monthly Wednesday, May 16, 2012 News and Information for Communities on the Ridge FREE FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK Wintrode officially named principal When Heath Corley heard that Mark Rodgers was leaving Ridge Spring- Monetta High School to take over as head football coach at Wardlaw Acad- emy, his wheels started turning. The longtime Willi- ston-Elko High School assistant always had a goal to become a head coach, and the job at RS-M seemed like the perfect chance to make a move. “It was an opportunity to move up with a school I’m pretty familiar with,” he said. “I’ve been in the region now seven years and had to compete against those guys. The kids have always played hard. “It was almost like a perfect fit. It wasn’t a huge transition for my family, and it seemed like it was meant to be.” On May 8, at the Aiken County School Board meeting – after a series of phone and in-person interviews helped the RS-M administrators label Corley as the man for the job – the move became official when Corley was approved as the next head coach of the Trojans. Corley, who came to Williston-Elko from Saluda, was there when Blue Devil head coach Dwayne Garrick turned the program around. Garrick arrived after three-straight 3-8 seasons and went 7-5 in his first year in 2007. In 2008, WEHS played in the first of three-straight Class A state championship games, winning the title in 2009. Last year, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season, the Blue Devils finished 10-3 before losing in the Up- per State championship. Corley said that experience is what he wants to bring to RS-M. “The enthusiasm that Coach Garrick brought to the kids and to the community has been contagious,” he explained. “I always thought if I had a chance, that would be something I would like to pass on. It’s something all small towns should experience, and I don’t think Ridge Spring is too far away from being a really good football team. It’s fun on a Friday when everybody shuts down shortly after lunch and gets ready to go to a football game.” BY CAM HUFFMAN [email protected]Corley named Trojan’s football coach Town Council met Monday, May 7 at Town Hall. Present were Council: Capers Asbill, Charles Patterson and Geneva Harris, along with Mayor Pat Asbill. On the agenda were council reports. The mayor and Har- ris have been collecting signatures to support the paving of Hickson Street. Monies have already been appropriated for Saluda County roads, and this project will be brought up again in November. Also reported was that our dog problem is get- ting worse since many people seem to be drop- ping off stray animals in town. We have notified owners, if there is one, of loose dogs. The next warning will result in a ticket that may cost the owner up to $250. Also reported was that Jim Pressley was our only candidate for our open council seat. The Election Committee has met and is fin- ishing the letters and forms necessary before we administer the Oath of Office to Pressley. In new business, the council approved an agreement with Saluda County and the Saluda County magistrates that the magistrate would hear municipal ordinances. Also, after some discussion about garbage pickup, the council approved an extension of the contract with Powell Trash Company. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20. The early heat has caused concern about a possible water shortage this summer. We are encouraging our water customers to be mind- ful of water usage. The first water waster is a leak in the com- mode or a drip from the faucet. Not only does the leak waste water, it also wastes the cus- tomer’s money. We have not issued a conserve water man- date yet, but, with the dry weather and the heat, it will not be far behind. MAYOR PAT ASBILL The Aiken County Board of Education has named Warren Wintrode, the interim principal at Ridge Spring-Monetta High, as the school’s permanent principal. Wintrode, previously a South Aiken High School assistant principal, was appointed as the RS-M High assistant principal after the beginning of the 2011 school year when his predecessor took another position. Soon afterward, Win- trode became the interim principal when principal Mason Cum- mings resigned shortly before his arrest on allega- tions of an inappropriate relationship with a student in 2000-2001. Retired educator Rosie Berry later was appointed as the assistant principal, and that was important for Wintrode. “With all the experience she has, she became a mentor for me,” Wintrode said. “I often go to her office and bounce things off her.” Before Berry arrived, Wintrode was handling both administration assignments. “It was a learning curve for me,” he said. “We have such a good faculty and staff, and it was more about me listening to them. This is a small school and com- munity that’s very close-knit. I enjoy being here, and we’ll come back next year and get with the faculty and the people and look to establish a vision for RS-M.” BY ROB NOVIT [email protected]WINTRODE Please see FOOTBALL, page 14 CORLEY “ ... I always thought if I had a chance, (Blue Devil’s head coach Dwayne Garrick’s enthusiasm) would be something I would like to pass on. It’s something all small towns should experience, and I don’t think Ridge Spring is too far away from being a really good football team. It’s fun on a Friday when everybody shuts down shortly after lunch and gets ready to go to a football game.” HEATH CORLEY New head football coach at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School Police report • For the April police report, see page 14.
Transcript
monthly
Wednesday, May 16, 2012News and Information for Communities on the Ridge FREE
FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
Wintrode officially named principal
When Heath Corley heard that Mark Rodgers was leaving Ridge Spring-
Monetta High School to take over as head football coach at Wardlaw Acad-emy, his wheels started turning.
The longtime Willi-ston-Elko High School assistant always had a goal to become a head coach, and the job at
RS-M seemed like the perfect chance to make a move.
“It was an opportunity to move up with a school I’m pretty familiar with,” he said. “I’ve been in the region now seven years and had to compete against those guys. The kids have always played hard.
“It was almost like a perfect fit. It wasn’t a huge transition for my family, and it seemed like it was meant to be.”
On May 8, at the Aiken County School Board meeting – after a series of phone and in-person interviews helped the RS-M administrators label Corley as the man for the job – the move became official when Corley was approved as the next head coach of the Trojans.
Corley, who came to Williston-Elko
from Saluda, was there when Blue Devil head coach Dwayne Garrick turned the program around. Garrick arrived after three-straight 3-8 seasons and went 7-5 in his first year in 2007. In 2008, WEHS played in the first of three-straight Class A state championship games, winning the title in 2009.
Last year, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season, the Blue Devils finished 10-3 before losing in the Up-per State championship. Corley said that experience is what he wants to bring to RS-M.
“The enthusiasm that Coach Garrick brought to the kids and to the community has been contagious,” he explained. “I always thought if I had a chance, that would be something I would like to pass on. It’s something all small towns should experience, and I don’t think Ridge Spring is too far away from being a really good football team. It’s fun on a Friday when everybody shuts down shortly after lunch and gets ready to go to a football game.”
Town Council met Monday, May 7 at Town Hall. Present were Council: Capers
Asbill, Charles Patterson and Geneva Harris, along with Mayor Pat Asbill. On the agenda were council reports.
The mayor and Har-ris have been collecting signatures to support the paving of Hickson Street. Monies have already been appropriated for Saluda County roads, and this project will be brought up again in November.
Also reported was that our dog problem is get-ting worse since many people seem to be drop-ping off stray animals in town. We have notified owners, if there is one, of loose dogs. The next
warning will result in a ticket that may cost the owner up to $250.
Also reported was that Jim Pressley was our only candidate for our open council seat. The Election Committee has met and is fin-ishing the letters and forms necessary before we administer the Oath of Office to Pressley.
In new business, the council approved an agreement with Saluda County and the Saluda County magistrates that the magistrate would hear municipal ordinances. Also, after some discussion about garbage pickup, the council approved an extension of the contract with Powell Trash Company.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20.The early heat has caused concern about a
possible water shortage this summer. We are encouraging our water customers to be mind-ful of water usage.
The first water waster is a leak in the com-mode or a drip from the faucet. Not only does the leak waste water, it also wastes the cus-tomer’s money.
