Ridge Spring News: January 2020

Monday, January 27, 2020

January 27, 2020

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Ridge Spring Town Square now has an old fashion water tower. To my cousins, it is covered and has no water. I have heard tales of my older cousins taking a dip in the real water tower back in the late 40s and early 50s. Ridge Spring was originally located about three miles from its present location. When the railroad came to the area, the residents decided to move the town to its present location for a source of water, to build a tower and for the railroad. I remember hearing also that my Uncle Joe and others in Ridge Spring during the early 20s selling stuff to the passengers on the train to make a little extra money. They even shot down mistletoe to sell during the Christmas season. I did get sidetracked with memories. The new water tower is perfect for the new town square. Thank you to the planning committee, town council and Mayor Pat Asbill.

Join 23 Mercantile and Ridge Antique and Dry Goods for two Customer Appreciation Days and Valentine Celebration. The dates are Saturday, February 1st and Saturday, February 8th. Our hours are 10:00 to 5:00 both days.

Both Saturdays, 23 Mercantile purchasers may enter a drawing to be held at 5:00 on February 8th. The first name drawn will win a $50.00 gift certificate to our local restaurant, Juniper. Great gift for Valentine’s. The second name drawn will win a $50.00 gift certificate for shopping at 23 Mercantile. Winners will be notified by phone and or email or text. Winners should be able to pick up the certificate from each shop during regular business hours. Ridge Antiques and Dry Goods will also have giveaways.

ART ASSOCIATION OF RIDGE SPRING & GALLERY

Have you driven through Ridge Spring and seen our new signs? We love people to visit us and wanted everyone to know exactly where we are! If you haven’t been to our Art Center or haven’t been there in a while come on by and bring a friend! We are there Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm. You can also check out what’s new on Facebook or our website at http://ridgespringlovesart.weebly.com.

Exercise Class

Our exercise classes are making a difference! “Low impact but feels great” said one client. These sessions are presented by Marlene Sides, RN, CES. Marlene is a NASM certified personal fitness trainer and Registered Nurse. Sessions will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday. Each session will last one hour and be customized to the health and fitness needs of each participant. Equipment for strengthening exercises provided. Drop-ins welcome to come see what it’s all about.

Place: Art Center Ridge Spring 108 Maintenance Building Circle on January 28 and 30: Session One: 4 pm- 5 pm and Session Two: 6 pm - 7 pm

We now have more classes added! Starting Feb 11^th every Tuesday and Thursday there will be a 4pm, 5pm and 6pm class. Come join in! Fee: $5 per session. Please email {Marlene_Sides@yahoo.com } or Call: 706-829-4929 to book your session and directions.

Bowl Turning Class: Saturday, February 22, 202 1:00 PM – 3 PM

Instructor: Nick Watson ... Cost: $80 Includes all supplies. Session will be held in front of the Art Center of Ridge Spring in Nick’s travel workshop. To sign up: Message Joanne Crouch at (803) 480-0576 or by email joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or stop by the Art Center.

Josie Rodgers

I am in a brand new classroom for the first time in my entire teaching career! I have taught at Whitmire High, Great Falls High, BL High, Aiken High, and RSM High, and this is the most amazing classroom I’ve ever had! My room is beautiful with so much storage and huge windows that overlook the pasture of Yon cows and let so much sunshine pour in. The students’ desks are trapezoid-shaped with moveable, comfortable chairs. Aiden and I went to the school last Saturday to unpack the tons of boxes that were delivered to my room from my old room that morning. By the end of this week, I hope to have everything in its proper place and to decorate so that my students feel welcome and relaxed in an inviting classroom!

The Town of Ridge Spring and Spring4Life will hold the next Cat Clinic on Mon., Feb. 3. They are offering those services at $19 for Town of Ridge Spring residents and $39 for all other Saluda County residents. There is a small up-charge if your cat is a house pet.

Aiken County Schools will hold an Educator Recruitment Event on Sat., Feb. 8, from 8 am to noon. This is the largest recruitment event of the year. Visit acpsd.net and click on “Register Today” to schedule an on-site interview.

