BLYTHEWOOD – The Town’s annual Black History celebration is almost ready for its close-up on Feb. 23 at Doko Manor.
The program includes guest speaker Dr. Joe Kelly, performances by singer-songwriter EboniRamm, dance, choral and dramatic performances and a special display of African-American accomplishments.
Bobby Cunningham will emcee the event.
This year’s celebration will also feature several displays by vendors in the foyer.
In addition, the contributions of local churches to the Blythewood community will be recognized, and several presentations will be made to long-serving, senior members.
How it all started
In 1915, while attending a national celebration marking the 50th anniversary of emancipation, Carter G. Woodson realized that African American history and heritage were being lost. He began what became his life’s work – promoting the teaching of black history in the nation’s schools and communities. The first Black History Week took place in 1924, and President Gerald Ford declared the nation’s first Black History Month in 1975. It has been celebrated during February ever since.
The event is free and refreshments will be provided at the close of the ceremony. Organizers include Margaret Kelly, Lyn King, Doris Coleman, EboniRamm, Vii Sanders, Larry Griffin and Malcolm Gordge.
The event will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at Doko Manor.
COLUMBIA – Two free family-friendly events are going on at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden these days.
One is the offer of “Free Fridays” at the zoo and gardens through the end of February for residents of Richland and Lexington counties. Guests must provide a valid driver’s license, property tax statement, or vehicle registration as proof of residency.
The other is Recycling Gone Wild!
Richland County joins Lexington County and other community partners for a special recycling event at the zoo. In addition to offering paper shredding and collecting electronics and scrap metal for recycling, the event will accept donations for Goodwill Industries. The free event is scheduled from 9 a.m-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Zoo, 500 Wildlife Parkway in Columbia.
Mayor Roger Gaddy and his wife Nan with Gunnie, left, and Tucker.
WINNSBORO – The little brown, curly-haired dogs that found their way into the hearts of South Carolinians competed this past weekend during a Boykin Spaniel Field Trial in Fairfield County.
Brian Edwards with Bowman | Photos: Martha Ladd
The event was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Roger Gaddy and organized by the Carolina Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club. Over 110 entries from both the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia gathered on Newberry Road property owned by Fairfield County native Fleming McMaster and Doctors Deborah and Craig Stuck.
The dogs and owners/handlers/trainers competed on land and water in puppy, novice, intermediate and open competition categories. In addition to competing for award ribbons, the participants earned points toward end-of-year awards. Richard Winn Academy’s shooting team assisted with the event as Bird Technicians.
South Carolinian Whit Boykin is credited with perfecting this specialty breed of hunting dog, and in 1985, Governor Richard Riley pushed through legislation to officially name the Boykin the State Dog.
The Boykin Spaniel Society will host the annual Nationals Competition in Camden on March 22-24, and the public is invited. For more information about this upcoming event and dog breed, visit the website www.boykinspaniel.org.
Bird technicians are responsible for simulating a real duck hunt by slinging and hiding duck dummies for the dogs. Pictured from left are Eagle Shooting members B Baker, Jennifer Haney, Samantha Wilkes, Sam Banister and Will Cathcart.
BLYTHEWOOD – A new Miss Blythewood and Miss Blythewood Teen will be crowned Saturday night at Blythewood High School as a preliminary event for the Miss South Carolina/Miss America pageant.
Miss Blythewood will receive a $1,000 scholarship and Miss Blythewood Teen will receive a $500 scholarship.
Pageant director Traci Cooper said the contestants will compete in talent, lifestyle and fitness (swimsuit), evening gown and will answer questions on stage.
“During intermission we encourage everyone to vote for the ‘people’s choice’ award,” Cooper said. “Votes cost $1 and you can vote as many times as you want.”
Last year’s Miss Blythewood Teen, Elizabeth Hunter, will entertain during the contest, singing Buenos Aires from the Broadway musical Evita, and Let the River Run by Carly Simon, Cooper said.
The pageant will begin at 6 p.m., in the auditorium of Blythewood High School.
“We hope everyone will come out and promote the contestants and enjoy the pageant,” Cooper said.
RIDGEWAY – The Carolina Anglers Team Trail will hold its first Lake Wateree bass tournament on Sat., Feb. 16 at Clearwater Cove Marina in Ridgeway. Entry fees are $80 with no entry deadline.
“Entry fees can be mailed in ahead of time or pay at the ramp. Teams can just show up and pay,” tournament director Brett Collins said. “We’ll be fishing from safe daylight until 3 p.m., and after the tournament, we throw the fish back in.”
Collins said he expects 23 – 30 boat teams.
For more information about the tournament, call Collins at 803-413-7521. For information about the spring schedule, go to cattteamtrail.com.
BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood Christmas Parade has been rescheduled from this Sunday, Dec. 9, to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, due to expected cold, rainy weather this weekend.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience,” Major J. Michael Ross said in an emailed statement to the media, “but we wanted to let the community know as soon as possible.”
For more information about rescheduling, contact the Blythewood Christmas Parade Committee at blyparade@aol.com.
WINNSBORO – It may be cold and rainy outside on Saturday, but it will be warm and fuzzy inside at Winnsboro’s annual Holiday Market Place featuring offerings of gifts, crafts, bakery confections and local farm produce – fruits, vegetables, meats, honey and more – from farmers and artisans of Winnsboro, Blythewood and Ridgeway.
The holiday event, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., will be located in the enclosed ground floor of the Town Clock and across the street in the former Desportes Stables which has been newly renovated with a rustic, barn-like décor.