We have not issued a conserve water man-date yet, but, with the dry weather and the heat, it will not be far behind.
MAYOR PAT ASBILL
The Aiken County Board of Education has named Warren Wintrode, the interim principal at Ridge Spring-Monetta High, as the school’s permanent principal.
Wintrode, previously a South Aiken High School assistant principal, was appointed as the RS-M High assistant principal after the beginning of the 2011 school year when his predecessor took another position. Soon afterward, Win-
trode became the interim principal when principal Mason Cum-mings resigned shortly before his arrest on allega-tions of an inappropriate relationship with a student in 2000-2001.
Retired educator Rosie Berry later was appointed as the assistant principal, and that was important for
Wintrode.“With all the experience she has, she
became a mentor for me,” Wintrode said. “I often go to her office and bounce things off her.”
Before Berry arrived, Wintrode was handling both administration assignments.
“It was a learning curve for me,” he said. “We have such a good faculty and staff, and it was more about me listening to them. This is a small school and com-munity that’s very close-knit. I enjoy being here, and we’ll come back next year and get with the faculty and the people and look to establish a vision for RS-M.”
“ ... I always thought if I had a chance, (Blue Devil’s head coach Dwayne Garrick’s enthusiasm) would be something I would like to pass on. It’s something all small towns should experience, and I don’t think Ridge Spring is too far away from being a really good football team. It’s fun on a Friday when everybody shuts down shortly after lunch and gets ready to go to a football game.”
HEATH CORLEYNew head football coach at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School
Police report • For the April police report, see page 14.
2 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Ridge Spring’s newest history book will go on sale May 20 preceding the 3 p.m. presentation of the book at the library.
“A History of Ridge Spring: A Town That Grew Around a Train Stop” is a com-pilation of many sources – “A Sketch of Ridge Spring” by Elizabeth Carwile, “A History of Ridge Spring” complied by the sixth-grade English class of Mrs. Mary
Gunter, various church histories, the 1982 edition of “The History of Ridge Spring,” newspaper articles, donated pictures, drawings and house descriptions by Con-verse Cone, newspaper articles by Joe Cal Watson and character sketches written by Ms. Nina Nidiffer.
Central in the production of this book were Betty Ann Cone and her son Con-
verse Cone. Both spent countless hours talking with
people, writing and editing the actual book. Editorial help was provided by Mar-cia Yeargin.
The cover is a watercolor of the Ridge Spring Depot done by Anne Rauton Smith.
The Harvest Festival paid for the book’s
printing and will receive any profits made from the sale of the book.
The book will cost $20 and will be on sale May 20 at the library and after that at Town Hall.
Please join us at 3 p.m. at the library for refreshments and the presentation of “A History of Ridge Spring: A Town That Grew Around a Train Stop.”
‘History of Ridge Spring’ goes on sale Sunday, May 20
BY MAX PARRISHRidge Spring Fire Department chief
The Ridge Spring Fire Department’s Annual Benefit in memory of Michael B. Adamick was a huge success again, raising more than $11,000.
This is the seventh year, and each year it gets bigger and better. The food, the enter-tainment, the auction and the camaraderie of the people were perfect. I will say the cooking started early, and their lunch was perfect, too. Meat was from Cone’s Meat in Ridge Spring.
The entertainment before the fantastic meal was the cloggers, who are part of the Rhythm and Class Cloggers out of North Augusta under the direction of Mamie McAbee. The girls came from all over – Jackson, Johnston, McCormick, North Augusta and, of course, Ridge Spring.
After the food was served, live music was provided by Steele Justice. This included a shag contest with the winners
receiving a $100 gift certificate from Juni-per Restaurant. The winners were ... Mike and Janice Cumbee. Congratulations!
The chairperson was Andrew Bodie, cooks were Brian Derrick and Dude Thom-as – with plenty of help, auction chair was Jason Thomas and all members worked on the project.
All funds go to completing the fire house. Some of the major projects are bath-rooms, a rear pad, bunker gear lockers and a kitchen.
The Ridge Spring Fire Department is made up of volunteers only. There are more than 30 members, and they have an explor-ers’ program that begins in eighth grade.
RSFD would greatly appreciate dona-tions of bottled water and Gatorade for fire-fighters. We have exhausted our supplies. Donations can be left at town hall or Ridge Auto.
Congratulations are offered to such a wonderful group whom we hope knows how much they are appreciated.
R.S. fire department’s annual benefit raises more than $11K
STAFF PHOTO BY ROB NOVITTAKING PART IN THE GAMES: Josh Bailey, left, of Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle School joined hundreds of other kids ages 2-7 for the Young Athletes component of Special Olympics, coordinated by Bridgestone.
2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS
In April, Jennifer Cunningham visited Settlers’ Crossin and signed her new book “Simple Times.”
She fit right in at the shop for Settlers’ Crossin was celebrating their first anniver-sary of being open in Ridge Spring.
Refreshments and browsing were on the menu.
Even in Jennifer’s book, Settlers Cros-sin, is featured beginning on page 69.
Jennifer is from California, but she and her husband are now settled in North Carolina.
Her love and passions are colonial, primitive and antiques.
The pages in her book are full of photos and writeups of private homes and shops.
You can visit her at her website, www.picturetrail.com/homesteadfarm.
She will have a book in the fall titled “Simpler Times Early Autumn.”
Writer Jennifer Cunningham visits Settlers’ Crossin event
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 3
Ridge Spring-Monetta High School stu-dents Desmond Brown, Quintavia McField and Raheem Caldwell readily admitted they knew little about bluegrass music.
During an educational outreach program last month, they listened attentively to the music of the award-winning The Grascals, a six-piece bluegrass band.
“This was something new. I never heard anything like this,” Brown said. “I like the band and the instruments.”
The Aiken Performing Arts Group pre-sented The Grascals at the URS Center for the Performing Arts. APAG also asks all its musical guests to do an outreach program.
APAG President Bob Kelly was delight-ed to bring The Grascals to RS-M students from the high school and sixth through eighth grades from RS-M Elementary/
Middle School.“This is a big deal,” Kelly said. “We’re
just glad to bring a group like this to a rural area, which we haven’t done before. We’re giving these kids the opportunity to see a real bluegrass performance.”
Warren Wintrode, RS-M High’s new principal, agreed the opportunity was unusual for his students.
“Hopefully, they’ll take advantage of it,” he said. “This is somebody outside their experience. I think it will be fun, and they will enjoy it.”
Some of the middle school students were asking about bluegrass and what it was like, said RS-M Elementary/Middle School assistant principal Sylvia Butler.
“It’s great that our students will get to hear a different genre of music,” she said. “They know about rap but need to be ver-satile in learning about music. They have a chance to be open to this event and any new experience.”
STAFF PHOTO BY ROB NOVITEXPANDING THEIR OUTREACH: Members of the award-winning bluegrass band, “The Grascals,” perform for middle and high schoolers at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School.
BROADENING THEIR HORIZONS: RS-M High students, from left, Quintavia McField, Desmond Brown and Raheem Caldwell listen to The Grascals.
Palmer’s K4 class presents Prince Q, Princess U wedding
The wedding event of the year took place Friday, April 27. Prince Q and Prin-cess U were united forever in Conference Room D of Ridge Spring-Monetta Elemen-tary School. The 1 p.m. ceremony was officiated by K4 teacher Mrs. Kipp Palmer. A reception immediately followed in the same room.
