October 18, 2010

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

From the Mayor's Desk: It's finally here-Harvest Festival week. Thursday is Bingo in the Civic Center, Friday is the Pie and Cake Contest, and the band Chemistry at the gazebo, and Saturday is the big day, arts and crafts, the parade, entertainment at the gazebo, and the finale at the gazebo. Added to the schedule this year is the community church service at the Civic Center on Sunday. An event of this scope takes so much planning and coordination. There are many people who make this day happen. Thanks to you all. Stray dogs and cats are a continuing problem, and we get so many complaints at Town Hall. Although we have the help of Aiken County Animal control in picking up strays, we are hoping to strengthen our animal control ordinance.

A little trivia: 104 visitors have gone to our web site since October 4^th.

The Harvest Festival Committee has decided to honor past and present armed service people by making them the Grand Marshalls in the parade. American Legion Post 133 is coordinating those who want to be honored in the parade.  The parade is on October 23rd at 11:00 AM. Participants will meet at 9:45 AM at the Ridge Spring Middle School grounds, and depart that location by 10:30. Any past or present serviceman or servicewoman in the Ridge Spring area is invited to ride the float or march in the parade. Please contact Bob Householder at 532-2887 or John Burger at 685-7101

Ridge Spring Baptist Church will provide TWO large inflatables for the public to enjoy the day of the Harvest Festival. There will be a bouncy house for children ages 6 and under and a large rock climbing slide for all ages. This free event will be set up on the front lawn of the church from noon until 4pm on Saturday, October 23.

Ridge Spring Baptist also invites you and your family to join us for our annual Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, October 31st, from 5-7pm. There will be games, prizes, free hot chocolate, hay rides, and of course, candy! Instead of Trick-or-treating from house to house on busy streets, stop one time and walk from trunk to trunk. We had over 20 cars parked around the circle last year handing out candy to over 125 children! Come join the fun!

Olde Treaures will be open for Harvest Festival; with a festival of sales....We are also so pleased to announce we have added a new dealer to our family, Ann Kuhn of High Grove Farm.  Ann and her friend Ivy have filled the back room with Primitive furniture. Come and feast your eyes. Ann also has a space in Ridge Antiques and Dry goods. This is a really good reason to come Antique in Ridge Spring.

The Country Store will be accepting baked goods and canned goods for another great Harvest Festival Country Store- they can drop them off at the Town Hall.

Harvest Festival T-shirts are now on sale at the Ridge Spring Town Hall and First Citizens Bank. 

THERE WILL BE DELICIOUS BBQ at the Old Fire Dept. and the plates will be $7.00 each.  The advertised time will be 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.  Please let Hubert Fox know if you have any other questions.

Let us not forget the Cake, Pie, and Cookie Contest.  This is the 29^th Year and it has been sponsored for 29 years by Banks Drugs.

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Bingo is Thursday with twenty (20) games with the last one being the cover the board.

2010 Ridge Spring Arts and Crafts and vendors are welcomed,

Ridge Spring Harvest Festival Worship Service will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM in the Ridge Spring Civic Center.  Make plans for your family to attend this service. 

The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival Beauty Pageant was absolutely full of beautiful young ladies.  Pictures should be in the paper.   More details next week.

Kids' Corner Story time at the Ridge Spring Library resumed on Thursday, October 14. The children enjoyed several wonderful books on leaves before making a leaf craft and singing songs about autumn. The next story time will be on Thursday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. Ann Marie Asbill, a student from USC who is assisting with the restart of this program, will be dressed up in a costume with fun stories to share that day. Please bring your children or grandchildren who are five and younger to join us for this weekly library time. If you have any questions, please contact Marcia Yeargin at (803) 685-7494.

Ridge Spring American Legion Retiring American Flags: American Legion Post 133 will be retiring damaged and worn American Flags with a burning ceremony. The ceremony will be held November 11^th at 10:30 am on Town Square in Ridge Spring. Flags may be left at Town Hall in advance or you may bring your flag and participate in the ceremony.

