Ridge Spring News: April 2018

Monday, April 30, 2018

April 30, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

The Ridge Spring Fire Department Benefit in memory of Michael Adamick will be held on Saturday, May 5th beginning with a BBQ dinner at 5:00 PM to be followed with an auction at 6:00 p.m. and live entertainment by Steele Justice Band with festivities held at the new fire house near the town square. Tickets may be purchased for $10.00 per plate for dinner, auction and entertainment at the following locations: Ridge Auto, The Nut House, the Town Hall or local firemen/women. Many, many thanks to previous donors of this special town event. It is so appreciated by the hard working volunteers of this community. The fire department will soon be accepting donations for this year's auction.

IRISES: With the forecasted warm temperatures, this is probably the last week for many of the colorful and fragrant irises in bloom and for sale at Daylily Depot Gardens, 381 Trojan Road, Ridge Spring. As there are not set open days and hours, it’s best to call before visiting – 685-7219 (leave a message for return call).

Watch out!! Riding lawn mowers in use: Now that the grass and those pesky weeds are up and coming, all are out mowing including town employees. Watch out for those on riding lawnmowers. They are working on keeping our town beautiful .

Harvest Festival: Good news from the advertising committee; we are creating a new "Join Our Team" booklet to detail different levels of sponsorship. We are hand delivering to some of the larger sponsors to shake hands and let them know we want and need their help. BBQ Cookers Pack is on the SCBA Events calendar. I also emailed it to all of last year's contestants. We raised the entry fee by $25 and the 1st place prize to $1000. Need some sponsorship dollars to help cover the meat and trophies. One of the BBQ cookers from last year's BBQ Battle for the Ridge is opening a BBQ stand across from the Dollar General in the old metal produce stand. The next Harvest Festival meeting is Tuesday May 8th 7:00 PM at Ridge Spring Town Hall.

The Nut House and Country Store: Are you a resident of Ridge Spring, Monetta, or Ward? On the first Wednesday of every month (starting May 2nd) you'll receive 10% off your purchase at The Nut House & Country Market - no exclusions! Stop in for delicious pecan candies, Yon Family Farms Beef, Hickory Hill Milk and much MORE!

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: If you heard the sounds of clapping, singing and motorcycles this past Sunday, you were right! These came from a spirited Sunday Service lead by members of the Christian Motorcycle Association, Augusta, GA chapter. 28+ people enjoyed music performed by the praise band, Crossties and joy filled the air. An overview of the Association was presented along with a description of several of their ministries. It was our pleasure to welcome this group of RSUMC and if didn’t make it, you really missed out. Thanks to the CMA members who came. We look forward to having you back again.

This past week the Memorial Garden on Town Square got at beautification update. Several of the bushes had outgrown their spots or had been taken over by weed-trees. With the help of Vivian Mann and Converse Cone, the town employees with aide from the Mayor reworked the area around the monument. Betty Ann Cone was present and supervised. Other trees that had grown up into other shrubs were removed. It really looks so much better. Now you see the monument that states

SIGRID N. CEIPS MEMORIAL GARDEN

Dedicated in Loving Memory

For Faithful Membership and Devoted Service from

1963 to 1986

By Green Thumb Garden Club

July 27, 1986

Jeff Clamp, Band Director RSM Middle /High School: On Friday, April 20th Aiken High School hosted the South Carolina Band Director's Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. Eighteen students represented RS-M Middle / High School at the event. Out of the twelve events participated in RS-M students received the highest rating of Superior in eight events and the second highest rating of Excellent in the other four events. Middle School students earning a Superior rating were Landon Hastings, Cody Davenport, Kaileigh Smith, Bertin Andraca, Trinity LaBrew, and Paola Trinidad. Cheyenne Hartley, Ta'Neisha Patterson, Kandon Hastings, Jonathan Cumbee, and Tyler Rowe were high school students receiving a Superior rating. Receiving an Excellent rating from the middle school were Jamaya Morris, Yazmine Cannon, Tamia Hill, Trinity LaBrew, Paola Trinidad, and Kyla Padgett. High School students who earned an Excellent rating were Joanna Kaiser, Zachary Truesdale, and Kelsey Moore. Congratulations to all of these students for their outstanding performances.

The Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High School Band and Chorus will present their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the high school gym. There is no cost for admission to the concert. Please come out and support the talented musicians of RS-M Middle/High.