The bride is the 21st letter of the alpha-bet following T and preceding V. She was portrayed by the lovely Kaylen Shaw, the daughter of Thomas and Randi Shaw of Monetta. She wore a lovely white queen’s gown embellished with satin ribbons and flowers. She wore a unique headband with a bejeweled “U” on the front.
The groom is the 17th letter of the alpha-bet following P and preceding R. He was portrayed by the handsome Aiden Rodgers, the son of Mark and Josie Rodgers of Ward. Aiden wore an Alabama jersey with a “Q” tie to portray a quarterback.
Bridesmaids included Taylor Long, the Letter T; Gracelyn Padgett, the Letter G; Elissa Rankin, Letter the A; Jozelle Rob-inson, the Letter P; Honesty Monroe, the Letter H; and Daen Figueroa, the Letter D. The flower girl, Gracie Chavis, the Letter F, sprinkled white capital letters down the aisle for the bride.
Groomsmen were Aaron Layton, the Letter Z; Logan Brightwell, the Letter W; Christian Smith, the Letter C; Trekel Stevens, the Letter K; Jemmell Morris, the Letter J, Jackson Miller, the Letter V, and Antwan Brooks, the Letter O. Drew Arant was the ring bearer of the most delicious blue and red Ring Pops.
SUBMITTED PHOTOMATCH MADE IN K4: Prince Q, portrayed by Aiden Rodgers, and Princess U, portrayed by Kaylen Shaw, were married on April 27.
SEE WEDDING, 7
4 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
RS-M ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
SIC Members complete serviceThank you to our School Improvement Council members, Harriet Householder and
Marie Moss, who have completed their terms of service this year. We appreciate their valuable feedback, decision making skills and the time they gave to meet to help make improvements in our school. Nominations to fill future positions on the council will be taken at the start of the 2012-13 school year.
First-grade Egg Drop ContestOn April 20, the first graders at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary held their annual
Egg Drop Contest. The students had to design a container that would keep a raw egg from cracking when tossed from the roof of the first-grade building. We had some very creative and unique projects this year. Pictured are the students who had eggs that “sur-vived” the drop.
Volunteer BreakfastOn April 27, Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle School held a breakfast in
honor of all individuals who have volunteered for the school this year. During this cel-ebration certificates and pins were awarded to the volunteers. There was also a spotlight volunteer recognized – Mrs. Crystal McClure. McClure was awarded an extra prize in honor of all of the time and effort she spends at our school. RSM appreciates everything that our volunteers do for us. Thank you!
Terrifi c KidsRidge Spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle School has named its Terrific Kids for
the month of April, students who demonstrated teamwork: kindergarten, Hannah Wooley, Landon Hastings and DeAnte Hopkins; first grade, Kaleb Meyer, Frances Watkins, Hannah Gist and Markel Riley; second grade, Destiny Williams, Ben-Quarrius Kirk, Shadaisha Gartrell and Precious White; third grade, Lizbeth Lozada, Zachary Wyzynski and Titianna Morris; fourth grade, Clayton Oxendine, JaVontae Satterwhite and Nancy Lopez; fifth grade, Carlos Hernandez, Kaylee Acevedo and Elizabeth Maguire; sixth grade, Benjamin Sullivan and Brandon Rainey; seventh grade, Latashia Lockett, Dominique Lee and Baylee Hunt; and eighth grade, Joelle Leguizamon, Josie Wingard and Chrishanda Blacks
SUBMITTED PHOTOPictured are, from left, Jason Rodgers, SIC Chair, Harriet Householder, Marie Moss and principal Callie Herlong.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 5
RS-M HIGH SCHOOL NEWS Six team members compete in virtual enterprise competition
Six members of the Ridge Spring-Mon-etta High’s Virtual Enterprise class traveled to Columbia for the South Carolina State Virtual Enterprise competition which was held on April 25-26. Over the course of the two-day event, members of the team competed against 24 other virtual enterprise teams from across South Carolina in vari-ous events. Members of the team included Janisha Ruth, Bryanna Jones, Eboney Hines, Quan Lockett, Heather Rudd and Morgan Havird, along with coordinator Janice Douda. The team placed fourth in most creative sales booth, fourth in video commercial and fifth in website design. The VE team has worked hard in preparing for these events and wishes to thank all of those who supported our team, including the chaperones who accompanied our trip. We look forward to next year’s competition and continued success for our program.
FFA chapter places fourth in tractor driving event in Columbia
The 2012 FFA Tractor Driving Career Development Event was held on Saturday,
April 21, at the State Fairgrounds in Colum-bia. The event included the speed, safety and driving skills of the students. In order to compete at the state level, members must have earned the right to qualify at their respective area contests. This CDE is consid-ered by some to be one of the most competi-tive S.C. FFA offers. Members of the Ridge Spring-Monetta FFA chapter placed fourth in the event. The team members include Corbin Yon, Drew Barr, Ethan Derrick, and Jamie Hartley. Their adviser is Michael Crim.
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 523,309 stu-dent members as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career suc-cess through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leader-ship and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural educa-tion programs. For more information visit www.ffa.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
BY JOANNE CROUCHAARS president
The Art Association of Ridge Spring will be focusing on quilting in the month of May.
Some members of AARS and the com-munity have formed the Ridge Heritage Quilt Trail. The goal of the group is to make representations of antique quilts and to note the history of those quilts. These quilts are painted on wooden panels and can be hung on barns, businesses or homes.
The quilt trail is already present in the Upstate and in many other states. The trails are self-guided and can be found by fol-lowing GPS coordinates.
The group completed three panels during the workshop lead by the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. The installation of these 3 pan-els will be held on Saturday, May 26, at the Art Center. The public is invited for the unveiling of our quilts. Many older quilts
will be available for viewing on that day also.
For information on how you can own your own quilt, contact an AARS member.
Below is the listing for the classes that are available at the Art Center:
• Airbrush 101 – June 16th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Cost is $75. Students must have dual-action airbrush. Instructor will be Danny O’Driscoll.
• Acrylic 101 – July 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Cost is $200 for both days. Instructor will be Danny O’Driscoll.
The 2012 Summer Art Camp will be held June 20-22 from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 7-12. Camp is limited to 20 students. Cost is $50. A reception will be held on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to noon to showcase the student’s works.
Contact Donna Minorat [email protected] for more information or call (803) 685-5783.
ART ASSOCIATION OF RIDGE SPRING
Magnolia Ridge Antiques, Art Gathering will be held May 19
The Magnolia Ridge Antiques and Art gathering will be held at 2136 Mt. Cal-
vary Road, Ridge Spring, on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
6 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Brittany Glyn Mappus of Batesburg and Daniel Ryan Watkins of Monetta were married March 31, 2012, in Mount Ebal Baptist Church. The bride was given in marriage by her parents. Mr. William J. Watkins, father of the groom, officiated.
The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Mappus, IV of Bates-burg. She is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Judson I. Hall, Jr. and Mrs. Ann S. Mappus and the late Dr. Theodore W. Mappus, III.
The bridegroom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Watkins of Batesburg. He is a grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Rene Hair and Mr. James C. Watkins, Jr. and the late Mrs. Henrietta R. Wat-kins.
