Monday, January 18, 2016

January 18, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Friends of Ridge Spring will meet this Thursday January 21^st at the Ridge Spring Library at 5:00 PM. After the meeting several of us will go out to eat. Come join us.

Past Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival and supporters of the Festival are asked to attend a meeting about the Future of the Festival. It is once again time to think about the future of the Harvest Festival. As most of you realize the committee has been having difficulty getting Chairpersons over the past few years. This year is no exception. There seems to be no one willing to step forward this year. Because of your willingness in the past to take on this big event, we need your input as what to do now. We are proposing a meeting of all past chairpersons and interested committee members to come together on January 31 at 3:00 at the Ridge Spring Library to discuss the festival’s future. Mayor Pat Asbill will chair the meeting. We are trying to make sure we have all the past chairs listed. Help us get your name.

On Wednesday I read an article about winter salads and guess whose recipe was used plus an interview? Brandon Velie... He and his wife Jeanne Velie own and run Juniper Restaurant in Ridge Spring (as we all know). The emphasis on local produce was apparent and so good for all. He used local baby kale, toasted Nut House pecans and Trail Ridge Farm Goat Cheese salad with Cranberry-Ginger Vinaigrette. You can make the salad the main course by adding protein such as chicken, or South Carolina Shrimp. The recipe for the vinaigrette is fabulous too.

Joyce and Preston: Our daughter Roz's youth group won the Community Service Award and the $1000.They also won "Best Overall Performance" among more than 200 groups in Atlanta this weekend! Thank you so much for your vote and your prayers!

A reminder of the story:Rozalynn Fulton is the daughter of Joyce Bell Winkler and Preston Winkler, and the first granddaughter of Mrs. Annie Mae Bell, and is the Education Director of an amazing youth theatre group in Greensboro, NC. Last October when Rozalynn mentioned to her youth group that she once lived in a section of Columbia that was flooded, they wanted to do something to help. They began organizing donations to send to the people in Columbia. When Rozalynn told her sister Jennifer McLeod-Gantt (who lives in Columbia about this, Jennifer began working with her team to put together a give-away initiative. Jennifer is a Social Worker and Manager at Palmetto Health and works with a program to assist families in need. On Nov. 11 with a large U-Haul from Greensboro filled with items, Rozalynn, along with her husband, children and 5 youth from the theatre, delivered the goods for the Midlands families at the give-away location. Because of their community outreach, Rozalynn's theatre group is being recognized as 1 of 5 youth theatre groups nationally (out of more than 200) for a community service award.

Ridge Spring United Methodist Church: The month of January the Big Red Box is hungry for non perishable food items suitable for a back pack. Yep, let’s try and make sure no young person and/or their family go without food over the weekend. RSUMC works with Bethal Baptist Church in their Back Pack Ministry. If you would like to help leave your donations on the FLC porch and a member will make sure they find their way into the BRB. Don’t forget RSUMC has a Face Book page. Please visit and like us.

Teaser Alert: RSUMC is working a project for Spring. Not going to give away too much information, BUT if you are cleaning out closets and plan to take shoes, any wearable shoes, to donate please save them. Services are every Sunday at 11 a.m. RSUMC also has service on Sunday with the months with 5 Sundays. Join us for fellowship and some of the most uplifting and thoughtful messages you’ll ever hear.

Ridge Spring Elementary School Rene Miller

New Reading Program: We are excited to announce that our school is implementing READ 180 Next Generation and System 44 Next Generation, innovative reading intervention programs by Scholastic. READ 180 and System 44 are research-based programs with proven results in raising student reading achievement. These programs use cutting-edge technology to deliver individualized reading instruction, provide valuable skills practice, and motivate students to become confident readers. In our READ 180 and System 44 classes, your child will see that he or she can attain reading success while being challenged to work hard.

First in Math: Our students are competing against themselves, students in our school, and all across the nation to boost their math skills. We will update biweekly in the school newsletter to let you know who is in the lead within our school. For the week ending January 8: Our school has completed 433,554 math problems. We have earned 144,518 stickers. The team of the week is Mrs. Wilson’s 5th grade class. The player of the week is Dustin Hutto. He earned 358 stickers. He is in Mrs. Wilson’s 5^th grade class.

The top team for each grade level is: Kindergarten: Mrs. Havird’s class; 1st Grade: Mrs. Kerby’s class; 2nd Grade: Ms. Martin’s class; 3rd Grade: Mrs. Dressel’s class; 4th Grade: Mrs. Byers’ class; and 5th Grade: Mrs. Wilson’s class.

Josie Rodgers:

Happy anniversary to my loving husband! We've been married for 16 years on Jan. 15.

Brenda Crute received a wonderful surprise this Christmas! Her son, PFC Jared Crute, came home to visit her Dec. 20 for her birthday! Mrs. Crute had no idea! He headed back to Germany on Jan. 2. Mrs. Crute is one proud mom!

