is a simple process.   The logs of pine , sweet gum or poplar are cut to convenient lengths for handling and are then put in steam vats where they are thoroughly steamed for from five to 24 hours.  They are then put in the veneering machine, which is like a turning machine, and the veneering comes off in long strips which is then cut to proper widths and lengths and the baskets and crates made in easy fashion.  A basket will hold not quite a half peck and the six baskets to the crate will hold scarcely three pecks.

            Mr. Seigler makes all the asparagus boxes that are used at Ridge spring but his factory cannot supply more than about one third the peach boxes needed.

            Mr. Seigler also plants fruit.  He has about 1,000 to 1,200 trees of 15 to 20 varieties.  He is shipping fruit from about the last of May till the middle of August.  He has had the best results from Greensboro and Elberta varieties.

A Successful Fruit Grower

Mr. R. M. Asbill who is with T. E Edwards and Co. is not an extensive planter of fruit but he has the reputation on knowing a great deal about the business and of growing very fine fruit.

            He was about the first man in Ridge Spring to spray his trees.  He used kerosene and water at first but expects to try other mixtures.  He has four acres in five varieties of peaches: Tillotsons, St Johns, Mountain Rose, Crawfords  and Elbertas.  He has found them all profitable.  His shipments commence about June 20th and end about July 25th.

            Mr. Asbill does not think an orchard can exist without spraying but does not find spraying beneficial except in the killing of insects.  In spraying he commences at the bop of the tree and comes down so as to gauge the amount for each tree.  (the paper was folded at this point and is hard to read)  No more than necessary is to be used so little is allowed to reach the roots.  He thinks a solution of lime, sulphur and salt a better spray than the simple kerosene and water.

            Mr. Asbill does not allow a peach stone or a rotten peach to remain in his orchard.  He believes in clean culture and every third year sows peas in the orchard.  He cuts off the hay  and plows the stubble under.  He plows as close to the trunk of the tree as the plow will go without injury  to the tree. He has the earth pulled away from the roots of the tree in November and about April 20th (or 30th) the trees are hilled with a hoe.  The pulling away of the earth in the fall keeps the tree clear of borers and putting the earth back in the spring protects the roots from the sun.

Three years ago Mr. Asbill made a net profit from his four acres of $550. Two years ago a hail storm nearly stripped his trees and his net profits went down to $185.  Last year he cleared $650 and this hear he will make about a$350.  Of course these figures do not take into consideration fruit used by the family for cutting, preserving, canning and giving away. As a matter of fact wagon loads of fruit are given away each year b the growers of Ridge Spring to their friends and neighbors. Practically one may have all the fruit be will gather.

August 6, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Part II

Article Appeared in the Sunday Morning State Newspaper August 6, 1905

FRUIT GROWING AT RIDGE SPRING

Written for the State by Fritz Hugh McMaster

How Asparagus in Planted

The doctor who raises asparagus and his suggestions on the subject will be found useful.  Seed from the largest stalks only and from the bottom half of the stalk should be planted.  Better still if is to take seed from those stalks which have the fewest seed on them.  The planting is done in February, in drills, and are thinned 4 to 6 inches apart.   The plants should be well fertilized and thoroughly cultivated.  One year old roots are used entirely for transplanting.  It the above methods are used, large roots are insured for the following year.  These are transplanted in February or March in six or seven foot rows, two feet in the drill and eight inches deep.  They are covered as lightly as possible and are kept free from grass and little dirt thrown on them the first year.  They should be fertilized highly.  Cotton or some other crop can be planted between rows the first two years.  After this peas should be planted between the rows early.

            The second year the asparagus may be cut but not much.  Succeeding years it may be cut closer and longer.  The fertilizer should be applied on both sides of the row the first year: afterwards in the middle of the row.  A distributor should be used and a ton of fertilizer to the acre applied.  The higher grade fertilizers will be found the cheapest in the end.  This year asparagus has yieled $100 to the acre.  An average yield per acre is $50.  The seed are gathered and sold to the seedsmen.

