AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

May has been a busy month with many happenings. We close out the month with three Memorial Day events to remember those who sacrificed for our nation’s freedom.

Caughman Harman Funeral Home will hold services May 27 at 10 am at 503 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. Gary Baker will be emcee. Also on the program are Constance Flemming, Jackie Frye and speaker Command Sergeant Major (ret.) Martin R. Wells. Refreshments will be served after the service. Everyone is invited.

Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church will host a Community Memorial Day Service May 27 starting at 7 pm in the santuary. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. The service will feature The Lexington County Choral Society presenting a selection of patriotic songs. Veterans and their branches of service will be recognized. The church is at 3011 Leaphart Rd, West Columbia. The event is free. For information, call 803-794-6430 or contact Wynne Price at 803-920-4087.

The Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Service will be held Memorial Day at 10 am. A 21-gun salute and taps will close out the patriotic remembrance. On the committee are Benny Collings, chair; Kay Collings, recorder; Charles Haggard; Jean Haggard; Beverly Jackson; Sam Jackson; Steve Neese, Treasurer; and Tim Treaster.

Lexington Live spring concerts end tonight, May 23, with the popular Root Doctors band at 6:30 pm at the Icehouse Amphitheater. The 9th annual Wine Walk to benefit the Lexington Beautification Foundation has been re-scheduled for May 31 at the Icehouse Amphitheater, 6-10 pm.

The Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce held its monthly breakfast May

14. Presiding were President Otis Rawl and Chair Troy Simpson. Featured speaker was Bob Paulling, president of Mid-Carolina Electric Co-op. Describing himself as a man of faith and football, he was born and reared in Clemson. He explained the effects on MCEC and the community after the San-tee Cooper nuclear plant failure.

Jason Crawford of LHS and Mark Horabik of River Bluff High School were recognized as winners of the $3,000 Doris Burkett scholarships. Congratulations!

Next breakfast meeting is June 11th with speaker Kellar Kissan.

Shiloh United Methodist Church hosted Lunch and Learn on May 14. A most interesting program “South Africa to South Carolina Testimony” was given by Mark Forrester of Gilbert-Summit Water District. Attending were: Gerald K. Keenan; David Taylor; Dorothy Kennan; Connie Branham; Andrea Crosby; Don Crosby; Daisy Harman; Doris Reynolds; Joey Hardee; Jerry Griffin; Mark Forrester; Donna Griffin.

Next month is “Cruising the World” by Baker View Travel on June 11.

Speaking at the

Shephard’s Center lunch hour on May 16 was J.R. Fennell, Director of the Lexington County Museum. He gave an interesting and entertaining talk on “Right in your backyard: the Lexington County Museum.” Lunch was provided by Lutheran Services.

Anne Bull reports the 2019 Republican Party state convention was held May 18th at River Bluff High School with over 1,000 in attendance from across the state. Honored guests and speakers included Sen. Lindsey Graham; Gov. Henry McMaster; Lt.Gov. Pamela Evette; State Treasurer Curtis Loftis; Attorney General Alan Wilson; Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom; Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and US Rep. Ralph Norman. Dr. Luke Clamp, Principal of River Bluff and National Secondary Principal of the Year, welcomed the crowd to his school. Drew Mckissick, the State Party chairman, conducted the day’s activities. After saying the Pledge of Allegiance, Secretary of Agriculture Hugh Weathers led the audience in singing the National Anthem. The program included the election of officers, award presentations, and committee reports.

Columbia International University celebrated its 96th commencement exercises last Saturday with the awarding of over 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees, including its first-ever Masters in Business Administration degrees. Former U.S. Rep. and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was the Commencement Keynote Speaker. Among those from Lexington County receiving degrees were: Adejah Cook; Jacob Lester; Queen Major; Linzie Roberts; Brantley Tinsley; Sabrina Williams; Brandon Brazell’ Henslee Chastain; Jennifer Craven; Meredith Griffin; Mackenzie Du-fries; Josiah Hodge; Abigail Martin; Michael Harris; Claire Byrd; Violette Claire; Sarah McCallister; William Fisher; and David De-Donato. Congratulations graduates!

Happy Birthday to Mary Anne Wray, Murray Coleman, Amy Dubois, Mark Romano, Johnny Clemens, Irene Wehle, Cynthia Reed, Tim Martin, Seth Dunnagan, Kelly Holliday, Jeanette Altemose, Kori Lorick, Shannon Harman, Megan Griffin, Stacey Summerall, Alexis Wack, Manning Burgess, Caroline Cook-Raley, Julianne Felton, Ashley Skipper, Pie Taylor, Ron Amick, Carolyn Arant, Kay Elliott, Samantha Keel, Tacy Redd, Myrna Black, Sarah Cooper, Thomas Cox, Adam Mintz, Jaime Wessinger, Beulah Glover, Tinsley Goodman, Kathryn Gran-ham, Marie Davis, Dean Murry, Phil Reams, Connie Smith, Shawn Torbett, Johlee Douda, Jacqueline Dewey, Myra Wolfe, Allie Richardson, Clarence Richardson, Delores Rucker, Gary Baker and Robert Herring.