April 24, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Ridge Spring Fire Department is sponsoring a benefit in memory of Michael Adamick which will be held on Saturday,  May 6th starting at 5 p.m. BBQ tickets are $10.00 each and may be purchased from any of the fire department members.  An auction will  immediately follow dinner.  Please join us at the Fire Department in the center of Ridge Spring for an evening of fun.

Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday June 6th

at Town Hall in Ridge Spring.

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering is May 20, 2017 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  Check it out at MagnoliaRidgeSC.com.

Jerusalem Baptist Church will have its Mother's Day program Sunday, May 14th at 10:30.  The speaker for the occasion will be Mrs. Earline Coates. The public is invited as we honor all  mothers.  If you require additional information please call Yvonne Kenner at 803-685-7257.

Reverend Christi L. Pursey: Join Mt Calvary Lutheran social ministry & youth in honoring all of the special women in our lives on  Saturday, May 13th, at 11:00 am. A Buffet brunch will include grits bar, pancake & omelet stations, crab cakes ... & much more.  There will be complimentary photo booth for a quick pic with your favorite gal, a Massage raffle & silent auction.  All proceeds to benefit  "icare4" a nonprofit group  working to rescue, restore, & rehabilitating local victims of trafficking.

*Tickets should be purchased in advance $12.00 a plate, $10 for any additional person, Children under 8 will be $6.00. Sponsor the event $20 or purchase a table for 8 for $50.00. *Questions or ticket sales please notify Janna Yonce at 803.215.5090 or Pastor Christi Pursey at 803.297.5879.

RSM FFA Plant Sale is from April 19 to May 11 at the RSM High school, 10 J> P> Kneese Dr. Monetta.  Baskets and potted plants are available such as Geranium, Lobelia (hot blue), Lobelia (hot snow white), Verbena, Begonia (big red with bronze leaves), Geranium Begonia (cocktail mix), Petunia (easy wave white), Impatiens (mix mystic), Marigold- French (Durango mix), Zinnia and Boston Ferns.  Quantities are Limited $2.00 for  pots and $10 Baskets.

Friends of Ridge Spring (FORS) is working on an update of the Ridge Spring Brochure.  I is amazing how our community grows and yet keeps its wonderful charm.  Suggestions are always welcomed.  You can contact me at Harriet's Garden at  803.685.7970.

Sunday night many patrons of Juniper got to help them practice with their menu for their trip to cook for the James Beard Foundation in New York.  More on that next week.  By the way, the food was absolutely fantastic.

Rene Miller, RSM Elementary School

New Flags: Peyton, Parker and Riley Holsomback displayed the new American and South Carolina Flags, which were generously donated by their uncle, The Honorable Shane Massey. Mr. Massey is a member of the S.C. Senate representing the 25th District. We are very proud to have the new flags to fly on our school grounds. We appreciate Mr. Massey donating the flags to our school. The RS-M Color Guard’s job is to raise the flags every morning and lower them at the end of the school day. Members of the the RS-M Color Guard are: Cody Davenport, DeAnte Hopkins, Anthony Gallegos, Brayden Barton

Testing: This year all state assessment testing will be done online. SC READY will be administered in English Language Arts and Math to students in grades three through five. SC PASS will be administered to students in grades four and five in Science and Social Studies. Your child’s schedule for testing will be included in the classroom weekly newsletter listing specific dates your child will test for each subject. Please make sure your child is well rested, has had a nourishing breakfast and arrives to school on time the day of their test.

Reminders: Please be reminded that the end of the year is approaching quickly. You must have all your child’s fees paid by the end of the year. This would include lunch money and lost or damaged library books.

Josie Rodgers

Monica Smith: On Tues., April 18, RSM High School Juniors joined over 1,000 other Aiken County Public School Juniors at the University of South Carolina-Aiken's campus for the first ever Junior Preview Day event.  USC-Aiken hosted the Junior Preview Day event to expose every 11th grader in all seven Aiken County Public High Schools to college life.  The juniors were also extended the offer to apply to USC-Aiken for free for the first 36 hours after the event. 