RSM Elem: On Sat., Mar. 28, the PTO will sponsor a Spring Craft Fair and Yard Sale from 9 am to 2 pm. Spaces are $15. If you would like to register for a space or find out more, contact Kristine Sasser at ksasser@acpsd.net or 803/479-0883.

RSM High: The Trojans are finally in their new home! It is AMAZING! Our rooms and technology are state-of-the-art, and everything is top notch! Most teachers and staff worked at the school over the weekend to prepare for students to enter their new home Tues. Beta Club students were also on hand to assist teaches with unpacking and moving and delivering water! This is such an exciting time for us! We are so happy to be in the new building and can’t wait until we can invite our very supportive communities to visit!

The Senior Beta Club and National English Honor Society will hold an induction ceremony on Tues., Feb. 18, at 6 pm in the new media center. These two honors organizations provide service to our school and community with individual and group projects. Members must maintain high grades and show good moral character. By induction, the both clubs will have members in grades 9-12. Sponsors are Josie Rodgers and Kelly Bedenbaugh.

Many thanks to the towns of Ridge Spring and Monetta who joined together to provide the 2019 RSM Trojans Upper-State Football Champions with a delicious meal last Thursday. The coaches, players, cheerleaders, and football staff enjoyed the meal and the fellowship with the people who represented the communities. Thank you!

Prom date has been set! The prom will be held Sat., April 25. The theme this year is A Red Carpet Affair. More info to come!

Review from David Marshall James: "Twisted Twenty-Six" by Janet Evanovich

The Plum family continues to reside in the Chambersburg neighborhood of Trenton, New Jersey. Mr. P is still carving the roast beef at the head of the dining-room table on Friday nights, while the Missus is still ironing for therapy and soothing her taut nerves with "iced tea," courtesy of her friends Mr. Beam and Mr. Williams of Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Grandma Mazur is still opening and closing caskets during viewings at Stiva's funeral home in "The Burg," evening visitations being "must see and be seen's."

A short distance away, the Plums' younger daughter, Stephanie, is still cohabitating with a hamster named Rex when she's not picking up FTA's (Failure to Appear's) for her Cousin Vinny's bail bonds office. Stephanie has been torn between two loves (more, should you count pineapple upside-down cake) for years: Ranger, who has built up his security business into a veritable empire; and Joe Morelli, still a police detective.

Although La Plum has committed herself romantically to Morelli, neither is bringing up the "M" word (marriage, not manicotti). Stephanie's done that, and Morelli's already occupied with a most-needy dependent, Bob the Dog.

As predictable as it sometimes seems, life in The Burg can still go what-the-hey in a hurry, as it has in this novel, owing to Grandma's surprising marriage to mostly-retired mobster Jimmy Rosolli, quickly followed by an even-more-surprising widowhood.

Did Jimmy leave Grandma a fortune? She has high hopes of a trip to Antarctica, the Galapagos, or perhaps Gatlinburg. She also plans on spreading the wealth among her family. She tells her daughter, "You'll need a new liver, and those cost."

However, there's a nightmare looming over these dreams of adventure. Jimmy's fellow semi-retired thugs, who hold court from La-Z-Boy recliners at the Mole Hole strip club, want the keys that Jimmy held for the group, and they're convinced Grandma has them.

What are those keys, exactly? And why do the "La-Z-Boy's" want them so badly?

The P-U queue after Grandma includes Jimmy's three sisters, who make the Gorgons look like Patty, Maxene, and Laverne Andrews, along with an ex-wife who believes she was short-changed in her divorce from Jimmy.

Author Janet Evanovich stirs up the action and fun from the get-go to The End in one of her best novels. She seems to be relishing her success, planning on playing elements of this story forward. Will Grandma ever make it to Gatlinburg? Considering its proximity to Lynchburg, Mrs. P just may give her a lift.

An all-new Gravatt Adventure: Are you a long-time camper, looking for a new adventure with Gravatt friends? Or maybe you're totally new to Gravatt, but love thrill-seeking in the outdoors. Whatever the reason, Gravatt Explorers is the perfect opportunity to experience the loving, supportive community of Gravatt with an entirely new element: trip and travel. This program has it all for your fearless teen: canoeing down the Congaree, hiking through Pisgah National Forrest, camping outside, eating over a fire, all designed to accommodate beginners and seasoned outdoor professionals. All skill levels welcome! (As a teenager I attended Camp Gravatt and have always had a special fondness for the adventure and the Camp.)