Joanne Crouch, Art Center in Ridge Spring

Kim Ruff will host a pottery class making a Garden Angel (male or female). This class will be held on Monday, May 14^th at 6:30 at the Art Center. Students may make a herb pot and possibly some garden stakes (“dill”, basil, etc). Class cost is $35 and includes clay, glazing and firing. Students can bring apron to protect clothing. Contact Kim Ruff at (803)315-9203 or by email at makerart@aol.com or Joanne Crouch at (803)685-5577 or by email at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com.

Additional classes will be announced soon.

Josie Rodgers

RSM Elem: Sat was a bittersweet day for RSM folks. A wonderful retirement party was held at the home of Chris and Tonya Rodgers for 7 teachers who are retiring this year. That’s 7 fabulous women who love our children and are phenomenal educators! We will miss them all! Perhaps they will return to us in some form! We love you, Rene Miller, Becky Hughes, Ranell Shealy, Sheila Matthews, Rebecca Freeman, Retta Havird, and Melva Kerby.

RSM High: The band and chorus will present their Spring Concert on Tues., May 15, at 7 pm in the high school gym. There is no cost for admission to the concert. Please come out and support the talented musicians of RS-M Middle/High.

Rescheduled for May 16: The National English Honor Society will sponsor its 2^nd Poetry Night with recitations of original and published poetry by students, staff, and family. The evening begins at 6 pm with refreshments, audience activities, and door prizes. All are welcome!

The Lady Trojans softball team is in the midst of playoffs. They lost to Ware Shoals last Saturday and played them again Mon night. The Trojans baseball team defeated Great Falls last Thurs 11-2 and play Ware Shoals Mon night. The soccer team travels to Lewisville for the first round of the playoffs Tues., May 1. If they win, they will travel to Dixie for another game on Thursday.

Harriet's Garden Tips: A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the possibility of mixing coffee grounds in with y our geraniums to improve blooming. I am going to try that. Broadus Johnson mentioned that he had been told of using powdered milk mixed in with the planting of tomato plants to help protect them from disease. I am going to try that too. Isn't it great to know we have the opportunity to explore and enjoy our yards. I might even fertilize the Old Fashion Roses that my parents planted in the 50s and 60s for the first time in 40 or 50 years.

REMINDERS

May 5: RS Fire Depart. Benefit

May 8: RS Harvest Festival meeting

May 17: Friends of Ridge Spring meeting

May 19: The Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Festival

June 2: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 5: Voucher Distribution

June 9: Farmers Market Opens

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

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

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

Monday, April 23, 2018

April 23, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday June 5, at Town Hall from 1:00 to 7:00 PM. You will need proof of residence in Saluda County, age and income.

Jerry Sheets of Audibel Hearing Center still comes to Ridge Spring and is in the same building. The entrance is down the side of the building past the ATM machine. There are no stairs there. HIs hours are the same. The first Thursday every month from 10-12. Later hours require an appointment.

Don't forget in Ridge Spring will be Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering featuring the Palmetto Tractor club. This will be held May 19, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Pastor Key: Food bank is open every 4th Saturday 10:00 am until noon at 512 Merritt Street.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: 5^th Sunday Sing. On April 29^th, RSUMC will host a 5^th Sunday Sing as members of the Christian Motorcycle Association’s Praise Band, Crossties, lead the worship, share testimonies and sing. The community is invited to join us for what will be a spirit filled morning of worship and praise. The Service will be at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be served after the service at the Family Life Center and everyone is invited to stay and eat. Hope to see you on the 29^th.

On April 21^st members of RSUMC as well as members from the community visited the Family Life Center (named in honor of Joe and Betty Watson) to wish Joe Watson a Happy 95^thBirthday. Family members welcomed those who came to wish Mr. Joe well. Attendees enjoyed lovely refreshments and walked down memory lane with pictures of Joe, his family and Ridge Spring. Mr. Joe is a member of RSUMC and a blessing to the church.

We all enjoyed wishing Joe Cal Watson Happy Birthday. His grandson had found a map of downtown Ridge Spring from 1925. We all enjoyed looking at the structures that were in town as well as those that are still around. It was probably drawn up by an insurance company for the key to the map helps explain the drawings. Part o f it stated the following: "Buildings colored yellow are framed, colored blue are stone, colored gray are iron, colored brown are adobe, and colored green are specials." There are more parts of the key. Hope to get a good copy soon.