The RSM High Interact Club hosted a pancake dinner April 20 to raise money to create projects for the community.  Students Jermois Morris, president of the club, Cassidy Gerry, Alika Oakman, Linet Figueroa, Ariday Figueroa, and Breana Diaz were assisted by Batesburg-Leesville Rotary Members Stephanie Widman and Kathy Padgett. Teachers Amber Moody and Carmen Holley also assisted.

The National English Honor Society will host a Poetry Café on Thurs., May 18, in the high school cafeteria.  For more information, contact Josie Rodgers, sponsor.

FCA Summer Power Camp:  FCA Power camp flyers are in the office if anyone is interested. Enjoy 4 days of worship, games, and learning new skills in football, baseball, basketball, softball, and cheerleading. The camp is from June 5-8 and for ages 8-12. It is located at JET middle school and it will be from 8:30am-1:00pm.  For more information please pick up a registration form in the office.

Harriet's Garden Tips: No matter how  hard you try to keep pots watered, they do dry out in our heat.  Here are some tips to help.  If  you see the sides of the dirt shrink away from the side of the pot, set it in water and let water come over the edge if possible.  Let it soak for 30 to 45 minutes. You will be filling in the air pockets that have developed.  Then work the soil back around the top and if need be add some more soil or just repot it.  Before I plant anything I try to set it in water for the air pockets, too. Don't forget to fertilize.

Review from David Marshall James:  "Laura" by Vera Caspary:
   A successful New York advertising copywriter, just on the upside of thirty, is betrothed to a model-handsome fellow worker whom she discovers has been dallying with an actual model employed by their agency.
   On the eve of her wedding, Laura Hunt quaffs a couple of dry martinis with her intended, Shelby Carpenter, then stands up her mentor-- syndicated columnist Waldo Lydecker-- for dinner, then hightails it to her Wilton, Connecticut, country retreat, this being August and Le Tout of NYC's haut monde have fled to cooler and/or beachier climes till the Fall Season commences.
   Sounds like an episode of "Mad Men." Well, keep turning the clock back, all the way to 1941, as this is the novel from which the 1944 film of the same title was adapted.
   Whether you've viewed that or not, the book offers so much more. And, a brief commentary on the casting: Gene Tierney was far too lovely for the role of Laura, as former ad copywriter Vera Caspary penned her. Hedy Lamarr turned down the part-- something of a mistake for her career-- but she of course was even more eye-catching than Tierney.
   Interestingly, Lamarr is referenced in the novel as the ultimate in women with whom the detective, Mark McPherson, daydreams about taking a powder. Judy Garland would have been perfect as Caspary's "doelike" Laura-- attractive, but with little confidence in her good looks. Had but the film been made by MGM... .
    As for the effete, champagne-and-caviar-tongued Waldo Lydecker, Clifton Webb proved good casting on one level, but Caspary's Lydecker is so corpulent that his face shakes like "cafeteria Jell-O." Webb, as you may recall, was rail-thin.
   Caspary's "Laura" is neither a hard-boiled nor a scientifically dry murder mystery. Rather, it's a psychologically centered story of a woman's attraction to a trio of men.
   Laura, late of Colorado Springs, has reinvented herself in NYC (again, along the lines of many characters in the more modern "Mad Men") to the degree that she's playing a romantic game for which she is woefully unprepared.
   To wit: How does a well-to-do career woman balance work with romance, particularly when she is attracted to men (Shelby Carpenter, Det. Mark McPherson) who earn less than she and have the bruised egos to show for it?
   The novel's outstanding stylistic feature is that it is related through multiple points of view, with accompanying shifts in narrators. Caspary's adoption of Lydecker's creme-de-la-creme-de-menthe manner of both conversation and exposition is nothing short of a tour de force.
   In moving from the perspectives of Lydecker to McPherson to Laura in different parts of the novel, Caspary brilliantly underscores the psychological contrasts of her characters in a manner in which a single narrator, however omniscient, could not.
   This new edition of "Laura" is a selection from the "Femmes Fatales" series published by the Feminist Press of the City University of New York. 