Miss Haley R. Mappus, sister of the bride, of Batesburg was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Miss Megan E. Eargle of Batesburg, childhood friend, and Mrs. Adrianne D. Smalley of Aiken, college friend.
Mr. Micah A. Watkins, brother of the groom, of Charlotte, N.C. was the best man. Groomsmen were Mr. T. William Mappus V of Batesburg, brother of the bride, and Mr. Benjamin J. Watkins of Batesburg, cousin of the groom.
Zedekiah J. Watkins of Batesburg was the ringbearer. Alyssa L. Whitfield of Batesburg was the flower girl.
Following a reception in the Mount
Ebal Activities Building, the couple left for a wedding trip to San Francisco.
They will reside in Monetta.The bride is a 2006 graduate of
Wyman King Academy. She is a graduate of USC Aiken with a degree in nursing. She is employed by Sandhills Pediatrics of Columbia.
The bridegroom is a 2002 graduate of Gilbert High School. He is employed by the Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department.
Morgan Elizabeth Carter of Lexington, SC and Zachery Scott Tolley of Lexington, SC were united in marriage March 24, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Clem-son. The bride was given in marriage by her parents. The Rev. Lee Clamp officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Carter of Aiken, SC. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Phlegar, Jr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Myron F. Carter.
The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Burnette of Ward, SC and the late Mr. William Delbert Tolley. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Padgett, the late Mr. Samuel Tolley and the late Mr. and Mrs. Curtis E. Johniken.
The bride is a 1998 graduate of Willi-ston-Elko High School. She is a gradu-ate of Clemson University with a degree in Psychology and Masters and Ed.S in School Psychology from The Citadel. She is employed by Lexington District One school district as a School Psychologist. The bridegroom is a 1995 graduate of Ridge-Spring Monetta High School. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Agriculture Mechanization and Business. He is employed with Netafim USA as a District Sales Manager.
Mrs. Leslie Young, sister of the bride of Summerville, SC was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Mrs. Mandy Korey of Lexington, Mrs. Alecia Clamp of Lexing-ton, Ms. Lindsey Clark of Orlando, FL, Mrs. Jessica Luther of Columbia, SC, Ms. Casey Glover of Greenville, SC. Honor-ary attendants were Ms. Kerrie Matthews, Williston, SC; Mrs. Mandy McGilvray,
Charleston, SC; Mrs. Jocelyn Sikes, Eas-ley, SC; Mrs. Jessica Rhodes, Beaufort, SC; Mrs. Erin Pope, Columbia, SC; Mrs. Stephanie Yarborough, Columbia, SC; and Mrs. Rhonda Snelgrove, Gilbert, SC. Jr. Bridesmaid was Miss Hannah Snelgrove and Miss Kaylee Young, niece of the bride served as flower girl.
Mr. Jason Rodgers, friend of the groom served as best man. Groomsmen were Mr. Ryan Goff, Saluda, SC; Mr. Kyle Hallman, Ridge Spring, SC; Mr. Brock White, Wilm-ington, NC; Mr. Todd Martin, Lexington, SC; and Mr. Braxton Dawkins, Gilbert, SC.
A reception was held at the Madren Center. The couple will reside in Lexington after a honeymoon to Curacao.
Watkins – Mappus
Tolley – Carter
Mrs. Daniel Ryan Watkins (Brittany Glyn Mappus)
Mrs. Zachery Scott Tolley (Morgan Elizabeth Carter)
WEDDINGS
Girl Scouts serve up dinnerGirl Scout Troops 2822 and 798 of Ridge Spring had a
wonderful day preparing and serving dinner to their par-ents recently. The girls had created invitations and made their own aprons to wear for the event as well as pictures to hang around the dining area.
They also had their pictures made (thanks Brooklyn Newman!) and decorated frames to present to their parents. The girls arrived at staggered times throughout the day to
prepare red velvet cake, brownies, spaghetti, salad, bread, tea and lemonade. In all about 80 parents, scouts and lead-ers enjoyed the meal.
Special guests included Pastor Chris Yeargin and wife Marcia along with their two little girls. Many thanks to Ridge Spring Baptist Church for allowing the troops to meet at their church! Special thanks also to the leaders and parents who made the day possible: Jamie Stone, Stepha-nie Harmon, Dana Berry, Donna Way, Julia Rodgers, Rob-ert Harmon, Josie Rodgers and Barbara White.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 7
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Floyd of Jackson, SC announce the engage-ment of their daughter, Kaylyn Marie Floyd of Jackson, SC, to Brandon Travis Bryant of Aiken, SC, a son of Wayne and Tonya Bry-ant of Aiken, SC.
The wedding is planned for June 2012 at First Baptist Church, Jack-son, SC.
The bride-elect is a maternal granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brinkley, and a paternal granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Davis M. Floyd and the late Ruth Floyd of Jackson, SC.
She is a 2007 graduate of Silver Bluff High School. She is a Decem-ber 2011 graduate of University of South Carolina with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
The bridegroom-elect is a mater-nal grandson of Rev. and Mrs. Joel Denzil Baughman of Ridge Spring, SC, and a paternal grandson of Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Bryant of Aiken, SC.
He is a 2006 graduate of Aiken Christian School. He is a graduate
of Aiken Technical College with a degree in Engineering Graphics. He is employed by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).
ENGAGEMENT Floyd – Bryant
Kaylyn Marie Floyd and Brandon Travis Bryant
The bride tried the outside aisles before ven-turing down the center aisle. Famous words spoken by the officiator included, “If so, please respond by saying ‘qu,’ to which each person in turn replied ‘qu.” She also kept tradition by saying, “You may now lick your Ring Pops!”
Upon entering the room, all guests and bridal party members signed the special register and place their gifts (all beginning with the letter Q) on the gift table. The tradition wedding music marches were provided by Mrs. Palmer. Coordinating the wedding along with Mrs. Palmer was Mrs. Patricia Lott, K4 assistant.
The candlelight cake was made and decorat-ed by Mrs. Pam Layton, mother of Aaron, the Letter Z. Photographers for the event included the mother of the groom, Mrs. Josie Rodgers, and the mother of the ring bearer, Mrs. Marci Arant. Dipping the punch for the guests was Mrs. Amy Cooper, elementary school assistant
principal. Other distinguished guests included Mrs. Callie Herlong, principal, and Ms. Sylvia Butler, middle school assistant principal.
Immediately following the ceremony, the guests and bridal party enjoyed a SMART board presentation of the joining of the letters Q and U along with activities that allowed them to identify and create words beginning with “qu.” The group reviewed manners for attending and eating at a reception and enjoyed cake, chips, mints and punch. They opened the gifts as a group, discussing each “qu” item. They danced and sang their favorite ABC songs. Finally, the bride and groom walked down the aisle lined by the other letters blow-ing sparkling bubbles.
Following pack-up time in the kindergarten mobile, the couple, along with the wedding party, departed for their homes throughout the Ridge community while the director and her crew flopped down on the nap mats for a well-deserved rest.
Q and U will forever reside together in words, although they will remain in their origi-nal spots in the alphabet.
WEDDINGCONTINUED FROM 3
Ridge Spring’s June deadline• The story deadline for June is Monday, June 4. Send all stories and
photos to Karen Klock at [email protected].• The advertising deadline is Friday, June 1. To advertise, contact Debra
8 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Ridge Spring Art Association will have a celebration of the quilts on May 26th at the Art Center.