With the staff you know and love to help and guide them, your 10th grade-college Freshman teens will have the time of their lives during this 11-day outdoor escapade. Come with friends or come alone to meet new ones. This is a program opportunity unlike anything Gravatt folks have ever seen, and it's for outdoor lovers of all skill levels! You can find a more detailed description of the program along with packing lists and other resources by clicking the button below! Grab your child's spot before it fills up!

Harriet's Garden Tips: This is a good time to begin composting, too. Those leaves that need raking would be a great beginning for a compost pile. Organic trimmings from your garden , such as my broccoli plants, as well as kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels and trimmings, crushed eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters can also be composted. Organic materials that should not be added to your compost pile include meat, bones, pet litter, and fatty foods (such as cheese, salad dressing and leftover cooking oil). Prune ornamental grasses to within 6 inches from the ground. Liriope is an ornamental we all seem to have.

Monday, January 20, 2020

January 17-20, 2020

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Friends of Ridge Spring (FORS) met this Thursday and it was a wonderful start for the new year. Plans are being made, corrections, and much more. Good job to the new chairman, Sherald Rodgers!!!

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering News

Date for the Spring event is May 16, 2020 and the fall event will be held September 19, 2020. There are already 3 new vendors with all our originals coming.

The Blue Canoe is working hard to finish all of the requirements as well as have the place ready for action We will keep the community updated. So far part of t he cafe are

Blue Bell ice cream with 14 flavors, sorbet, specialty coffee, shakes and smoothies and desserts, fresh home made breakfast biscuits, paninis and more. We plan to open each day to serve 5:00 am. There may be Brick oven pizza.

Back to Belgium by Mary Watson Edmonds

On December 10-16, my son Michael and I accompanied my father, Joe Watson, on an amazing trip to Belgium for the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. To give some historical background…. By late 1944, Belgium had been liberated, but the German Army mounted a counteroffensive on December 16. The Army pushed into Belgium and planned to push all the way to the English Channel. The Battle of the Bulge stopped this advance, but it was the costliest action ever fought by the U.S. Army. The Army suffered over 75,000 casualties, many of which were caused by the bitter cold for which the American troops were ill prepared.

For our trip, we didn’t participate in a group tour. Instead, Michael and I wanted to take Daddy on a personal tour. Luckily, we were introduced by email to Bob Gonings, a local Battle of the Bulge tour guide, who planned visits to villages and sites that Daddy’s regiment had liberated from the German Army. We were overwhelmed by the warm reception Daddy received. Thanks to the research of Bob and his team, we also learned much more about Daddy’s service.

One of the most moving sites was the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. We placed roses on the grave of Walter Ebert, the staff sergeant for Daddy’s platoon. The cemetery sits on a high spot overlooking the rolling Belgian countryside. Gently curving rows of pristine white marble crosses or Stars of David mark the graves of almost 9,000 soldiers on a broad green lawn. As Daddy remarked, the graves also represent many more mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, and children who lost loved ones.

Another moving experience was a visit to an elementary school in the village of Grand Halleux, which was liberated by Daddy’s regiment. As we walked up the hill to the school, we were surprised by students lining the street, waving American flags they had colored, and cheering Daddy. When we arrived, they sang the American National Anthem in French. After that we went inside and met with some of the older students who asked Daddy questions about his service that they had written in English.

One highlight was visiting the Vielsalm Town Hall where aldermen of the township presented Daddy with a certificate making him an honorary citizen of Vielsalm. They laughed and said that he wouldn’t have to pay taxes. As it turned out, one alderman, Philippe Gerardy, is a seventh generation farmer in Ville du Bois, the village where Daddy was wounded. He told us that during the Battle of the Bulge, Philippe’s grandfather and his family had to evacuate the village in the path of the German Army. They could take only a few belongings to another village where they lived in a basement with 20 or 30 other evacuees. When his grandfather and his family returned to Ville du Bois, Americans were loading bodies of American soldiers for burial. Daddy remembers American tanks exploding mines that the Germans had left in Ville du Bois and the German artillery fire that wounded or killed others in the village.