REMINDERS

May 6: Ridge Spring Fire Department Benefit

May 13: Mt Calvary brunch benefit

May 20: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering

June 2& 3: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 6: Vouchers given out at Town Hall

June 10: RS Farmers'' Market Opens

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

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

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

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

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

Third Thursday of the Month: FORS at Library at 5:00

April 17, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Ridge Spring Fire Department is sponsoring a benefit in memory of Michael Adamick which will be held on Saturday,  May 6th starting at 5 p.m. BBQ tickets are $10.00 each and may be purchased from any of the fire department members.  An auction will  immediately follow dinner.  Please join us at the Fire Department in the center of Ridge Spring for an evening of fun.

Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday June 6th

at Town Hall in Ridge Spring.

Juniper is listed as one of the top ten places to eat in South Carolina.  So glad it is getting the recognition it deserves.  The site is as follows: http://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/must-eats-in-south-carolina?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=display&utm_content=fy16%2F17_musteats

Carmen Holley: Ridge Spring-Monetta High School Students visited the Morris Museum of Art and the Augusta Canal Wednesday, April 12th.  Students were led in a discussion of several works of art by African American Artists, most notably Henry Ossawa Tanner.  The political landscape that surrounded the lives of the artists was discussed, as well as the logic behind the compositions of their works.

The Augusta Canal offers the rich history of the area as one of the first sources of power, transportation and employment in America; the brainchild of visionary Henry Cumming.  Students enjoyed a boat ride down the canal as they listened to the tour guide speak of the fascinating wildlife that takes refuge there, along with the history of the buildings along its banks.

Helpful Hands Mobil food bank will be distributing free food and clothing at the town gazebo Saturday April 22 10am - 12 noon. We will also accept donations during distribution hours. For more info. Contact Pastor George Key. At Pastorkey@yahoo,com

Spann United Methodist Church in Ward will celebrate the 212th anniversary of the founding of the church with Homecoming service April 23 at 11:00.  Dinner on the grounds will follow.  Spann always has a warm welcome for visitors.

RHBEA Women's Auxiliary had their Rainbow Tea on Saturday, April 15 at the Monetta Baptist Church. The Theme was " Fruit of the Spirit". The Churches were beautifully dressed in their colors: Calidonia (Purple), Coleman Ridge (Red), Jerusalem (Green), Monetta (Yellow), Mt. Alpha (Orange), Mt. Pleasant (Yellow), Pine Hill (Green), Reedy Branch (Purple), Ridge Branch (Orange), Rock Hill (Purple) and Ridge Hill (Blue).The purpose of the program was to raise money for the Women's Scholarship. Each student that meets the qualifications  will receive $500 for three years. The president of the auxiliary is Effie T. Martin. The moderator of the Association is the Rev. Donald Hall. Please keep Rev. Hall in your prayers as he journey to Jamaica for his father funeral. 

The Friends of Ridge Spring received the $500.00 grant from AgSouth for the Farmers Market in Ridge Spring.  A Big Thank you to AgSouth and to Sherald Rodgers for getting this done!!!  FORS meets this Thursday at 5:00 at the library.

Mayor Pat Asbill gave one more tidbit of information about the tornado that came through the Ridge. 92 trees were downed and across highway 23 between Ward and Valley Protein.

Josie Rodgers: RSM High:  The Interact Club will host a pancake dinner Thurs., April 20, from 6 pm – 8 pm in the high school cafeteria.  Dinner will include 3 pancakes, 2 sausages, and orange juice for $5.  The money will be used by students to implement projects in the community.

The National English Honor Society will host a Poetry Café on Thurs., May 18, in the high school cafeteria.  Students, teachers, and parents will be invited to share their favorite poems or short writings whether original or published (all recitations must be screened).  The Society will serve refreshments and lead several activities for the evening.  For more information, contact Josie Rodgers, sponsor.

Ridge Spring Monetta Elementary School: Information on our 5 year old kindergarten registration.  The dates are April 18 and 19th, so it may be too late for this info.

Parents of new students must provide the following:

·  Two proofs of residency in the custodial parent’s name. Accepted proofs of residency include:

o    A current rental agreement, mortgage contract/statement, or property tax receipt (with the custodial parent’s name on the property)

o    And a current water or power bill with the service address listed (cable and internet bills will not be accepted).