Please bring any of your quilts that you would like to share with the community for the day or longer.
There will be quilt patterns incorporated into the art of many of the artists represented at the art center.
At 10:30 a.m., there will be the unveiling of the first three quilt blocks painted to start the Ridge Heritage Quilt Trail in Saluda county.
These will be located in front of the art center.The quilt group already has orders for more quilt blocks to be
painted and placed around town.
Ridge Spring to gather May 26 at Art Center for unveiling of quilts
RS-M HIGH SCHOOL PROM 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 9
Dear Friends:We began May with the South Carolina Supreme
Court dropping an A-bomb on the electoral process. The justices ordered the political parties to remove can-
didates from the June 12 primary bal-lot for failure to file their candidacy without all the correct paper forms.
The Ballot Bungle Explained: A 1992 law requires candidates to file a statement of economic interest at the same time they officially file their election paperwork. In recent years filing has been online not on paper. A lawsuit was brought by two citizens challenging the filing process and the Supreme Court chose to follow the letter of the law in its ruling. More than 180 candidates statewide were
knocked off the ballot; eight of those were in Aiken County.
Following the courts’ decision, legislation was intro-duced allowing those candidates who filed electroni-cally to be certified to run. This is an issue loaded with legal land mines. The legislature has no authority to fix a law on which the Supreme Court has ruled and any carefully crafted changes would likely require approval from the U.S. Justice Department under the Voting Right’s Act. That would certainly delay to June primary election to August or even September.
It’s a Shame! This is a dreadful situation for both candidates and voters. It’s tough enough to put yourself out to be a candidate, then get knocked off the ballot on a minor technicality five weeks before the election. It’s hurtful and disappointing to those who have worked so hard and my heart goes out to them. And for voters, this means you won’t have a full choice. On the other hand, we are a nation of laws that must be followed and the state Supreme Court did just that. The 20-year-old law has never been a problem, but with the electronic filing currently being used, the political parties failed to require adherence to the “paper filing” law. There is no doubt we will pass legislation to correct and modernize the law and make it easier for candidates to use tech-nology to meet the legal filing requirements.
Restructuring State Government: Early this month the House of Representatives tackled the monumental task of restructuring a major part of state government. We are earnestly trying to create an organizational structure that is more efficient and responsive and will stand the test of time for many decades to come.
Eliminating the Budget & Control Board: South Carolina is the only state with a Budget & Control Board; a five member panel that oversees about 1300 employees and many functions of state government. In recent years, the House has passed three bills creat-ing a Department of Administration. This month the House GOP Caucus announced plans for a new version of the proposed state Department of Administration. It fully eliminates the Budget & Control Board and gives the governor’s office control of 90 percent of the old B&C Board. It also shrinks the current the number of employee allocations by 10 percent. The goal is a
more streamlined and efficient state government with accountability and checks and balances. (see chart)
The newest House plan differs from the Senate ver-sion they sent us. Their plan called for splitting the B&C Board in 10 different government agencies, including eight new ones. After much debate, the House voted 71-33 to approve the amended plan. The bill was sent back to the Senate. The goal is to get this major reorganization accomplished before the legislative ses-sion ends next month.
Charter School Bill Heads to Governor: The House and Senate worked out their differences in their ver-sions of the charter school legislation allowing char-ter schools to be expanded statewide. The bill allows universities to sponsor charter schools, giving them more options to form. It also allows for boys-only and girls-only schools. It also requires traditional schools to give charter students access to extracurricular activi-ties. South Carolina has 17,000 students in 47 charter schools. They are public schools overseen by a board of parents, teachers and community members, rather than a district board. They’re subject to fewer regulations than traditional schools.
FOI Bill Passes House: The revisions in South Caro-lina’s Freedom of Information Act was approved on third and final reading in the House less than an hour before the deadline for bills to crossover to the Sen-ate. Failure to meet the crossover deadline would have killed the bill. Now it is up to the Senate to consider the legislation I’m proposing. I have been assured by Sen. Larry Martin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that it will be heard by a subcommittee.
Sales Tax Reform Fizzles: I’m disappointed to report that efforts to reform the South Carolina’s hodgepodge of sales tax exemptions was mostly gut-
ted this week by the House Ways & Means Committee. The tax reform committee on which I served for six months proposed eliminating two-thirds of the special interest sales tax exemptions worth about $250 mil-lion. We recommended preserving the ones that directly benefit families (i.e., gasoline, food, electricity, water, medicine, etc.). After hearing group after group plead-ing their case, the House Ways & Means Committee amended the bill so as to keep all but about $15 million in exemptions – that amounts to 6 percent of what we recommended.
Cracking Down on Unemployment Insurance Fraud: The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill which revises unemployment insurance fraud provi-sions for both employers and for those collecting job-less benefits by imposing a new range of criminal pen-alties for violations. More serious felony offenses are reserved for repeat violations and fraud that involves larger dollar amounts.
Expansion of Horse Liability Protection Law: Gov. Haley has signed into law the bill which protects landowners from liability due to someone sustaining damages while riding a horse on the landowner’s prop-erty where the landowner grants permission to ride. The legislation was initiated by the Aiken County Legisla-tor Delegation. Clubs, classes and stables are already protected from lawsuits under an existing law. This legislation will benefit private landowners across the state in addition to the Aiken Land Conservancy and the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce with their joint horse trail easement project. This is good for all of Aiken County.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions, don’t hesitate to call or write.
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
REP. BILL TAYLOR
10 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Harold H. CumbeeRIDGE SPRING — Funeral services for
Mr. Harold Hampton Cumbee, 88, were held Monday, May 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Mr. Cumbee, a native of Ridge Spring, died Tuesday, May 1, 2012. He was a son of the late Emanuel Price and Alma Cornelia Sanders Cumbee. Mr. Cumbee served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and retired from Charlie Atkinson Paint Con-tractors where he was employed as foreman. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where he served on the Church Council and was Chairman of the Church Property Committee.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Bledsoe Cumbee; daughters, Jeanie (Arthur) Lee of Aiken and Brenda (Steven) McKinney of Ridge Spring; sister, Josephine (James) Baughman; grandchildren, Steven Tyler and Melanie McKinney and Jessica Lee.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Geneva Raborn.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1186 Mt. Calvary Road, Johnston, SC 29832.
Please sign guestbook and send condo-lences to the family at www.blandfh.com.
Edward David ArndtRIDGE SPRING — Edward David Arndt
was born in Norwalk, Ct., on Sept. 27, 1934. He died on April 14th, 2012, after battling cancer for many years.
He was married in 1962 to Beverly Ann Tritscheller of Westport, Connecticut.
He is survived by his wife; sons, Christo-pher and David of Florida; Wendy Arndt of Montmorenci and Gretchen Arndt of Ridge Spring.
Ed moved to Aiken from Jupiter, Fla., in 2005 and then moved out to Ridge Spring in 2007.
The things that brought him joy through-out his illness were mowing with his John Deere, his dog Loki, NASCAR, his children and grandchildren.
A private family memorial will be held in May.
Anyone caring to make donations in mem-ory of him can send them to Harmony Care Hospice, 121 Hunter Village Dr., Irmo SC 29036; or Recovery Works (a rehabilitation center for alcohol or drug addicted men), 2269 Ridge Spring Hwy., Ridge Spring SC 29129 www.recoveryworksponderosa.com.