Bob also took us through an excellent museum in Manhay, the Manhay History 44 Museum. Daddy was most excited about an exhibit showing an 81 mm mortar in context, because he commanded an 81 mm mortar platoon.

That afternoon, Daddy rode in a parade in a World War II jeep driven by a man who was a child when the village was liberated by American soldiers. The parade included tanks and other World War II vehicles and school children. Just before the parade began, it started snowing. With the landscape changed very little since World War II, it seemed we had gone back in time to pictures I have seen of the Battle of the Bulge.

The parade ended with a program commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. There were several hundred people at the program, even though this is a rural area. Daddy and the eight other American veterans were rock stars, having their pictures made and signing autographs.

The next day we attended a dinner in Bastogne sponsored by the American Ambassador to Belgium. A delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate participated and spoke with each of the veterans. Congressman James Clyburn represented South Carolina and was looking for Daddy who was the only South Carolina veteran there. Congressman Clyburn said that he wanted to see “the Clemson man.”

Our last day in Belgium, we spent a pleasant afternoon in Spa, which is a pretty resort town. Daddy recognized the town where he had good memories of the American soldiers being welcomed by the Belgian homeowners. Daddy’s company spent a couple of days here to rest between fighting.

We had a wonderful time and all agreed that the best part was the people we met. Daddy was a real trooper, even though I know he was at times exhausted, especially by the long plane flights. He never complained and was always ready for the next adventure. The trip brought alive the sacrifices of the Belgium people and American soldiers like Daddy in a way that Michael and I will never forget.

Sorry could not get the pictures to appear. Need to work on my computer skills.

Joe Watson at Walter Ebert's grave Joe and elementary students at Halleux Belgium

I love writing this column and have done so since 2004 or 5 I think. I love reporting what is going on in our community. Yet I try to be in the background most often. Well, what a surprise for me on January 18 at the Ridge Hill Baptist Church celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King. The program was beautiful, the music was wonderful, the first speaker was Joshua Boyd. He spoke of his career in football had been sidelined with a heart attack. He is bouncing back and his message was "Do everything with a purpose." Danielle Marks received the Future Leader award. Her message included the following, "Do what you are suppose to do when you are suppose to do it." And the presentation of the Impact Award was to be given out between these two beautiful people. How surprised I was when my children Robert and Melissa came in with Steve and the grandchildren Max, Carter and Ayla. I had no idea but the award was given to me. It reads

Ridge Hill Baptist Church

Presents

Harriet Householder

with the MLK Impact Award

for Inpactful Service to

Enhance Life for All In

Ridge Spring SC

Donald G. Hall, Pastor

To say the least I was overwhelmed and humbled by the gift. Thank you to all. Tears still flow when I read this paragraph. Thank you again.

Josie Rodgers

Aiken County teachers participated in the Leaders in Literacy Conference last Friday at various schools across the county. They attended sessions throughout the day related to teaching and to their particular subjects. This week is early release for Aiken County schools.

RSM Elem: A 4K Evening Program will be held from Jan. 27-Mar. 30, 2020, at RSME. This program is for students not already part of an Aiken County 4K program. To register or obtain more info, call 803-663-4204 or email ACPSD Coordinator of Early Learning Programs Ann Olsen at aolsen@acpsd.net. Only 120 slots are available throughout the county, so don’t wait.

RSM High: Last week, Dr. Webb took 2 of our stellar students to the school board meeting to showcase a little about our programs for School Board Appreciation Month. Seniors Morgan Berry & Jonathan Cumbee spoke about our school and presented the board with goody bags of cabbage from Watsonia, sweet potatoes from the RSM Hurricane Garden, and pecan brittle from the Nuthouse.

We are still awaiting The Big Move. We are hoping the next inspection goes well, and we can move into our new home! We are so excited for this next chapter! And we can’t wait to invite the community to come in and see our new facilities! We will let you all know when we are ready!

Harriet's Garden Tips: Force blossoms are possible now. Some of the best ones are apple, dogwo/od, forsythia, quince, and flowering peach. Soak the entire branch in warm water and leave in a dark spot for three days. After that, put in a sunny room. In ten to twelve days the branches will begin to show bloom. I have never done this, but I think I will try it this year. I have just stuck the branch in water. The weather has really been a mixture so I might try both ways. Are you upset or tired? If so go work in the garden or pull some weeds - with vigor. It will take your mind off your troubles - and make you relax.