·  A copy of the student’s official state-issued birth certificate

·  A copy of the student’s SC Immunization Record

Be prepared to fill out a registration card, transportation form lunch form and health form.

Harriet's Garden Tips: To start a garden the first step is to have  your soil tested by Clemson Extension to see what is needed.  Roots do not grow that deep but they grow wide.  So if you are planting anything, make a $10.00 hole for a $5.00 plant. Annuals produce lots of flowers but live one season.  Perennials produce fewer flowers but come back year after year.  So mix them in your flower beds. 

Review from David Marshall James:  "Walking on My Grave" by Carolyn Hart

   Mystery novelist Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series has played well for three decades and could probably keep right on going for another three, with column upon column of previous titles on the back cover, a la Nancy Drew.

   Much of the success owes to her setting and premise:  A fictitious South Carolina coastal island resort, Broward's Rock.  

   This Southern locale is refreshingly devoid of yahoos and assorted escapees from "Deliverance."  Aren't murderers bad enough?

   Moreover, the protagonist, Annie Darling, owns a mystery bookstore, Death on Demand, on the Boardwalk in Broward's Rock.  And-- get this--she's married to a wealthy hottie with a Lamborghini, name of Max.  C'est tres cool, n'est-ce pas?

   (Once met a jeune fille from France who used the adjective "jazzy" to modify everything except her cornflakes, so let's add, "C'est tres jazzy, n'est-ce pas?")

   'Course, Max's mother, Laurel, is two bits of an odd duck, but Annie's learned to tune out her more irritating quacks.  Sort of.

   Other stalwart regulars in the dramatis personae include four constabulary members, but not the mayor, as well as a local restaurateur and his wife.  Gotta love those fried oysters, cole slaw, and cornbread.

   Didn't we mention we're in The South?

   Hart's tour de force character remains Emma Clyde:  A caftan-wearing, jewel-flashing, prolific mystery writer who's been over the top more times than a Ringling Brothers aerialist.

   Emma's the authorial type who used to plop down on "The Mike Douglas Show" and hold court for forty-five minutes, mostly because she's in love with the sound of her own voice.

   Gotta love that Emma:  A most refreshing, "I'll have another serving of dessert" sort.  'Course Annie kind of grins and bears her.

   We haven't yet spoken of the plot, but we don't want to spoil it:  A bunch of potential beneficiaries in line to inherit from a trust.  The pieces of the pie get bigger as the beneficiaries diminish.  They might as well be swimming around the Great Barrier Reef in brisket bathing suits.

   Suffice to say that Hart has produced another Death on Demand mystery suitable for a rocking chair in Annie's bookstore, with a caramel latte from the coffee bar.

   Now, that's a resort.

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering will be held on Saturday May 20 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  More about this as we get closer to the date.

REMINDERS

May 6: Ridge Spring Fire Department Benefit

May 13: Mt Calvary brunch benefit

May 20: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering

June 2& 3: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

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

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

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

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

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

Third Thursday of the Month: FORS at Library at 5:00

April 10, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Johnston, Ward, and Ridge Spring took quite a hit Wednesday afternoon when the storms hit. Small tree was down on Cone's Meats, several trees were down in yards, a tree fell across a car for sale in the Rehab Treatment Center on Hwy 39, and roofs were damaged.. Trees were down and blocking roads, too. RSM Elementary school had minor damage to a covered walkway, but that was all. Schools are on spring break this week. We were fortunate that  no one was hurt that we know of.  Trees can be replanted and clean up can be done.  But I must admit weather has been cantankerous this year. 

It is the week before Easter.  Let us remember the reason for the celebration.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:

The Big Red Box’s non perishable items were delivered to Bethel Baptist Church last week to help with the Back Pack Ministry. Again we thank all those who participated in that.

In April the BRB is all about items for Haiti Hurricane Relief. The church has purchased items for the relief bags but needed are: tarps, no smaller than 8 x 12, clothes for children, women and men and light weight jackets. To understand how RSUMC connects with Haiti please read the below brief paragraph.