“It’s a great place to find Christmas treasures, those special gifts not available in stores, and something for everyone on your list,” former President of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Terry Vickers said. “The products are unique and the prices are low,”
Downtown merchants will also be offering their own Christmas surprises. Santa will be visiting in the shops and there will be refreshments and caroling.
“It’s going to be a great day for shoppers,” Vickers said. “There will be so many wonderful items to choose from. Don’t let the weather stop you. You really won’t want to miss it.”
BLYTHEWOOD – Mayor J. Michael Ross, right, and one of the Blythewood Parade organizers, Paul Richert, get ready to kick off the holidays in Blythewood this weekend.
After a day of holiday shopping and eating out locally on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 24, residents will gather at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25 to light the Town Christmas tree on the grounds of Town Hall. The annual Christmas Parade will be held in downtown Blythewood on Sunday Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. For parade entry forms contact BlyParade@aol.com.
BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Historical Society and Museum will host the community for a Veterans Day Celebration at the Langford-Nord House on Sunday, Nov. 11.
The program will include guest speaker, Blythewood resident Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jim Lechner who has over thirty years’ experience in military and security operations. He was active in counter insurgency, counter terrorism, intelligence and law enforcement.
Also included in the program are former Mayor, LTC Keith Bailey; current Mayor, J. Michael Ross, and Jim McLean’s unveiling of a proposed military memorial to be built on site.
Vance and Jeannie Sharpe will entertain with patriotic songs.
Guests will have an opportunity to pay tribute to a family member who served or is presently serving in the Military. Doors will open at 2 p.m. to view TV outdoor personality Bob Redfern’s vintage Military vehicles. The program will begin at 3 p.m.
This free family event will honor the five branches of the military, as well as those who are serving or have served our country.
Light refreshments will be served. The Langford-Nord House is located at 100 McNulty Street. For more information call 803-333-8133 or email blythewoodhistoricalsociety.sc@gmail.com
Ervin Brazell, Jr. and his dad, Ervin, Sr. sell kettle corn to Felicia Elliot and Charlie Ray.
RIDGEWAY – Pig on the Ridge lived up to the hype last weekend as it does almost every year, with great weather and a large, hungry crowd.
“Probably one of the best Pig on the Ridge events we’ve cooked! Looking forward to next year!” Tony Crout of Doko Smoke Barbecue in Blythewood posted to his Facebook page. Crout placed in the top 10 professional cookers.
Dwight Robinson of Ridgeway has cooked all 20 festivals. A popular pit master, he sold 40 butts before noon.
Some of the best professional and amateur pit masters in the state were attracted to the festival by more than $3,500 in cook-off prize money. Winnsboro’s Tyler Gregory of Raww Hawggin brought home the first place trophy and $500 for amateur cookers. Tutored by George King, the barbecue king of past Pig on the Ridge cook-offs, this was Gregory’s first time to enter the competition.
Gene Culbertson of Backwood Bar-B-Cue won top prize, $1,000 for the professional group.
On Friday ‘no pigs allowed’ night, cookers offered a smorgasbord of non-pork dishes. Winnsboro’s Keith Green of Big Boyz BBQ captured the trophy and $500 for selling the most of the dish his cookers prepared.
Chandler Cook took first place in hog calling for the 12 and under group. Haley Autry took second place. Kevin Lynch took first place for the 13 and up group, and Keeon Watkins took second place.
The owners of classic and antique cars and trucks showed off their wheels in the crowd-favorite cruise-by, and vendors lined the streets Friday night and Saturday selling jewelry, baked goods, bird feeders, outdoor solar chandeliers and more.
“We couldn’t be happier with our turnout, our cooks, our judges, our venders and other participants, our merchants, our volunteers and the great weather. I don’t know when we’ve enjoyed such pretty weather,” Pig on the Ridge steering committee member Rufus Jones said. “Had a little rain going into Friday night, but it cleared off and was perfect the rest of the weekend. I think everybody had a good time.”
That sentiment was not shared, however, by Town Councilwoman Angela Harrison who called for a boycott of the festival by posting an anonymous letter on her Facebook page 10 days prior to the festival and her own message just two days prior. Her call, however, had little affect on attendance.
In her post, Harrison said she could not attend the event because, as she claimed, the Pig on the Ridge committee promotes division in the town. She also accused the committee of having no stated purpose for its funds for the festival and accused the committee of not donating adequately to charity.
“The committee continually promotes the festival as one that gives back to the community,” Harrison said. “If you looked at the books, you would know that’s just hot air. They give a little to make it look good,” Harrison said, “then hoard the rest.””
“The town presents Pig on the Ridge as a town festival, organized by the steering committee,” Town Clerk Vivian Case said, “But it has always donated a large portion of the revenue from the festival to charity and to things the town needs. It buys lifesaving equipment for the town’s fire department and a lot of things like that to benefit the community. I don’t believe the festival revenue was ever intended to all be donated to charity.”
Case said the committee does not make expenditures or take in revenue.
“None of them actually ever touch any of the money. All the Pig on the Ridge money goes through the town government and always has,” Case said.
Case said the financials for Pig on the Ridge are open and available to the public – how the money is spent, how much is given to churches and other charitable causes in the community and how much is held by the town for future use on big ticket items and rained-out festivals.
“A Freedom of Information request is not required to look at this information,” Case said. “It’s available to anyone.”
“From the beginning, we have put some money back for a rainy day,” Steering Committee member Tom Connor said. “And sometimes we save up to buy expensive things for the community that the revenue from one festival will not provide. That money is in the town’s possession at all times. If our festival gets rained out, we are stuck with all the expenses but bring in no revenue. We try to plan so that we don’t miss a festival for any reason,” Connor said.