Speaking of Joe, here is another part of his life he shared with so many.

Joe's Trail Rides

The horse-back riding trips just evolved. The teens and Joe Cal Watson would go the back roads that were unpaved almost all the way to the Aiken State Park.

It started off with the purchase of three horses from O. T. Price, Sr. back in the 60s. He went to the local telephone company and got a map of the paved and unpaved roads. He then plotted out the routes and they were off. . Usually 10 to 12 teens and adults would start out riding to Aiken. Joe's wife Betty would meet them somewhere along the way with lunch. The trip usually took about 6 to 8 hours. They would spend the night stay the next day and head back the following. These trips were usually taken three times a year, late summer, Christmas time, and at another school holiday time.

The Holley's had a retreat cabin by the State Park. They were kind enough to allow the group to use their cabin. This included showers and bathrooms. At night the girls would sleep inside the cabin as the boys slept outside.

One year at the Christmas break trail ride several of the RSM basketball team were on the ride, Buford McGee and Joe Watson Jr. The high school team was playing a tournament in Wagener so Joe would load a car up from the camp sight and go to the tournament. One problem, they kept winning. So Joe would have to take them back the next night. Joe and/or Betty would have to take the uniforms and stuff the Laundromat, wash and get them ready for the next game. Winning can be rough. They finally made it home.

Another benefit of the rides for Joe was he learned how to shoe his own horses. He first tried it by himself but when the nail went the wrong way and protruded out the hoof, he knew he needed lessons. He took the horse and trailer over to a blacksmith that then taught Joe how to do this. Knowledge is always power. When Joe turned 70 the trail rides ended. There were good memories for all around.

Joanne Crouch, Art Center in Ridge Spring

Additional classes will be announced soon.

Members, Ron Buttler won 2^nd place in painting and D.S Owens won 3^rd place in photography at the Dogwood Festival held at the Jim Harrison Gallery in Denmark, SC. DS Owens won an Honorable Mention for his photography at the Spring Fest Show at the North Augusta Art Center. Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. The Art Association of Ridge Spring meets at the Art Center the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. Everyone is welcomed.

Rene Miller, RSM Elementary

2018 Title I Spring Planning Meeting: You are invited to attend Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School’s Spring Title I Planning Meeting. The meeting will be held on April 19 at 12:00 p.m. in Tonya Rodgers’ classroom. We will work on the school’s 2018-2019 Title I plan. The school welcomes any input from teachers, parents, and community members. We look forward to seeing you on April 19.

Terrific Kids: Congratulations to our Terrific Kids for the month of March. The character word was Understanding. The character trait for April is, Be Prepared: Landon Scott, Aidan Love, Mia Bonilla, Shemyrah Graham, Jaelyn Lytes, Justin Estrada Garcia, Christian Finnie, Jayden Smith, Miracle Morphy, Jose Perez, Karina Martinez, Aaden McCormick, Jariah Brunson, A’Nia Etheredge, Kymani Denny, Paetyn Colwell, Samantha Kirk, Haley Bailey, D’Toris Lott, Deion Weaver, Aubrianna Wise, and Schannon Robinson.

RSM Elem’s Day of Caring focused on the front entrance. Volunteers cut the parking area grass, picked up debris, trimmed bushes, & placed pine straw. Thanks to Amick Farms for donating $50 to help us beautify our school.

The first grade annual egg drop was held Mar. 27. Students designed containers to prevent a raw egg from cracking when tossed from the roof of the first grade building. After the drop, Doug and Lara Edwards treated us to a hot dog lunch! RSM High Teacher Cadet Tyler Berry also helped us with this event.

The RSME Miss and Master Pageant was held recently with the following winners: Wee Miss Sophia Ildefonso, 1^st runner-up Braelynn Crosby, 2^nd runner-up Makenna Lipsey; Little Miss Addyson Bradley, 1^st runner-up Zoe Ford, 2^nd runner-up Jamiyah Williams; Miss RSME Gracelyn Padgett, 1^st runner-up Gracie Temples, 2^nd Haleigh Mitchell; Wee Master Landon Scott, 1^st runner-up Bryson Hunter, 2^nd runner-up Dylan Smith; Little Master Jermaine Cullum, Jr., 1^st runner-up Micah Fowler, 2^nd runner-up Matthew Cockrell; Master RSME Jarvis Bush, 1^st runner-up James Smith, Christian Smith.

