Fall Fest

Richland Creek Antique Fall
Festival  November 4, 5, 6

  The 21th Annual Fall Festival/Tractor/Engine show and pull will be held at  Richland Creek Farms, 542 Richland Creek Road, Ward, S. C. 29166.
  The festival    site is located between Batesburg-Leesville, Ridge Spring and Saluda. From  Batesburg-Leesville take Hwy. 178 north toward Saluda or from Ridge Spring take Hwy. 39 north toward Saluda from Saluda take Hwy. 39 south toward  Ridge Spring follow the signs and exit onto Duncan Road which leads to Richland Creek Road.                                
  This family event has activities planned for everyone with demonstrations  of old farm machinery, steam engine, saw mill, hit miss engines,  syrup cooking, shingle making, thrashing of grain, blacksmith shop, a barnyard   exhibit, pedal tractor race/pull and a antique tractor pull for tractors through   1960 also vendors and exhibitors plus great food vendors.
  The gates open each day at 9:00 A. M. and the tractor pull begins with    a demonstration pull  at 7:00 P.M. on Friday and the Saturday competition pull beginning at 1:00 P. M.                               
  The highlight for the weekend is a visit to Richland Springs Baptist Church  for Old Fashion Day on Sunday beginning at 10:00 A. M. The church is located    at 1895 Duncan Road.    
  Admission is $5.00 a day for Friday and Sunday and $10.00 a day on Saturday     for adults; children under 12 years old are admitted free. RV hookups are available    by reservations  at $45.00 for the weekend for water/electric only.     This is an educational/family event and NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR OTHER    CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE WILL BE PERMITTED!!!    
  For additional information see our web site at: www.richlandcreek antiques.com,    or call 864 445 2781/e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Veterans Day
Program Announced

  Al Butler, Commander of Saluda American Legion Post 65, announced “that the Veterans Day program will be held at the Saluda Theater, Friday, November 11th, 2016, at 4 pm”.  
  Pictured above is a young 20 year old Specialist 4 Marvin Gootee surveying the tank damage and crater from a land mine planted by the Viet Cong.
  Gootee, a highly decorated soldier and Vietnam combatant is the recipient of 3 Purple Hearts and other decorations for valor and service. The Saluda High School’s Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) Color Guard will post the Colors. Followed by Jerry Farmer leading the singing of the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. Next, Gootee, an active  member of Saluda American Legion Post 65, will be the keynote speaker. Gootee will narrate a slide presentation depicting some of his experiences fighting the Viet Cong (VC). 
  Following the keynote speaker, American Legionnaire Tena Buffington will present a slide presentation portraying Saluda County Veterans. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Veterans Monument following the program at the theater. The public is encouraged to come and help celebrate Veterans Day.  Veterans Day is a Federal Holiday devoted to all living armed service members, who served honorably in war time and peace time, thanking them for their noble service to this great nation of ours. Remember Freedom Is Not Free.

Hall of Fame

2016 Saluda District Hall of Fame
Class To Be Inducted Friday

  The Saluda County School District OneHall of Fame Class of 2016 will be inducted Fri., Oct. 14, duriing halftime of the Saluda -Keenan football game.  
  The inductees include:
  Molly Spearman - A graduate of Hollywood High School. Mrs. Spearman spent 18 years as a teacher and administrator at Hollywood.  She currently serves as SC State Superintendent of Education.
  William “Bill” Whitfield - Served 33 years as a teacher and principal at Saluda High School.
  Gloria Caldwell - Served 31 years as a teacher and media specialist at Saluda High School.  Published several works involving Saluda schools and community.
  Diedra “Didi” Clark Rankin - Clark was named All-State in basketball and an All-American in softball in 1980.  
  Jonell Bosket - First female basketball player in Saluda history to score 1,000 career points.  She played 1977 North-South All-Star basketball game and started at point guard for four seasons at Lander University.  She is a 33 year veteran of Air Force and Air Force reserves.
  Tommy Hite - Head coach of the 1941 Class A State Championship football team.  He went on to coach at Abbeville, where the stadium in named in his honor.

Ridge Spring Harvest
Festival This Weekend

  The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival will beheld this weekend with the  festival theme, “Bluegrass and BB.,”
  “The Harvest Festival Committee introduced a music theme this year because music festivals are fun and energetic, and members agreed that bluegrass bands were a good fit for Ridge Spring’s grassroots feel,” said Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, chairperson of the Committee. “The new theme presents opportunities to showcase regional musicians, with most of this year’s talent hailing from South Carolina.”
  Musical entertainment begins Friday, October 14, with a 6 p.m. performance by the Carolina Rebels. On Saturday, Back Porch Bluegrass kicks off a day filled with music at 1 p.m.; West End String Band plays at 3 p.m.; Columbia Bluegrass Company performs at 5 p.m.; and Steam Drill plays at 7 p.m. All performances take place at the gazebo on Highway 23. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and relax on the grass around the gazebo.
  In addition to the bluegrass performances, this year will also feature a new BBQ cook-off, with judging taking place Saturday, October 15, plus a photo booth, a mechanical bull, and a balloon artist.
  Festival mainstays are still on the schedule. Bingo at the Ridge Spring Civic Center is Thursday, October 13 at 7 p.m., with concessions starting at 6 p.m. The parade on Main Street begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15. Other festival favorites include the popular country store, arts and crafts, concessions, and children’s rides and games.
  “I believe a true sense of community pride develops when there’s an event in the heart of town in which everyone can participate,” Taylor said. “That sense of community pride is one reason the Harvest Festival is so important.”
  Mark your calendar for the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival October 13 to 15 and come ready to enjoy food, music, fun and time spent with friends old and new.
  For more information about the 2016 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival, including a full schedule of events, visit www.ridgespringharvest festival.com.