 Fellowship and Tribute to Joe and Betty Watson: The 20120 Homecoming Service and activities will be honoring Joe Cal and Betty Steadman Watson at Ridge Spring United Methodist Church, Oct 24, after 11am service.  All are invited to share in tribute to this couple's longevity in service and support of their Christian faith. Bring a picnic item and a lawn. The church is located on Dubose Street in Ridge Spring.

The Aiken SPCA store in downtown Ridge Spring has greatly expanded its selection of books for sale.

Recovery Works will sponsor/organize a One Table Thanksgiving Dinner again this year but they would like to open it up to the whole community.  It would be at the Civic Center on November 25th, and dinner will be served anytime from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

RSM HIGH SCHOOL HAS A MENTORING PROGRAM Project UP (Unlimited Potential) is a community mentoring program developed by several members of the Ridge Spring, Monetta, and Ward communities.  This program matches adult community members with high school students to build a mentoring relationship. Our vision is that every student in our community deserves one person unconditionally committed to his/her success; and our mission is to nurture the educational, social, and personal development of our children, helping them to thrive in school and life by providing them with successful, caring mentors.  This is achieved through relational mentoring. Any adult that is interested in “giving a child wings” through mentoring can contact Tiffany Middlebrooks at (803) 767-2715 or RSMprojectup@gmail.com, or Mason Cummings at (803) 685-2100.  More information will be in next week’s column.

You can find the applications for the vendors, and the arts and crafts on www.ridgespringsc.com

During the month of October, the Art Center features the work of Ron Buttler.  Come and see his use of humor and sheer talent.  You will be amazed.  Barbara Yon received the Reuben Gambrell Award of Merit at the South Carolina State Fair for her painting, "Summer Fun."  Congratulations, Barbara! The Art Center will be open during Harvest Festival on Saturday.  Come support your local team-Carolina or Clemson or neither.  Let your vote be counted.  The monies raised by this event will go toward the Summer Art Camp for 2011.

The Johnston Farmer's & Artist's Market continues until the end of the year every Thursday from 4 - 6:30 on Calhoun Street in front of the Library/Warehouse building.  There are tomatoes, peppers, apples, watermelons, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, etc.

October 21: HF Bingo

October 22: Cake, Pie, and Cookie Contest

October 22-23: Harvest Festival,

October 24: Community Church Service @ Civic Center @ 8:00

November 6: Yon Family Farm Fall Female and Bull Sale     

November 7: Shoppes of RS Christmas Open House

November 25: Town wide Thanksgiving Meal @ Civic Center

September 13, 2010

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

Again there were seven vendors at the Farmers’ Market this past Saturday. There was an addition of scuppernongs, too. Several plan to keep coming until the Saturday of the Harvest Festival, October 23.

From the Aiken SPCA, if you want to have your dog or cat spayed or neutered, there are programs available for as low as $15 to get this done for you. Transportation to the Aiken SPCA for your pet may be included, if necessary. Call us at 648-6863 or go online to http://aikenspca.org for details.

On Saturday, September 18th from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM the antique shops of Ridge Spring will have a sidewalk sale. Don’t forget there are several stores and The Nut House and the Thrift Shop that will be open then too. Then come up Green Street to Pat’s Corner Antiques and over to the Art Gallery. Dine at Juniper, buy your meat, check out the Farmers’ produce on the Square and at R & J’s vegetable stand and have a great day.

Joe Cal Watson attended the reunion of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge this past weekend. “It was as great as the Freedom Flight. They registered on Wednesday and Thursday took a tour of Ft. Jackson on 3 buses with a M/Sgt on each bus as the tour guide. The lunch was at a Mess Hall and they were served by Pfc’s. Joe felt the caliber of these men was so good that our country was safe, Friday the CEO of the Belgium Corporation welcomed all and expressed the appreciation of his home country for what these men had done. Then the group toured the corporation that made weapons here is our area. Many watched the football game. Joe then rode in an old Mercedes convertible during the parade the next day. There was an autograph session and Joe signed his name for two and a half hours. Skipping to Sunday Joe’s son is a Methodist minister at Main Street United Methodist church. When Joe learned the reunion was to be held in Columbia, his son went into action to make sure there was a Sunday service. Pastor Joe got the head of the US Army Chaplin corp. and the Major General preached. The Ft. Jackson Band performed and the church was filled to capacity. The next meeting will be at Ft. Benning.