            Asparagus does not have to be replanted oftener that 12 to 15 years.  Large spears should be grown as they are cheaper to grow and handle.  The Palmetto is the choice variety.  Dr. Asbill has 16 acres in asparagus.

Dr. Asbill's Peaches

            Dr. Asbill has learned much about peach growing in the ten years he has been engaged in it.  He has about 15 acres in peaches and has 12 to 14 varieties.  Had he to plant over again he would plant only three or four varieties, the Greensboro, Carmen, and Elberta's being his choice.  These would give him peaches to ship from June 10th until July 20th.  The advantage is having a few varieties in that it is easier to pick and ship a car load than it is from the same number of trees of different varieties, ripening at slightly different times. 

            Peach trees should be planted 20 feet apart and should be highly fertilized.  Cotton can be planted in the orchard to advantage during the first three years.  Afterwards only peas should be planted.  The ripe peas may be picked and the vines should be turned under to supply the needed nitrogen to the soil.  In addition to this, 800 to 1,000 pounds of potash should be supplied.  The fertilizer should be applied about four or five feet from the trunk of the tree.

            The trees should be pruned and cut back to keep them from growing too high, a low branching tree being referable to a tall one.  It is a decided advantage to have trees from which the fruit can be gathered without the use of ladders.  Fruit should be from four to six inches apart on the limb.  Thinning should be done early.  The land should be turned over in the fall and after cultivation with disk harrows should be kept from woods.

            In picking fruit for shipment extreme care should be used to the selection of perfectly sound fruit and in grading it.  A suitable table for spreading the fruit upon before packing is made by putting a layer of cotton seed hulls on the table and covering it with burlaps which is tacked to the edges of the table.  The next step in shipping is to secure a good commission man in each market and ship him all of your fruit.  Ship to this one agent and him only, so long as he acts fairly.

            From Dr. Asbill's experience from $100 to $150 is netted and sometimes as much as $300 is the front.  His advice to all  prospective planters is not to plant a tree more than can be properly cared for.  It is better and more profitable to have five acres properly cared for than 20 acres indifferently.  Intensive farming is the rule to success in peach raising.

A Public Benefactor

            R. B. Watson and Sons are the largest growers of peaches at Ridge Spring.  They have about 150 acres in peach trees.  They are also large growers of asparagus and have apples and grapes and plums. 

            A  word as to Col. R. B. Watson.  He is one of those men who bless the world.  He is always thinking of someone else than himself and always doing good.  He probably was the pioneer peach raiser at Ridge Spring. He has been a leader in everything there was for the up building of the community.  He planted his first peaches in 1867, and in those days the peaches were shipped in any kind of box that was at hand.  Starch boxes were used principally.

Going somewhere back in ancient history, peaches were shipped to New York before the war by Purvis and Gregg, from near Aiken.  They were sent down the Savannah river by boat and thence to New York.  This was the same William Gregg who afterwards built the Graniteville Cotton factory and practically was the first cotton manufacturer in South Carolina.  He is buried at Graniteville where a monument has been erected to his memory.

            But back to R. B Watson and Sons: Col. Watson began to ship peaches regularly in 1873, and since then from year to year has added to his orchard until now, as stated, he and his sons have about 150 acres under cultivation.  Yet they do not call themselves peach growers.  They are cotton planters and peach raising is a side and to be attended to when the cotton crop does not need their attention.  They  have a good many varieties planted, but the varieties they recommend most highly named in order in which they are ready for market are: Alexanders, Greensboro, Carmen, Connett, Southern Early, Mountaid, Rose, Belle of Georgia, Elberta, Mixon Free and Mixon Cling, Chinese varieties and Emma.  They have found that their peaches average a net yield of about $50.00 to the acre.  Frequently they get much more but often less.

