July 25, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

At the Ridge Spring Farmers Market: There were 10 vendors with a variety of produce for the shoppers and visitors. There were peaches, cantaloupes, watermelons, string beans, peas, several varieties of tomatoes, blueberries and blueberry muffins for a great breakfast, plants, boiled peanuts, and so much more.  Local honey from the Days Farm known as Dry Creek Honey Bee Farm was on sale, too.  Check out the produce and the sun flowers at the Town’s garden in front of the Old Town Hall.  It is free so just go by and enjoy.

Jerusalem Baptist Summer Revival will be held July 24-27.  On Sunday, July 24th at 2:00 PM Rev. Spencer and the Pleasant Grove Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Lincolnton GA are in charge of the services.  Beginning July 25th - 27th,  Rev. Willie White, pastor of Newberry Baptist Church, Lincolnton GA will be the revivalist.  Weekly services will begin at 7:00 PM and the public is invited.  If additional information is required please call Rev. Sim Murray at 706-210-0433.

The Young Adult Ministry of Ridge Hill Baptist Church announces A College Prep Workshop on Saturday, August 6 from 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. All high school students, along with parents and anyone who may be interested are invited to come and learn more about how to prepare for college and other opportunities available beyond high school.   Please show your support as we seek to prepare our youth for their bright future.

Homecoming & Revival with Evangelist Howard Allen At Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church will be held Sunday, August 14th, 11:00 am & 6:00 pm Monday through Wednesday @ 7:00 pm Homecoming Dinner served immediately following the morning Worship Service Sunday.  Please bring your favorite covered dish.  Come join us!

Juniper Restaurant: “We had a great time representing the Ridge on Thursday in Columbia for Palmetto Palate to support the SC Farm Bureau.  It was an amazing line up of Local Columbia Chefs! “Juniper Chef Brandon served Adluh cornmeal crusted Manchester Farms Quail, with City Roots arugula and Titan Farms peach salad.  12 chefs participated.  The State Newspaper has a wonderful write up on line about the Velies and their restaurant in Ridge Spring!!!

Off The Beaten Path and The Gables Inn and Gardens “Boy is it hot outside but nice and cool in Off the Beaten Path.   We are keeping that air cool for your shopping pleasure.  Be sure to stop by and check us out for your home decor needs, wedding or new baby gifts, and that back to school outfit.  We are also pleased to announce that we are carrying the new book by local SC author Slade Belgard called Mystic Creek. 

Jake Willoughby reflects on his life growing up on John’s Island, South Carolina in the late sixties and his five regretful words that changed many lives. Join the foudroyant journey of adolescence, the struggle between good and bad, the coming of age and the struggle within. You’ll be captivated by colorful, southern characters that experience heartfelt and tragic events in their lives. You will laugh, cry, be frightened and mystified as you travel from the marshes of the low country through the deadly jungles of Vietnam and the swift currents of the barrier Sea Islands. We are so honored to premier his book.  Hurry in to get your copy!!  Great summer read! Store hours have changed on Monday and Tuesday.  We are open 11:00-3:00 PM, Thursday-Saturday 10-5.

The Gables Inn & Gardens in Ward is available for weddings, parties, girl's weekend, corporate luncheons or any other need you may have.  We offer a beautiful location for a quiet weekend away from everything too.  Give us a call and let us know how we can help you plan your next gathering.  803-685-0099

AARS (Joanne Crouch): We are working on many projects at the Art Center.  In the foyer, we have designated that area as our Gift Shop.  Items in that location are $50 or less.  Please shop for that special someone there.  Interested in stained glass? The Art Center will have stained glass classes in the fall.  Get on the mailing list by emailing artassnridgespring@gmail.com if you are interested.   The Art Center of Ridge Spring is open each Friday and Saturday from 10-4.  Contact joanne.crouch26@gmail.com or artassnridgespring@gmail.com or call (803)685-5577 and leave message to reserve place in classes.

Ridge Spring Town Newsletter July 23, 2016

Summer is in full blast which means mosquitoes. There have been 11 reported cases of Zika virus in SC. We, as a community and as individuals, need to be vigilant in our fight against mosquitoes. Dump water from anything that you see holding water. Look around your property; is the trash can uncovered, are there old tires thrown outback, what about the bird bath, the plastic bags hanging on the fence? All these collect water and breed mosquitoes. This virus is serious and causes lifelong deformities in unborn babies. Adults also may suffer with different levels of difficulty-even death. Do what you can by simply emptying anything with standing water.

There is a community garden in front of the old town hall. Go by and pick what is ripe or just enjoy looking.

South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism awarded the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale with a $15,000 grant to promote the event. Thanks to Senator Nikki Setzler for his help with the effort.

The Harvest Festival Committee is moving forward with its plans for a Bluegrass and BBQ Festival. If you do the best BBQ around, why not enter the BBQ Cook-off? The entry form is on ridgespringsc.com under events. There is even talk of having the “bucking bull ride” to test your riding skills.

Town Hall will be operating on a new schedule beginning August 1^st and will be open every day of the week from 8:30 to 5:00, including Wednesday afternoons. We will be closed for lunch.