Baseball and softball registration for these spring sports will take place at the Little Peach League Ballpark every Saturday in Jan from 9 am to 1 pm. Parents must register their own children and pay the fees at registration—no exceptions. Players must bring the child’s birth certificate for proof of age. All parents must also work in the concession stand and provide team snacks at least once during the season. For more information, contact Leslie Long @ 803/687-0857, Ashley Bradley @ 803/645-1433, or Deidra Gillian @ 803/640-3403.

RSM Mid/High: The RS-M Lady Trojan Basketball Team has done it again in 2015! Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4-peat CHAMPIONS! The Blackville-Hilda Holiday Tournament has been controlled by the Lady Trojans for 4 consecutive years! The RSM Lady Trojans have only been in the tournament 5 years! Seniors Amber Merritt and Porsha Quattlebaum and Junior Mikayla Davis were named to the All- Tournament Team! Sophomore Crystal Preston has been named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament 3 consecutive years! All of the Trojan Ladies played hard every game of the Tournament and earned their Fourth Consecutive Championship Title by beating Bamberg-Erhardt in the first round, Denmark-Olar in the second round, and Estill High School in the final game!

Over the Christmas holidays, teacher Joey Middlebrooks took several CDOC students to the DMV to get their state-issued IDs! Dianna Meade also received special recognition from the district’s SPED dept for her differentiated reading strategies in her Learning Strategies class. Mid school SPED teacher Monica Johnson was also praised for sharing her wonderful teaching ideas at the SPED monthly meetings. RSM is represented well!

The Art Association of Ridge Spring will be offering Beginner Drawing Classes!!
Marilyn Smith, former school art teacher, of Aiken will teach each Saturday morning starting January 16th-February 27th at 11 a.m. for $12.00 per hour. Supplies needed: 12"x 18" drawing pad. Please note: You do not have to sign up for the classes all at one time; you can sign up for the class on any Saturday you choose to attend. If interested, please call Barbara Yon at 685-5386 or Joanne Crouch at 685-5577.

Reminders:

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

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

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

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

Wednesday: AA meets at Recovery Works

Monday & Friday: Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

Monday, January 11, 2016

January 11, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Friends of Ridge Spring will meet Thursday, January 21 at the Ridge Spring Library at 5:00 PM.

In honor of the Rev Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. birthday, Ridge Hill Baptist Church of Ridge Spring announces its third annual MLK Community Awards Luncheon on Saturday, January 16^th 11:30AM at the RHBC Community Life Center, 144 Ridge Hill Drive in Ridge Spring. There will be artistic presentations in singing, dancing, and instrumental music featuring: The Dance Warriors, Steven Galloway, saxophonist, and others. All are invited. For more information contact: Ridge Hill Baptist Church at 803 685 7367 or 803 237 8769.

Ridge Spring United Methodist Church: The Church had a meaningful Christmas season. The tree, advent wreath, decorations and messages by Pastor John helps us to remember the ‘reason for the season’. The Church hosted the refreshments for the Green Thumb Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes and it was a pleasure. The Church and the Family Life Center (FLC) were decorate and open. 60+ people visited the church and were greeted by church members. Some had grown up in the church while others were from other towns, this being their first visit to Ridge Spring. It was fun talking and meeting new friends. Please come back to visit soon.

The Big Red Box (BRB) was filled to brim AND overflowing with collections for the Helpful Hands Ministry the month of December. Non perishable food items were delivered to their new location. Took two church member several trips to bring all the food into the building. Well done food angels and church members.

The month of January the Big Red Box is hungry for non perishable food items suitable for a back pack. Yep, let’s try and make sure no young person and/or their family go without food over the weekend. RSUMC works with Bethal Baptist Church in their Back Pack Ministry. If you would like to help leave your donations on the FLC porch and a member will make sure they find their way into the BRB. Don’t forget RSUMC has a Face Book page. Please visit and like us.

Teaser Alert: RSUMC is working a project for Spring. Not going to give away too much information, BUT if you are cleaning out closets and plan to take shoes, any wearable shoes, to donate please save them. More information on this community wide outreach effort during the upcoming months… RSUMC is always looking for ways to help our community. If you see a need or know of something that we might help, please contact us. Services are every Sunday at 11 a.m. RSUMC also has service on Sunday with the months with 5 Sundays. Join us for fellowship and some of the most uplifting and thoughtful messages you’ll ever hear.

Denise Boatwright and Cookies for Dabo: I started taking cookies to Coach and his brother, Tracy Swinney, a couple of years ago after Dabo signed the tailgate of my truck. Last summer at Coach Swinney’s annual Ladies Football Clinic, Tracy and I talked about bringing cookies to the coaches Clemson’s home games. I said I would, so the “tradition” began. I have been delivering cookies to the coaches before each of the home games this year. Sometimes they even ask for a gallon of milk as well. Usually before I get out of the parking lot after the game, the coaches have already put their order in for the next game. I started telling them, “I’ll keep bringing cookies as long as we keep winning!” Tracy texted me last week about bringing cookies before they left for Arizona to play in the National Championship Game. I asked him what kind they wanted and I told him I would get back with him about a date.