R. B. Watson and Sons have been successful also with grapes.  But they have not attempted to plant grapes to ship in large quantities.  For the past 15 years they have been planting asparagus.  In the early days they received as much as $1.50 a bunch in New York for their asparagus.  It does not bring so much now, but they have 600 crates more to pick.  His net returns this year will exceed $2000.00

Mr. Barr has selected  his trees so that he has fruit to ship from about June 1st till about August 1st.  He watches carefully the market and notes the points of best prices, and ships his fruit accordingly.  One day this season he gathered 258 crates of Elberta peaches from 100 trees.  He shipped 216 of these crates to Washington for which he received net express and other  charges paid, $175.00. He has not received the returns from the other 41 crates.  Probably 175 more crates were left upon the trees.  Of the 216 shipped to Washington not one was lost from being over ripe or any other cause.

Mr. Barr says there is the greatest need for protection against worthless trees being sold to prospective growers.  There is no protection now and the only safety that a purchaser has is to buy his trees from responsible nurseries.  Mr. Barr pays attention to the  proper pruning spraying and cultivation of his trees, and he sees no reason why one should not make money growing peaches.

July 23, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Alumni of Ridge Spring-Monetta High School 1958-1968   Monetta or Ridge Spring High School Alumni: We had three wonderful reunions that became simpler, more intimate and so good for us all.  We have so much to be proud of and what good memories we do have of those years in high school. Sara Rutland, class of '60,was going to chair this upcoming one.  Sara lost her husband Maxie Rutland, class of '56, in April 2017.  This has left her with no desire to do the reunion.  I have led three and cannot do another one. We need a new chairperson to lead the next one. If you are willing to volunteer please contact Sara or me.  A lot of classes are having their own reunions, and it may be time for us to discontinue the five year reunion.  If anyone would like to take on the chairmanship, please let me know by Halloween.  Otherwise we will discontinue these reunions.  We had good times, though, so cherish the memories. Contact: Harriet Householder at hfhouseholder@gmail.com

Watson Reunion Cancelled: Unfortunately, the Watson Reunion has been cancelled for this summer. We will look forward to rescheduling at a later date. For more information, contact Joe Watson at 803-685-7815 or joewatson@comporium.net or Mary Watson Edmonds at marywedmonds@gmail.com or 803-790-7780.

The Harvest Festival planning is in fifth gear heading down the stretch. We have a NEW website (www.ridgespringharvestfestival.com) for everyone to visit and find the necessary participation forms and sponsorship/advertising information. We would like to thank all of the sponsors that have contributed so far and want to remind all of the businesses that we can only fund the Harvest Festival with their sponsorship dollars. The top sponsor will be the parade grand marshal this year and will have a prominent spot on our website and booklet.

HF Beauty Pageant is returning.  It will be held on September 22 beginning at 2:00 PM.  There are five categories in the Junior Division and four categories in the Senior Division.  You can download the application at the web site.  There are other applications, too, if you want to participate in the other activities, such as the car show, craft show, cake and pie contest and more. 

  We have at least 6 BBQ teams signed up for the BBQ Battle for the Ridge. The top 4 BBQ cook teams at the top of the points standings will be at our competition this year! There will be a ceremony for the former BBQ King of Ridge Spring where their flag will be lowered, folded and presented to the team during the awards. Top prize this year... $1000, a trophy and the team's flag flown above the town for a year! Spaces are limited and there are early sign up incentives for teams to save money.

We are saddened to see the shop "Off the Beaten Path" closing.  It added so much to our town.  It will be hard to replace those charming people. 

The Ridge Spring Famers' Market Report:  The produce was abundant.  Again three vendors had corn, tomatoes, and more. Peaches were available. Watermelons cantaloupe, peppers, and a small amount of okra were available.  George Raborn hopes to have peas this coming week. Sherald Rodgers will have no more corn, but Titan Farms and Leonard Bell will still have some this coming week.  Day's Honey will be back in two weeks. String beans, butternut squash, cucumbers and zucchini were available too. The tomato varieties included heirloom, cherry, grape, yellow, purple, and the red ones we are used to..  The family needs to get the hives  producing the honey.  The Rustic Rose Paint Brush will be back August 4.  When I get to the market I always seem to need help getting set up.  The tent, purchased from the grant we received from AgSouth, takes four people to set it up.  Vickie Miller and her aunt are early customers and Vickie always is in the right spot to help me set up everything. They helped again this past Saturday, but I need to mention Aunt Martha Stoudemire's name this time.  Left it off last week The positive attitude that is at the market is a joy to experience.  Do come by and visit.

