September 26, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Harvest Festival will be Oct. 13-15

Parade, Cake and Pie Contest, Bingo

More information on web site and facebook

Juniper will set the night on fire again this year on Thursday, October 6th from 6-9pm in support of the Ridge Spring Fire Department. Come on out and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared for you by Chef Brandon Velie. You don't need a reservation. This year we will set up "family style" seating to accommodate as many people as possible.

Hope you noticed the new digital sign at the Caboose.  Now I know the date the time, and what is coming up in our super town.

We had three vendors on Town Square.  Leonard Bell with plenty of fresh produce including plenty of okra, ripe and not quite ripe tomatoes and sweet potatoes, David Day with locally produced honey, and me with pumpkins and pansies.  We are usually there by 8:30 so come on by.  Winter greens will be coming in the middle of October.

The Gables Inn & Gardens is celebrating fall with a couple of "Dead and Breakfast" weekends.  Come experience the haunting and rich history of one of SC's oldest counties.  Touring Friday night and Saturday.  Taking reservations now for October 21-23 or 28-30th.  Space is limited to 10 each weekend so hurry and pick your weekend.  803-685-0099

Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring is celebrating fall with fashion and home decor.  We have lots of fall, football, and fun things to help you celebrate the season.  Stop in to see the best selection in the area.  Monday and Tuesday, 11-3, and Thursday-Saturday, 10-5  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Congratulations to the True Blue Marching Band for their outstanding performance at the Edisto High School Blue Machine Invitational band competition this past Saturday.  The band earned 1^st place in Division 1, defeating 3-A school Lake Marion and also outscoring all the other 1-A bands at the competition.  The band also won Best Drumline, Best Colorguard and Best Hornline.  

Congratulations to the Ridge Spring-Monetta True Blue Marching Band for their outstanding performance this past Saturday at the Mustang Classic at Midland Valley High School.  RS-M dominated Class A, earningthe highest scores in Class A from all six judges and sweeping all of the awards for the class.  The True Blue Band won awards for the highest music score, visual score, and overall effect scores in Class A and also won First Place in Class A with an Excellent rating.   Next up for the True Blue Band will be the Palmetto Esprit de Corps Invitational at Irmo High School on Saturday, October 8^th.  RS-M performs at 11:45 AM and the awards ceremony will be at 4:00 p.m. 

RS-M True Blue Marching Band Competition Schedule:

October 8--Palmetto Esprit de Corps Invitational at Irmo High School

October 15--Garden City Classic at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School

October 22--Class A Lower-State Championships at Hartsville High School

October 29--Class A State Finals at Batesburg-Leesville High School

Joe Watson will return home on Tuesday. He's excited to be back to Ridge Spring and looking forward to seeing folks. He deeply appreciates the cards, phone calls, and visits that have brightened his days during rehab. He will be recuperating at home for a few weeks.

Jean Gregory: Our son, Gyles is home from Kuwait!  

Remember: 

·         The Ridge Spring-Monetta Young Farmers Association is working on a community calendar for our diverse community. tcrim@acpsd.net

·         HELP US DECORATE THE TOWN!!! 
Harvest Festival is right around the corner and we need help decorating the town. Meet us at the Gazebo at 10:00 am on October 1st. The more people we have the quicker it will get done and the more fun it will be. Everyone is welcome!!!

·         The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival parade is starting to come together. 

·         Ridge Hill Baptist Church: On Wednesdays, Steve will teach about Intercessory Prayer at 6:30.

·          

The Art Center of Ridge SpringBy Joanne Crouch, AARS president

     Fall is definitely coming.  Leaves are falling and there is crispness in the air.  Our artists are busy getting ready for fall art events.  I love this time of year.

     The Art Center will offer a stained glass class on Thursday evenings soon.  If you are interested in this class, please let us know because the class is limited to six students.  Each person will make a large suncatcher.  Contact Barbara Yon at (803)685-5386 or Joanne Crouch (803)685-5577 for more details. 

     On Saturday, September 24^th, the Art Center was the destination for the birthday celebration of Janet Kay Duggin Green of Saluda.  Mrs. Green is an artist from Saluda.  The event was hosted by her family.  Family members were able to visit and enjoy viewing her art.

    Winter's coming--what better time to learn how to quilt!  The Art Center in Ridge Spring will offer a quilting class on Thursday, October 20, 2016 6pm-9pm at the center.   All materials for the class will be provided to make a 12'x 12" sampler for $50  You will be to taught  all the steps you will need to make a  larger quilt later.

Call or e-mail the instructor, Ann Forrest Watkins, at 864 941 0022 (cell) or email  helpinghearts4u@yahoo.com. for more information or to register.