On Wednesday, January 6^th, Stacy Chambers (wife of Pastor John Chambers, Ridge Spring Baptist Church) and I went to Clemson to deliver cookies to the coaches. We parked at the entrance to gate 13 and went to the back door of the offices where Tracy met us. As we walked in with the cookies, Coach Swinney was going into the conference room for a meeting when he spied the cookies. He noticed the cookies and gave me a hug. Tracy introduced Stacy to Dabo and he shook hands with her and said he was glad to meet her before going into his meeting. Stacy got to go into Dabo’s office and sit in his chair. The pictures have the Orange Bowl Trophy and the ACC Championship Trophy in the background. We had a wonderful day and will probably be making another trip to Clemson very soon with more cookies!

Joyce and Preston Bell: Rozalynn Fulton is the daughter of Joyce Bell Winkler and Preston Winkler, and the first granddaughter of Mrs. Annie Mae Bell, and is the Education Director of an amazing youth theatre group in Greensboro, NC.

Last October when Rozalynn mentioned to her youth group that she once lived in a section of Columbia that was flooded, they wanted to do something to help. They began organizing donations to send to the people in Columbia. When Rozalynn told her sister Jennifer McLeod-Gantt (who lives in Columbia about this, Jennifer began working with her team to put together a give-away initiative. Jennifer is a Social Worker and Manager at Palmetto Health and works with a program to assist families in need.

On Nov. 11 with a large U-Haul from Greensboro filled with items, Rozalynn, along with her husband, children and 5 youth from the theatre, delivered the goods for the Midlands families at the give-away location. Because of their community outreach, Rozalynn's theatre group is being recognized as 1 of 5 youth theatre groups nationally (out of more than 200) for a community service award.

Watercolor Classes: Jan. 7 - Feb.11, Thurs.-6 week, $75. Instructor, Judy Adamick at Barn Studio, Ward, SC Call 803 685.5814

Harriet’s Garden: Regular business hours will begin February first just in time for Valentine’s Day. I will also have guest writers for the month of January.

From David James reviews: Note that “Luise” is correct

One year ago this just-past December 30^th, Luise Rainer died, age 104. The news tumbled to the wayside, as she is largely forgotten today, except to film buffs, as she bailed out of her MGM contract in 1938, leaving studio head Louis B. Mayer steaming from the ears.

Almost 80 years later, Rainer remains the only actress to win back-to-back Best Actress Academy Awards, for “The Great Ziegfeld” (1936) and “The Good Earth” (1937). Had she lingered at MGM, she would have had her pick of the roles vacated by Greta Garbo and Norma Shearer, both of whom retired from the screen in 1942, back when being 40 was the old 40, at least for leading ladies who didn’t care to portray matrons with adult children.

Billy Wilder wanted Shearer to take the role of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), with Montgomery Clift in what became the William Holden part. Both passed on what would have been an even-more-must-see classic. Gloria Swanson has always struck me as a middle-aged trick-or-treater, while Holden, a fine actor, seems about ten years too old for his role. The viewer is inclined to think, “He really should know better.” Clift always seems like a lost soul in his early films, particularly “A Place in the Sun” (1951).

Author and University of South Carolina alumnus Sam Staggs recounts the history of “Sunset Boulevard” in his “Close-up on ‘Sunset Boulevard’” (2002). Staggs has written a half-dozen excellent studies of classic films, always dotting his “i’s,” crossing his “t’s,” and tailing his “q’s.”

His most recent book is a captivating biography of one of the 20^th century’s greatest party-givers to the highfaluting, “Inventing Elsa Maxwell” (2012).

Sad to note the passing this year of Bobbie Jo Bradley of “Petticoat Junction.” I’ll always think of Lori Saunders, still living, as Bobbie Jo, so I was flabbergasted to learn that Saunders had been preceded in the role by Pat Woodell, who died in 2015. I knew the late Meredith MacRae (Billie Jo Bradley) had been preceded by Gunilla Hutton, but come to find out, there was a third Billie Jo—Jeannine Riley! Linda Kaye Henning, still living, held the role of Betty Jo Bradley for the run of the series, but star Bea Benaderet succumbed to cancer in 1967, so the producers brought in that ubiquitous TV star of the 1960s, June Lockhart.

Lockhart, now 90, is also an MGM alumna, having appeared in such classics as “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944, as Lucille Ballard) and “The Yearling” (1946, as Twink Weatherby). It may be a record for a long-running (non-ensemble) TV series, to have lost four major cast members and still barrel on, like The Cannonball Express on a full head of steam. An even greater wonder is that CBS nodded past the naming of “Hooterville.” Eva Gabor, who portrayed Lisa Douglas on the crossover series “Green Acres,” malapropped it into “Hootersville,” as if no one had gotten the point.