It is time to get out the information about the events in the Harvest Festival so let’s start with the Miss Harvest Festival 2010. Application can be found at www.ridgespringsc.com . It is on the right of the site. Just click and down load.

Miss Harvest Festival 2010 Saturday, October 16, 2010

Junior Division ~ (ages birth - 8) 10:00

Doors to the Ridge Spring Civic Center will open at 8:30 AM for practice. All contestants are asked to be there no later than 9:30 PM to register and pick up their number and any photogenic pictures. Contestants will be judged in short pageant dresses. Winners will receive a crown, banner, and trophy.

Optional sportswear will be judged first. Photogenic pictures need to be sent in with your application. More than one photo may be entered. The first photo is $10. Additional photos are $5 each. Please be sure to put the contestant’s name on the back of the picture. Pick pictures up on day of pageant. We will not be responsible for any pictures left or damaged in mailing. Participation trophies will be given.

Senior Division ~ (ages 9 - 20) 6:00

The stage will be available for practicing at 4:30. Winners will receive a crown, banner, and trophy. Optional sportswear will be judged first. Photogenic pictures need to be sent in with your application. More than one photo may be entered. The first photo is $10. Additional photos are $5 each. Please be sure to put the contestant’s name on the back of the picture. Pick pictures up on day of pageant. We will not be responsible for any pictures left or damaged in mailing. Young Miss (9-10 yrs) will have the option of a short or long pageant dress. All other divisions will need long pageant dresses. Optional sportswear will be judged first.

Miss Contestants (ages 17-20)

**There will be an opening parade of the Miss contestants. Please wear a white blouse and blue jeans. The Miss winners will receive a crown, banner, and trophy and flowers.

The "Miss" division winner will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of her choice.
This category includes interview, sportswear, best dress, photogenic and evening gown. The cost for the Miss division is $60.00. The individual interviews will be with all three judges and will last 5 minutes. The interview questions will come from your application. Please meet at the Ridge Spring Town Library at 3:00 for the interviews. After the interview, you will be asked to go to the civic center for the opening number practice (you will be saying your name and your contestant #). Please dress appropriately for the interview.

All winners must ride in the Harvest Festival Parade on October 23 in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. If you do not, the 1st runner-up will be asked to ride in your place.

All applications are due October 6, 2010. Please mail them to the address on the application. For additional information, please call Janice Cleveland – 803-275-3241 or Gina Logue – 803-637-5383 or Ridge Spring Town Hall - 803-685-5511

Mail Application To: Gina Logue, 1129 Hwy 378 E, Edgefield, SC 29843

Ridge Spring Harvest Festival Worship Service will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM in the Ridge Spring Civic Center. Make plans for your family to attend this service.

Vendors are invited to the 2010 RS Harvest Festival, too. October 23rd is the date. Applications may be downloaded from the www.ridgespringsc.com web site. You will be assigned a spot too. So hurry up and send those applications in.

At Ridge spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle School Sept. 23rd is Fall Picture Day. September 7 thropugh October 1All 1st-8th grade students will be taking a computer-based test at school called MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) in the fall, winter and spring. MAP is a good predictor of how the student will perform on the state standardized test, PASS (Palmetto Assessment of State Standards), that is administered in the spring of each academic year. The results of MAP are beneficial to teachers as they plan for individual, small group, and whole group lessons. The first testing window is September 7 to October 1. Please encourage your child to do his/her best on the math, reading, and language usage MAP tests. Results will be given to parents at report card conferences to be held at the end of October.

Harriet’s Garden and Floral Shop hopes to reopen in October. I had planned to open in September but am facing more surgery. So I will be opening in October.