Monday, January 13, 2020

January 10-12, 2020

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

On December 27, I took my granddaughter and her fiancé to Italy. We returned January 7. Bucket list items were completed for both of us. I have to tell you everyone walks everywhere. At Pompeii I did walk 11,865 steps which I think is over 8 miles. I also have to recommend "The Two Popes" that is an original on Netflix if you can watch it. It was shot on location in several scenes and it moved well. The Sistine Chapel is unbelievable. It is like the Grand Canyon, it just has to be seen to understand what you are actually seeing. I love "Star Wars" and other movies like that, but I just had to watch the "Two Popes" since I was in Rome. It was great. I enjoyed the trip but as always it is nice to get back home.

I took a quick trip to Ridge Spring Thursday and dined with Joe Watson and his daughter Mary Edmonds. You have to check out the wonderful work being done on the Town Square, but I did not realize how much was RED clay. I thought we lived on the Ridge which meant sand. I have worked in the soil at my shop and it is good loam. Then I remembered my parents continued to improve the soil for years and years.

The Friends of Ridge Spring will meet Thursday evening at 5:30 at Town Hall. The new leader or chairman is Sherald Rodgers. Do come and support him and our town.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Happy New Year and welcome 2020!! Christmas 2019 has come and gone. Tree, advent wreath gone, nativity scene store and a wonderful time it was for all. Carols, fellowship and inspiring messages carried through the season.

Now for adventures and challenges and we look forward to both. RSUMC is exploring outreach possibilities with the Piedmont/Saluda Senior Center. We are excited about this new avenue. Keep watching this column as we firm up what we can do.

Don’t forget church service is at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted. RSUMC has a Face Book page. Find us, like us and keep up with the activities of the church.

The possum who wouldn’t leave: Tom Hughes caught a possum in a have a hart trap set for pesky squirrels. Each time he tried to remove the possum, it did what they do: ‘played possum’. After the third attempt, Tom grabbed said possum by the tail and remove it. Continuing to ‘play possum’ the possum was gently placed in the woods. No possums and/or squirrels were injured in the telling of this tail-tale.

BTW: it was decided to keep him close to our yard as they are known tick eaters AND they are immune to the venom of our native pit vipers (snake).

ART ASSOCIATION OF RIDGE SPRING & GALLERY

Well, the new year has begun and things are happening at the Art Center! Our first Bowl Turning class is FULL! So, jump in quick for the next class on February 22nd while there is still space. Also, we have had some great turn out for our new exercise classes, but we would love to see you join on in! Come by the art center to see all we have to offer and to get signed up for our classes. We are there Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm. You can also check out our information on Facebook or our website at

http://ridgespringlovesart.weebly.com.

Pen Turning Class: Saturday, January 11 & 25, 2020 10 AM - 11:30 AM, 12 PM - 1:30 PM, 1:30 PM - 3 PM One student per each hour & half session. Please email {Marlene_Sides@yahoo.com } or Call: 706-829- 4929 to book your session and directions.Cost: $35 [Includes all supplies to make a custom ink pen] Session will be held in Larry’s workshop. Teacher: Larry Sides

Bowl Turning Class Saturday, January 18, 2020 1:00 PM - 3 PM – SOLD OUT!

Saturday, February 22, 202 1:00 PM – 3 PM Instructor: Nick Watson

Cost: $80 Includes all supplies. Session will be held in front of the Art Center of Ridge Spring in Nick’s travel workshop. To sign up: Message Joanne Crouch at (803) 480-0576 or by email joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or stop by the Art Center.

Exercise Class: We have more than art at the art center, how about getting in shape for 2020? Well, here’s your chance! Corrective/strengthening exercise sessions will be offered at the Art Center. These sessions will be presented by Marlene Sides, RN, CES. Marlene is a NASM certified personal fitness trainer and Registered Nurse. Prior to moving to Ridge Spring, Marlene owned and operated Redefining Fitness. She has additional certifications in corrective fitness for individuals with special physical/mobility needs. Sessions will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday. Each session will last one hour and be customized to the health and fitness needs of each participant. Equipment for strengthening exercises provided. Drop-ins welcome to come see and join in!

