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)

Teachers of the Year

2016-17 Teachers of the Year left to right:  Jonathan Ergle, Jessica Wash, Kelli Taylor, Cecelia Yonce, Joshua Wilson

District Schools Honor
Teachers of Year, Retirees

By Mary Alice Quattlebaum

  On Monday, September 12, the 2016-17 Saluda County School District Teachers of the Year and 2016 Retirees were honored at a banquet held at the Saluda Educational Complex.
  Dr. David Mathis, Superinten-dent welcomed everyone for coming in support of those being honored.
  After a wonderful dinner catered by Shealy’s of Batesburg, Mrs. Jane Jenkins Herlong, CSP served as keynote speaker.  Those in attendance were entertained with Southern humor, folksy wisdom and award-winning singing.  A recent inductee into the Speaker Hall of Fame, Jane is one of the 232 men and women to be awarded this honor.  She has published several books, is a professional singer, songwriter, and recording artist.  Jane and her family live in Edgefield, SC where she is active in her church and community and serves as the Executive Vice-President for Piedmont Technical College.  The audience enjoyed her message of “prove people wrong and laugh while living your dreams.”
  Principals and Directors introduced and recognized each of the 2016 Retirees with a gift of appreciation for their many years of service to the district.  The 2016 retirees are:  Sandy Butler, Renee Hauser, Mary Holloway, Helen Petterson, Evelyn Powell, Florence Weaver, and Russell Quattlebaum.
  The 2016-17 Teachers of the Year recognized were Cecelia Yonce, Saluda Primary School; Jessica Wash, Saluda Elementary School; Joshua Wilson, Hollywood Elementary School; Kelli Taylor, Saluda Middle School; and Jonathan Ergle, Saluda High School.  First Citizens Bank of Saluda which co-partners with Saluda County Schools Teacher for the Year Program gave each Teacher of the Year a monetary gift.   On behalf of the Board of Trustees and District, Dr. David Mathis presented each teacher with a plaque.
  The grand finale of the night was the announcement of Kelli Taylor being selected as District Teacher of the Year.  In her application, Mrs. Taylor wrote, “I do not just have a job; I have a life-long commitment to my students, school, and community to supply the best educational experience possible. I am fortunate to work in a field where I am constantly provided with challenges that make me grow and learn as a person and educator every day.”
  As District Teacher of the Year for Saluda County Schools, Mrs. Taylor will receive a check from the State Department of Education for $1000 and go on to represent the district as she competes for State Teacher of the Year.
  A special thank you and congratulations to our Retirees and Teachers of the Year.  May you have many more fulfilling days.

Rev. Jana Creighton, center of Saluda Presbyerian Church and church member Benjamin Williams, right, present the “Victory in Jesus” trophy, created by Richard Witt, to the congregation of Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston on Sun., Sept 11.

Presentation Made To
Mother Emmanuel Church

  After the tragic shooting of nine members of the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015, Saluda native Richard Witt was touched by the family members of those killed who said they forgave the shooter.
  Witt said he felt he needed to do something to recognize this congregation, so he designed and funded what he called the “Victory in Jesus Christ” trophy.
  In a letter to President Obama, Witt wrote: “A lot of heartfelt love went in to creating this gift for them (Emmanuel congreation). They received their Victory in Jesus Christ when they forgave the young man who shot the pastor and members of their church. They will be healed from this tragedy.
  ”’They shall mount up with wings like Eagles,’ and their faith will be rewarded.”
  The large trophy contains an eagle on top and all four sides contain inscriptions.
  On the top front is,  “Victory in Jesus Christ Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church .From the churches and Christian families of Greenwood and Saluda, South Carolina.You are in our thoughts and prayers.May God bless you and keep you in His Spirit. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.They shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
  Beneath that on the front is “The Apostles’ Creed.”
  On two sides are four scriptures with the headings: “Deliverance from Racism,” Acts 17:26-30;  “All are one in Christ,” Galations 3:28-29;  “Protection against evil,” Ephesians 6:13-18; “Confidence,” Jeremiah 29:11.
  On the back, Witt included  quotes from a teacher, Linda Bodie,  and coaches, Tim Turner, and David Mote,  at King Academy, where Witt went to school.
  Witt had the trophy created last year, and was waiting for an opportunity to present it to the Emmanuel congreation.
  On Sun., Sept. 11, the Rev. Jana Creighton of Saluda Presbyterian Church, and two of the church members, Benjamin and Judy Williams, made the trophy presentation to the members of Emmaneul in Charleston on behalf of Richard.
  “It was a wonderful worship service.” Rev. Creighton said. “There was no difference in color, only unity in Christ as we worshipped. The folks of Emanuel AME have showed grace to all, including all of us who have participated in amazing acts of grace. I was grateful to be a part.”