The Ridge Spring Fire Department is running low on bottled water. When they have to work in those heavy equipment suits, the need to hydrate becomes imperative.

You can find the applications for the Pageant, the vendors, and the arts and crafts on www.ridgespringsc.com

September 18: Side walk sale

October 9: Gourd Class at AARS

October 16: Harvest Festival Pageant

October 21: HF Bingo

October 22-23: Harvest Festival

October 24: Community Church Service

August 30, 2010

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

From the Mayor's Desk: It looks like we will have a first with the Aiken Standard's supplement, The Ridge Spring Monthly. We have enough news and hopefully enough advertising to support the paper. If you have anything that you would like to have in the paper, please contact Harriet Householder, and she will get it to the paper. As you have heard, the library will be closed for a while as we have found some mold in the bathroom area. August was such a humid month that the air conditioning was not able to remove all the moisture, and we developed a problem. We have removed all the books and the computers for the time being. Please bear with us while we take care of the problem. Harvest Festival is quickly approaching, and the committee has finalized its plans. We will be absent the rides this year, but are working toward replacing them with a tent circus for next year. We will have the regular Town Council meeting on September 6.

On this Saturday, September 4th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Recovery Works at the Ponderosa will present a free concert at the Gazebo. George Croft and the Vellatones will play shag and beach music and all are welcomed. Please remember no alcoholic beverages. Come and enjoy the music and you can always dance.

From Pam Long: “We had a very nice Mini Festival, and we would like to thank Ridge Spring Harvest Festival for the use of the Bingo equipment and all the surrounding businesses for prizes.”

We have another new addition to the Harvest Festival weekend. “All are invited to join in fellowship at the inaugural Ridge Spring Harvest Festival Worship Service. The churches in the town of Ridge Spring have come together to provide a service which brings all of God’s people together in one location to honor our Lord and Savior. The Churches represented are Ridge Hill Baptist, Ridge Spring Baptist, Young Second Baptist, Ridge Spring United Methodist, and Grace Episcopal Church of the Ridge. The service is planned for Sunday, October 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM in the Ridge Spring Civic Center. Make plans for your family to attend this service. For more information call: Lavern Berry at 803.685.7121 or Kevin Yon at 803.685.5048.”

Many people ask me about the flowers in front of The Nut House. They are Mandevillas and I bought them from Harriet's Garden. All I do is add water and fertilizer, and they do great.

Anyone interested in a crafter's booth for the 2010 RS Harvest Festival on October 23rd, please contact Joanne Crouch @ (803)685-5577 or email at crouch1@pbtcomm.net. Cost is $30 for 12x12 booth and includes 1 bar-b-que ticket.

The Battle of the Bulge, the largest land battle in the history of America, occurred 65 years ago. Joe Watson was a participant in this battle and will attend a reunion of Veterans of The Battle of The Bulge the first week of September. The activities of the reunion will be reported on next week.

We are sorry to see that The Rose Cottage is closing. This bright spot on Main Street will be missed. We wish Mrs. Holmes the best and hope someone will take over and continue what shehas started

Harriet’s Garden and Floral Shop hopes to reopen in October. I had planned to open in September but am facing more surgery. So I will be opening in October.

Juniper Restaurant will be closed Labor Day, September 6th.

Submitted by Jean Gregory: The Ridge Garden Club is having its 70th anniversary celebration next Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. We will meet at Juniper's for lunch at 12:30 PM. We will adjourn to the gazebo for a brief meeting and view the work done around the tractor.

The Aiken SPCA Thrift Store in downtown Ridge Spring will be open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 4 pm, Thursdays 10am to 6pm To volunteer, donate or for more information about the store, please call (803) 522-2203.

On Saturday, September 18th from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM the antique shops of Ridge Spring will have a sidewalk sale. Don’t forget there are several shops and The Nut House and the Thrift Shop are open then too. Then come up Green Street to Pat’s Corer Antiques and over to the Art Gallery. Just make a day of it. Tony Bartl and a few other vendors will still be on town square. Come every Saturday and tour our unique town.