Before long, we’ll be noting the passing of “Reality Stars,” a fair number of whom now hail from the South. Todd Chrisley, of Seneca, SC, stars in “Chrisley Knows Best,” which can be viewed on the USA cable channel. He and his family reside Somewhere in Greater Atlanta, and four of his five children have now departed the household, with good reason, given his shrill, overbearing nature. His wife, Julie, is becoming increasingly vituperative herself, although his children are largely pleasant if not vacuous, and Todd’s mother, transplanted as well from Seneca, copes with the requisite family dysfunctions with an assortment of alcoholic beverages.

Reminders:

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

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

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

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

Wednesday: AA meets at Recovery Works

Monday & Friday: Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

Monday, January 4, 2016

January 4, 2016

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Sometimes the Ridge Spring News seems to be a repeat of what was in the column the week before. That does happen for I want to make sure you heard about the event. It is really amazing what all is going on in our small town.

I also take the month of January off and have a guest columnist. Thanks to David James for this help.

Friends of Ridge Spring will have their first of the year meeting January 21^st at 5:00 PM at the Ridge Spring Library.

The Art Association of Ridge Spring will be offering a beginning drawing class starting January 16th at the Art Center. Marilyn Smith, a former school art teacher, of Aiken will teach each Saturday morning at 11 o'clock for $12.00 per hour. She will have the class each Saturday starting January 16 -February 27. 2016. for ages 16 and up. All the supplies you will need is 12x18 drawing pad. If interested, please call Barbara Yon at 685-5386 or Joanne Crouch at 685 5577. The Ridge Spring Art Gallery sponsored by AARS will be closed for the month of January except for classes.

I took our grandchildren to Juniper Restaurant for lunch on Saturday. As we left I saw some friends and stopped to speak. As we left my grandson Carter said “Mammie, you always know someone in Juniper and stop to talk.” I could not help but smile for it was true. It is the small town atmosphere where the old and the new people are welcomed.

Did you know that you can get breakfast at Watsonia’s Peaches and Such each morning at 7:00 AM? It is a nice start for the day.

On Saturday, January 9Th 10:00 am – 1:00 pm The Social Ministry Committee is hosting A PAINT AND PACK PARTY FOR ICARE : “I CARE Ministries” is a local ministry that is helping to transform the lives of young women and children who have fallen victim to human/sex trafficking through rescue, rehabilitation, and God’s love. We will be “painting and packing” canvas bags to give to the rescued women and children.

The bags are packed with personal care items, clothing, stuffed animals, age appropriate devotional material, and personal notes from the individual packing the bag. The cost of each bag is $15 or 2 bags for $25 (The second bag may be kept or donated)

Watercolor Classes: Jan. 7 - Feb.11, Thurs.-6 week, $75. Instructor, Judy Adamick at Barn Studio, Ward, SC Call 803 685.5814

Harriet’s Garden will not have regular hours for the rest of December and January. This is a semi vacation. Plants and seeds do not take a vacation so I will be around and can be reached by my business phone or cell phone. Regular business hours will begin February first just in time for Valentine’s Day. I will also have guest writers for the month of January.

Subbing for Harriet Householder, from David Marshall James: Two literary milestones—one from this past September, one upcoming in February 2016—to note: The first was the 50^th anniversary of the publication of Truman Capote’s “nonfiction novel,” “In Cold Blood,” in which he recounted the murders of four members of a rural Kansas household, through to the execution, by hanging, of the two perpetrators.

Capote’s images seep into “the pit of your fears,” as Rod Serling would put it, and the six years he spent on the book extracted a death-knelling toll on his future literary career, as well as on his sense of well-being. The story behind the rise of Capote’s masterwork vis a vis his personal disintegration has been captured in two films, including “Capote” (2005), for which the late Philip Seymour Hoffman received a Best Actor Oscar.

The anniversary is of note not only because of Capote’s exceptional reportage, crafted into

the stylistic form of a novel, but also because of his being ahead of the curve with his topic. That is, he focused on a tragic event—multiple murders—that has become pandemic in our society, with no “cure” in sight. One understands, on a certain level, crimes of passion and/or avarice. But what of en-masse murders, which are utterly senseless?

His immersion in this case turned Capote into an active spokesman for capital punishment.

To read more of Capote’s fascinating life-- from his birth in New Orleans to his early years in Monroeville, Alabama, to his landing in New York City at age 10 with his increasingly abusive mother and her second husband—look no further than Gerald Clarke’s superlatively researched and written biography, “Capote” (1988).

This February marks another anniversary, the 50^th year since Jacqueline Susann’s “Valley of the Dolls” was first published. “Valley” held the no. 1 spot on The New York Times Bestsellers list for a phenomenal 29 weeks, but Susann’s success scarcely ends there. Moreover, she became the first writer to have three successive novels—“Valley,” “The Love Machine,” and “Once Is Not Enough”—attain that no. 1 place on The Times Bestsellers list.