Alvin Rhett Quarles Sr.JOHNSTON — Funeral services for Mr.
Alvin Rhett Quarles Sr., 89, were held Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 11 a.m. at
Johnston United Methodist Church with burial in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Quarles, a native of Edgefield County, died Saturday, April 21, 2012. He was a son of the late Martin Luther and Betty Bledsoe Quarles. Mr. Quarles attended Bethlehem Community School and graduated from Johnston High School. After serving in World War II in the United States Army Air Corps as a flight engineer for B17 and B24 bombers, he was employed at Milliken’s Johnston Plant and retired in 1982. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over sixty years and was also a member of the Johnston Lion’s Club. He was a member of Johnston United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his son, Dr. Glenn Richard Quarles and wife Patricia of King-sport, TN; daughter-in-law, Wanda Delaine Eargle Quarles of Talking Rock, Ga.; grandchildren, Michael Anthony Quarles, Christopher Rhett Quarles, Virginia Leigh Quarles Moore, Glenn Richard Quarles, Jr. and George Ernest Quarles; great-grandchil-dren, Preston Everett Quarles, Parker Avery Quarles, and Pierce Isaac Quarles. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Evia Mae Eccles Quarles; a son, Alvin Rhett Quarles, Jr.; and a great-grandson, Palmer Demitri Quarles.
Memorials may be made to Johnston United Methodist Church Building Fund. P.O. Box 186, Johnston, SC 29832 or Beth-lehem United Methodist Church, Highway 121, Johnston, SC 29832.
Winnie Mae Denny ClarkJOHNSTON — Funeral services for Mrs.
Winnie Mae Denny Clark, age 90, were held Monday, April 23, 2012, at Philippi Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with burial in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Clark, a native of Ward, died Friday, April 20, 2012. She was a daughter of the late Lonnie Grover Sr. and Marcella McGee Denny. Mrs. Clark retired as clerk for the Town of Johnston and later was employed by Clark’s Flower and Gift Shop. She was a member of Philippi Baptist Church, Faith-ful Workers’ Sunday School Class, Myrtle Salter Circle and had taught the Ladies Adult Sunday School Class for a number of years.
Survivors include daughter, Brenda Clark of Greenville; son, Denny Clark (Bridget) of Johnston; sister, Catherine Johnson of Ward; grandchildren, Mandy Lowe (Heyl) and Carrie Clark; great-grandchildren, Reece and Meredith Lowe; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe R. Clark; sisters, Annie Ruth Scott and Marjorie Clark; and brother, L.G. Denny Jr.
Memorials may be made to Philippi Bap-tist Church Building Fund, 125 Steeple Drive, Johnston, SC 29832.
Please sign guestbook and send condo-lences to family at www.blandfh.com.
Aundra Leslie RabornAIKEN — Mr. Aundra Leslie Raborn, age
58, of Aiken, SC, loving husband of Becky Ann Cushman Raborn and son of Earl Raborn of Ridge Spring and the late Imo-gene Hensley Raborn, entered into rest on Saturday, April 21, 2012. In addition to his wife and father, he is survived by daughters, Anita Maria Raborn and April Noel Cush-man both of Aiken, S.C.; a sister, Claudia (John) Seigler of Augusta, Ga.; grandchil-dren, Austin Leslie Raborn, Autumn Hope Mason, Kayla Ann “Pea Pie” Cushman and Weston Allen Heverly.
Leslie, as he was so fondly known by his family and friends, was born in and was a lifelong resident of Aiken County, S.C. He worked as an ironworker for American Steele Erectors. He was a loving brother, father, grandfather and friend. He loved collecting antiques, which is often referred to as one man’s trash and another man’s treasure. He also knew the meaning of the saying that a “Dog is man’s best friend,” as he loved and took great care of his dogs; and if you wanted to get on his bad side, just mess with his dogs, and he would set you straight real quickly. He shall be greatly missed by his family, friends and, of course, his pet dogs; however, he shall live on in their hearts forever.
A graveside service celebrating his life was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Vollie Gibbs officiating. Memorials, in Leslie’s honor, may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cem-etery Fund, 164 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Ridge Spring, SC 29129.
Napier Funeral Home, 315 Main St., Graniteville, S.C. 29829 is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
You may sign our guest register by logging on to www.napierfuneralhomeinc.com.
Johnny JohnsonWAGENER — Johnny Johnson, 63, of 287
Holley St., Wagener, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at his residence. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Saron Baptist Church, Wagener. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Johnson was born to the late Heyward Johnson Sr. and Ada Bettis Johnson.
He was a graduate of Ridge Hill High School in Ridge Spring, SC.
Survivors include his wife, Essie Lou Ash-ley Johnson; sons, Daniel Lott, Damion Lott, Jerome Johnson, Johnny Johnny Jr. and Den-nis Kitchings Jr.; daughters, Chonte Lott, Emma Johnson and Iwartha Kitchings; broth-
ers, Heyward Johnson Jr., Horace Johnson, Peter Johnson and Wymond Brooks; sisters, Mary Walker and Lutricia Coleman.
GLOVERVILLE — Mr. Milledge “Red” Gordon Yonn Jr., age 68, of Gloverville, S.C., husband of Brenda; son of the late Milledge G. Yonn, Sr. and the late Dollie Garnto Yonn, entered into rest on Monday, April 9, 2012. He is survived by a son, Michael (Denise) Yonn of Ridge Spring, S.C.; a daughter, Tina (Andy) Koon of Lexington, S.C.; a sister, Debra Yonn McNeeley of Langley, S.C.; brothers, David L. Yonn of Aiken, S.C., Robert (Carol) Yonn of Harlem, Ga. and Earl (Dovie) Yonn of Graniteville, S.C.; grand-children, Acey Yonn, Matthew Yonn and Emma Grace Koon. He was born in and was a lifelong resident of Aiken County, S.C.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He was retired from Law Enforcement with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Department. Milledge was a loving father and grandfather. Yes, he shall be greatly missed by his family, friends and all whose lives he touched during his time here on earth; however, he shall live on forever in everyone’s heart.
There was no funeral service, and the inter-ment was private.
Napier Funeral Home, 315 Main Street, Graniteville, S.C. 29829 is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
You can sign our guest register by logging on to www.napierfuneralhomeinc.com.
Ophelia ClarkMONETTA — Ophelia Clark, 85, passed
away Thursday, April 19, 2012. Funeral ser-vices were held at noon Saturday, April 21, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oak Grove Baptist Church (Aiken County) with Rev. Ken Weathers officiating. Active pallbearers were Darrin Blackwell, Monty Blackwell, Brent Heath, Larry Clark, Tommy Clark and Andrew Clark.
Mrs. Clark was born in Pelion, SC, daughter of the late Sullace Blackwell and Annie Mae Gunter Blackwell. She was married to the late Jake B. Clark. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, Harry (Donna) Rankin of Aiken; Dwight (Sandy) Clark of Batesburg; daughter and son-in-law, Jackie (Billy) McCormick of Mon-etta; brothers, Willie and Eugene Blackwell of Aiken; sisters, Cornelia Rankin of Monetta; Wynett Blackwell of Gloverville; eight grand-children; seventeen great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild. She was preceded in death by son, Donnie Bodie.