The Ridge Spring Fire Department is running low on bottled water. When they have to work in those heavy equipment suits, the need to hydrate becomes imperative.

At its August meeting, American Legion Post 133Commander, Phillips Boatwright, was presented with a plaque honoring those servicemen from the Ridge Spring, Ward and Monetta areas that were killed in action while serving our Nation during WW-2, Korea and Vietnam. The plaque, which will be prominently displayed in the Post, was presented by member Cort Proctor in memory of his uncle, Cpl. John G. Miller, who was killed in Korea.

Ridge Spring's new website is up and running. To look at the new website go to www.ridgespringsc.com You can find the applications for the Pageant, the vendor and the arts and crafts applications, too.

The Farmers’ Market is still going. There were 5 vendors selling crowder peas, corn, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, hot, red and green peppers, and okra. Come on down and enjoy.

September 4: Free concert at the Gazebo 6:00

September 11: Mosaic Class at AARS

September 18: Side walk sale

October 9: Gourd Class at AARS

October 16: Harvest Festival Pageant

ART ASSOCIATION OF RIDGE SPRING

IN THE NEWS

BY JOANNE CROUCH, AARS President

The Art Association of Ridge Spring would like to announce our Free Fall Art Lecture Series at the Art Center of Ridge Spring. These 3 lectures are free to the public on the 2nd Sunday of each month beginning in October.

The first in the series, “The Gourd’s Transformation: Utility to Art,” will be hosted by Joanne Crouch. She will tell about the gourds many uses from years ago. She has the gourd that hung at her great-great grandfather’s well and is at least 75-years-old. She will speak on the many uses of gourds on pyramids and farms. She will also demonstrate the gourd art in publications that have evolved in the last 20 years. She will show some of her gourd art that is in the gallery. On November 14th, Gwen power will host our second lecture, ”Making paper icicles and snowflakes for Christmas decorations.” On December 12th, Gloria Grizzle will present a slide presentation on “Meteoran Iconography.”

The Art Association of Ridge Spring would like to announce that we are changing the name of the building formerly referred to as The Gallery to the Art Center of Ridge Spring. We are a gallery, but we also have activities that include, but or not limited to, classes, community meetings, workshops, lectures, and art camps.

AARS is developing an art library for members and the community. At present, we have a small collection of books on art history, pottery, and photography along with assorted magazines. Our goal is to also build a DVD/VHS library. We would like to have a collection that “how to” titles that interested parties could come in and view privately.

The gallery is opened on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-4. Please come by and visit.

AARS Artist Call: AARS is actively looking for new artists to display in the Gallery. Please contact an AARS member about the details.

AARS Membership Call: AARS is currently looking for new members to join us in displaying, promoting, and enjoying art in our area. Our activities include, but are not limited to, displaying art for viewing and for sale; providing classes for children and adults; providing support for community events; and hosting the annual RS Student Art Show. Please join us in the quest to increase art awareness in our community.

CLASSES

Mosaic Class- Barbara Yon will offer a Mosaic class on Saturday, September 11th from 9-12. Class cost is $30. Please call Joanne Crouch @ (803) 685-5577 to pre-register for the class. Fifteen dollars is needed to reserve a spot in the class.

Gourd class-Joanne Crouch will teach a Cascading Leaf gourd class on Saturday, October 9th from 1-3. If you like the shape of some of the leaves from your yard, bring them. No two gourds will be identical. The gourd will have fall leaves all over it. This is a beginning painting class. All supplies will be provided for the $25 cost. This can becomea permanent part of your fall decorations. Contact Barbara Yon @ (803) 685-5386 to pre-register for the class.

August 16, 2010

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

From the Mayor's Desk: School is back in session and we all need to be conscious of increased traffic. The new supplement, Ridge Spring Monthly, published in conjunction with the Aiken Standard, will have its first deadline August 28 for submission of news. If you or your organization has, news please contact Harriet Householder or Town Hall. In the last newsletter, I made a misstatement. The length of limbs that we can chip is two to six feet, not the two that I reported. Town Council will meet September 6, at 6:30 in Town Hall.

