June 19, 2017

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

On June 16,  the RAINS came.  THE MOVIE SCREEN IS 20'X40' and cannot get wet.  So the movie night event has been moved to July 21st. The Town of Ridge Spring along with The Saluda County Chamber of Commerce  will set up a movie screen on the lawn at the new town hall to show Monster Trucks, our first free outdoor movie on Friday, July 21.  Mayor Pat Asbill stated, " Last Friday night's rain won't stop our Movie on the Lawn. We have rescheduled for July 21st. So mark your calendars; we are looking forward to showing Monster Trucks." 

The Farmers Market was fantastic.  We had 4 vendors with the best and freshest corn.  So of course I bought four dozen. There were cantaloupes, watermelons, and PEACHES. White and yellow peaches are available.  There were string beans, tomatoes, beautiful flowers, cucumbers, peppers, boiled peanuts and so much more.  You could get cookies made by Abbie who was selling them for her trip, Ayla who was selling lemonade to make money for the summer.  Where else could you sit a spell in the shade, talk and also order a basket of cucumbers so you can make your special pickles.  Miss Daisy Rutland sat in the cool and Mrs. Jeanette Carr got her that peck of cucumbers. You could get fresh blueberry muffins, teas that were loose or in tea bags made by Samantha McClure.  Ayla hid a rock, too.  We start around 7:00 to 8:00 and go until we sell out. 

Saluda Senior Center will be giving out the last of the vouchers on July 10 at the American Legion building in Saluda that is behind the Court House.

The Juniper Family is on the way to New York.  They will be at the James Beard House serving a fantastic meal.  This means that Juniper will be closed from June 15 until June 24.  They will be back open for Sunday Brunch on June 25. 

The Friends of Ridge Spring (FORS) met Thursday night.  Mayor Pat Asbill and Noel Steele had the report from the traffic count on Hwy 23 form Tuesday May 30 through  Wednesday June 13, hour by hour.  Peach tree 23 had a fabulous count. Friday peaked with 1298 vehicles going west at 1:00 PM and with over 1000 traveling west through town from 10:00 to 3:00. On Saturday the peak was at 11:00 with 1708 vehicles traveling west and again from 9:00 to 2:00 there were over 1000 cars traveling west.  Google Earth reported a traffic jam on Hwy 23 and recommended detours.  This was good for trucks to avoid this area that weekend.  The n ext day the town was clean and I thanks the town employees for their hard work.  The welcome center at the Gazebo was a success, too.  FORS will not meet in July and August.

Harriet's Garden will be shutting down for summer and reopen in September.  Remember, if my car is there, I am there so stop by.  If you need me call that local number, I have call forwarding.

I will be on vacation from June 29 until July 6.  The Ridge Spring News will be more of a story and not too much news.  If you want something in the column during that time, please send it to me Tuesday, June 27 Bucket list item will be checked off - seeing Mt. Rushmore.

Saluda County Library Summer Reading Program 2017:  Our Summer Reading Program It is for all ages (even adults).   Questions? Call 864-445-4500 x226Friday, June 16th, 10AM Porkchop Productions presents The Three Pigs! Not only will they be building houses, but will be building friendships too!  Friday, June 23rd, 10AM The Riverbanks Zoo is Coming! Come see some live animal ambassadors! 

Josie Rodgers: RSM Middle:   The middle school cheer team is raising money for camp, uniforms, and other expenses.  You can help by purchasing from Pelican’s SnoBalls every Friday night (6-8 pm) until July 28.  Just tell them you are there for RSM, and they will donate a portion of your purchase to the middle school cheerleaders!  Contact Monica Johnson for more information. 

From David Marshall James:

"What the Dead Leave Behind" by David Housewright

  The Vikings may be breaking Minnesotans' hearts on an annual basis, but St. Paul author David Housewright just keeps hittin' 'em out of the ballpark.

   His Rushmore McKenzie mystery novels, that is.  And yes, am mixing sports metaphors, but you get the picture.    The McKenzie novels comprise a true series winner.  As such, they seem ripe for TV dramatization, or the movies.

   Housewright himself seems to think so, what with his comparison of his protagonist's looks-- as viewed by certain female characters-- to those of Bradley Cooper.  We know a casting hint when we see one.  It seems like a good fit, but BC's a bit too much of a cover guy to pull off McKenzie, IMHO.

   To wit, someone who casts about as a private eye, albeit pro bono, should not be as noticeable as Mr. Cooper.  Also, McKenzie tools about in a Stang, which is way cool, but which ups his recognition factor.  Before that, it was an Audi.  How about a Camry or an Accord, the better to blend in with the masses?

   All this brings to mind "The DaVinci Code," and here's how.  On the first or second page, author Dan Brown states that his MC looks like Harrison Ford, who doesn't look a whole lot like Tom Hanks (who played the movie role), although both are fine actors and are free to adopt me any ol' time.

   Back to McKenzie, the former cop turned PI.  In his latest opus, he's asked a favor through Erica Truhler, the daughter of his live-in love, jazz-club owner Nina Truhler.

   One of Erica's pals (is he more than that?) from Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, at Tulane University, lost his father in a still-unsolved murder in a Minneapolis suburb, one year before the story commences. He-- Malcolm Harris-- and Erica are on break from Tulane, and it's nearing New Year's Eve.  Happy New Year, then, to McKenzie, who's loath to refuse anything to Erica and Nina, although he's not crazy about "Mal."

   First order of business for McKenzie is to contact the suburb's meager constabulary, for the case is as cold as the Twin Cities winters used to be, before the imaginary climate change commenced.  Thus begins the revelation of several unsolved homicides, along with the deceased's scandal-ridden workplace.  Then, come to find out about the supper club to which the victim's widow still belongs.   There are at least six chew-the-scenery female roles for whoever's starring opposite Mr. Cooper.

   Speaking of which, was writing this, then turned on the TV, and who should appear on "The Talk" but Topher Grace.  Is that a sign or what?  There's your McKenzie, Mr. Housewright.

Harriet's Garden Tips:  This is the time to see what you want cuttings of.  My Aunt Adeline said to root in sand on July 4 and then pot up on Labor Day.  Keep plants watered and be patient.  When I go to repot camellia cuttings I snap the end of the root so it will be more fibrous and not just a tap root.  Those camellia seedlings are good for grafting but not for blooms.  The blooms on seedlings just never quite open up. 

Remember daylilies are named for the blooms last a day but there are many blooms on that stalk.  Zinnias have been beautiful this year.  Wonder if that means we are in for a dry, hot summer?

How is your garden growing?  Do you have enough zucchini?  Zucchini seems to grow faster than kudzu.

If you see a really good deal on a plant, it is probably dried out. Take it home and set it all the way in water.  Then put a saucer under it until you plant it. Have fun!!

REMINDERS

All Summer Saturdays: Ridge Spring Farmers' Market

July 10: vouchers at Saluda Senior Citizen

July 21: Free outdoor movie at Town Hall

August 21: Total Solar Eclipse

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