Milton Shealy Funeral Home and Crema-tory is assisting the family with arrangements.
OBITUARIES
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 11
Mary Helen Watson HarleyLEXINGTON — Mrs. Mary Helen Watson Harley, a daughter of the late Johnny
Gantt and the late Pansy L. Peterson, was born in Aiken County on March 7, 1934.She departed this earthly life Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at White Oak Manor,
Newberry, South Carolina, after a lengthy illness.Services were held Monday, April 30, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Calidonia Baptist Church,
1887 Old Ninety-Six Indian Trail Road, Batesburg-Leesville, with Rev. Bernice Tyler officiating.
Mrs. Harley is survived by her devoted husband, Walter Harley Jr.; four sons, Al Watson, Terry (Elberta) Harley and Steven (Stephanie) Harley, all of Batesburg-Leesville, and James (Yolanda) Harley of Aiken; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; four brothers, Pernell (Elizabeth) Peterson, Henry (Burnet) Peterson, Willie S. Peterson and Vernell (Roy) Watson; two sisters, Eva Mae Gantt and Deloris (Jimmy) Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.
Visit us online at www.jhrobinsonfunerals.com to submit online condolences and to view the complete obituary.
Herman Christopher ‘Chris’ Hall Jr.BATESBURG — Herman Christopher “Chris” Hall Jr., 64, passed away Thursday,
April 19, 2012. Memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Hall was born in Aiken, SC, son of Blanche Grice Hall Parrish and the late Her-man Christopher Hall Sr. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He loved his horses, Ziva his dog, and Pooh and Deacon his cats. He was a carpenter and was an U.S. Marine veteran.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Sawyer Hall; sons, Herman Christopher “Tripp” Hall III and Stephen Timothy Hall; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis Hall (Alton) Byers of
Webster, N.C.; grandchildren, Candice Hall Green, Michael Cane Hall, Locklyn Hall and Baylor Hall; great-grandchildren, Skylar Green, Conway Green and Hunter Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.
Milton Shealy Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrange-ments.
Olin T. WoodAIKEN — Olin T. Wood, 71, beloved husband of Drucilla Jackson Wood, died Mon-
day, April 16, 2012, at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.Born in Aiken County, SC, Mr. Wood was a son of the late Alma Copeland and Leon-
ard L. Wood, Sr. He was retired from J. M. Huber Corp. He was a member of Aiken’s First Baptist Church, Aiken Masonic Lodge No. 156, member and past president of Aiken County Shrine Club and member of Saluda County Shrine Club.
Survivors, in addition to his wife Dru, include two daughters, Lisa (David) Thompson of North Augusta and Sherri (Wayne) Matthews of Saluda; three grandchildren, Stuart and Derek Thompson, both of North Augusta, and Dylan Matthews of Saluda; brother, Kenneth (Ann) Wood of Batesburg and sister, Evelyn Abney of Warrenville.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 18, at 4 p.m. at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. Interment followed in Aiken Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Stuart Thompson, Derek Thompson, Dylan Matthews, Jerry Jackson, Bo New, W.H. Kirkland and Billy Ray Kirkland.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Savannah River Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 3694, Aiken, SC 29802 (savannahrivercancerfoundation.org) or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Street, Greenville, SC 29605 (shrinershospital-sforchildren.org).
Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Road, AikenPlease visit the online guestbook at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com.
OBITUARIES
12 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 13
Fetch your flip-flops and floppy hats, because your juicy, jammin’ summertime read is just about here.
So, place your order or plan a trip to the bookstore because this is a keeper. You’ll probably want to reread it at least once dur-ing the summer.
The Good Ol’ Mary Kay Andrews has returned. Have read all nine of her stand-alone novels, and this is her magnum opus, thus far.
The story centers on the third and fourth generations (well, the fifth, too, but they’re all young-uns) behind a family-owned soft-drink company in small-town Passcoe, N.C.
The Bayless family has been moving the town forward, as its principal employer and benefactor, since 1922, with Quixie – a sweet/tart cherry soda – although the two fourth-generation sons, Mason and Davis, who are running the company have decid-edly different views on management.
Davis has brought in a corporate con-sultant, Celia Wakefield, who has sunk her claws in Mason, whose ex-wife, Annajane Hudgens, continues to work in the market-ing division of Quixie.
Annajane grew up in Passcoe, the “best friend forever” of the fourth-generation Bayless daughter, Pauline (Pokey).
The novel opens with the wedding cer-emony of Mason and Celia, whom Pokey deplores as a total phony.
Annajane, in attendance at the insistence
of her stepchild, Sophie – in service as the flower girl – is planning to leave her home-town of Passcoe, with a new job and fiance lined up in Atlanta.
The author has written extensively about Savannah and Atlanta in other novels. She scores big here with all her characters – with the back-and-forths and ins and outs of the plot and most of all with the whole business and history of Quixie and what it represents vis a vis the “raid it and loot it” mentality prevalent in what passes for today’s economics.
Quixie not only represents a family’s leg-acy and a town’s sustenance but also a time when an ice-cold swig of pop on a July afternoon was the ultimate in refreshment, when company employees were considered family – with all of the attendant benefits, including the security of a lifelong job, then a comfortable retirement.
Companies such as Quixie formed the backbone of America, supplied its bread-and-butter, made it the greatest place on Earth for opportunity and advancement.
Wish we could visit Passcoe this sum-mer, with an extended stay at the newly renovated and refurbished Pinecone Motel (fresh-baked muffins and freshly brewed coffee in the morning), and tour the soft-drink plant, then down some seriously chilled cherry soda in a retro bottle com-plete with the “Dixie, the Quixie Pixie” logo.
If only they all existed. We’ll just have to reread the book, instead.
BOOK REVIEW
BY DAVID MARSHALL JAMES
“Spring Fever”
The Farmers’ Market is held on town square in Ridge Spring on Saturdays from early till noonish.
The produce is fresh and definitely sea-sonal. Yon Family Farms has their corn, the Smiths have their blueberries, the Bells have their produce, Titan Farms has peaches and other crops, and many more of us participate. Daylilies are a big draw – plants – and so much more.
We started 10 years ago with the idea coming from Joe Cal Watson of the Nut House.
Vouchers and WIC vouchers are accept-ed by the farmers. These programs help all, the farmers and the community.
Join us on Saturday mornings from June 9 until Labor Day. As a side note, 10 years ago, two pictures were in the paper, one of Mrs. A. Bell and one of Harriet House-holder.
We are still there participating in this wonderful weekly event.
The Farmers’ Market is sponsored by the Friends of Ridge Spring (FORS).
Farmers’ Market marks 10 years
14 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Corley will face a similar rebuilding task at RS-M. Rodgers experienced some success with the Trojans, taking the team to the Class A state championship game in 2006 and to the Upper State finals a year later, but RS-M has gone 8-24 the last three seasons and lost some of that magic.
“They remember those kids and remember those teams,” said Corley, who was also the head baseball coach at Williston-Elko. “They know it’s not that far of a stretch. The pieces are in place. The kids have always played hard. I just want to help take them to the next level.
“Football, a lot of times, is the sport at your school,” he continued. “Expec-tations over there are high, and I think that’s great. They’re not looking for mediocre, and they’re not going to settle for mediocre. That fits in with a lot of my beliefs.”