Had a very nice break.   Many asked me who was the couple that helped me out with the flowers. They were Danny and Trish Strickland.  I was the Florist in the story “Only in a Small Town.”  Woody Worthy of Worthy Florist told me also that I could call on him any time I am in a bind.  All is well and I am almost back in business.  I will be opening my shop September 3^rd which is getting close.  I hope you have seen the shop for it is being painted a beautiful yellow.  There is a story in that and it concerns how my grandfather ended up staying in Ridge Spring, but I will keep that for another time.

On Saturday, September 18^th from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM the antique shops of Ridge Spring will have a sidewalk sale.  Don’t forget there are several shops and The Nut House and the Thrift Shop are open then too.  Then come up Green Street to Harriet’s Garden and Pat’s Corer Antiques and over to the Art Gallery.  Just make a day of it.  Tony Bartl and a few other vendor will still be on town square.  Come every Saturday and tour our unique town.

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, August 28th at the walking track in Ward, S.C. This year we are having a Mini Festival.  There will be a “Cruise In” at the track and we are hoping to have cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and anything else that can be dragged, pulled or driven. It will start at 4:00PM. Bingo starts at 5:00.  There will be food and prizes and a good time for all. Steele Justice takes the stage at 7:00. There will be fireworks at 10:00. After the fireworks, anyone who wants a few minutes of fame can do some Karaoke.

The Ridge Spring Fire Department is running low on water.  If you would like to donate, please drop off the water to Town Hall, Jim Campbell’s, or at the Fire Station.  Thanks

Ridge Hill Baptist Church Annual Revival will be held on August 22 -26, 2010.  Service begins on Sunday at 1:30 PM. Reverend Lester Small, Pastor of the Bell Grove Baptist Church, Aiken, SC will be the guest minister.   Reverend Dr.Alexander Pope, Pastor of the First Providence Baptist Church, North Augusta, SC will be the Revivalist for the week. Nightly service begin at 7:00 P.M..

Ridge Spring's new website is up and running and area businesses may advertise on the town's website for $7.00 per month. Please let Town Hall know if you are interested in setting up an advertising page. To look at the new website go to www.ridgespringsc.com  

The Farmers’ Market is still going.  There were 7 vendors.  Recently a nutritional doctor was on the Oprah Show discussing how so many are not buying fresh produce. The need to introduce fresh produce to your diets was so important.  Well, how lucky we are in Ridge Spring to have available fresh everything.  We just need to take advantage of it.  Even though the boiled peanuts are gone for this year, I still come and buy fresh vegetables.  I got shelled butterbeans and crowder peas, watermelon, peaches, cantaloupe, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and okra.  There were also silver and purple hull Crowder peas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and more.  Come on down and enjoy.

Ridge Antiques & Dry Goods welcomes a new co-owner, Denise Covington, from Montmorenci. Also, we have several new dealers including Bob Herndon and Jim Napier from Johnston, Mary Ann Shealy, Cheryl Wertz and Mary Ellen Jordan from Gilbert, Wendell and Rita Smith from Batesburg and Carl and Rachel Huckfeldt from North Augusta. The store invites you to come in and browse the unique items these individuals have added. We are now also open on Mondays from 11:00-4:00 with special discounts offered. There will be a big End of Summer Sale from now until the end of August.

Mosaic Class- Barbara Yon will offer a Mosaic class on Saturday, September 11th from 9-12.  Class cost is $30.  Please call Joanne Crouch @ (803) 685-5577 to pre-register for the class. Fifteen dollars is needed to reserve a spot in the class.

Gourd class-Joanne Crouch will teach a Cascading Leaf gourd class on Saturday, October 9th from 1-3.  If you like the shape of some of the leaves from your yard, bring them.  No two gourds will be identical.  The gourd will have fall leaves all over it.  This is a beginning painting class.  All supplies will be provided for the $25 cost.  This can become a permanent part of your fall decorations.  Contact Barbara Yon @ (803) 685-5386 to pre-register for the class. 