Barbara Seaman’s excellent biography of the author, “Lovely Me”(1987), pulls the reader in much deeper than any of Susann’s novels. For all Susann’s unorthodox paths to glory, her veritable “knock-up” of the literary milieu of the late 1960s and early 1970s, her ultimate success—following lukewarm careers as a Broadway actress and a TV spokeswoman—proved short-lived, as she knew it would be, as she was diagnosed with cancer before “Valley” was published.

Susann also received cinematic treatment, although not in as serious a vein as the Capote accounts, in 2000’s “Isn’t She Great?” with Bette Midler as the novelist and Nathan Lane as her producer/agent husband, Irving Mansfield. Beyond her impact on popular culture, many would dismiss Susann, although she, too, was writing ahead of the curve. That is, her pill-popping career women fit in rather snugly in today’s America, which has embraced pharmaceuticals far more ardently than firearms.

It’s not surprising that two figures who rocked 1960s pop culture as rollickingly as Capote and Susann did would eventually collide, particularly given their carte-blanche access to TV talk shows in an era that had yet to see the medium carved up by cable offerings. Truman, who became increasingly mean-spirited as he lapsed into his own alcohol- and pill-induced (there ya go, Jackie!) wonderland, announced on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” that Susann looked like “a truck driver in drag,” which prompted her to prompt her attorney to fire off threats of reprisal to Capote.

Capote had a saying: “When you start messing with a f-g, you’re in trouble. But, when you start messing with a Southern f-g, you’ve had it.” Thus, it’s fascinating to read his responses to

the numerous attorneys who were compelled to compose such letters for their various and sundry clients, as detailed in the Clarke biography. Susann’s lawyer successfully urged her to back down from the not-to-be-intimidated Capote.

Capote’s brushes with the law included an outstanding warrant, issued by a California judge,

for the writer’s refusal to reveal a source from Capote’s interviews for a murder case. Capote, who was somewhat unlikely friends with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, phoned up then-governor Reagan, seeking help with removal of the warrant. Gov. Reagan replied, “No problem,” until he heard the Orange County judge’s name: “He’s a Democrat, and he hates me!”

How does the story conclude? With Truman dressed as a chorus boy, obscured in Pearl Bailey’s mink coat, on a plane bound from Los Angeles to New York City. You can read about it in his story, “Derring-Do,” in the realization that truth, often stranger than fiction, can serve double-duty as the latter.

Reminders:

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

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

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

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

Wednesday: AA meets at Recovery Works

Monday & Friday: Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

December 28, 2015

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Happy New Year!!!!

The Christmas Season is a wonderful time of the year. I hear from friends and despite some of the jokes, I do enjoy those news’ letters people send. It catches me up. It is also time to take a break and look at the past and prepare for the future. What will be your New Year’s Resolution?

I do check out facebook and what a surprise when I saw five people in our area jump in the pool on Christmas Day. They recorded the date too. They also got out quickly for the water was cold. Can you believe this weather? We almost turned on the air conditioning, too. It was a wonderful day for those who received outdoor presents to enjoy and possibly ride them.

Did you know that you can get breakfast at Watsonia’s Peaches and Such each morning at 7:00 AM? It is a nice start for the day.

The purpose of the bags is to not only provide the girls with personal care items, but also give the girls a sense of security and well-being. Please consider giving aide to this project by bringing items to fill the bags. Many of these young women and children who are received by “ICare” arrive with only the clothes that they are wearing at the time of rescue. Please join us in helping to minister to these young women and children. The most helpful items are for girls ages 6-18: combs/brushes blankets underwear/sports bras water bottles stuffed animals Socks pajamas journals/pens RSVP to Janna Yonce at jmyyonce@gmail.com on or by Thursday, December 31st Light refreshments will be provided.

Watercolor Classes: Jan. 7 - Feb.11, Thurs.-6 week, $75. Instructor, Judy Adamick at Barn Studio, Ward, SC Call 803 685.5814

The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala December 31 8:00-12:00 PM. Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual-$35.00, Couples-$55.00 and Families-$60.00. Tickets can be purchased by calling 803-685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.

The Ridge Spring Art Gallery sponsored by AARS will be closed for the month of January.

Josie Rodgers

Most of the running around for the holiday season is done. Decorations are stored for next season. Closets are cleaned out to make room for the new. Toys are shelved nicely for easy play. Cabinets are organized, gift cards spent, and returns painstakingly made. What have we learned? I certainly learned that when I stress myself out over gifts and errands and activities and places to be, I stress others out as well. When I lose focus, it affects those around me. However, when I soak myself, my thoughts, and my actions in CHRISTmas, I am filled with awe and wonder, peace and joy. Even in the midst of our grief and not having Princess Leagrace to spread joy at our gatherings, we remember that because God sent us His Son, we have hope. We live fully in the knowledge that we will be forgiven of our sins and allowed to enter heaven to be reunited with our precious little Pooky. Now THAT brings me joy!