At the Farmers' Market we had a new vendor selling Tupperware, Diane Taylor.  She will be back or a representative will be there this coming Saturday.  I had forgotten how much I liked Tupperware and had to buy some.    They have updated all and developed new products. She certainly has good deals.   I was impressed.

We did get to talking about bachelors and widows and how they survive.  George Raborn lost his wife and now he notes that bachelors just put the clean clothes on the extra bed and not worry about folding them and putting them up.  Why wear out the cabinet doors.  When he was young and lived on the farm, they threw nothing away.  They would even put the dishwater in with the slop and feed it to the pigs. 

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: BiG Red Box:  The BRB will be collecting school supplies for RSM Elementary School.  The List will be posted on the porch of the FLC.

There will be a bucket on the porch of the FLC to collect dried Caroyla Markers. These will be recycled.  No church service on July 29th.

Art Center in Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch:

Anne Hightower-Patterson White, watercolorist, will have an intermediate-advanced class on Fri, September 14^th and Sat, September 15^th from 10-4.  Cost is $130 and must be paid before September 10^th.  Pre-register at the Art Center on Fridays or Saturdays from 10-2, or contact Joanne Crouch @ (803)685-5577 (leave message)  or by email joanne.crouch26@gmail.com.

      Two pottery classes are planned by Kim Ruff.  A small casserole class will be held on Monday, September 10^th from 6:30-8:30.  Cost is $35 and includes glazing and firing.  On October 15, a clay Christmas tree class will be held on October 15^th from 6:30-8:30.  Cost is $35 and includes all firing and glazing.  During  Kim’s class, the students will be allowed to make additional small pieces to use all the clay that is allotted for the class.

      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

We are so excited to announce the groundbreaking of the new RSM HIgh School on Aug. 17 at noon!  This event has been a very long time coming, something our community has longed for and deserved for many years.  The location will be beside RSM Middle and will face Trojan Road (how perfect!).  Plans are to open the school by the fall of 2019.  Join us for this historic and exciting event!

Distinguished Young Women of SC:  Our local DYWs are spending this week with host families and a roomie in Lexington.  The young ladies will participate in various events throughout the week including a trip to Riverbanks Zoo, a visit to Columbia College, time with the Boys/Girls Club, a Lexington Blowfish baseball game, a tea party, a luau, and a cowgirl event.  More importantly, these ladies will focus on how becoming their best selves involves giving back to their communities and our world to make it a better place.  Competitions for scholarships will take place July 27-28.  Local DYWs are Sara Miller, North Edgefield DYW; Jenna Crase, South Edgefield DYW, and Annalee Rodgers, Saluda County DYW. 

Many thanks to Katie Warnken at Sara's Fresh Market for helping us create a lovely gift basket for Annalee's DYW host family.  It included fresh peaches, jam, butter, BBQ sauce, peach cider, and peach salsa. What a perfect gift for a family! 

We had a girls' lunch at Juniper last Friday (me, my mom, my oldest daughter--Anna was having her senior portrait).  It was shrimp and grits for all.  Chef never disappoints! Fresh stewed squash accompanied the dish.  It was delicious!  I enjoy going to Juniper because I get to talk to people I know, and I always peek back in the kitchen to see what current and former students are working! 

Get ready for the Saluda County Farm to Table & Honey Tasting on Sept. 29 at 6:00 pm.  This event is a fundraiser held to raise money for scholarships for local students interested in careers in agriculture.  Partners with the Saluda County Farm to Table Committee are the Saluda County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Ward, the Gables Inn & Gardens, and the Clemson Extension Service.  Two scholarships were awarded to local youth this past May:  Darren Abney, RSM High, & McKenzie Maffett, Saluda High.  Tickets are $60 per person, $100 per couple, or $400 for a table of 8.  Tickets may be purchased by visiting Saluda FTT on Facebook or by emailing SaludaCountyFTT@gmail.com.