The annual Watson Family Reunion was enjoyed by 55 family members on Saturday, August 7 at The Watson House Dr. Gamewell Watson's presence at 100 years made it a very special occasion.  It was a happy time for Betty & Joe Watson to have their first great grandchild there.

The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival met Tuesday night.  Plans continue for the Festival.  The Cake and Pie Contest, the Beauty Pageant, BINGO, the Car Show, the parade, the live music, the tractor plowing event, fireworks, and much more are in the works.  Make plans to attend the fourth weekend in October, October 21-23.

The Wardlaw Christel Fulmer family recently held its annual reunion.  The activities started on Thursday evening at Angelo's in Batesburg-Leesville where a number of out of town relatives from Florida, DC, along with a few locals gathered for dinner.  On Friday evening various relatives gathered for dinner at the private dining room at Ryan's in Aiken.  The dinner was was well attended, as are all Fulmer functions involving food!.  Saturday was the big day when 113 relatives, ages three months to l00 years of age, began assembling at the country home of Carroll Fulmer near the old home place in Aiken County.  Many, many wonderful dishes of homemade food were enjoyed; and, oh, the desserts!   Judging by the speed at which her cakes disappeared, Sara Rutland is obviously a master cake baker.

In the afternoon after lunch festivities continued with a tribute to the matriarch of the Fulmer family, Fannie Smith Fulmer (mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother), who would have been 108.  A display of memorabilia of her things (pins, bonnets, hats, a 10-year perfect attendance Sunday school pin from Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, a cut glass pitcher and butter dish that had been presented by her father (Ben Smith) to her mother (Eilah Trotter) when they married in 1901, and much more) were displayed for all to see.  Some of her hand-made bonnets drew particular attention.  All her children, a few grandchildren, and in-law or two told tales of her.  The only thing missing was some of her famous fried apple pies.

The afternoon continued with family and historical trivia, shared talents, and family bingo led by Janet Rodgers.  After all this the group ate again!.  Fun was had by all! Sunday found many relatives attending church at Mt Pleasant Baptist or Mt Calvary Lutheran Church.  Many had lunch together (more food!) before heading home.

Ridge Spring Bible Camp 2010 took on the project of painting the playground equipment at the Ridge Spring Civic Center as well as making two new picnic tables.  Helpers were 3rd & 4th graders, Jackson Parrish, Darrius Smith, K.D. Adaire Cromer, Annalee Rodgers, Savannah Rodgers, Emily Luna, Jupri Smith, Nicole Burdett, Gracie Holsenback, MIcheal Holsenback, Lakelan Rutland, Izzabella Molina, Iris Molina, Alex Cockrell, Leslie Long, Weston Whitfield, Emily Elgin, Jonathan Middlebrooks, Olivia Fallaw, Julia Brewer, Shauna Gillian, Brenna Edwards, & Dawson Odekirk led by Diedra Derrick and Tanya Butts 5th & 6th grade Austin Pierce, Austin North, Quadijaha Smith, Andrew Moyer, Monica Edgerley, Destinee Brewer, Will Rutland, Bianca Rios, Avery Holsenback, & Elizabeth Cook led by Cyndi Fox and Elizabeth Pierce.  Paint Leader was  Max Parrish and Picnic table construction leaders were George Pierce & Richard Miller

The Green Thumb Garden Club is selling the community birthday calendars again.  They are $5.00 each.  You may purchase one and then add your household members to the calendar.  Please contact Shelby Yonce, Florence Householder, Betty Ann Cone or Pauline McGee to purchase one.

A reminder, “We live in such a beautiful little town. The grounds and shrubbery are kept so nice. This may sound trivial but a little thing like the garbage cans left out for days can be an eyesore and only takes a minute to pull them back. Just a thought (no name)”

Aug. 19:  FORS Meeting

August 16: First day of school

August 23: RS-M Elem/Mid Open House

August 28: Ward Festival