St. William Catholic Church enjoyed special music at midnight mass on Christmas. RSM band director Jeff Clamp joined Steve Miller, Katie Miller, and me to create a beautiful quartet. We sang "Away in a Manger" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" a capello, and it filled the church with joy and peace. I love to sing, and singing in church is a way for me to worship and witness to others. I sang again on Dec. 27: "The Angels Cried" (a special song requested by Linda Rodgers) and "Immanuel, God with Us." I appreciate my church family allowing me to sing praises to God.

All Aiken County school students and teachers will return to school on Mon., Jan. 4, as the 2nd make-up day for the Oct flooding.

Baseball and softball season will soon be upon us! Registration for these spring sports will take place at the Little Peach League Ballpark every Saturday in January from 9 am to 1 pm. Parents must register their own children and pay the fees at registration—no exceptions. Players must bring the child’s birth certificate for proof of age. All parents must also work in the concession stand and provide team snacks at least once during the season. For more information, contact Leslie Long @ 803/687-0857, Ashley Bradley @ 803/645-1433, or Deidra Gillian @ 803/640-3403.

Reminders:

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

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

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

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

Wednesday: AA meets at Recovery Works

Monday & Friday: Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

December 21, 2015

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Merry Christmas!!!! And a Happy New Year!!!!

Watercolor Classes: Jan. 7 - Feb.11, Thurs.-6 week, $75. Instructor, Judy Adamick at Barn Studio, Ward, SC Call 803 685.5814

Off the Beaten Path If you are looking for that special gift for Christmas, come by and take a look at all the unique items we have to offer. We will be openMonday and Tuesday from 10-5, Closed Wednesday and open Thursday 10-2 PM.

The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala December 31 8:00-12:00 PM. Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual-$35, Couples-$55, and Families-$60. Tickets can be purchased by calling 803-685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.

Juniper will be closed from Dec. 21-27.

Haley{Bee} Pop-Up Boutique is located at 401 E. Main St. in Ridge Spring (The Cumbee Place) The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed Wednesday), Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed Sunday and Christmas Day. She has women’s and men’s clothing with accessories and home goods

Spann United Methodist Church will hold its annual Christmas Eve service Thursday, December 24. The program will begin at 5:30 with the decorating of the church. The service will start at 6:00 and will include songs of the season and a Christmas message by Pastor John Kneece. The church will be collecting peanut butter for Johnston Food Bank. All are welcome. For more information - 803-430-1314.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Big Red Box

The month of December the BRB goes to the Helpful Hands ministry for use in their food bank. Approximately 200+ families use this food bank. Thank you again BRB Angles. ( the empty bags are on the porch) It’s not too late to contribute to the BRB for December. Leave your donations on the porch of either the Church or FLC and a church member will make sure it finds its way into the Box.

Face Book: RSUMC has a Face Book page. Visit us and see what’s going on.

Services: Unless otherwise noted, service at RSUMC is at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

2016 Baseball/Softball season is coming soon. Registration dates are every Saturday in January from 9:00 to 1:00 PM at the RSM Little League Ballpark, 217 Musketeers Rd. Monetta, SC. There will be T-Ball, Coaches Pitch, Minors, Ozone, and Pony League.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration please contact Leslie Long at 803.687.0857 or Ashley Bradley at 803.645.1433.

Going down memory lane can be so refreshing. This was a beautiful story submitted to me in 2012 by the late Warrena Stywaskee Broadnax Hankinson or better known as “Stu” . ENJOY!!!

The Surprise Birthday Party of the Unknowns

“Stu” Broadnax Hankinson

It has been thirty one years since I lived in Ridge Spring. Charlotte is now my home, but as my front car tag proclaims, I am a “proud product of Ridge Spring, SC.” At an event held at my Mom’s (Ora Broadnax) house last week, it was once again clear why I love The Ridge and how you simply cannot beat small town, Southern living.

I introduced one of my Charlotte friends to my hometown about 11 years ago. She became enamored with the town, its people and all things local--- Ridge Hill Baptist Church and its powerful gospel choir, Cones Meats, Stuff and Things, and Shealy’s. She confided in me that she actually thinks she could live in The Ridge now that she is retired. She will call me to say that it is time for her to have her “Ridge fix” which means a 2-3 day overnight stay at my Mom’s house doing nothing but resting, relaxing, and talking.

As frequently happens with busy lives, my friend had a birthday in early July but we had not had a chance to get together before last week. I told her I’d treat her to the Ridge Spring trip. The only agenda items were a trip to Shealy’s and a trip to the movie to see “The Help”. Little did she know that I had planned what I dubbed “A Surprise Birthday Party of the Unknowns”, named such because in addition to being a surprise party for her, she knew no more than about four of the fifteen invited guests?

It was supposed to be a simple gathering of ladies for an evening of fun and games and getting to know each other. Cake and ice cream were supposed to be refreshments. Gifts were not necessary but if guests were inclined to give, they were encouraged to make it something inexpensive and practical (ex. roll of toilet paper or bottle of nail polish remover. It was even suggested that something from their re-gifting stashes would be in order.)

