Blythewood Online 691

Category: Photos

  • Hoof & Paw raises over $100,000 for animals

    Joyce Martin Hill, who owns Farewell Farm in Blythewood, and her two horses, Kodak Moment and Noah, are featured inside the front cover of The Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society’s new fundraiser coffee table book, Friends of Hoof & Paw, 2018. The book was released during a presentation party at The Farm last week. | Harold Dodson

    RIDGEWAY – The Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society debuted its much anticipated coffee table book last week in a special reception that paid tribute to the sponsors and volunteers who made the book a reality.

    “They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, this book was our baby and you were our village. Without all of you this would not have been possible,” fundraiser chairman and Blythewood horsewoman Minge Wiseman told the crowd of supporters who filled The Farm at Ridgeway’s reception hall last week.

    The 160-page hardcover book, underwritten by philanthropist and Blythewood horsewoman Joyce Martin Hill and her husband George, grossed over $100,000 and features photographs of dozens of local dogs, cats and horses and their human families. Many of the animals pictured are rescues, now living the good life. The photos of the loved and loving animals reflect Hoof and Paw’s vision for all animals.

    The books were paid for by pet owners who shelled out from $400 to $1,000 for glossy, full page photos of their dogs, horses, cats and other animals. Professional photographers Dr. Robert Buchanan, Harold Dodson, Kelly Garin, Morgan Auld and Megan Timmerman donated their time and talent during the summer to snap photos at farms, lakes and other bucolic settings. The Farm’s owners, Larry and Eileen Sharpe, donated the use of the venue for the event which was catered by Olde Town Hall Restaurant in Ridgeway. Musicians Kristi Hood and Richard Maxwell entertained.

    Hoof and Paw also raffled the book cover to pet owners. For $25, anyone could enter their pet’s photo in the contest. The winning photo was submitted by Blythewood horsewoman Kit Turner of her two Cocker Spaniels, Hannah and Heaven, and her cat, Tuk.

    “Artist Mary Bliss very graciously donated her time and talent to turn the photo into a beautiful painting that appears on the book’s cover,” Wiseman said.

    “It’s always a wonderful moment to see your work bring so much pleasure to its owners, and it was an honor for me to have been able to work on this piece for Minge and Hoof and Paw,” Bliss stated.

    A highlight of the reception was a special unveiling of the painting which was then donated by the artist to Turner, bringing her to tears.

    Created in 2012 to advocate for and support animal welfare in Fairfield County, Hoof and Paw – now Blythewood-based – has evolved into a formidable Midlands fundraising organization that benefits South Carolina animals and shelters through financial support and community awareness.

    Last year, the organization helped finance a spay and neuter campaign in conjunction with the Fairfield County Animal Shelter and assisted the County shelter in achieving its goal of becoming a no-kill facility. The group has more recently taken its battle to the front lines of county courtrooms and the state capital, turning its attention to lawmakers in an aggressive move to strengthen animal abuse laws in the state.

    “We have worked very hard to fix what we believe are laws lacking in the ability to protect animals and ensure that animal abusers are held accountable for their actions,” the group’s president Deborah Richelle stated.

    “It’s a battle that sometimes seems never-ending, but then on days like today when we are surrounded by supporters and we see these pictures of the animals, some of whom we helped saved, it gives us the boost that we need to go out and fight another day,” Richelle stated.

    But these efforts take money – lots of money. Addressing the crowd of about 200, Richelle explained in simple terms what Hoof and Paw is about.

    “We are not a rescue organization, and we are not a shelter. We just ask for money,” Richelle told the crowd who responded with appreciative laughter.

    The coffee table book has been the nonprofit organization’s most aggressive and successful fundraiser to date, according to co-chairman Kathy Faulk.

    “It’s amazing, it truly is. We had no idea this project would be so wildly popular and successful,” Faulk stated.

    In past years, Wiseman said the organization mainly fundraised through local yard sales and other small events that brought in around $1200 each year. She said the success of this year’s fundraiser will allow the organization to increase its support to local rescue groups.

    “There are so many animals in shelters that need homes, but they often need medical treatment that shelters can’t afford. And, of course, the shelters sometimes need money for food and supplies. That’s where we come in,” Richelle stated.

    Faulk said the photos in the book will serve as a touching memento to the people who purchased pages. Each was presented a copy of the book at the end of the evening.

    “There were about 14 animals featured in the book that have since passed away. The photos that we have included will be a special way for their families to remember them,” Faulk said.

    “It was a wonderful get together of like-minded people,” attendee Addie Walker stated. “A wonderful evening.”

    Several books are available for sale. To purchase one, to make a donation or for more information about joining Hoof and Pay, call Wiseman at 803-960-9770 or Faulk at 803-429-3509.

  • Pig on the Ridge festival soars

    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.

     

  • It took a village

    Bunting, left and Peak with the rescued cat. | Photos: James Sims

    WINNSBORO – An evening phone call from a concerned CVS customer about hearing a cat down the parking lot storm drain turned into a four-hour, multi-department rescue effort.  Fairfield  County fireman Jay Joyner lowered the truck’s ladder into the storm drain for Trip Peak, Town of Winnsboro Director of Gas, Water and Sewer, and Mikey Bunting, Gas, Water and Sewer Foreman. The two crawled approximately 150 feet through the storm drains before locating the trapped kitten, which is now at the Fairfield County Animal Shelter awaiting adoption.