     Hours of operations are 10-4 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Rene Miller and Josie Rodgers:

RSM Elem:  Our Fall Scholastic book fair began last Friday and will run through Fri., Sept. 30 from 8 am to 3 pm on weekdays.  This is a good time to buy your child some good reading material for the year.  Remember that we do charge 7% tax on each item sold.  So send a little extra money for the tax.  We can only accept cash or checks —- no debit or credit cards.  If writing a check, make it out to RSM Elementary and please be aware that we cannot give change back from a check.  We will make sure your child spends as close to the amount of your check as possible.  Most books are an average of $6 - $7.  If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Miller at 685-2009.  We look forward to seeing you at the book fair.

RSM Elem PTO will be selling D'Lites Lollipops on Fridays from 7:30 am. to 8 am. The cost is $1.   The lollipops meet the 2014 Federal Nutrition Guidelines.  We would like to thank everyone who has poured their heart and soul into the Fun Run.  PTO could not have done it without you. Our top fund raisers were:  Matalyn Martin, 1st place; Dylan Harris, 2^nd place; Roxy Kahn, 3^rd place; Sophia Ildefonso, 4^th place; Ryland Johnson, 5^th place; Alonna Patterson, 6^th place; Allysa Derrick, 7^th place; Wyatt Davenport, 8^th place; Kaileigh Smith, 9^th place; Cody Davenport, 10^th place.  Thanks to all the students for being awesome Trojans!               

Our cookie dough fundraiser will begin on Oct. 26.   Our first PTO meeting will be held on Nov. 10, after Community Learning Night. Mark your calendars. PTO looks forward to a great year.  If you any questions or would like to make suggestions, you may contact us at,                            rsmpto422@gmail.com.

RSM Elem Summer Readers were honored on the field at the varsity football game last Friday:   Those students are:  Jermaine Cullum, Ty’Trell Smith, Tyzai Smith, Quarmaine Allen, Marcellus Wideman, Jordan Padgett, Matalyn Martin, Karmen James, Lesly Fierros Garcia, Jose Hernandez, Chandler Harley, Zoe Ford, Jamirah Lites, Ciara Kirkland, Maryann Sterling, Irene Hernandez, Jamarcus Bosket, Alonna Patterson, Lacey Rodgers, Hailey Rodgers, Celso Mendez-Cabanas, Trinity Burdett, Cody Davenport, Lillian Burdett, Emely Jiminez, Jude Scott, Dylan Harris, Ya’lexia Jeffery, Aaron Aimar, Tara Robinson, Cheyenne Aimar, Kennedy Ligons, Gracie Myers, Addison Cooper, Randy Renteral, Heaven McField, Tylaisha Jeffery, Anthony Key, Christopher Storey.

RSM Mid:  (Monica Johnson) we have started an after-school Lego Club. Building and creating with Legos promotes creativity, problem solving, and team work. We are using Legos to learn STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) concepts. We would LOVE donations of Legos - even kits with missing pieces.

RSM High:  Band director Jeff Clamp: Congratulations to the RSM True Blue Marching Band for their outstanding performance this past Saturday at the Mustang Classic at Midland Valley High School.  RSM dominated Class A, earning the highest scores in Class A from all six judges and sweeping all of the awards for the class.  The True Blue Band won awards for the highest music score, visual score, and overall effect scores in Class A and also won First Place in Class A with an Excellent rating.   Next up will be the Palmetto Esprit de Corps Invitational at Irmo High School on Sat., Oct. 8.  RS-M performs at 11:45 am, and the awards ceremony will be at 4 pm.

Review from David Marshall James: "Pushing Up Daisies" by M.C. Beaton

   Agatha Raisin's tumbler of gin and tonic overfloweth in this, her 26th mystery novel, but the humor's dry and there's plenty of it.

   The Mircester (fictional), England, private-detective-agency owner may be luckless in the romance department, but business is booming and bustling, and she's as keen as ever when it comes to crime solving.

   Author M.C. Beaton's subplots and side turns are always as abundant as November drizzle in Russell Square, yet Aggie's principal case here involves the murder (antifreeze in the creme de menthe) of a repugnant local lord of the manor.

   As he was/is universally loathed, Aggie's list of suspects runs longer than the Mircester telephone directory.  She's hired on by the late lord's son, the prime contender, who's desirous of deflecting the suspicion elsewhere.

   Aggie's also looking, gratis, into the murder of an attractive newcomer who's been espied in clenches with another newcomer, a retired Scotland Yard detective.

   That fellow has hormones flowing like Aggie's aforementioned gin-and-tonic's in the Cotswold village where she resides.