Place: Art Center Ridge Spring 108 Maintenance Building Circle

Dates: January 14 and 16 January 21 and 23 January 28 and 30

Session One: 4 pm- 5 pm

Session Two: 6 pm - 7 pm

Fee: $5 per session

Please email {Marlene_Sides@yahoo.com } or Call: 706-829-4929 to book your session and directions.

Jeffrey Clamp, RSM Band Director

Limestone College Honor Band Clinic

The Limestone College Honor Band Clinic for high school students will be held in Gaffney, SC on January 30 - 31. Nine members of the RS-M High School Band were selected from over 200 students that were nominated from over 20 schools across SC. Students selected from RS-M are: Seniors Jonathan Cumbee, Kandon Hastings, Joanna Kaiser, and Makayla Lee; Juniors Chesley Cooper and Zachary Truesdale; Sophomore Kyla Padgett; and Freshmen Nehemiah Singley and Daniel Trinidad. Junior Gabi Maltese will also attend the clinic as an alternate. The students will spend a day and a half rehearsing with their honor bands and will give a concert on Friday evening at the end of the clinic.

University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic

Congratulations to Junior Chesley Cooper and Seniors Jonathan Cumbee and Joanna Kaiser for being selected to participate in the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic, which will be held February 13 - 16 in Columbia, SC. The USC Band Clinic is among the nation's longest running and most prestigious honor band events. The clinic features over 400 high school students in grades 10 - 12 that were nominated from over 100 schools in 5 different states. Chesley, Jonathan, and Joanna are the first RS-M students to be nominated and chosen to participate in the USC Band Clinic since Mr. Clamp has been band director at RS-M (over 18 years). These students will audition for a chair in one of the bands, spend two and a half days rehearsing with their respective bands, and will perform in the Honor Bands concert at the end of the clinic.

RS-M Elementary News

A 4K Evening Program will be held from Jan. 27-Mar. 30, 2020, at RSME. This program is for students not already part of an Aiken County 4K program. To register or obtain more info, call 803-663-4204 or email ACPSD Coordinator of Early Learning Programs Ann Olsen at aolsen@acpsd.net. Only 120 slots are available throughout the county, so don’t wait.

To ensure the safety of our students, please don’t pass busses as they unload in front of the school

or go around any orange safety cones. Prior to 8:00 am, only bus riders should enter at the front

door. Car riders should only be dropped off in the area by the gym that is monitored by school

employees. Drop off begins at 7:15 am. Parents and students should remain in their vehicles until

unloading begins. Students who are not in class by 7:45 are tardy. Students who are tardy should

be dropped off by the gym until 8:00 am. After 8:00 am, students should come to the front

entrance.

Yearbooks will be sold through the website Treering.com. You can purchase a yearbook at any time by going to Treering.com and using the school's validation code. The price for a softcover yearbook is $22.00. Hardcover yearbooks start at $28.95. Yearbooks will be shipped to the school and given to your child by the end of May. Validation code:1014410540564413

The Run Hard Running Team teaches students how to lead an active, healthy and wholesome lifestyle. We accomplish this by focusing on nine core values: Peer Pressure, Perseverance, Wise Choices, Work Ethic, Leadership, Teamwork, Honesty, Respect and Honor. The program is divided into eight weeks with two practices per week. Each week consists of two running workouts and character lessons based on the Run Hard curriculum. The lessons are meant to generate conversation and help the participants improve their body and character. Students will complete the program by running in a 5K road race. In order to have a program like this, we need your help. Any parent or community member who is interested in coaching should contact Coach Bundrick at jbundrick@acpsd.net or come by the school.

To be a Run Hard coach you must …

A. Pass a background check.

B. Attend a Volunteer Workshop at school.

C. Commit to being at each practice or find a replacement at any practice(s) that you will miss.

D. Sign the Run Hard code of conduct policy.

E. Organize a snack at each practice (typically parents volunteered for this position).

Run Hard is a fee-based program, so all participants will be required to register and pay before they can participate in the program. The Run Hard Organization will handle online registration for participating schools. Scholarships are available and are based on the successful submission of a qualifying application from a parent or guardian.