Review from David Marshall James:  "South Toward Home:  Adventures and Misadventures in My Native Land" by Julia Reed

   Reading Julia Reed's collection of "Garden & Gun" essays on Southern culture is like sailing down a Mississippi Delta Road while the daylight is sucked into the West, the shadows filling with the myriad voices that sound and resound through the flat fields of cotton.

   Those constitute the soundtrack of her life and her writing, along with the music heard live and recorded, especially as blasted from the car radio or eight-track tape player.

   The author's essays usually wind up at humorous junctions, although that's a natural result of her senses and sensibilities, not some forced "corn pone" (to borrow her terminology) shtick.

   She's most affecting here in her "Personal Notes" section of recollections, of growing up in Greenville, Miss., of boarding school in Madeira, Virginia (where the infamous Jean Harris was headmistress), of Georgetown University and early jobs, including that of roving Southern reporter for "Newsweek," under the editorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jon Meacham, who provides an erudite introduction to this volume and its author.

   Nevertheless, there are personal asides in all of these pieces, some of them repeated for good measure.  Call them "chestnuts in her repertoire."

   Reed comes across as a person you would want to be seated with at any yawn-inducing or otherwise uncomfortable social occasion, a person you would follow around at a party, surreptitiously or otherwise.  She'll bum cigarettes for you (band drummers are excellent sources in this "no, no, nicotine" era, she notes), and she'll dance when everyone else is picking wallflowers. 

   It'll be a cryin' shame if Julia Reed doesn't write at least one novel (I picture a slew of Fitzgeraldian Delta parties, such as the ones she describes herein), with forays to New Orleans bars and Mississippi River sandbars, as incomparably unfathomable and irresistible as a jar of Delta corn tamales.

Harriet's Garden Tips: If you are thinking of a fall vegetable garden, here are some ideas of seeds to plant: carrots, broccoli, lettuce, greens such as mustard, turnip, and collard, radishes, winter squash, and more.  There will be some bedding plants coming along in September and October, too.  Check out bulbs for soon we will be planting.    Keep deadheading.  Drop the dead blooms in the flower bed to see if they will reseed for next year.  My Rose Campions do.

REMINDERS

June-August: Ridge Spring Farmers Market

July 29: No service at RSUM Church

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

July 23, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Alumni of Ridge Spring-Monetta High School 1958-1968   Monetta or Ridge Spring High School Alumni: We had three wonderful reunions that became simpler, more intimate and so good for us all.  We have so much to be proud of and what good memories we do have of those years in high school. Sara Rutland, class of '60,was going to chair this upcoming one.  Sara lost her husband Maxie Rutland, class of '56, in April 2017.  This has left her with no desire to do the reunion.  I have led three and cannot do another one. We need a new chairperson to lead the next one. If you are willing to volunteer please contact Sara or me.  A lot of classes are having their own reunions, and it may be time for us to discontinue the five year reunion.  If anyone would like to take on the chairmanship, please let me know by Halloween.  Otherwise we will discontinue these reunions.  We had good times, though, so cherish the memories. Contact: Harriet Householder at hfhouseholder@gmail.com

Watson Reunion Cancelled: Unfortunately, the Watson Reunion has been cancelled for this summer. We will look forward to rescheduling at a later date. For more information, contact Joe Watson at 803-685-7815 or joewatson@comporium.net or Mary Watson Edmonds at marywedmonds@gmail.com or 803-790-7780.

The Harvest Festival planning is in fifth gear heading down the stretch. We have a NEW website (www.ridgespringharvestfestival.com) for everyone to visit and find the necessary participation forms and sponsorship/advertising information. We would like to thank all of the sponsors that have contributed so far and want to remind all of the businesses that we can only fund the Harvest Festival with their sponsorship dollars. The top sponsor will be the parade grand marshal this year and will have a prominent spot on our website and booklet.