Josie Rodgers

RSM High: The 2018 Prom was held last Sat night at the Aiken Co-op. The students had a wonderful time dancing and hanging out with each other. Thanks to Mrs. Riley and the Prom Club for the planning and décor. Many people helped our young prom attendees get ready for their magical evenings from hairdressers, nail technicians, and makeup artists to flower shops, dress boutiques, and tux rentals to photographers, friends, and family. Yes, it takes a village!

The National English Honor Society will sponsor its 2^nd Poetry Night with recitations of original and published poetry by students, staff, and family. The evening begins at 6 pm with refreshments, audience activities, and door prizes. All are welcome!

On Thurs., April 26, we will celebrate with Family Literacy Night “Celebrate Your Own Story” from 5 pm-6:30 pm. Parents will have the opportunity to create their own "story" in the form of a poem, enjoy a light snack, and peruse the book fair. Please call Mrs. Powell, the media specialist, at 803-685-2100 to reserve your spot.

RSM High is hosting its first Scholastic Book Fair in years! All this week, the library will be showcasing a vast array of books to purchase. In addition, if you would like to help our students, you can purchase a book at the fair or online and donate it to the library. Simply go to the school’s website and click on the link. The book will be delivered to our school in your name!

For National Library Week, RSM’s media center specialist, Mrs. Powell, sponsored several contests. One contest required students to guess how many books were in the library. Some students gave random guesses while others counted the books in one section and used their mathematical skills. The winners who came closest to the actual number were Said Luna and Jose Valeriano. Next in line was Mr. Pierce (who was none too happy he didn’t win!).

Review from David Marshall James: “Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood" by Axel Nissen

Ona Munson, in her Belle Watling finery, graces the cover of Prof. Axel Nissen's third volume concerning classic Hollywood character actresses, following "Actresses of a Certain Character" and "Mothers, Mammies and Old Maids."

Munson, who starred in "No, No Nanette" on Broadway, never knew the success in films that she found on the stage when she was younger, in spite of her role in "Gone With the Wind" (1939).

To be sure, Hollywood provided a monetary refuge for actresses who had once been ingenues, or even leading ladies, on the stage. Of course, many had to be content with supporting roles, but, with enough artistry, they often stole a film from its stars.

For instance-- in addition to other GWTW players Barbara O'Neill (Ellen O'Hara) and Isabel Jewell (Emmie Slattery)-- this volume includes that great Irish expounder of Brooklynese, Connie Gilchrist, who proved unforgettable in the Oscar-winning "A Letter to Three Wives" (1949) as Linda Darnell's kitchen-table-poker-playing mother.

Gilchrist displayed her range in another unforgettable part, as the theater maid who duets with Judy Garland on "Ev'ry Little Movement" in "Presenting Lily Mars" (1943). Come to think of it, Gilchrist's maid could well have been the model for the mop-wielding character Carol Burnett portrayed on her TV variety show.

Author Nissen-- a professor at the University of Oslo-- turns his European sense of scholarship on his subjects, compiling domestic and personal data from official sources on them.

As aforestated, many of these ladies ventured to Hollywood via the New York stage, touring companies, and/or vaudeville. Some of them had always played supporting roles, often owing to their having been born more beautiful on the inside than the outside.

Case in point here is Margaret Hamilton of Cleveland, Ohio, who maintained an apartment on Gramercy Park in New York City, as she preferred stage roles, appearing at age 70 in Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music."

However, she gained immortality for a film character she played back in 1939, a sterling example of the adage, "There are no such things as bit parts, only bit actors."

Harriet's Garden Tips: Don't work soil when it is wet. Squeeze a handful of soil - if it sticks together, wait another day to work in the garden. But it is a good day to pull up those weeds!! It is best to use peat moss mixed into the soil rather than as a mulch. If peat moss is used as a mulch, be sure it does not dry out (impossible in the South!!). It will look moist, but the ground beneath will be dry.