In 1970 Joe Cal Watson’s brother asked him to accompany him to Haiti. He was trying to establish an agriculture based ministry and thought Joe would be the perfect person to start it. He was right. They were the first to try anything like this and it continues today. That first attempt spread to building a school, a hospital, a school lunch program. Joe said he was looking at the change on top of  his dresser one evening and thought, how can this become something bigger. Thus, the pennies for school lunch collection started at his church (RSUMC). Over the years thousands of dollars have been sent to Haiti for school lunches (for some the only meal of the day).

On April 19^th from 10:30 until Noon, member of RSUMC will be packing the Haiti Relief bags. Our community is invited to come and help. Stay for an hour, 30 minutes, come by and speak. These along with tarps and clothes will be taken to a storage unit in Leesville then transported by cargo ship to Haiti the first of May.

If you have clothes or purchase tarps, please leave them on the porch of the Family Life Center and a church member will see they make their way to the BRB. Please join us as we provide much needed assistance to our friends in Haiti as they once again try to regain their lives after the last Hurricane.

Art Center in Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch Great news for AARS members at the Jim Harrison Gallery Fresh Air 2017 Juried Art Show. Ron Buttler won Best of Show, DS Owen won 1st and 2nd place in photography and Gloria Grizzle won 3rd place in photography. The reception was held March 31st in Denmark, SC. Barbara Yon won Honorable Mention for her work “ Summertime Blues” at the 2017 North Augusta Spring Fest. We are currently looking for students for the Monsters to Dinosaurs Handbuilding Pottery workshop on June 12th-16th from 9-12. The week of instruction will be taught by Kim Ruff. Cost is $100 for the week-$80 for the second child from the same family. Reserve spots at the Art Center on Fridays or Saturdays from 10-4. You may also contact Kim Ruff by emailmakerart@aol.com. Check out the work of local artisans for that unique gift for someone special or for yourself. Join our membership meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30. Our hours are10-4 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Off the Beaten Path is excited for the new vendors that have come into our store. There is so much creativity to see. We have neat things for Easter baskets. We have 2 girl and 2 boy Troll Easter baskets full of toys and candy. We also have Troll hooded bath towels for kids as well. Come by for your Easter needs! Open Monday-Tuesday 11-3, Thursday-Saturday 10-5.

The Gables Inn & Gardens is extremely thankful to God for his protection during the tornado last Wednesday.  Robin weathered the storm huddled in the bathroom. We suffered some damage to a couple of trees and to the wrought iron fence but no damage to the house. We have much to do to clean up the yard but we are thankful because it could have been so much more. A HUGH thank you to Richland Springs Baptist Church for helping clean up and remove the large limbs that fell.  Y'all were amazing!

The congregation at Spann United Methodist Church is thankful that the church building was not badly damaged In the storm Wednesday.  A large limb fell from a tree close to the church and broke five window panes. In the church yard two large trees uprooted and five were damaged.  One of these will have to be cut down.  A tree service came Thursday  and cut up the downed trees and cleaned the yard.  They will return to take down a damaged tree. Easter Sunday worship service will be at 9:45.  Spann always has a warm welcome for visitors.

Edgefield Baptist Church invite you join us on April 29 from 4-6pm for Spring Fling 2017. There will be food and games. Everyone is welcome.

Rod Lewis, Senior Pastor Hollywood Baptist: The Saluda area churches will be sponsoring a Spring Event on April 15th from 10-12 noon at the park in Saluda.  We will have an Easter egg hunt, Inflatables,  and several children's activities. All events are free to the public. All churches are welcome to participate in this festival.  We will be selling BBQ for your enjoyment! 

Jeffry Clamp, RSM Band Director: On Friday, March 31st students from the Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle / High School Band teamed up with students from the A.L. Corbett Middle / Wagener-Salley High School Band to perform in the Carowinds Music Festival.  Although the "Aiken Area 4 Honor Band" was only able to practice together one time the students gave an outstanding performance and received a rating of "Excellent".  The Honor Band was made up of 21 students from each school (for a total of 42 students), and the performers were students in grades 8 - 12.  Selections performed by the honor band were "The Tempest" by Robert W. Smith, "As Tears Fall on Dawn's New Light" by Richard L. Saucedo, and Randall Standridge's "Afterburn".  After the performance the students enjoyed a nice day riding rides and playing games at Carowinds.  