Josie Rodgers

RSM High: Less than 2 weeks until THE BIG MOVE! The plan is to physically move on Jan. 17, when the students have the day off. The students will report to their classes at the new school on Jan. 20, the day after the MLK holiday. We are so excited! This move has been a long time coming, and the teachers may be more excited than the students! Our rooms are packed, boxes labeled and ready to go! Then we get the opportunity to start fresh in our new rooms! Many of us have purged a good bit of our “collections” from over the years. Packing up brought to our attention how much we have really acquired, and cleaning out is such a satisfying feeling!

The Beta Club is sponsoring a coat drive through January. Many of us received new coats and jackets from Santa, so let’s clean out our closets and share our bounty with those in need. Please bring clean, gently used (or new!) coats and jackets of all sizes to the school or give to a Beta member. For more info, contact Josie Rodgers or Kelly Bedenbaugh. Let’s share the warmth this winter!

Review from David Marshall James: "Lost Hills" by Lee Goldberg

This police procedural/mystery novel by accomplished author Lee Goldberg partners a young, dedicated detective, Eve Ronin, with a doughnut-chomping, counting-the-days-till-retirement, seasoned detective in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Duncan Pavone.

Eve is something of a modern marvel, a "millions of YouTube hits" sensation who, as a police officer, happened to headlock a famous film star in a parking-lot slap-down with his girlfriend ("Look at my Lambo. There's bitch puke all over the suede dash.")

With lookie-loo camera phones recording Eve's celebrity smackdown, her own celebrity was cemented like footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

However, Eve remains a sincere, justice-for-all protector of the greater good. Meanwhile, her mother, a longtime Hollywood extra who's delusional about her star status, among other trumped-up attributes, frequently chides her daughter for not enhancing her looks and not cashing in on her notoriety with movie and TV deals.

"Mommie Interfere-est" heads a well-crafted list of Goldberg's secondary characters.

For sure, Eve is the star of this show, whether she would seek such a spotlight in "real" life or not. She exhibits the intuition of Jessica Fletcher (as played by Angela Lansbury) and the street chops of Christine Cagney (as portrayed by Sharon Gless).

Her case in this novel is a chilling one, a domestic bloodbath so rampant and raging that it seems to be the result of someone with a personal relationship with the family in question.

Yet this isn't a run-of-the-mill, "round up the usual suspects" scenario. After all, we're in Southern California, and there's no dearth of psychotic and sociopathic residents.

Even though there's a seemingly endless drought-- and accompanying fire-- in Goldberg's setting, his Greater Los Angeles envelops and influences the participants' actions on every level. This is L.A. detective storytelling at its finest, with the unsettling starkness of "Dragnet" lightened with a David E. Kelley quirkiness.

Eve may not be seeking the limelight, but some actress with a hot production company may well see what "Mommie Interfere-est' does, and boy, is she ever ready for her close-up.

Harriet's Garden Tips: Here we go again with a mixture of weather. It has been cold but then nice and springy. Here is a guide for t hose interested in planting trees that bring beautiful color in the fall for this is the time of year to be planting these trees. Gold and Yellow Foliage:: tulip tree, male gingko, birch, poplar, Norway maple...Red foliage: dogwood, sassafras, sugar maple, red maple... 0-20-20 promotes root growth. Spread this on shrubs and perennials.

REMINDERS

Jeannette Carr Memorial: 864.656.5896, www.clemson.edu/isupportcu, Jeannette Carr Memorial, Annual Giving Office, 110 Daniel Drive, Clemson, SC 29631

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

Ridge Spring Town Hall hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm; Sat. 8:30 am-11:30

Ridge Spring Library (located at Ridge Spring Art Center Building) hours: Mon/Tues, 9:00-12:00; Wed/Thurs, Closed; Fri, 10:00-4:00; & Sat, 10:00-1:00

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

Security Bank hours: Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 9-12 and 1-5; Wed. 9-12

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

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

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

2^nd Tuesday of the Month: Harvest Festival meeting, 7 pm, Town Halls

Every 3^rd Thursday (except during summer): FORS at RS Town Hall 5:30 pm