Saluda County EMS
helps out in Lowcountry

  Saluda Co. EMS sent an ambulance to the Lowcountry to assist with Hurricane Matthew.
  The crew consisted of Ridge Hosteen  (Paramedic) and Angela Gibson (EMT). The crew spent a total of 48 hours stationed at one of Berkeley County’s sub station. They assisted in several different things from overloaded call volumes , shelters , and evacuations.
  EMS Director Jacob Starnes stated that he received a call from the state late Thursday evening wanting to know if Saluda had any available units that could assist in the Lowcountry. Fortunately, we had an extra unit that we were able to send.
  The crew left on Friday morning and returned back to Saluda late Sunday evening. Starnes also stated that he was very thankful for the crew’s willingness to leave home and go help our state in a time in need.

Centenarians

National Centenarian Day
at Saluda Nursing Center

Sept. 22 was National Centenarian Day and Saluda Nursing Center recognized five residents who are either 100 or close to it: Annie Hall, 98; Ethel McDowell, 98;Helen Keisler, 99;  Frances Meredith, 99; and Lucille Miller, 105. Mrs. Hall is recovering from hip surgery and was confined to herbed,  but the other four ladies attended the special event, which featured gifts for the honorees, refreshments and entertainment. (Standard-Sentinel photos)

Ridge Spring Harvest Festival
Debuts BBQ and Bluegrass Theme

  The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival Committee is excited to announce a new festival theme, “Bluegrass and BBQ,” one that will bring the community together while attracting people from out of town to experience all Ridge Spring has to offer.
  “The Harvest Festival Committee introduced a music theme this year because music festivals are fun and energetic, and members agreed that bluegrass bands were a good fit for Ridge Spring’s grassroots feel,” said Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, chairperson of the Committee. “The new theme presents opportunities to showcase regional musicians, with most of this year’s talent hailing from South Carolina.”
  Musical entertainment begins Friday, October 14, with a 6 p.m. performance by the Carolina Rebels. On Saturday, Back Porch Bluegrass kicks off a day filled with music at 1 p.m.; West End String Band plays at 3 p.m.; Columbia Bluegrass Company performs at 5 p.m.; and Steam Drill plays at 7 p.m. All performances take place at the gazebo on Highway 23. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and relax on the grass around the gazebo.
  In addition to the bluegrass performances, this year will also feature a new BBQ cook-off, with judging taking place Saturday, October 15, plus a photo booth, a mechanical bull, and a balloon artist.
  Festival mainstays are still on the schedule. Bingo at the Ridge Spring Civic Center is Thursday, October 13 at 7 p.m., with concessions starting at 6 p.m. The parade on Main Street begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15. Other festival favorites include the popular country store, arts and crafts, concessions, and children’s rides and games.
  “I believe a true sense of community pride develops when there’s an event in the heart of town in which everyone can participate,” Taylor said. “That sense of community pride is one reason the Harvest Festival is so important.”
  Mark your calendar for the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival October 13 to 15 and come ready to enjoy food, music, fun and time spent with friends old and new.
  For more information about the 2016 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival, including a full schedule of events, visit www.ridgespringharvest festival.com.

Tournament Memorializes Late
Legislator Through Scholarships

  The 20th Annual Larry E. Gentry Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Sun., Oct. 2,at Persimmon Hill.
  The tournament will tee-off at 1:00 p.m.
  Since its inception in 1997 the tournament has presented college scholarships to 19 Saluda High School seniors in memory of the late legislator who died suddenly at his home on Mar. 26, 1997, at the age of 47.
  Larry E. Gentry grew up in Saluda County, a son of W.M. and the late Trannye L. Gentry, and graduated from Saluda High School in 1967. He went on to the University of South Carolina, where he received a degree in Business Administration in 1971. Gentry returned to USC to study law and was awarded his Juris Doctor degree in 1978. He opened his law practice that same year, and remained affiliated with his family-owned Gentry Poultry Company, as well.
  He was elected to the House of Representatives from District 39 in 1979 and served continuously until 1992.
  Gentry was active in community affairs and served as a deacon at Saluda Baptist Church.
  Past scholarship recipients are: Seth Cason - 1998, Morgan Jones - 1999, Kelli Holsenback - 2000, Kevin Woolsey - 2001, Ashley Kyzer - 2002, Jessica Wiggins - 2003, Adam Quattlebaum - 2004, Megan Mit-chell - 2005, Hunter Price - 2006,  Kayla Patterson - 2007,  Ashley Proctor - 2008, Keegan Miller - 2009,  CJ Lake and Claire Sample - 2010,  Curt Berry - 2011, Juan Licea and Brad Werts - 2012,  Lauren Nordin, - 2013, Juwan Jones, - 2014, Madison Price - 2015, and Jess Werts and Elizabeth Robertson - 2016.
  Please help support this year’s scholarship fund by playing in the tournament or sending a donation. Hole sponsorships are available for business advertisements. Donations should be made out to the Larry E. Gentry Scholarship Fund. To register to play or for more information, call Persimmon Hill at 803 275-3522 or Matt Gentry at 445-2161.
  Come enjoy a great day of fun that will end with awards, prizes and a delicious supper with BBQ chicken provided by the Gentry family.

SHRINE BOWL SELECTEE - Saluda High's Malik Brooks was selected to play in the Shine Bowl Monday. Past Saluda High players selected were:  Dexter Wideman - 2013; Alex Robinson - 2008; Jonathan Brooks - 1974; Richard Brooks - 1973;  Roger Hazel - 1965;  Jim Brown - 1963; Tom Blease -  1962; Ron Hightower - 1959; Wendall Black - 1957; Billy Grigsby - 1944; Bettis Herlong -  1941.(Photo by Dean Roesner)