2019 Tractor Pull

41st Annual Truck
and Tractor Pull

  The Saluda Young Farmers 41st Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 27th at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.  The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers / Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 6pm.  Gates open at 4pm.  There will be 19 classes featured this year.
  Ticket prices are as follows:  Adults - $15, Children 6 to 12 - $10, under 5 – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers).  Credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate.  Concessions will also be available.
  To purchase trackside parking, contact Scott Wertz at 803-924-3124. All trackside parking spots are $50 and go on sale July 8th.  Please call after 5pm.
  The Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well.  The 2019 winners are Megan Corley, Texanna Miller, Sarah Shore, Cody Clary, Makayla Porter, Zac Berry, Kelson Palmer, and Benjamin Buzhardt.   Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program.
  Bring a chair – stand seating is limited. Also, visit the Young Farmer merchandise table to purchase your official tractor pull shirt.
  Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
  Check out www.SaludaYoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at Saluda SC Tractor Pull.

AGCO Delivers Massey Ferguson Tractor  to Southeastern
Farmer of the Year Winner Yon

Kevin Yon, left, Receives One Year’s Use of Tractor for Cattle, Hay, and Pecan Operation

   DULUTH, Ga. (June 24, 2018) – AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and solutions, delivered a Massey Ferguson® 6713 Global Series tractor to Southeastern Farmer of the Year Kevin Yon. Massey Ferguson is a sponsor of the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition, held the past 29 years in conjunction with the Sunbelt Agriculture Exposition, in Moultrie, Ga. Yon Family Farms is located in Ridge Spring, S.C.
   With their extensive livestock operation, Yon plans to use his new Massey Ferguson tractor in land preparation, hay production, as well as feeding his livestock.
  “We think this will be a perfect fit on our beef cattle farm and tackle any job we put before it. It’s got plenty of power, is simple and straightforward to operate, and has a very quiet and spacious cab,” said Kevin Yon, owner, Yon Family Farms. “I appreciate Massey Fergu-son’s commitment to agriculture and participation in this and many other programs.  This award means a lot to my family and all the families that keep this farm up and running.”
   Yon, first named the South Carolina Farmer of the Year, was selected from a pool of 10 total state winners for the overall title. Yon Family Farms began operations in 1996 and each member of the Yon family works on the farm. In addition to the extensive cattle operation they began with, the Yon family has diversified their operation and recently purchased an existing pecan orchard and retail storefront operation.
   “It’s an honor to sponsor the Farmer of the Year program and give back to such a deserving family and farming operation,” said Ash Alt, field execution manager, AGCO. “It’s impressive to see their hard work, passion, and teamwork amidst the diverse areas of their operation.  We specifically chose the features of the Massey Ferguson 6713 tractor to best fit Kevin’s operation and have already seen it hard at work.”
   Southeastern Farmer of the Year entrants are nominated by their local extension agents. Extension agents should follow https://sunbeltexpo.com/foty/ for the 2019 contest.

Atkinson Recognized By Lions Club

  At the SC Lions State Convention, Lion Jack Atkinson of the Saluda Lions Club was awarded recognition as a Melvin Jones Fellow by The Lions Club International President, Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir.
  Jack Atkinson is the Vision Screening Coordinator for the Saluda Lions Club and was instrumental in establishing and leading the Saluda Lions Club effort to provide vision screening to the Saluda schools and the surrounding community.
     Thanks to the outstanding financial support of local civic minded individuals and organizations the club raised over $4500 and qualified for a Lions Club International matching grant to purchase vision screening equipment.  In the past year, Jack coordinated the efforts of the club in conducting 16 sight screening events in Saluda, Edgefield,and Lexington county schools that provided sight evaluation service to 3818 students. Of these students, 698 were identified for further sight evaluation. Early detection and correction of sight issues improves ability to learn and quality of life.

Deputy Hallman Remembered

BRIDGE NAMED FOR HALLMAN - The bridge over the Little Saluda River at Big Man’s Marina was named in memory of Corporal Dale Hallman Sat., Jan. 22. County Counci Chairman Derrick Jones, Sheriff John Perry, Sen. Shane Massey, Dale’s widow, Brandi, and parents, Winfred and Naomi, joined other family members in posing for this photo in front of the sign. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Bridge Named In Memory
Of Corporal  Dale Hallman

  The bridge over the Little Saluda River at Big Man’s Marina was named in memory of Corporal Dale Hallman Sat., Jan. 22.
  Hallman died April 6, 2018, in a line of duty vehicle accident.
  County Council Chairman Derrick Jones presided over the unveiling of the sign at the bridge.
  He praised Sen. Shane Massey for getting legislation passed to have the bridge named in Hallman’s memory.
  Massey said it was his pleasure to do something to remember Hallman, and praised the Department of Transportation for creating and erecting the signs.
  Sheriff John Perry said Cpl. Hallman was like a member of his personal and work families, and was proud that he will be remembered.
  Jones called Hallman his best friend.
  A pastor, he quoted Joshua 4, when God instructed Joshua to have representatives from the 12 Tribes to take stones an erect a monument, “So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”
  Jones said the bridge will be a memorial to Cpl. Hallman forever.
  Hallman’s widow, Brandi, holding their child that was born after Dale’s death, thanked the citizens of Saluda County for their continued prayers and support.
  She said when she was given the opportunity to pick a place for the memorial naming, it only took her a few minutes, because the bridge at Big Man’s was one of their favorite places in the county.
  After she spoke, the Sheriff’s Office’s tallest member, Austen Harding, unveiled the sign.