At July’s Council meeting, the council voted to move forward with securing funding of a new town hall to be located on the same spot. The building will be somewhat larger, adding a police department and a larger meeting room.

Also on the agenda was the 1st reading of an ordinance to sell the building at 632 E. Main Street.

There was also discussion about dogs running loose.  These dogs are challenging people who walk and are killing other animals. If your dog is found running loose, there will be a fine.

Water is at a premium during these hot months with Ridge Spring selling over 21,000,000 gallons of water during June. July is typically the largest use month and we are in a drought situation. Please conserve water. The town purchases water from Batesburg, and we have an emergency line that connects to Saluda County Water and Sewer which may be activated if the situation continues. Water and likewise sewage is very expensive. When water goes down your drain, or toilet you are paying for water and almost twice as much for sewage. If the faucet is dripping at 30 drops per minute, then add 54 gallons a month water and 54 gallons a month in sewage. If the drip is 120 drips per minute, then add 1,014 gallons per month in both water and sewage. If there is a leak in a pipe the size of the end of a needle, add 120 gallons per day, 3600 gallons a month-money wasted in both water and sewage costs. Please be conscious of your use and save money on the water bill.

We welcome back Mr. Mack Johnson; we appreciate all that he does for the town. Remember: Don’t look back; we aren’t going in that direction.

Although we do not have a newspaper here in town we have individuals that work hard to keep you informed. Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RidgeSpringSC is operated out of our Town Hall and we post information of all types on it to keep you informed. Also Harriet Householder and Josie Rogers put out local newsletters every month that have tons of great information in them. You can email them a request to be added to their email list. Josie Rodgers email address is JRogers@acpsd.net and Harriet Householder’s is hfhouseholder@gmail.com . Also we post important information on the town sign so make sure to glance at it when you come to town. If you have important news and need to get the word out email us here at town hall rstownhall@comporium.net.

We now have two great Bed and Breakfast Inns in our area for those of you that have relatives or friends coming to town. Magnolia Shadows at 595 Engineer Rd. in Ridge Spring www.magnoliashadows.com and The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward, you can find more information about The Gables on Facebook. Both of these are beautiful old homes that provide a wonderful place to stay and/or have events.

Dry Creek Honey Bee Farm is located outside of Ward.  The Day family has honey for sale and will do Bee Removals.  Some fun facts about bees and honey are: 1. all honey will crystallize over time.  You can easily re-liquefy it by gently heating the jar in a pan of hot water.  Do not overheat as heat may alter flavor.  Storing honey in the refrigeration will make it crystallize rather quickly. 2. To make one pound of honey bees must visit 2 million flowers.  3. Honey bees never sleep. 4. A honey bee can fly approximately 15 mph.  5. Honey is the Hebrew word meaning Enchant. 6. Honey is the only food that included all the substances necessary to sustain like, including water.

Saluda County Library:  On July 29, Lew-E the Clown will perform in Read-O-Lympics with circus skills, magic, & bringing books to life.  Don’t miss all these great shows that encourage reading in your young people!

The Watson Reunion

The Watson Family Reunion will be held at the Watson House in Ridge Spring on Saturday August 6, at 11:00 AM.  The Watson House is located on East Main Street in Ridge Spring.  For more information call Joe Watson at 803.685.5335 or Mary Edmonds at 803.790.7780.  The deadline for reservations is July 25.

Josie Rodgers:

The anniversary of Leagrace’s dancing her way into Heaven has come.  Though officially slated as July 25, I believe that she departed her frail little body a few days earlier.  I imagined myself singing to her, playing her favorite songs, and praying over her that Friday, July 24, and her looking down upon me saying, “Nana, I’m not coming back to that body!  I have a new body!  I can walk!  I can run!  I can DANCE!  I can talk!  I can sing!  I’m with my Heavenly Father!  Oh, Nana!  You will love it here!  Don’t be sad.  I am healed, just like you prayed!  Please tell my Mommy and Daddy that I’m okay and that I’ll be waiting on them.  Tell them to take care of my little brother and the baby.”  Now, I know she’s even happier because her beloved Papa is with her, too.  I am so sad, with a physical ache, that we are without them, but I rejoice in their Heavenly adventures now! 

My family and I will never forget all of the love, support, and caring we received from other family members, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.  We will never forget or take for granted everything everyone did for us, especially praying for us.  That is how we have survived this past year.  That is how we will continue to go on.  We will always look for God’s blessings even in the midst of sorrow.  We will live so that we too can enjoy the presence of the King of Kings!

Oh, my Pooky girl…Nana misses you so.

Ridge Spring-Monetta Mid/High School:  Registration will be held Aug. 4 from 10 am to 5 pm and Aug. 9 from 12 pm to 7 pm.  Please see the school’s website for more information. 

Recycling Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-7; Saturday 7-7; Sunday 3-7

Closed Tuesday and Thursday

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 am - 12 pm; Wed., 12:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

3^rd Thursday:  FORS at Ridge Spring Library 5:00 pm

1^st Tuesday of the Month:  AARS meets at 6:30, 685-5783