Chairman Primaries

Council Chairman
Primaries October 17

  Saluda County voters will go to the polls Tues., Oct, 17, to elect nominees for County Council Chairman to fill the unexpired term of Chairman Don Hancock, who lost his battle with cancer on Aug. 2.
  Seeking the office are two current County Council members, one former member and two political newcomers.
  Councilman Frank Daniel is being challenged by newcomer Darren Horne in the Democratic Primary. Current Council Vice-Chairman Gwen  Shealy is facing former County Councilman Jacob Schumpert, and political newcomer Derrick Jones, the pastor Saluda Church of God.
  In his announcement, Daniel said: “I was elected to Council in 2006. I was and still continue to be dedicated. I have NOT missed regular scheduled meeting since taking office. I have served as Vice Chairman.   The County must stay focused on attracting industry and adding jobs. Government and private sectors must work in partnership for the betterment for Saluda County.”
  Horne’s announcement included: “As Chairman, transparency with all Saluda citizens will be a priority. My focus will always be YOU and all county employees. I will strive to• Control wasteful spending of taxpayer’s money; provide the necessary equipment for Police, Fire, and EMS to allow them to work safer and more effectively; focus on county wide infrastructure for future growth; and Rebuild county financial funds for future growth.”
  Jones said: “Of those that are running, I am the only one with no connection to those that have served in the past or serving now.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. We are going to need someone that is willing to make the tough decisions, willing to stand for the employees of our county, willing to listen to the citizens, and make a stand with integrity and transparency.”
  Schumpert’s said in his announcement: “Saluda County is at a point of whether it moves forward through strong leadership for better financial stability or stay on a path of declining reserves and the increase of taxes. I feel like I am the person to handle this challenge.  My past voting record proves that I am the most conservative, and a fighter against wasteful spending. “
  In her announcement, Mrs. Shealy said: “The county is facing a number of challenges over the next few years.  A steady hand at the helm with current council experience is the best choice.  I have been involved with this current council as we have grown economic development, but we must also look for additional ways to broaden the tax base, to fund services.  My time will also be invested in navigating the challenges ahead, as it has been for the past seven years.”
  The nominee will be chosen in the Democratic Primary, but with three candidates running as Republicans a run-off is possible. If needed, the run-off will be held Oct. 31st.
  The general election will be held Dec. 19. 

Five Departments Respond To Fire

  On Sunday, October 9th, Firefighters from Saluda, Old Town, Mayson, Ridge Spring, and Johnston Fire Departments responded to a fire at The Timbermen, Inc, Johnston Lumber Mill located, at 264 Fruit Hill Rd, Johnston. 
  According to Couty Emergency Management Director Josh Morton, the fire was contained to one of the drying kilns.  Crews were on scene for approximately seven hours working to extinguish the blaze.    Fire crews were assisted by F.D. Riley and Son, Inc, which responded to the scene with heavy equipment that was necessary to pull debris from the kiln, allowing firefighters to extinguish the flames.  The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

2017 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival
And
Bar-Be-Que Battle
October 12-14

THURSDAY, October 12  Bingo (Civic Center)
  6 p.m. Concessions open - 7 p.m. Bingo games start

FRIDAY, October 13
  7 p.m. Street Dance 
  Evening:  BBQ contestants begin cooking in the square,   Concessions Available
  Cake/Cookie/Pie contest: -Cake judging begins at 5:45   pm.
 
SATURDAY, October 14
  9 a.m. Country Store open for business
  11 a.m. Parade (on Main Street)

CONTINUOUS ENTERTAINMENT AT GAZEBO
  12 p.m. Invocation

SATURDAY, October 14 continued
  12:00 - 5:00 pm
  Crafters Open for Business  
  Children’s Rock Painting
  FREE Children’s Rides (Train, Extreme Air Bouncie, Rock   Wall)
  Concession and BBQ available

Local Dance Studio Performances
  Christy Mills Dance and Charloette Ginn & Friends

3:00 – 5:00 pm: LIVE BAND –
  Shrimp City Slim Blues Review from Charleston, S.C.

Last Vegas Shooting

Saluda Woman Was Near
Las Vegas Shooting Scene

  A Saluda woman was near where the Las Vegas shooting tragedy occurred Sunday night.
  Jana Tuttle, daughter of Linda and Joey Tuttle announced on Facebook, “I am very fortunate to be safe. I was directly outside of the concert entrance in a vehicle when the shooting occurred. It was terrifying and reminded me, we aren’t always promised tomorrow!!! My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of those affected by the shootings in Las Vegas!”
  “The only reason I didn’t purchase a ticket to the country music festival was because it was too hot outside,” Ms. Tuttle told the Standard-Sentinel.
  Despite her proximity to the shooting, Ms. Tuttle did not hear the shots.
  “We were in a car and had the radio on,” she said.
  She knew something bad was going on, however. Thirty minutes later she heard two people had been killed, and it got worse from there.
  She said she did not sleep at all Sunday night, and the airports were on lockdown, and would not let anyone in or out.
  Two other Saluda natives J.W. Stephens and Jimmy Yow, were in Las Vegas at the time, and marked themselves “safe” on Facebook.