   La Raisin has even witnessed her BFF, Mrs. Bloxby-- the village vicar's wife at

that--  in a Nellie Forbush-ian "conventional dither."  Mrs. B starts tarting herself up to juice the newcomer's appetite, but who needs rouge when you're blushing like a nun in a nudist camp?

   Beaton's Agatha Raisin books never fail to entertain-- and jolly well at that-- and this latest proves a particularly pithy pip.  She has even become the main character on a British television series.  It may not take the place of romance, but she's still gotta love that.

REMINDERS

October 1: Decorate the town at 10:00 Gazebo

October 5: Meet the Candidates at Persimmon Hill

October 13: Harvest Festival Bingo

October 14: Harvest Festival Blue Grass, BBQ Contest, Cake and pie Contest

October 15: Harvest Festival

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., 8:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Narcotics Anonymous: The Ridge Spring Library on Fridays 7-8 pm

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

2^nd Tuesday:  Harvest Festival

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

September 19, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Harvest Festival will be Oct. 13-15

Parade, Cake and Pie Contest Bingo and more information

On web site and facebook

I sure hope you are trying out your recipes.  Bo Banks of Bank’s Drugs is sponsoring the event on October 14^th.  Daisy Rutland and Gloria Rikard are heading it up again.  I found a cake recipe for Pecan Caramel Cake and I need to try it out first before I submit it to the contest.  It calls for ground up pecans and I know just the place to get that, the Nut House.

Remember: 

·         The Ridge Spring-Monetta Young Farmers Association is working on a community calendar for our diverse community. tcrim@acpsd.net

·         The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival parade is starting to come together. 

·         Ridge Hill Baptist Church: On Wednesdays, Steve will teach about Intercessory Prayer at 6:30.

·         Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church: On Sunday, September 25 from 4-6 pm, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Johnston, is hosting an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry special event

Jeffrey Clamp Director: Congratulations to the True Blue Marching Band for their outstanding performance at the Edisto High School Blue Machine Invitational band competition this past Saturday.  The band earned 1^st place in Division 1, defeating 3-A school Lake Marion and also outscoring all the other 1-A bands at the competition.  The band also won Best Drumline, Best Colorguard and Best Hornline.  Next up for the True Blue band is the Mustang Classic at Midland Valley High School this Saturday, September 24^th.  RS-M performs at 3:45 p.m. and the awards program is at 8:30 p.m.

RS-M True Blue Marching Band Competition Schedule:

·         September 24--Mustang Classic at Midland Valley High School

·         October 8--Palmetto Esprit de Corps Invitational at Irmo High School

 Rene Miller, RSM Elementary School: Congratulations to the students who completed the summer reading program. They will get a free ticket to the RSM vs. Williston football game on September 23rd. They will be recognized on the field before the start of the game. The summer readers are: Jermaine Cullum, Ty’Trell Smith, Tyzai Smith, Quarmaine Allen, Marcellus Wideman, Jordan Padgett, Matalyn Martin, Karmen James, Lesly Fierros Garcia, Jose Hernandez, Chandler Harley, Zoe Ford, Jamirah Lites, Ciara Kirkland, Maryann Sterling, Irene Hernandez, Jamarcus Bosket, Alonna Patterson, Lacey Rodgers, Hailey Rodgers, Celso Mendez-Cabanas, Trinity Burdett, Cody  Davenport, Lillian Burdett, Emely Jiminez, Jude Scott, Dylan Harris, Ya’lexia Jeffery, Aaron Aimar, Tara Robinson, Cheyenne Aimar, Kennedy Ligons, Gracie Myers,Addison Cooper, Randy Renteral, Heaven McField, Tylaisha Jeffery, Anthony Key, Christopher Storey.

Due to a short vacation, the history of the Immanuel Lutheran Church is the topic of the Ridge Spring News this week.

Immanuel Lutheran Church

The Green Thumb Garden Club

First of all the Green Thumb Garden Club has maintained the Church for years with the help of many generous people, organizations and of course the dedication of the members of the Green Thumb Garden Club.  Shelby Yonce has a notebook, folder, and many items to complete the history of the church, too.  Without her help I would not be able to get much information about this delightful jewel in our town.

Immanuel Lutheran Church holds many memories for the people of Ridge Spring because of its 95 year history.  Immanuel Lutheran Church was an off spring of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.  The lot for the church was purchased in 1921and the cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1922. The church is of Gothic Revival Design which was determined by the pointed stain-glass windows.  It is a primitive church. It has never had running water or inside plumbing.  It did have an outhouse that is no longer there for it fell down several years ago and the hole filled in 2009. 