I recently had a big scare with my computer.  On Facebook, I wanted to watch a little flower girl who could not walk down the aisle at a wedding.  So I clicked on the page and BAM I was in a pornography site with a box saying to contact this number to keep all my personal information safe and to get off this site.  Fortunately I know Jason Collins of Collins Computer.  I texted him and his immediate response was "NO!!!! Do not call!!!"  He picked up my computer and saved the day.  If I had called that number I would have been charged about $300 to $400 which is the same thing as blackmail.  It is scary to think people do this for a living.  There was an example of this on "NCIS" just this past week.  At least my "Iphone" was not hacked too as it was on "NCIS".  They all had to revert to flip-phones except Gibbs who already had his own flip-phone.  So does my husband.

I was also helping Joe Cal Watson type something into his computer.  He said asparagus is the reason he has to hunt and peck on the keyboard.  I looked as his fingers to see what was wrong with them when he explained that when Mrs. Milford was teaching typing in school he had to be in the field cutting asparagus.  He missed the classes.

Harriet's Garden Tip:  If  your seedlings need thinning do not pull the extra seedlings out, you must cut them.  Remember hoeing cotton?    You chop off the extra seedlings just like when thinning out cotton plants.  We had an abundant pecan crop this year.  Trees were loaded and squirrels were delighted to plant their harvest.  Remember do not pull up pecan trees, dig them up.  The root is like a foot long and the top is only 2 or 3 inches tall.  If you do not get the root, the pecan tree comes back. PS: Have to brag about my tomato plants.  Whopper, better boy, Cherokee purple, chef orange, Mr. Stripey, and celebrity are ready.  They are around 6 to 10 inches tall with roots coming out the bottom of the 4 1/2 inch pot and are $1.25 each.  

Review from David Marshall James:"The Cat Sitter and the Canary" by Blaize and John Clement

   Pet sitter Dixie Sue Hemingway is up to her ponytail in quadrupeds-- including a rabbit-- and bipeds, of the avian (and deceased) human variety.

   Someone's got it in for Miss Dix in this, her eleventh mystery-novel outing.  And it's not as if she can run very far or hide very well on Siesta Key, off the Gulf Coast from Sarasota, Florida.

   Nevertheless, Dixie's a tough cookie with a tender heart, having worked law enforcement herself before personal tragedy almost folded the traveling tent of her life's journey.

   However, she has re-emerged with a new vocation, one abounding in the unconditional love of bewhiskered quadrupeds.  Then there's her strong support group, the front line consisting of her brother, Michael, and his partner, Paco.

   She's also steadied by a steady beau, so she ought to be the dictionary pic of romantic contentment, but author John Clement, who took over the authorship of this series following the death of his mother, Blaize, appears to be throwing an amorous curve ball at his heroine.

   A love triangle ought to liven and lighten up the proceedings.  All the components of this series-- setting, characters, and premise-- come together like a beach picnic with shady umbrellas and sandless sandwiches.

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering will be held on Saturday May 20 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  More about this as we get closer to the date.

REMINDERS

April 15: Saluda Park

April 19: Pack for Haiti at RSU Methodist Church

May 13: Mt Calvary brunch benefit

May 20: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering

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

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

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

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

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

Third Thursday of the Month: FORS at Library at 5:00

April 3, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

In the spring when I come into Ridge Spring on Highway 23, I am always amazed at Virginia Strother's beautiful YARD.  The dogwoods and other plants that were not damaged by the freeze just sing out hope for our future. 

What a powerful ending to the basketball season for the Gamecock's and the state of South Carolina.  Congratulations to the Lady Gamecocks for the championship victory and the men's team for coming so close. 

Spaces remaining for the Peach Tree 23: 11 regular vendors and 3 food vendor spaces.  The Peach Tree 23 is held on the first Friday and Saturday in June.  Are you going through your items that you would like to get rid of or should  I say let the items be reused by someone else.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Ann Hughes saw her first hummingbird Wednesday.  Two other people have reported seeing them.  Time to get those feeders out.

Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering will be held on Saturday May 20 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  More about this as we get closer to the date.

MAY 13, 2017 @ 11:00AM A BENEFIT FOR ICARE 4 (Rescuing those who are Trafficked) The Mount Calvary Social Ministry and Youth Ministry Committee invite you (this includes men) to bring your favorite woman or women in your life to a brunch to benefit Icare4. We’ll be celebrating in High Style! FEATURING Muffins; Fresh Fruit; An Omelet Bar; Pancake Bar; Grits Bar; Crab Cakes; Quiche; Faux Mimosas and much more.  A photo booth to commemorate the day will be available.  Other features of the day will be a Silent Auction, Raffle, and Door Prizes. Tickets $12.00 for the first ticket and $10.00 for each additional ticket $6.00 for children under 8 years of age (Tickets must be purchased in advance; last day to purchase tickets May 5) SPONSORSHIP AND TABLES are available. To be a sponsor is $20; and Tables are $50.00 (seats 8). Questions: Janna Yonce (803) 215-5090 Pastor Christi Pursey (803) 297-5879

The American Legion Auxiliary is wanting to send a rising senior to Girl's State this year. Academics, participating in school governemnt and counselor's recommendations will be considered. as to who is selected. The Auxiliary has dwindled in number but still active.  They are requesting donations so as to keep this tradition going.  You may contact Daisy Rutland or Faye Powell.

Shelby Yonce: The Green Thumb Garden Club received two honors at the West Sandhills District Meeting in March which was held in Camden SC.  The honors in categories of clubs with under 20 members were Achievement Award for program "The Founding of the American Camellia Society" and Honorable Mention Yearbook Award.  The Camellia program was presented by Converse  Cone.  In 2016 the Club received the Achievement award for our Blue Star Memorial Marker for care and beautification around the Marker.  This marker honors all our service men and women from the past to the present.  It is located on Highway #1 near the Ridge Spring Monetta High School.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Easter Celebration - Sunday, April 9th @ 5:30 pm 

Attention Families:  Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is the place to be for:  An Easter Egg Hunt, A time of Praise and Worship, And The Ultimate Basketball Game Challenge:   Youth vs. Adults, followed with Concessions.  Don’t miss this opportunity to fellowship together and celebrate the Risen Christ! 

Easter Services - Sunday, April 16th: 7:00 am - Sunrise Service; 7:30 am - Breakfast served; 8:45 am - Sunday School; 10:00 am - Worship Service & Communion; (No Evening Worship Service)

HELPFUL HANDS MINISTRIES INC Mobil Food Bank will be downtown Ridge Spring Every 4th Saturday from 10:00 am-Noon.  Our supporters are Cedar Creek (Ridge Campus), Dollar General, Episcopal Church of the Ridge, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, RSM Elementary School, Ridge Branch Baptist Church, Ridge Spring United Methodist Church and many others.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: During the month of March the Big Red Box will be accepting donations of non perishable food items. Juice boxes, micro wave meals, crackers are just a few of the items that can be used for the Back Pack Ministry.

Edgefield Farmers Market is every Saturday morning from 9am-1pm. Come vend or come shop at Town Square. Plants, crafts and baked goods.

Rene Miller RSM Elementary School

Living Wax Museum Mrs. Wilson’s fifth grade students recently participated in a living wax museum activity. Students identified famous people from the Reconstruction Era to the present and researched their significant contributions to society. Students dressed as their character and were mannequins until a visitor pressed a button for them to come to life. The students then came to life as that person and talked about their life and their historical significance in their society. The students who participated were: Cody Davenport – Babe Ruth; Christopher Story – Benito Mussolini; Aaliyah Day – Condoleezza Rice; Alyssa Derrick – Amelia Earhart; Lyndsey Flores – Calamity Jane; Anthony Lopez – John F. Kennedy Jr.; Aniyah Jennings – Rosa Parks; Kaileigh Smith – Franklin Roosevelt; and Nashara Williams – Rosie the Riveter.