REMINDERS

May 5: RS Fire Depart. Benefit

May 19: The Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Festival

June 2: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 5: Voucher Distribution

June 9: Farmers Market Opens

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

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

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

Monday, April 9, 2018

April 9, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday June 5,

at Town Hall

from 1:00 to 7:00 PM

Come Celebrate Joe Watson's 95th Birthday!: Everyone is invited to Joe Watson's 95th birthday party on Saturday, April 21, 2018. It will be at the Joe and Betty Watson Family Life Center next to the United Methodist Church. Drop in anytime from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. No presents please; your gift will be your presence.

The second big event in Ridge Spring will be Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering featuring the Palmetto Tractor club. This will be held May 19, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Easter Sunday was lovely with a fine message from Pastor Ashley. The Lenten season flew by and we look forward to spring and summer.

The Big Red Box (BRB) full of Easter egg hunt items was delivered to Helpful Hands to help with their Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Pastor Key stated: it was the best one yet! We were glad to help. The BRB also collected non perishable food items for Helpful Hands food pantry. Those were delivered last week. A big thank you to the community food angels who donated food. Reminder: The Pantry cannot accept food that has been open and/or out of date food.

April has 5 Sundays and what does mean? Fifth Sunday Sing at RSUMC. Watched this column, our Face Book page and the Town sign for information regarding this event. You don’t want to miss it. Regular Church Service is at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday unless otherwise noted.

The Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is around the corner. If you want to see if there are any slots left open, go to ridgespringsc.com, click on the Peach Tree symbol, go to map and enlarge until you find your place.

Ridge Spring Famers Market will be opening in June. Come get your tomato plants now from Harriet's Garden. The varieties available now are better boy, whopper, and celebrity. There are a few red, orange, and yellow pepper plants too. You can enjoy eating them or selling them at the market. Sometimes we trade too.

My grandparents lost their youngest child Alexander for he was hit and killed trying to cross Main Street in front of what is now Jim Campbell's business. I found the scrapbook that Grandmother made of all the cards, visitors, etc. from this sad event. She had made a list of food brought and yet I found this so interesting for this was the end of January 1928. Some of the foods brought were milk, cracklins, butter, fresh eggs, fish, sandwiches, cakes, pineapple, peaches, pies, lard, liver pudding and many more. Many people today are going back to fresh eggs, and Cone's Meats still has liver pudding.

I remember when listening to a news report about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it was pointed out that there would be no more unknown soldiers for DNA would identify remains of soldiers. This was proven to us again this time when the remains of a World War II soldier, Lt William Harth, Jr. were identified and returned home from Belgium. He was buried with military Honors at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia SC. First buried in Romania then Belgium, and finally in his hometown Columbia, South Carolina.

Saluda County lost a deputy sheriff last week. Cpl. Dale Hallman was on his way to aid the sheriff's office in their pursuit of an armed man.

A bar-be-que place may be going into the building that is across from the Dollar General.

Art Center in Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch

Six little artists from the Girl Scout Troop 1900 from Edgefield painted gourds at the Art Center on Saturday, March 31^st. Be on the lookout for these creations around town.

Members, Ron Buttler won 2^nd place in painting and D.S Owens won 3^rd place in photography at the Dogwood Festival held at the Jim Harrison Gallery in Denmark, SC.

DS Owens won an Honorable Mention for his photography at the Spring Fest Show at the North Augusta Art Center.

Hours of operation at the Art Center are Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. Join us for our membership meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. The Art Association of Ridge Spring meets at the Art Center the first Thursday of the month at 6:30. Everyone is welcomed.

Josie Rodgers:

Fourth quarter! If you’re a teacher, you know what that means! Our spring break included celebrating Aiden’s birthday for days! We went to the zoo on his birthday and ate at his favorite burger joint, Smashburger. When we arrived home, one of his nanny goats had given birth to a set of twins (Spike and Arrow). Then we learned that a baby giraffe had been born at the zoo that day as well! In addition to a lot of cleaning up and cleaning out, we spend time with River and Pressley and relished every moment of down time.

Members of the RSM High Class of 1976 are meeting for reunion plans. Go to Facebook and search RSM High Class of 1976 for more details.

RSM Elem (Rene Miller): Registration for 4K will end on April 13. There are limited slots available.

RSM Elem’s Day of Caring is will be April 14. If you are good with handiwork and outside projects, we need you! We are also accepting financial donations to purchase materials and supplies for this project. Contact the school at 803-685-2000.