It was when I began to call the guests and explain what I was planning that I was reminded of why I love this community and the people in it. Excitement about the party was more infectious with each call that I made. “Are you sure you don’t want me to bring something?” “Can I do something to help you?” “You know I don’t too much come out in the evenings and at night, but I’ll be there.”

Getting my friend away from the house was almost too easy. All the guests arrived within a 15 minute window. Within minutes the table was decorated and spread with not just cake and ice cream but with pasta salad, cheese balls, shrimp, fruit and veggies due to the generosity of “the unknowns”. When my friend wandered back into the house seeking me out to find out why all the cars were in the yard, she was indeed surprised when greeted with a melodious rendition of the birthday song. Each guest had been given a slip of paper with a fact about her. As they went around the room the unknowns shared something about my friend as if to say you may not know me but I know this about you.

As had been the plan, the evening was filled with women’s chatter. The unknowns became like family after about twenty minutes. The event for my friend will be one that she treasures for the rest of her life and one that will make Ridge Spring an even more special place for her.

As for me and Ridge Spring and the excitement I feel every single time I come home, the theme song from Cheers captures it best: Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re all so glad you came.

Josie Rodgers

Don’t you wish people had a Christmas attitude all year? Everyone is so much nicer during the holiday season. People smile more, help more, and are generally more pleasant. I hope that you all have a peaceful Christmas, full of love, family, forgiveness, gratefulness, and joy.

It is our first Christmas without Princess Leagrace. I know that I write and talk about her a lot, but she was my little Pooky, my sunshine! So many people knew her and loved her, and I simply cannot let her be part of our past. She is part of our present and our future. She is dancing in Heaven and celebrating her first Christmas in Heaven. I cannot begin to imagine the wonders of that day in God's Holy Kingdom! I remind myself that though we feel emptiness, she is whole and happy and does not want us to go through our lives depressed. She KNOWS the answers to all of the questions we have, and she KNOWS that God has us in His hands. It brings us great comfort to know that she is with the King, and she has joined other princesses like Dani Yonce and Autumn Winn in the heavenly dance ensemble. Ironically, all three of these girls celebrated birthdays in Heaven last week. Don't believe in God? Boy, I feel sorry for those that don't believe.

The youth at St. William Catholic Church presented A Superhero Christmas last Sunday evening. Superman (Quinten Miller), Wonder Woman (Texanna Miller), the Hulk (Aiden Rodgers), Spiderman (Alex Cochran), Iron Man (Jon Rodgers), and the Green Lantern (Isaac Rodgers) are afraid of losing their jobs once they learn of a new superhero coming to earth. After much searching, they find this new superhero as a baby born in Bethlehem. The play was absolutely hilarious with a frustrated Joseph (Jason Rodgers) and sassy little Mary (Annalee Rodgers) trying to find a room. Add to that a couple of hip shepherds, one tired of a lame job (TaylorRodgers) and the other, one of those "God" people (Savannah Rodgers) receiving a visit from a voice (Russ Miller) in the night telling them of the good news. After the play, Aiden Rodgers sang "Silent Night," and the entire group sang "Joy to the World" and "Jingle Bells." Everyone enjoyed food and drink and then a visit from Santa! They exchanged gifts and spent the evening in fun fellowship with each other. Many thanks to Richard Elders for the sound and lights and to the entire parish for all of their support and love (and great food!).

St. William will celebrate mass this week: Dec. 24, 8 pm, Spanish mass; Dec. 25, 12 am, Midnight Mass in English; Dec. 25, 10 am, mass in English; Dec. 26, 6 pm, Spanish mass; Dec., 27, 10:15 am, English mass.

The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala Dec. 31 from 8 pm to 12 am. Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual $35, Couples $55, and Families $60. Tickets can be purchased by calling 803/685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.

Reminders:

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

Ridge Spring Library Toddler Time Mondays at 10:30

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

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

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

Wednesday: AA meets at Recovery Works

Monday & Friday: Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm at Recovery Works (enter on Ponderosa Drive; park in Visitor Parking Area)

December 14, 2015

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church is planning a Christmas Youth Night this Friday December 18^th from 5:00 to 10:30PM. All youth from grades 6^th to 12^th are invited to a night of fun and fellowship. RSVP to Sara at 803.215.9798

Saturday was also Customer Appreciation Day at five of the shops. Harriet’s Garden was on the street in front of what used to be Gregory’s Store. That really dates me. Cokes and peanuts were served to customers

Haley{Bee} Pop-Up Boutique is located at 401 E. Main St. in Ridge Spring (The Cumbee Place) The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed Wednesday), Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed Sunday. She has women’s and men’s clothing with accessories and home goods. I even found a Christmas present for our daughter, granddaughter and me.

Off the Beaten Path: If you are looking for that special gift for Christmas, come by and take a look at all the unique items we have to offer. Open daily from 10-5 except Wednesdays and Sundays.