Corley said what he learned from Gar-rick was the attention to detail.
Before his arrival at WEHS, Corley said the Blue Devils practiced hard, lifted hard and watched a lot of film, but when Garrick came on the scene, they were called out for everything they did on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom – something that made a great impact.
“The small stuff is really what makes the difference, and that’s what I’m going to hang my hat on,” Corley said. “There are some good-looking players. Just from being around them a few hours (he’s only had two opportunities to meet with the players so far), the excitement level was pretty high.
“I think we have a real good chance to
be successful, but a lot of that is going to depend on how quickly they can pick up on a little different system,” he added.
Like much of what he will bring to RS-M, that system will look a lot like the one at WEHS.
“What we’ve done has been proven to work, and I’ll take a lot of that over there with me,” Corley said, before say-ing that the Trojans’ base defense would be a shade-50 attack and they would be multiple on offense.
The key to winning football – as it’s always been at RS-M and also at WEHS – will be the running game.
“It’s no secret we’re going to run the football,” said Corley. “We’re going to have to run it and have a power running game. At the end of the day, we’re going to hang our hat on running the football and controlling the clock.”
The public will get their first glance at the Trojans at the Aiken County Football Jamboree Aug. 10 at South Aiken High School.
RS-M will open the regular season at home against Pelion on Aug. 17.
FOOTBALLCONTINUED FROM 1
“Football, a lot of times, is the sport at your school. Expectations (at RS-M) are high, and I think that’s great. They’re not looking for mediocre, and they’re not going to settle for mediocre. That fi ts in with a lot of my beliefs.”
HEATH CORLEY
Police Report for April 2012Traffic stops: Speeding: 23; passing unlawfully: 1; unsafe vehicle: 1; child restraint: 1; loud
Ridge Spring’s June deadline• The story deadline for June is Monday, June 4. Send all stories
and photos to Karen Klock at [email protected].• The advertising deadline is Friday, June 1. To advertise, contact Debra Price at (803) 644-2377 or [email protected].
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 • Ridge Spring Monthly ■ 15
Ridge Spring BaptistPastor: Chris YearginSunday Services Sunday School: 10 a.m.Morning worship: 11 a.m.Evening worship: 7 p.m.Wednesday prayer: 7 p.m.
Ridge Spring United Methodist Church, 206 Dubose St., Ridge Spring
Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m.Pastor: John KneeceInfo: 803-532-2354
Spann United Methodist Church, Church St., Ward
Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m.Pastor: John KneeceInfo: 803-532-2354
The Episcopal Church of the Ridge is a mis-sion of three small churches – Edgefield, Trenton and Ridge Spring – meeting on a rotational basis. Calling the church office at (803) 275-3934 will give you the location for that Sunday. Every third Sunday church is in Ridge Spring. The church sign also shows where church will be each Sun-day. Bible study is at 9 a.m. with services at 10 am. Rev. Tom DiMarco is now the minister.
Ward Baptist ChurchSunday School: 10:00 Worship Service: 11:00 (no Sunday night or
Wednesday night services) Rev. Charles A. Bodie is pastor.The address of the church is P.O. Box 125,
WardPhysical address: 125 Ward Ave., Ward, SC
29166
Mount Alpha Baptist Church Located on Front Street, Ward, SCSunday School: 10 a.m. Church Service: 11 a.m.Pastor: Rev. Eldwin Griffin
Ridge Hill Baptist Church, 144 Ridge Hill Drive, Ridge Spring, SC 29129
Worship Service 1st through 4th Sundays:Church Sunday School 9:30AMWorship Service 10:30AMPastor: Rev. Donald G. Hall
Jerusalem Baptist Church4185 Columbia Highway, North
Ridge Spring, SC 29129Rev. Sim E. Murray, pastorSunday School 9:00 to 9:45Church service 10:15Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 to 8:00
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1186 Mt. Calvary Road, Johnston – Pastor John Wertz is interim pastor
Sunday School at 10 a.m., Worship at 11 a.m.The service can be heard each Sunday after-
noon at 1 p.m. on WKSX 92.7Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday
of each month and all major festival days of the church. We are “Equipping the Saints for Ministry.”
St. William’s Catholic Church1199 Ridge Spring HighwayWard, SC 29166Rev. Jose Rodolfo Lache-Avila – Administra-
tor – (803) 924-3400Email - [email protected] ScheduleSaturday – 6 p.m. Misa en Espanol (Spanish
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church164 Mount Pleasant RoadRidge Spring, SC 29129Phone: 803-295-3421Email: [email protected] is Rev. Vollie Gibbs; Worship Leader is
Leap of Faith Outreach Ministries108 Pecan Grove RoadRidge Spring, SC 29129Services are Sundays at 10 a.m.Ministers: Apostle Peter and Virginia Blacks
Young Second Baptist ChurchPastor Oscar J. BoydSunday School: 9:30 a.m.; worship: 10:15
a.m.; Wednesday Bible Study: 7 p.m.
CHURCH SERVICES
Ridge Hill Baptist Church has fun day, cookout planned
The Young Adults Ministry of Ridge Hill Baptist Church announces A Family Fun Day and Community Cookout on the grounds of the Ridge Hill Baptist Church in Ridge Spring on Saturday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to come and bring a grill, some food, your favorite chair and a good attitude.
The event is being planned as a day to celebrate community life in Ridge Spring,
promote harmony and goodwill and share helpful information. The general public, all churches, local government leaders and representatives, civic and service organi-zations, as well as the business commu-nity, are invited to come out and enjoy a day of food, fun, family and festivities.
If anyone would like to present a talent (sing, dance, poetry), please let us know by June 1 so we can put them on the pro-gram.
If there are any questions, contact Lacey Brunson at (803) 507-2526.
We would like to thank all the children for coming out and participating in Kidz Korner. This was a great experience for the children.
They had a blast moving their body by having fun. They enjoyed playing outside, as well as indoors from watching movies, playing “Simon Says” and their favorite – the Wii.
My wife and I love working with chil-dren. We have been married 33 years. Helping children is just one part of our
calling. Parents, this could also give you time to
do things you need to do. Your kids are in good hands having a good time and learn-ing how to play and communicate with their peers.
We are in need of donations – water, juices, snacks, etc. Every little bit counts.
Once again a big thank you goes to the children and parents for participating.
– Your community leaders, Apostle Peter and Pastor Virginia Blacks
FROM THE APOSTLES DESK
BY LESLIE HARWELL
While shuffling through tables of treasures in the heat of an early June day, you will be able to cool of with delicious homemade ice cream from The Front Porch Churn, known locally as “the Fulmer’s ice cream stand.”
The Monetta Women’s Study Club will be set up with the famous treat in front of Ridge Spring Baptist Church, the halfway mark of the Peachtree 23 Yard Sale.
All profits from the sale of the ice
cream on June 2 will go to the Monetta Women’s scholarship fund.
The club gives a scholarship each year to a deserving local female senior. For the past few years, thanks in part to the sale of the ice cream, the club has been able to give two $1,000 scholar-ships per year.
The funds the club raises are matched with a grant from the General Feder-ated Women’s Clubs of South Carolina. Thanks so much to Gene Ray and Sue Fulmer for making the fabulous – and locally famous – cold treat.
Ice cream for a cause
16 ■ Ridge Spring Monthly • Wednesday, May 16, 2012