The Spring Title I planning meeting will be held April 19 at 12 pm in Tonya Rodgers’ classroom.

RSM High: RSM Middle High’s Day of Caring will also be April 14. The project will be construction a little free library at the front of the school. This project is an outreach opportunity to the community that promotes the district’s literacy initiative. The library will be maintained by the school’s media specialist and will include reading material for all age levels. In addition to books, the media specialist will include brochures of tips for parents to promote literacy in their homes. Because RSM High will be a farm-to-table school, we will eventually include a seed swap in the free library with brochures that have nutrition and gardening tips. Please bring a hammer and safety goggles. We will also need post hole diggers, shovels and electric saws. The project begins at 8 am.

Review from David Marshall James: "The Downfall of Galveston's May Walker Burleson: Texas Society Marriage & Carolina Murder Scandal" by T. Felder Dorn

May Walker Burleson led a fascinating life, up to and including her incarceration for the murder of her ex-husband's second wife.

Burleson probably would have adopted the song "(S)He Had It Comin' " from "Chicago" as her theme song, had it been written.

Moreover, Burleson's life embodies modernity, a sense of its being ahead of its time. When she returned to Galveston to live out her last decade, she remained just short of a social pariah. 'Twouldn't be the same today.

Lookie-loo's would celebrate her Wagnerian divorce proceedings, her revenge on her errant former spouse, and her getting away with murder-- for the most part-- owing to her social position and (at least) a veneer of being crazed.

In T. Felder Dorn's richly detailed and documented account, the reader moves from May's marriage to a future Army colonel at age 18, to her teaching art in Manila, to her European travels, to her study of archaeology at Harvard. She participated in several Mexican archaeological digs, part of an in-absentia pattern of life with her husband.

Mrs. Burleson also spent prolonged periods with her mother, a failure-ridden recipe for connubial solidity.

Nevertheless, the Texas couple experienced their own brand of happiness together when Col. Burleson was stationed in his home state, including Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. May obviously wanted to maintain her marriage, even with knowledge of her husband's indiscretions.

However, he flaunted those affairs with wealthy, widowed women, whose affections were often manifested in opulent gifts and reckless billets de doux. Indeed, he wound up wed to two of his extramarital inamorata. May dispatched the first one in the cafeteria of the Jefferson Hotel in Columbia, S.C., in 1940.

Col. Burleson sought extrication from a marriage that May fought to preserve. Had he simply been highly discreet about his philandering, he could have sustained the marriage, but that apparently wasn't a goal he considered worthwhile. In modern parlance, he wanted "to trade up."

Even during the late 1940s, the first Mrs. Burleson spoke of "a book that she was writing that would make some people 'wish that they were dead' when exposed by the book and resultant motion picture."

Here, we see a woman 30-plus years ahead of her time, who would have doubtless found fame as a memoirist. Furthermore, were she living today, she probably would have her own cable-TV reality show.

Harriet's Garden Tips: Hard to believe but we had such cold weather Saturday and Sunday morning. It was below 40 degrees and I took in my thunbergia and mandevilla, just in case. Tomatoes survive. A few reminders: do not cut down bulb leaves for they are storing food for next year's bloom, prune spring flowering plants after they bloom, pull out those pesky vines that have gotten into your plants such as in your spirea bush soon after they finish blooming so not to damage next year's growth and blooms, and get ready for a beautiful spring and summer

REMINDERS

April 19: Friends of Ridge Spring Meeting

May 5: RS Fire Depart. Benefit

May 19: The Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Festival

June 2: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 5: Voucher Distribution

June 9: Farmers Market Opens

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

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

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

Monday, April 2, 2018

April 2, 2018

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday June 5,

at Town Hall

from 1:00 to 7:00 PM

Have you seen the Ridge Spring Main Street and all the activities? Juniper has been repainted and looks fresh and beautiful. The bank has an ATM up and is working, the deposit box looks good and Security Federal will be open for regular hours I think this or next week. The Old Cafe is being remodeled. It looks great from the back, too. Now what will it be?

The flowering cherry trees are blooming around the gazebo and along Railroad Avenue the dogwoods are blooming. You see beautiful azaleas everywhere and spirea is in full bloom. How can you not love spring?