It did get electricity in the 1920s. O.T.Price, Sr. designed and built the first electric generation unit in the early 1920s.  It was a Delco Remy generator powered by an Oldsmobile automobile engine.  Electric Circuits were constructed to power street lights, the Baptist Church and later crossed the railroad track to provide lights to Immanuel Lutheran Church on Boatwright Street. Broad River Power Company purchased the system from Mr. Price in 1928.

I digress.  On Palm Sunday March 20, 1921 the congregation was organized with thirty-four charter members with Rev. James D. Kinard, D. D., as pastor. In April 1923 the building was completed at a cost of $5000.00.  Much of the church furnishings were handmade such as the pews and a table that is still used in the church. Stained glass windows were purchased by other churches and donated to Immanuel.  The windows appear to have originated in Germany. 

The church bell was donated by the late Dr.Fletcher Asbill. For many years the bell was rung thirty minutes before church service and then again at the beginning of the service.  It was also a tradition to ring the bell on New Year’s Eve to usher in the new year.  The steeple fell into disrepair and had to be torn off and lowered to its present height. 

Immanuel was associated first with St. John’s in Johnston and then with St. Peter’s, Batesburg; Bethlehem, and Enon, Leesville. During this time, Sunday services were at different times to allow the Pastor time to get to the different churches.  Morning services were held for some and afternoon services held for others.

Over the years many members moved away, and death claimed many others. On May 4, 1986 the final Church Service was held in Immanuel Lutheran Church with the five remaining members: Ruth C.Buffington, Imants A. Ceips, Arnold I Ceips, Virginia Y. Yonce, and Robert D. Yonce. 

After the church disbanded the property went back to the Synod and the church was given to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Batesburg-Leesville.  The Green Thumb Garden Club requested that Immanuel Lutheran Church be deeded to them.  Through the kindness of St. Peter’s congregation the Garden Club received the deed on August 28, 1986.  The Club has used the church on many occasions. 

It is a very expensive project and as all things wear, it has needed much help in being maintained.  Over the years the Green Thumb Garden Club has raised money with many different projects including the Christmas Tour of Homes that still is ongoing, yard sales, the community birthday calendar and many other projects. Through the years many people have donated their time; the windows are still in tack and are protected.  .  Think of the year it was built and how things have changed.  The electrical wiring is one thing.  The Garden Club with individual donations replaced all the light fixtures in the Sanctuary, the Narthex and the two outside the door. In May 2012 the Garden Club had the Chancel area refurbished.

The upkeep is still ongoing.  Florence Householder, a charter member at her death, requested donations to be made to the Green Thumb Garden Club for Immanuel Lutheran Church. With the help and donations of the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival, a former member of Immanuel, Robert D. Yonce, and many others have kept this lovely gem going.

. In 2015 Mount Calvary gave the Green Thumb Garden Club money to complete many of the projects to renovate the Church.  The roof was replaced; the bell tower was completely re-sided with shingle cedar shake, new door and locks replaced, and much more.  The Church is in good shape now and is still maintained by the Green Thumb Garden Club of Ridge Spring, SC.

A memory of the churches in Ridge Spring: Mr. D. S. Cone remembered at the onset of World War II, after Pearl Harbor was bombed, the whole town would meet on Wednesday night at one of the four churches.  They would rotate each week between the Baptist, the Methodist, the Episcopal and the Lutheran.  Mr. D. S. attended the service in each church until he entered the service in March 1942.

Although Immanuel Lutheran Church is no longer used for church services, it serves a very useful place within this very beautiful village. It is hoped that this landmark will be treasured for many years as a memorial to all those who worshipped at Immanuel Lutheran Church during its 65 years as a church to the Ridge Spring area.

REMINDERS

October 5: Meet the Candidates at Persimmon Hill

October 13: Harvest Festival Bingo

October 14: Harvest Festival Blue Grass

October 15: Harvest Festival

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., 8:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Narcotics Anonymous: The Ridge Spring Library on Fridays 7-8 pm

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

2^nd Tuesday:  Harvest Festival

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

September 12, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

It is hard to believe 9/11 happened 15 years ago and now is being taught in schools as part of our history.  The young people were not alive or too young to remember when this happened.  This event will be remembered by all.  For those of us who were here, it is a day we shall never forget!!!! God Bless America!!!!