2017 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival
And Bar-be-que Battle October 12-14

  The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival began in 1982 with the theme of 100 years of progress.  Each year there was a different theme.  In 1983 it was “Farming on the Ridge”, then “A time to Gather”,” Something to Cackle About”, “Reunion of the Ridge”,  “Community on the Moo-ve”, “The Pride of the Ridge”, “Timber on the Ridge”, “A Salute to American Veternans”, “Let’s Go Nuts”, “Fiesta on the Ridge” just to name a few.   That brings us to this year’s theme.  It goes a bit farther with the Bar-BE-Que theme for there is competition.
  This year the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival  will be hosting the BBQ Battle for the Ridge.  You will have the opportunity to sample 15 competitors who are tops in the field of cooking BBQ using their own recipes.  You can even reserve a pound of Bar-be-que or buy a whole Boston butt.  Ridge Spring Town Hall will give you a receipt with a number on it at the time of payment and you will be able to choose which cooker you want to get your BBQ from the day of the festival October 14th.  Town Hall’s phone number is 803.685.5511.
  Now there will be more there this year too.  Bingo, Country Store, Music at the Gazebo, Free activities including rock wall.   The Country Store would not be possible without the support of our local farmers.
  Here is a little history of the Cake and pie Contest. In the beginning, Annie Lois Asbill of the famous Asbill Catering began the pie and cake contest.  All went well except a very sweet lady kept winning the pound cake part.   Her name was Louise “Cricket” Cogburn.  She was finally given permanent recognition and did not compete any more. 
  Then it became a little too much, and Annie Lois asked Daisy Rutland to help with the pies.  Daisy and her friend called people to remind them of the contest.  They had 76 pies that had to be judged.  Eventually Annie Lois turned all over to Daisy who has done it since.  This year Daisy has turned it over to Debbie Rodgers. 
  Bank’s Drugs has been sponsoring the contest for over 22 years supplying funds for the first, second, and third place winners.  The children’s category was added three or four years ago and Bo supplies that one too.
  The committee did put together a cookbook.  Not very many are left.
  There was the year that during the judging, the power went out.  One of the judges was trying to find out the name of the winner.  Without realizing it, he turned it upside down and the pie dropped out of the pan.  He immediately bought it.  By the way the pie was still delicious.
  A coveted job at the Harvest Festival is judging the contest.  How nice for all!!!!  There are other stories about the contest, but I do not have them.  Maybe at another time.
  After the judging, the pies, cakes and cookies  go on sale, so all bring their entries in nonreturnable containers.   The categories are: pound cake, layered cake, pie, and children’s cookie and brownie contest.

IN CLEMSON HOMECOMING TOP TEN - Congratulations to Greyson Lake, Saluda native, for placing in the top ten of Clemson University’s Homecoming pageant. Greyson is the daughter of Wesley Lake and Kim Lake of Saluda, and is a PreHealth Science major. Grandparents of Saluda are Karl and JeNeann Adams and Ethel Lake. She serves as President of Clemson’s Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was nominated to compete by her sisters. The winner of Clemson’s Homecoming 2017 will be announced at Friday night’s Tigerama. Good luck, Greyson!

Legion Meeting

SWORN IN - Ed Miller  is shown  being sworn in as the new South Carolina Department of American Legion  District 17 Commander, by the South Carolina Department Commander Mike Strauss.  Commander Miller’s responsibilities include the following American Legion Posts:  Saluda, Newberry, Edgefield, Johnston, Ridge Spring, Batesburg-Leesville and Gilbert.  Commander Miller is a past pastor of Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, Saluda;  past Chaplain and Post Commander of Post 65 and past Chaplain for the South Carolina Department of American Legion.

Trinity Lutheran Church Closing

After preaching the Gospel since 1837, Trinit Lutheran Church,430 Trinity Rd., Saluda, will be closing. The closing service will be Sun., Oct. 8, at 11 a.m., with Bishop Herman Yoos of The South Carolina Lutheran Synod leading the service, assisted by the Rev. Bill Stone. Everyone is invited to come and worship.

Attention Voters:
Precincts Moved

  The following polling locations have been moved:
  # 13 Pleasant Cross: Voters who formerly voted at Bethlehem Baptist Church Community Center will now be voting at Mine Creek Baptist Church, 1799 Johnston Hwy, Johnston, SC 29832.
  # 16 Ridge Spring Monetta: Voters who formerly voted at Ridge Spring Town Hall will now be voting at Ridge Spring Fire Department, 201 Green Street, Ridge Spring, SC 29129.
  The Elections Office  will be sending out new voter registration cards with the new address on them to voters affected. 
  Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.  (864) 445-4500 Ext. 2200 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

County A Leader In Net Worth

  In a recent study, financial technology company SmartAsset set out to find the places in the country where people have the highest net worth.
  The study measured net worth, income and debt across counties in the U.S. to see where people have the highest per capita net worth. Saluda County ranked among the top places in South Carolina
  For a look at how the top counties in South Carolina stacked up, check out the table below:

 
  For more information on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, check here: https://smartasset.com/investing/online-brokerage-accounts#South Carolina