HF Beauty Pageant is returning.  It will be held on September 22 beginning at 2:00 PM.  There are five categories in the Junior Division and four categories in the Senior Division.  You can download the application at the web site.  There are other applications, too, if you want to participate in the other activities, such as the car show, craft show, cake and pie contest and more. 

  We have at least 6 BBQ teams signed up for the BBQ Battle for the Ridge. The top 4 BBQ cook teams at the top of the points standings will be at our competition this year! There will be a ceremony for the former BBQ King of Ridge Spring where their flag will be lowered, folded and presented to the team during the awards. Top prize this year... $1000, a trophy and the team's flag flown above the town for a year! Spaces are limited and there are early sign up incentives for teams to save money.

We are saddened to see the shop "Off the Beaten Path" closing.  It added so much to our town.  It will be hard to replace those charming people. 

The Ridge Spring Famers' Market Report:  The produce was abundant.  Again three vendors had corn, tomatoes, and more. Peaches were available. Watermelons cantaloupe, peppers, and a small amount of okra were available.  George Raborn hopes to have peas this coming week. Sherald Rodgers will have no more corn, but Titan Farms and Leonard Bell will still have some this coming week.  Day's Honey will be back in two weeks. String beans, butternut squash, cucumbers and zucchini were available too. The tomato varieties included heirloom, cherry, grape, yellow, purple, and the red ones we are used to..  The family needs to get the hives  producing the honey.  The Rustic Rose Paint Brush will be back August 4.  When I get to the market I always seem to need help getting set up.  The tent, purchased from the grant we received from AgSouth, takes four people to set it up.  Vickie Miller and her aunt are early customers and Vickie always is in the right spot to help me set up everything. They helped again this past Saturday, but I need to mention Aunt Martha Stoudemire's name this time.  Left it off last week The positive attitude that is at the market is a joy to experience.  Do come by and visit.

At the Farmers' Market we had a new vendor selling Tupperware, Diane Taylor.  She will be back or a representative will be there this coming Saturday.  I had forgotten how much I liked Tupperware and had to buy some.    They have updated all and developed new products. She certainly has good deals.   I was impressed.

We did get to talking about bachelors and widows and how they survive.  George Raborn lost his wife and now he notes that bachelors just put the clean clothes on the extra bed and not worry about folding them and putting them up.  Why wear out the cabinet doors.  When he was young and lived on the farm, they threw nothing away.  They would even put the dishwater in with the slop and feed it to the pigs. 

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: BiG Red Box:  The BRB will be collecting school supplies for RSM Elementary School.  The List will be posted on the porch of the FLC.

There will be a bucket on the porch of the FLC to collect dried Caroyla Markers. These will be recycled.  No church service on July 29th.

Art Center in Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch:

Anne Hightower-Patterson White, watercolorist, will have an intermediate-advanced class on Fri, September 14^th and Sat, September 15^th from 10-4.  Cost is $130 and must be paid before September 10^th.  Pre-register at the Art Center on Fridays or Saturdays from 10-2, or contact Joanne Crouch @ (803)685-5577 (leave message)  or by email joanne.crouch26@gmail.com.

      Two pottery classes are planned by Kim Ruff.  A small casserole class will be held on Monday, September 10^th from 6:30-8:30.  Cost is $35 and includes glazing and firing.  On October 15, a clay Christmas tree class will be held on October 15^th from 6:30-8:30.  Cost is $35 and includes all firing and glazing.  During  Kim’s class, the students will be allowed to make additional small pieces to use all the clay that is allotted for the class.

      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

We are so excited to announce the groundbreaking of the new RSM HIgh School on Aug. 17 at noon!  This event has been a very long time coming, something our community has longed for and deserved for many years.  The location will be beside RSM Middle and will face Trojan Road (how perfect!).  Plans are to open the school by the fall of 2019.  Join us for this historic and exciting event!