Ridge Spring-Monetta High School FFA Chapter 10 J.P. Kneece Drive Monetta, South Carolina 29105 803.685.2100 tcrim@acpsd.netThe Ridge Spring-Monetta Young Farmers Association is working on a community calendar for our diverse community.  The money raised from the calendar will be used to help establish a RSM FFA Scholarship.  The Ridge Spring-Monetta FFA is supporting the young farmers in this effort by contributed to this worthwhile community project by collecting; local birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and also memorials of both birthdays and anniversaries.  If your church or organization could please share the above information concerning your congregation or membership in an email or mail to the address or email provided by 20 September 2016. Austin Scott, Ridge Spring-Monetta FFA Treasurer is heading this project up with Michael Crim, academic advisor.

We all had fun with our sidewalk sale this past Saturday. The shops were busy and I got to meet new people and connect with others.  The weather was perfect.

Harvest Festival News:

The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival is right around the corner and the parade is starting to come together.  The Harvest Festival Parade set-up will take place the morning of October 15 at the Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School Campus, 422 Hazzard Circle, Ridge Spring, SC 29129.  All set-up needs to be completed by 10:30 AM.  ALL participants MUST BE IN LINE AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL by 10:35 AM.  NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO “CUT IN LINE” AT THE CIRCLE K.  If you or a group you represent would like to participate in the 2016 parade, please let Michael Crim know before October 8, 2016.  Spots will be assigned the morning of the parade.

Saluda Investment Club: On October 5 at 6:30 the Saluda Investment Club is hosting a “Meet the Candidates /Debate at Persimmon Hill Golf Course. Public is invited and there will be light hors-d-oeuvres. In attendance will be Jeff Duncan, US House of Representatives and Senator Shane Massey. Local candidates including those running for sheriff, coroner, House district 39 and any local races.

  

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church: On Sunday, September 25 from 4-6 pm, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Johnston, is hosting an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry special event. Dania Yadago, a shoebox recipient, will share her personal story. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, fun toys, clothing items, notes of encouragement and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way.  You may or may not be familiar with this ministry. Either way, it will be a time of inspiration to see that “what goes into the box is fun and what comes out is eternal”.  Please join us to hear Dania’s personal story and learn more about Operation Christmas Child.  Adults, older children and youth are invited. Childcare will be provided for children ten and under.  It will be helpful if you RSVP to the church office (803-685-7523) with the number of people attending.  Mt. Calvary is located at 1186 Mt. Calvary Road, Johnston.  For more information or directions, please contact our church office Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Ridge Hill Baptist Church: For the next seven Wednesdays, Steve Bradley a retired Pastor, Foreign Missionary, and Teacher of Evangelism and Ministry Skills Development will teach about Intercessory Prayer. All are urged to participate. All sessions will be held in The Community Life Center at Ridge Hill Baptist Church from 6:30 to 7:30PM.

Ridge Spring United Methodist Church: The land line at the Church has been disconnected. Any Prayers requests, concerns or information about the Church please contact Reverend Miriam Graham Hadden: Home: 843.593.4895 or Cell: 843.682.3083 The Big Red Box FULL of school supplies was delivered to RSM Elementary School (see pictures on the church Face Book page). It was a joy to collect these items and hope it helps both the teachers and students. September The Big Red Box is collecting non perishable food items.  These will either go to the Back Pack Ministry program or our local food bank. If you would like to contribute, please leave items on the porch of either the Church or the Family Life Center. The Prayer Request box is located on the porch of the Family Life Center. Paper and pencils are provided. The Box is checked before Service and the requests will be added to the Morning Prayer. You need not sign your name. Ridge Spring United Methodist Church is on Face Book. Visit our page, like us and see pictures and announcements. Worship Service is at 11 a.m. every Sunday unless otherwise noted.

The Saluda Lion’s Club Golf Tournament will be September 21.  Contact tom Quattlebaum at mobile 803.629.2685.

The Young Adult Ministry of Ridge Hill Baptist Church announces A Family Fun Day and Community Cookout on the grounds of the Ridge Hill Baptist Church in Ridge Spring on Saturday, September 17 from 11 am-3 pm

Field of Worship: You are INVITED! Hollywood Baptist Church is hosting our 3^rd annual “Field of Worship” on Saturday, October 22^nd @ 6pm and we want YOU to join us!  This FREE concert will feature recording hip hop Christian artist B-SHOC.  He’s had over 500 performances, 4 million YouTube views, and more than 7,000 souls saved at his shows.  B-SHOC’S love for Christ is undeniable and his music is unlike anything you’ve experienced!  His testimony is very moving and relatable as we struggle to please God in all that we do.  We are also blessed to have Terry Dozier open the evening with an inspired message.  Terry is a former USC and NBA player, coach and motivational speaker. 