District Three Champions

  The Saluda All-Stars won the Machine Pitch tournament championship, played June 14-18, at the Saluda County Recreation Complex.
  Saluda’s All-Stars won all five games they played. Other teams participating were Abbeville, Batesurg-Leesville, Clinton, Edgefield and Star-Iva.
  The win qualified the team to play in the state tournament which will be held at the Savannah Grove Baseball Complex near Florence July 5-9. The address is 2614 Alligator Rd., Effingham, SC 29505.
  The team expresses apprecation to Recreation Director Paul Erfl;e and his staff for a great tournament.
  Pictured, L to R, are: front row - Maverick Quattlebaum, Easton Cochran, Hayes Shealy, Jace Knight. Middle row - Weston Rowe, Abraham Delvalle, Bentley Storey, Bryon Burnett, Cayden Rogers, Eduardo Dominquez, Javier Sorcia, Will Wideman. Back row - Coaches Bubba Shealy, William (Speedy) Wideman, Wesley Boland and Jarrett Cochran.

Storms Do Damage

  Back to back evening and early morning storms last week did significant damage to trees, and some damage to property in Saluda County.
  Assistant Emergency Management Directior Jill Warren said most of the damage was not reoprted to law enforcement. What was reported was trees across highways, and damage to a garage by a fallen tree in the lake area.
  The county fire departments and road and bridge department responded to the trees in the roadways. Law enforcement was on the scene as well.
  Much damage was reported on social media. One family in Saluda reported four trees fell in their yard the first storm, and three fell the next night.

2019 Legion Officers

LEGION MEETING - The June American Legion Post 65 meeting was held on Thursday, June 6,  the 75th anniversary of the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history.  A date to commemorate  the start of the liberation of Nazi-occupied western Europe, known as D-Day.  Installation of new officers for 2019-2020 was carried out by District Commander Jim Thrailkill. Pictured left to right, front row:  John Hood, Commander, District Commander Jim Thrailkill, WW II era Veteran’s Bill Begemann, Infantry, Company G, 16th Infantry, 1st Division US Army and Wilbur Humpries, Sailor, Air Craft Carrier CV-15, USS  Randolph, US Navy; Past Commander Al Butler. Second row: Bob Horne, Ben Ward, Keith Lester and Tena Buffington. Back Row:  William Holecek, Bob Albert.

DAR AWARDS - L to R:  Sara Potts Sears, Kaleb Simp-kins, Kenzie Morse & Jon Donwen

Old 96 District Chapter, DAR 2018
American History Essay Awards

  By Judith Dancy Duncan, Past Regent

  The Old 96 District Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution met at the Saluda County Historical Society Museum to recognize the 2018 American History Essay winners.  
 Sara Potts Sears, Past American History Chair, introduced the students who read their essays. The topics for this year’s essay contests were “The Women’s Suffrage Campaign” & “Comparing Technology: The Ships Columbus used Versus Ships of Today”.
  “The Women’s Suffrage Campaign” was the topic for Grades 5 – 8. The following students were American History Essay Winners: Kaleb Simpkins, 5th grade, Merriwether Elementary; Aiden Dale Reynolds Rogers, 6th grade, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy; Addison Faust, 7th grade, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy and Kahlen Paige Goldman, 8th grade, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy.
  Kenzie Morse, 5th grade, Hollywood Elementary School received the South Carolina DAR State Award at the SC DAR State Conference in Greenville this past March. Kenzie’s essay was entered in the DAR National Essay contest.  
  The Christopher Columbus Essay contest is open to High School students in the 9th through 12th grades.  “Comparing Technology: The Ships Columbus used Versus Ships of Today” was the title of the essay. Jon Donwen, 9th grade, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy was the winner.
  The Old 96 District Chapter DAR commends all the students for their efforts.

Summer Classes At The
Art Center Of Ridge Spring

  July 15-6:30-8:30—Wacky Teapot class-Kim Ruff, instructor $35 includes all supplies and firing. Ages 13 & up. To register, contact Joanne at Joanne.crouch26@ gmail.com at the Art Center of Ridge Spring on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2.
  August 3-12-3 pm—Basic Quilting with Mackenzie Barfield, instructor $35 includes most supplies including cloth and batting. Students will learn techniques inc. but not limited to knot blurring, hiding loose ends, shisinko, boro and trapunto. Pre-register is a MUST. To register, contact Joanne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the Art Center of Ridge Spring on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2.
  KID’S CLASS (6-12 yrs old) Saturday, June 29 from 1:30-3:30–Seashell make & take for kids 6-12. Joanne Crouch, instructor. Each student will make a wooden plaque with a one-of-a-kind design made from seashells. To register, contact Joanne at Joanne.crouch26@ gmail.com at the Art Center of Ridge Spring on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. Class limit: 12
  KID’S CLASS(6-12 yrs old) Saturday, July 20 from 2-4-Gourd Birdhouse, Joanne Crouch, Instructor. Students will create a gourd birdhouse using acrylic paint to create an original piece of art. Cost $25. To register, contact Joanne at Joanne.crouch26@ gmail.com at the Art Center of Ridge Spring on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2. Class limit: 12