Cookies and pictures with Santa: December 21 3:00-5:00 PM at The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward $10 per child Pictures by Brittany Steele Waters

The Gables Inn and Gardens in Ward is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala December 31^st from 8:00 to 12:00 PM. Music, dancing, food, and friends make for a great evening. Individual-$35, Couples-$55, and Families-$60. Tickets can be purchased by calling 803-685-0099 or pick up at Off the Beaten Path in Ridge Spring.

Olde Treasures would like to send a huge shout out to all of great customers who came by Saturday during our Customer Appreciation Day. To those of you who didn't make it but support us with your business all year round we appreciate you too.
True to our word the Shoppes on Main Street pooled together and gave away two $50 Visa Gift Cards. The shoppes involved are Harriet's Garden Shop, Off the Beaten Path, Olde Treasures, Ridge Antiques and Dry Goods and The Nut House. Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you for a good 2015...

Saturday was the last day for Primitives at the Ridge. We have certainly appreciated what they added to our town and they will be missed.

The Historic Lorick Plantation House (Lake Murray Visitor Center) stepped back in time to Christmas season 1840 for our Annual Holiday Open House. Area Garden Clubs and volunteers - including the Saluda Garden Club transform the Visitor Center into a Christmas haven with period decorations, including live and dried plant materials and this year the theme is The Scents of the Season. Vendors included Juniper Restaurant. Local artists included our local lady Joanne Crouch.

We had a wonderful time at Brandon Velie’s cooking class Saturday and the class included Sangria, White Bean And Pasta Soup, Pork chops, Grits andflash fried collards, with dessert being cheesecake. He uses as many locally gwotn items. They included pecans from the Nut House, goat cheese from Trail Ridge Farms, collards from WP Rawl Farms, honey from George and Virginia Raborn, milk from Hickory Hill Farms, and grits from Adluh in Columbia. He used Palmetto sweet onions, too. The food that he prepared was delicious. I wonder if I might cook any of it. Juniper will be closed from December 21 through the 27^th.

The Green Thumb Garden Club with the help of the Ridge Garden Club and many friends did it again. The tour of homes was wonderful and the cakes were perfect and served at the Joe Cal and Betty Watson House that is beside the Ridge Spring United Methodist Church. The homes of John and Noal Burger, Kevin and Marie Taylor, and Gene Ray and Sue Fulmer were decorated so uniquely beautiful. The two churches were just perfect. Thank you to so many who were able to make a successful tour for us all.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration please contact Leslie Long at 803.687.0857 or Ashley Bradley at 803.645.1433.

Leonard Bell will be at the Ridge Spring Town Square selling fresh produce on December 12^th and 19^th with January 31 being his last day until June.

RIDGE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Big Red Box

Face Book: RSUMC has a Face Book page. Visit us and see what’s going on.

Services: Unless otherwise noted, service at RSUMC is at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

Book Review from David Marshall James: "Dollbaby" by Laura Lane McNeal--Visits to Grandma are part and parcel of summertime, but what if you're twelve years old and have never met her, because you live on the other side of the USA, and your mother can't stand her, and Grandma's feelings toward her daughter-in-law are mutual?

Thus, young Ibby Bell lands on the doorstep of Granny Fannie's seen-better-days manse on Prytania Street, way uptown in New Orleans, almost to the Audubon Zoo. You can even hear the tigers growling at night, as if there weren't enough catfights back on Prytania.

Fanny is not your typical, gingerbread-baking kind of granny, even if this is 1964. It is, however, New Orleans, and Fannie likes to smoke, to toss back a few toddies, and to play the horses. Give her something to bet on-- be it an All Star game or Wimbledon-- and Fannie's in hog heaven.

She has hardly been alone since her son, Ibby's father, eloped, yet she has been long-widowed. Queenie, who came with the house following the death of her previous employer, prepares meals of fresh sea delicacies to rival the fare at Antoine's restaurant in the Vieux Carre.

Meanwhile, her daughter, Doll, sews all of Fannie's clothes, plus Ibby's, now that she's come to stay. Above all, Queenie and Doll tend to "Miss Fannie," whose personal history runs to enough volumes to warrant its own course at nearby Tulane University.

First-time novelist Laura Lane McNeal does mighty fine by her characters, her setting, and especially her plot, which marches forward like a fifty-piece band in a Mardi Gras parade, complete with be-tasseled majorettes.

Naturally, the progress of Civil Rights figures into the proceedings, as Ibby progresses from Catholic school to Tulane, yet this is a character-driven novel, and Miss Fannie is steering it, as if she were out on one of her joyrides in her red Lincoln convertible.

Fraught with joys and sorrows, this novel may inspire you to throw on a bunch of Mardi Gras beads and crank up the nearest Oldies station. As Queenie remarks, "You got to dance even when there ain't no music. Especially when there ain't no music."

Reminders:

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 am - 12 pm; Wednesday 9:00 to 4:30, Thurs 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; Fri 8:30 am -4:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 until noon,

Every 2^nd & 4^th Monday: Kids' Corner Story Time 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Ridge Spring Library.

Every 2^nd Monday: RSM Elem PTO meets at 6:30 pm in the media center.

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