Rene Miller, RSM Elementary School

PTO News: Are you looking to join an organization where you can get involved with your child’s school? Then the PTO is just for you! It is only $5.00 to join. Last year the PTO achieved many exciting things. The projects funded last year included purchasing new desks for students, sponsoring a live theatrical play, donating money to charities, and hosting many other spectacular events. Our future projects include providing support during Teacher Appreciation Week and The Book Fair. We are also excited to announce our 1st fundraiser of the year. It is our FUN RUN! We are partnering with an innovative company called Boosterthon. This amazing event not only is designed to raise money for our school, it also focuses on cultivating a healthy lifestyle for our children. The PTO needs your help! If you are a parent who wishes to volunteer for the FUN RUN, we would be excited to utilize you. Our goal for this fund raiser is $10,000. We can achieve this goal with the help of each parent and student. Please ask for pledges! We can’t wait to see you at the FUN RUN. The date is September 8, 2016. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school for more details at (803) 685-2000.

RSME 5th Grade Walk/Jog Club: We will be starting our Walk/Jog Club for 5^th grade students on September 9th. We will meet every Friday morning at 7:15 a.m. in the gym. An information letter and permission slip will be sent home soon. Be on the lookout for this information. Hope to see you out walking!

Review from David Marshall James:  "Harbour Street" by Ann Cleeves

   Top-shelf mysteries offer much more than a bread-and-butter whodunit plot line.  Rather, they're strategically layered stories in which the major players seem, well, mysterious.  Any one of them could suit as a suspect, or as the next victim, or else come tumbling forth with sordid secrets.  Which is to say, the reader senses that the author could take any one of them and place them at the center of another novel?

   Now, add a distinctive investigator to the mix, and the author's pouring, metaphorically, top-shelf sherry from a cut-crystal decanter.

   Then, what's a British mystery-- such as this sixth one featuring Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope and her crew up in Newcastle, just a stone's throw from Hadrian's Wall-- without a tot or two of sherry?  Up North, in Newcastle and environs, such pouring out is mostly confined to posher quarters than Harbour Street, a dead-end to the sea dominated by fisheries, a forbidding church, and a seemingly out-of-place guest house.

   Who would settle in Harbour Street if they had an alternative?  That's just it:  Everyone seems trapped, mostly through economic circumstances.

   Thus, the late Margaret Krukowski's prolonged residence in Harbour Street proves perplexing to DI Vera Stanhope and her retinue of subordinates, who have put aside their "Secret Santa" shopping to delve into her murder on a Metro train in the midst of the pre-Christmas rush.

   Vera & Co. must sift through the sands of yesteryear in order to sort out the layers of Margaret's past. Trapped in those layers are the fossilized secrets of the neighborhood, harbored by people who have encountered the deceased, from the "coven" of bony-fingered, judge-and-jury church women, to the rouge-encrusted tart in fishnet stockings cadging drinks every evening in the local pub, to the welcoming proprietress of the guest house, where Margaret resided, baking shortbread for teatime.

   Lucky for Vera that a couldn't-be-fresher fish 'n' chips eatery lies just down the street, and there's a nearby tea shop that carries enough assorted pastries to make Little Debbie French-vanilla kiss the Krispy-Kreme delivery man.

   Did we mention that Vera fancies a bacon sandwich or two for breakfast, that she's a plus-size gal as a lifestyle choice?  Then again, slam-dunked pizza boxes, crumpled bakery bags, and teeth-scraped (for the cheese, mais oui) hamburger wrappers are occupational remnants for even self-professed lettuce-nibbling detectives.

   Vera-- in the person of Brenda Blethyn-- has transitioned from page to TV series.  Nevertheless, she seems past ready for the big screen.  Something on the order of Cinerama.  Or maybe Imax.

REMINDERS

September 13: Harvest Festival meeting 7:00 library

September 17: A Family Fun Day and Community Cookout at Ridge Hill Baptist Church

October 5: Meet the Candidates at Persimmon Hill

October 13: Harvest Festival Bingo

October 14: Harvest Festival Blue Grass

October 15: Harvest Festival

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., 8:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Narcotics Anonymous: The Ridge Spring Library on Fridays 7-8 pm

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

2^nd Tuesday:  Harvest Festival

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

September 5, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Shoppes of Ridge Spring will have a SIDEWALK SALE on Saturday, September 10 from 9:30 until … Check us out on Facebook: Town of Ridge Spring

The Harvest Festival will be Oct. 13-15

The next Harvest Festival meeting is Tues., Sept. 13, at 7 pm at the RS Library.

AgSouth gave the Ridge Spring Farmers’ Market a grant for $1000.00 to help support us, Friends of Ridge Spring.  We have used the money to purchase three tents and four signs for the entrance ways to Ridge Spring.  There were four for one was torn up and we had to replace it.  We have bought ad space too.  They also gave us reusable bags to distribute to the shoppers. 