Distinguished Young Women of SC:  Our local DYWs are spending this week with host families and a roomie in Lexington.  The young ladies will participate in various events throughout the week including a trip to Riverbanks Zoo, a visit to Columbia College, time with the Boys/Girls Club, a Lexington Blowfish baseball game, a tea party, a luau, and a cowgirl event.  More importantly, these ladies will focus on how becoming their best selves involves giving back to their communities and our world to make it a better place.  Competitions for scholarships will take place July 27-28.  Local DYWs are Sara Miller, North Edgefield DYW; Jenna Crase, South Edgefield DYW, and Annalee Rodgers, Saluda County DYW. 

Many thanks to Katie Warnken at Sara's Fresh Market for helping us create a lovely gift basket for Annalee's DYW host family.  It included fresh peaches, jam, butter, BBQ sauce, peach cider, and peach salsa. What a perfect gift for a family! 

We had a girls' lunch at Juniper last Friday (me, my mom, my oldest daughter--Anna was having her senior portrait).  It was shrimp and grits for all.  Chef never disappoints! Fresh stewed squash accompanied the dish.  It was delicious!  I enjoy going to Juniper because I get to talk to people I know, and I always peek back in the kitchen to see what current and former students are working! 

Get ready for the Saluda County Farm to Table & Honey Tasting on Sept. 29 at 6:00 pm.  This event is a fundraiser held to raise money for scholarships for local students interested in careers in agriculture.  Partners with the Saluda County Farm to Table Committee are the Saluda County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Ward, the Gables Inn & Gardens, and the Clemson Extension Service.  Two scholarships were awarded to local youth this past May:  Darren Abney, RSM High, & McKenzie Maffett, Saluda High.  Tickets are $60 per person, $100 per couple, or $400 for a table of 8.  Tickets may be purchased by visiting Saluda FTT on Facebook or by emailing SaludaCountyFTT@gmail.com.

Review from David Marshall James:  "South Toward Home:  Adventures and Misadventures in My Native Land" by Julia Reed

   Reading Julia Reed's collection of "Garden & Gun" essays on Southern culture is like sailing down a Mississippi Delta Road while the daylight is sucked into the West, the shadows filling with the myriad voices that sound and resound through the flat fields of cotton.

   Those constitute the soundtrack of her life and her writing, along with the music heard live and recorded, especially as blasted from the car radio or eight-track tape player.

   The author's essays usually wind up at humorous junctions, although that's a natural result of her senses and sensibilities, not some forced "corn pone" (to borrow her terminology) shtick.

   She's most affecting here in her "Personal Notes" section of recollections, of growing up in Greenville, Miss., of boarding school in Madeira, Virginia (where the infamous Jean Harris was headmistress), of Georgetown University and early jobs, including that of roving Southern reporter for "Newsweek," under the editorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jon Meacham, who provides an erudite introduction to this volume and its author.

   Nevertheless, there are personal asides in all of these pieces, some of them repeated for good measure.  Call them "chestnuts in her repertoire."

   Reed comes across as a person you would want to be seated with at any yawn-inducing or otherwise uncomfortable social occasion, a person you would follow around at a party, surreptitiously or otherwise.  She'll bum cigarettes for you (band drummers are excellent sources in this "no, no, nicotine" era, she notes), and she'll dance when everyone else is picking wallflowers. 

   It'll be a cryin' shame if Julia Reed doesn't write at least one novel (I picture a slew of Fitzgeraldian Delta parties, such as the ones she describes herein), with forays to New Orleans bars and Mississippi River sandbars, as incomparably unfathomable and irresistible as a jar of Delta corn tamales.

Harriet's Garden Tips: If you are thinking of a fall vegetable garden, here are some ideas of seeds to plant: carrots, broccoli, lettuce, greens such as mustard, turnip, and collard, radishes, winter squash, and more.  There will be some bedding plants coming along in September and October, too.  Check out bulbs for soon we will be planting.    Keep deadheading.  Drop the dead blooms in the flower bed to see if they will reseed for next year.  My Rose Campions do.

REMINDERS

June-August: Ridge Spring Farmers Market

July 29: No service at RSUM Church

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