  • Retiring the Flag

    RIDGEWAY – Eddie Baughman, a member of Lake Wateree VFW Post 8346, participates in the Post’s annual flag retirement ceremony on June 14. The Post retired over 160 flags during the ceremony.

  • FMH Service Awards

    WINNSBORO – On May 8, Fairfield Memorial Hospital recognized eleven employees who have given a collective 150 years of healthcare service to the community.  – Back, from left, Patti Smith – Patient Access, 20 years; Nicole Derrick – Home Health/Rehabilitation, 10 years; Patsy Randolph – Certified Nursing Assistant, 5 years; Kathryn McDaniel – ER Nurse, 10 years; Tiana Mitchell – Chief Nursing Officer, 5 years; Marilyn Wetstone – Respiratory Therapist, 10 years; Linda Tucker – Patient Access, 20 years; Front, from left: Wanda Threat – Respiratory Therapist, 10 years; Janet Hewitt – Patient Access Director, 5 years; Melanie Steed – ER Nurse, 10 years; Janice Todd – Patient Access, 5 years. Also recognized were Mac Russell – Dietician, 10 years; Harold Boyd – Radiology, 10 years; Diane Johnson – Physical Therapy, 5 years; Tara King- ER Nurse, 5 years; and Harold Palmer – Radiology, 5 years.

  • The Top Rotarian

    Photo: Barbara Ball

    WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Rotary Club president Nicholle Burroughs presented the Rotarian of the Year award to Jim Mullen on Tuesday during the Club’s ‘Face of Rotary’ Banquet held at the Career Center.  Mullen serves as treasurer of the Club.

  • Volunteers of the Year

    WINNSBORO – Fire stations throughout Fairfield County presented their volunteer firefighter of the year awards during Fairfield County Council’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on May 4.  Awardees pictured with Deputy Director Greg Gerber are, from left, Lewis Loftin, Blackstock; Brandon Edwards, Lebanon; Ned Gwin, Dutchman Creek; Melissa Adams, Ridgeway; Willie Bell, Southeastern; Gerber; Larry Robinson, Blair; Charles Lee, Mitford; Sammie Castles, Greenbrier; Caleb LeGrand, Community; Tavaris Brown, Rescue Squad. Adams was also named Firefighter of the Year for the entire county. James Feaster, Feasterville, and Tommy Sawyer, Jenkinsville, not pictured, were also Volunteer Firefighters of the Year.

  • Blackjack United Masons give back

    Members of the Blackjack United Masonic Lodge 41 recently set up a lunch tent on South Congress Street to feed those in the Winnsboro community who are homeless. From left, Celess Banks, Sylvester Jackson, Worshipful Master Oren Gadson, Robert Hughes, Ray Gadson (who, with his wife, Elaine, prepared the food), Cornell Hopkins ,Patrick Armstrong and Willie Pinson (special deputy of District 6, not shown) are ready to serve. | Barbara Ball

    WINNSBORO – Every year, the members of the Blackjack United Masons look for a way to give back to their community.

    “In the Masons, that’s what we’re supposed to do, to feed the homeless and the hungry, as many as we can. This is one way we look forward to serving,” The Lodge’s Worshipful Master Oren Gadson, a Corporal with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department, said. Sometime every year during the spring or early summer, they feed about 100 people. And so they did again in early May.

    This year, the lunch, prepared by Ray Gadson and his wife, Elaine, included baked chicken, yellow rice, green beans, rolls, lemon and chocolate cakes and ice tea.

    The members meet at 7:30 p.m., the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Lodge, located at 1206 State Highway 213.

  • Art lovers yarnbomb Ridgeway

    Midlands STEM students pom-pomed the police station. | Darlene Embleton

    RIDGEWAY – Brenda Lord-McGrew is an instigator and her friend, Carol Jones agrees.  St. Stephen’s Art and Fiber Guild and friends have worked hard to create yarn art to display as part of the yarnbombing of Ridgeway in conjunction with the 12th Annual Arts on the Ridge Show & Sale on May 4th & 5th.

    “There is lots of talent in Fairfield County,” said Guild Chair Brenda Lord-McGrew.  “And art can be expressed in so many different ways.”

    Yarnbombing is certainly one of them.  You have to smile when you see the handmade work that brightens the static objects brought to life with color and imagination.

    The first volunteer to participate in the effort was Emily Minor and the students from the Midland’s STEM Institute in Winnsboro.  Each of the 200 students created a red, white or blue pom-pom to decorate the police stations in Ridgeway.

    Other creation participants were Ralph and Harriot Brown, Dale Mann, Lu Marley, Dee Bennett, Jan Smith, Flo Renford and family, Shirley Smith, Belinda Peters, Debbie Day and Karen Siegling.

    The yarnbombing will be on display through the month of May in downtown Ridgeway.  For more information you can visit RidgewaySC.org.

  • Protect & Serve

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery congratulates Deputy Oren Gadson on being promoted to Corporal. Gadson has worked in law enforcement for 24 years.