We have placed three banners on light poles for the Market.  I hope you see them. The Farmers met is the spring and liked the red back drop so thanks to Raybird Signs, we were able to order them a week ago and they got them up.  They were going to put them up this past Friday but Hurricane Hermine interrupted and they got them up Saturday.

We also need to thank the Saluda County Council on Aging for distributing the vouchers on the second Saturday in June.   

David Day sold at least 10 pints of his local honey Saturday.  Neither he nor Leonard Bell will be at the market this coming Saturday but they will be back on September 17.  George Raborn may be there with sweet potatoes and peas. I will no longer have boiled peanut or Ayla have lemonade at the market.  I have to get ready to reopen the Shop!!!

Mike Cook is seeking someone in the area who shelters stray animals.  Anyone interested can call or text him at  803 275 7387  He also has hubcaps at the Town Maintenance shop.

Callie Herlong, Principal Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School: September 8^th there will be a RSM Elementary Fun Run on September 8^th as a PTO fundraiser.

Pastor Key: Helpful Hands Ministries founders Day Celebration. Sunday September 11^th at 1:00 pm. Guest Speaker will be Rev. Dr James Abraham. Pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church Graniteville S.C... All are welcome.

The Young Adult Ministry of Ridge Hill Baptist Church announces A Family Fun Day and Community Cookout on the grounds of the Ridge Hill Baptist Church in Ridge Spring on Saturday, September 17 from 11 am-3 pm. 

As a child my grandmother would send me to the kitchen to get her a tumbler.  I always knew which one she meant but then I learned this past Farmers’ Market the difference between a tumbler and a glass by George Raborn, Jr., who happens to be younger than me.  A tumbler has a heavier bottom so it would not tumble over. A glass did not.  You are never too old to learn a bit of nickel knowledge.

Rene Miller at RSM Elementary School

Grandparents' Breakfast will be Sept. 8 and 9.  On Sept. 8, those whose youngest grandchild with a last name beginning with A-M.  On Sept. 9, those whose last names begin N-Z are slated for Friday the 9th.  Invitations with details will be coming home.  This is a perfect way to celebrate Grandparents’ Day which is Sept. 11. 

Please save your Box Tops for Education and tabs off of soft drinks. Box tops are used to help purchase needed items for our school, and the tabs go to a community service project which helps sick children and their families stay at the Ronald McDonald House.  You may send these to the Media Center and they will be distributed to the right person.

We will be collecting bottle caps for Coke Rewards again this year to raise money for PE.  These can be caps from any Coca Cola product, Minute Made, Powerade, or flaps from 12 or 24 packs of cans.  Caps can be turned into Coach Shealy or Coach Bundrick. 

Student summer reading program participants will be receiving a free ticket to the RSM vs. Williston football game which is Sept. 23.  Way to go readers!

School pictures are set for Sept. 14.  Smile!  A Fun Run is planned for Sept. 8! 

Notes from the Nurse: If your child has a medical problem (asthma, seizures, diabetes, allergies, etc.), please contact the nurse so that we can ensure we have everything in place to accommodate your child's health care needs while at school. This includes all food allergies. If your child will be taking medications at school, please stop by the office to get a medication permission form. All PRESCRIPTION medications require a doctor's signature on the permission form OR a copy of the original prescription. Any over the counter medications must be in the children's form (Children's Tylenol, etc.). If you have any questions, please contact the nurse, Brittany Bearden, at 803-685-2004.

Josie Rodgers

The next Harvest Festival meeting is Tues., Sept. 13, at 7 pm at the RS Library.  The festival will be here before you know it!   Enter your team in the local BBQ cook-off at the Festival for a chance to earn prizes and bragging rights. As part of this year’s festival theme, “Bluegrass and BBQ,”

RSM Mid:  We are collecting Box Tops for Education. They can be turned into the office. We collect them year round, but to make our fall cut-off for submission, they must be turned in before Oct. 28. 

RSM High: the RSM Young Farmers meeting will be held Sept. 15 in the middle school cafeteria. The topic is Solar Energy for the farm and for the home. A meal will be served and is sponsored by our presenter, Southern View Energy. Please RSVP by Sept. 13.

Austin Scott, FFA treasurer:  The RSM Young Farmers Association is working on a community calendar for our diverse community.  The money raised from the calendar will be used to help establish an RSM FFA Scholarship. The RSM FFA is supporting the young farmers in this effort by contributing to this worthwhile community project by collecting local birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and memorials of both birthdays and anniversaries.  Deadline for submission is Sept. 15.  Contact the RSM FFA for more info.