Science Fair Project Winners: 1st Place – De’Ante Hopkins & Conner Martin; 2nd Place – Johnathan Storey & Ramiro Zuniga; 3rd Place – Kaileigh Smith, Aaliyah Day & Bridget Rhodes; Honorable Mentions: Cody Davenport, Anthony Lopez & Austin Wingard, Fancy Smith, Lauren Curtis & Alexandra Lilly.

 Our first graders recently visited the Ruth Patrick Science Center. During the Recycling session, students learned about landfills. Students also sorted trash into items that can be reused, recycled, or thrown away. In the Kid Pix session, students used computers to draw lines, shapes, colors, and patterns. The planetarium session was titled Star Stories. A 3-D model was used to show how the sun, moon, and Earth are related in space. The trip provided hands-on opportunities which enhanced the learning experience. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make our trip a rewarding experience!

Peggy Waters, RSM Middle/High School: Miss Odyssey Pageant was held on Saturday March 11. The theme for this year's pageant was "Happily Ever After."  The contestants performed their opening dance routine and then competed in their Collegiate wear and their Formal Wear.  Miss Odyssey received a $500 scholarship; Miss Scholastic received a $250 scholarship and All-Around received a $250 scholarship.  The night ended with the presentation of the winners:  Miss Odyssey - Alexia Smith; Jr. Miss Odyssey - Anissa Dean; Miss Scholastic - Alicia Key; Miss All-Around - Rachel Burger; People's Choice Award - Rachel Burger; Miss Senior - Alicia Key; Miss Junior - Rachel Burger; Miss Freshman-Akira Bell-Weathers; Miss 8th grade - Titianna Morris; Miss 7th grade - Hannah Tindal; Miss 6th grade - Trinity LaBrew.

Review from David Marshall James:

"I Hate Everyone Except You" by Clinton Kelly

   The marv-fab feeling of this humorous essay collection from longtime TV host Clinton Kelly ("What Not to Wear" and now "The Chew," weekdays on ABC) is that the reader gains the sense that the heart of a great novelist beats under the cover.

   A noteworthy literary voice swims on the gulf between what people say and what they think.

   And that voice exhibits a fine stroke in this never-dull, frequently provocative volume.  The funniest selection is "Memorizing Porn," which captures some chicanerous high-school hi-jinks with both hilarity and nostalgia.

   Advancing through the volume, it's good to learn that the BFF from Kelly's high-school years is still palling around with him.  Their adventure in a California mud bath is pure Lucy Ricardo & Ethel Mertz.

   In one piece, Kelly experiences a close encounter of the third (minus the "h") kind with Paula Deen on "The Chew."  Kelly throws so much reciprocal shade at Deen that he could frost a julep cup in Savannah on a July afternoon.

   Now, here's where he needs to be headed when he clicks on to his next major career track, to borrow his terminology:  A steeped-in-New York novel with present-day characters, plus plenty of flashbacks to show how they've come to be where they are-- a juicy, Honey Crisp apple of a novel that channels Rona Jaffe and Jacqueline Susann, a pop-cultural bookmark of the past 25 years.

   Kelly tags one of his essays "Salad Days," which would work well for such a novel, too-- maybe "Salad Days, Extra Dressing."  Just take over the dining-room table in your Tribeca loft and get it done!

Gardening Hints: I would like to start as short Gardening Hints section for this column.  Not sure if there will be a title such as Harriet's Garden Corner but it is in the plans.  Some hints about seeds.  Freeze them if  you want to save them for next year.  The fist leaves up are not true leaves but cotyledons.  The next set of leaves are true.  Once true leaves appear you can start fertilizing them.  When the seedling gets leggy, it is not getting enough sun light. When I use grow lights the lights are just an inch up from the shoots and the lights stay on almost all the time.  There are books and articles on the Internet that give a more detailed description of what to do but try it.  Who knows what will happen.

REMINDERS

April 9: Mt. Pleasant Easter Celebration

May 13: Mt Calvary brunch benefit

May 20: Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering

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

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

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

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

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

Third Thursday of the Month: FORS at Library at 5:00