The second big event in Ridge Spring will be Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering featuring the Palmetto Tractor club. This will be held May 19, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is around the corner. If you want to see if there are any slots left open, go to ridgespringsc.com, click on the Peach Tree symbol, go to map and enlarge until you find your place.

Ridge Spring Famers Market will be opening in June. Come get your tomato plants now from Harriet's Garden. The varieties available now are better boy, whopper, and celebrity. There are a few red, orange, and yellow pepper plants too. You can enjoy eating them or selling them at the market. Sometimes we trade too.

Art Center in Ridge Spring by Joanne Crouch

Kim Ruff will host a class making a Garden Angel (male or female). This class will be held on Monday, May 14^th at 6:30 at the Art Center. Students may make a herb pot and possibly some garden stakes (“dill”, basil, etc). Class cost is $35 and includes clay. glazing and firing. Students can bring apron to protect clothing. Contact Kim Ruff at (803)315-9203 or by email at makerart@aol.com or Joanne Crouch at (803)685-5577 or by email at joanne.crouch26@gmail.com.

A quilter from Wagener will teach a 5-week quilting workshop starting Monday, April 9^th. Students will have a choice of 10-12 am, 2-4 pm or 6-8 pm for the class each week. Pick your preferred time. There will be hand and machine quilting taught. The first night will be spent discussing supplies. Cost will be $25. Contact Barbara Yon at (803)685-5386 or Joanne Crouch at (803)685-5577.

Review from David Marshall James: "All the Beautiful Lies" by Peter Swanson

This fourth mystery/suspense novel by Peter Swanson ain't a-gonna bed-stand. No, its pages are going to whoosh by like a tissue in a March wind as you keep it in hand.

The setting suits perfectly for a noir-ish tingle: A Maine coastal town where the chief economy is tourism, so strangers roll in and out like the tides.

However, it's not like Kennebunkport, where the Bushes chill out from the summer swelter in Texas. Rather, it has its share of cheap motels and greasy spoons, while the well-to-do dwell in a private community.

It's not where Harry Ackerson grew up-- his Dad co-owned a rare-book shop in Greenwich Village, which used to be arrogantly shabby and affordable for such as rare-book shopkeepers, though it's been largely gentrified, as per showings of "Million Dollar Listing: New York." Harry's Mom succumbed to cancer when he was a freshman in high school.

With Harry off to college, his Dad has opened a satellite shop in this Maine coastal resort, although much of his business comes via Internet. Pops has also acquired a second wife. Indeed, much can transpire on the home front while a fellow's away in college.

On the eve of his graduation, Harry learns that his Dad has died, fallen from a rocky cliff on his walking path. At this point in the story, the reader might expect Harry to encounter a grasping, get-outta-my-house stepmother, a la the Brothers Grimm.

Well, she's grasping all right, but not it the way you might think. And, before you can say, "Clam roll," the reader discovers that the deceased husband/father was whacked before he fell off that cliff.

The author employs some familiar tropes-- there are even some twins-- and blends them into a shiny tale sparkling with his own touches, and his polished style. The double ending proves especially gratifying, as Swanson makes sure that everybody gets what's coming to them, including a high old time for the reader.

Harriet's Garden Tips: Weatherman Jim Gandy said start planting your garden now. I have heard over the years to do it on or after Good Friday. This year Good Friday has come very early so maybe at the end of this week which will be perfect because of all the tomato plants Harriet's Garden has for sell.

Determinate tomatoes, or "bush" tomatoes, are varieties that grow to a compact height (generally 3 -4'). Determinates stop growing when fruit sets on the top bud. All the tomatoes from the plant ripen at approximately the same time (usually over period of 1- 2 weeks). They require a limited amount of staking for support. Celebrity is a determinate tomato plant.

Indeterminate tomatoes will grow and produce fruit until killed by frost. They can reach heights of up to 12 feed although 6 feet is normal. Indeterminates will bloom, set new fruit and ripen fruit all at the same time throughout the season. They require substantial staking for support. Whopper and better boy are indeterminate tomato plants.

REMINDERS

May 5: RS Fire Depart. Benefit

May 19: The Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Festival

June 2: Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale

June 5: Voucher Distribution

June 9: Farmers Market Opens

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon. Tues. 9:00 - 12:00; Wed. Thurs. Closed;

Fri. 10:00 - 4:00; Sat. 10:00 - 1:00.

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

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

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