The varsity Lady Trojans volleyball team is 2-1 on the season! They beat BHHS in Region opener 25-12, 25-13 in the first match and 25-15, 25-22 in the second match.  The next day, they traveled to Saluda but dropped the match 2-3. The JV team beat Saluda's JV team 2-0! The varsity team traveled to Estill Tues., Sept. 6, to taken new Region 4 opponents Estill High School! The team us VERY young after graduating 8 players from the 2015 squad!

Review from David Marshall James:

"One Writer's Garden:  Eudora Welty's Home Place" by Susan Haltom and Jane Roy Brown Photographs by Langdon Clay

   When Chestina Andrews of West Virginia wed Christian Welty of Ohio a few years after the turn into the twentieth century, the couple had been contemplating where to settle.

   The Progressive Era was wrought with many changes-- and with them, opportunities-- and Mr. Welty had narrowed the search to Thousand Islands, New York, and Jackson, Mississippi:  two locales ripening with good prospects.

   Chestina, possessed of a Southern leaning through ancestry, may well have been planning her future garden when she selected the warmer clime.

   Until the couple's only daughter and eldest surviving child, Eudora, had finished high school, the Weltys resided "in town" in Jackson, on North Congress Street, with a cow and chickens earning pride of place in the backyard.

   The city's new extended trolley line led the Weltys to the undeveloped Belhaven suburb, where "salubrious pines," as Chestina termed them, shaded over a deep lot.

The spacious brick house with Tudor-style gables was designed with the garden in mind, focusing on a side porch instead of a more-conventional front one.

   Although Eudora would soon be off to the University of Wisconsin, her high-school graduation party was held on the lawn of the still-unfinished Belhaven house.

   With Eudora's father's death from leukemia just six years later, and with Chestina's declining health setting in during the following decade, Eudora found herself a frequent resident of the house, where she immersed herself in what she termed "My Mother's Garden," for work and pleasure.

   While Chestina kept an extensive journal of her designs and plantings, her daughter began writing stories in which the characters were frequently defined by their "home place," including the vegetation with which they were surrounded.

   Chestina's garden on Pinehurst Street in the Belhaven suburb was strictly ornamental, save for a World War II victory garden, yet many yards, particularly in rural parts of the state, proved far more utilitarian, as Eudora discovered more and more while traveling Mississippi as a photographer for the WPA during the Depression.  On the Delta, cotton could be viewed growing in rows right up to sharecroppers' front doors.  Humble "dogtrot" cabins were often obscured in front by butterbean climbers.

   As the authors relate, Eudora experienced an early writing epiphany while gardening with Chestina and a yard man in the backyard, which was divided into upper and lower sections by an extended trellis.

   This incident resulted in what would become the title story of her first short-story collection, "A Curtain of Green" (1941), concerning a widow who withdraws into the protective womb/cocoon of her garden.

   Although the authors do not hard-pedal the connection between the garden, along with Eudora's own horticultural interests, and the Welty literary oeuvre, such confluences of nature and writing are so apparent, so rife, that they demand note.

   Following World War II until Chestina's death in 1966, the garden fell into a figurative winter, with Chestina's beloved roses-- her favorite-- succumbing as early victims.  Eudora's favorite, camellias, proved hardier, and many of the bushes she set out survive.

   Chestina's labor-intensive enterprise had lost its principal caretaker and visionary to the indoors, although Eudora continued as best she could, but her caretaking was focused on her Mother, and even her writing fell to the wayside for much of the 1950s into the 1960s.

   Today, however, Chestina's garden has been painstakingly excavated and rehabilitated, with one of the authors, Susan Haltom, in charge of the project.  The entire Welty property has been named a National Historic Landmark, and the house and garden are open to the public.

   This sumptuously inviting and informative volume from the University Press of Mississippi will delight any gardener, with or without an interest in Eudora Welty.  Nevertheless, one of the benefits of this keepsake work is that it will undoubtedly lead the reader down the garden path into the Welty oeuvre.

   When Chestina Welty placed the first seeds and bulbs, the first cuttings and cultivars, into the clay-rich earth beneath her "salubrious pines," little could she have realized what she was planting in the heart and mind of her daughter-- and of generations of readers to follow.

REMINDERS

September 10: Shoppes of Ridge Spring Labor Day Sale

September 13: Harvest Festival meeting 7:00 library

September 17: A Family Fun Day and Community Cookout at Ridge Hill Baptist Church

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., 8:30 – 4:30; Thurs 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fri 8:30 pm -4:30 pm

Narcotics Anonymous: The Ridge Spring Library on Fridays 7-8 pm

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

2^nd Tuesday:  Harvest Festival

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