Did you display our nation’s red, white and blue on Memorial Day? So heartwarming and patriotic was the sight of our American flags at many Lexington homes and businesses. Many lay down their lives for this freedom we enjoy. So in gratitude we honored them on Memorial Day.

The Pelion Ruritan Club held their annual Veterans Memorial Day service with Rev. Jerry Branham, Lt. Col. JD Evans and SC Rep. Ryan McCabe.

“Our service is dedicated to all who are serving or who have served in the United States military, and to all our police and 1st responders,” Ruritan President Kay Collings said. “We thank you for your dedication.”

The Lexington Network of Female Executives held their May meeting at The Blended Bakery. Kathy Foster, Bev Gunter, Beth McCrary, Laura Watts, JoDee Douda, Marti Colucci, Jo Counts, Carla Thauberger, Cindy Harris, Elizabeth Trenbeath, Mae Buzhardt, Sarah Richey and Daisy Harman. Lori Moroz of Pine Press was a guest.

Billy Chastain with Dominion Energy Shoreline Management was guest speaker. Billy and his wife Suzanne are parents of Hensley, Eliza and William, all graduates of River Bluff High. Billy became a first-time grandparent 4 months ago to Roman.

He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and attended Clemson 2 years. Billy was a SLED agent for 11 years. He has been manager of Lake Management & Park & Recreation for the past 3 ½ years.

Officers are President Kathy Foster, Vice President Cindy Powell, Membership Chair Bunnie Hagenlocher, Treasurer Bev Gunter and Secretary Beth McCrary.

Nominating Committee Chair Cindy Harris announced nominations for 2021-22 are President, Carla Thauberger, Vice President, Beth McCrary. Membership Chair Bunnie Hagenlocher, Treasurer Bev Gunter and Secretary Laura Watts.

With near triple digit temperatures last week, and summer not even officially here, we wonder what’s ahead.

The NOAA predicts another active Atlantic hurricane season which started June 1.

The 2020 season featured 30 named storms, tied the record set in 2005 with 7 major hurricanes plus tropical storms.

In the Midlands we do not get the brunt of hurricanes like the coast. Effects can travel inward so preparedness is important to minimize damage.

Anne Bull reports that at 7 pm Monday, June 7, the Icehouse Amphitheater will host a free gospel concert featuring the Called Quartet. Members include Dan Williams, Chan Shealy, Ken Zint and Joe Helms.

Congratulations to “Tripp” Louise Garick who received the Earl H. Devanny Memorial Award. It honors members who have significantly contributed to and reflect the values of Heathwood Hall. Tripp is retiring after serving 50 years as an educator.

Adults 21 and older can enjoy Riverbanks Zoo’s Hoppy Hour 6 - 9 pm June 18. Guests may eat, drink and wander through the zoo. Proceeds support the zoo’s animal and plant care and wildlife conservation.

Timed reservations for 6, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 pm are required and must be made in advance online. Admission is $12 for Riverbanks members and $15 for the public.

No one under 21 will be admitted. Event parking and park entry will be on the zoo side at 500 Wildlife Parkway.

Today’s thought: The dryer didn’t make my clothes shrink. It was the refrigerator.

Happy Birthday to Laura Fowler, Mickey Ann Burnett, Betty Cimarolli, Tucker Dooley, Matthew Riley, Meghan Timmerman, Bruce Hiller, Robert Stoudemire, Kevin Wood, Debra Bachman, Randal Ford, Lynnie Leopard, David Perry, Hartley Richardson, Elliott Goodman, Sophie Dickey, Cory Summerall, Michele Ross-Wright, Hudson Taylor, Kathy Webb, Ray Brooks, Bluette Brooks, Kathryn Harris, Gabrielle Pepper, Mira Stogner, Apinya Douglas, Ginger Macaulay, Kathy Webb, Dieta Klose, Olivia Sons, Stephen Barfield, Maria Burkhalter, Catherine Neff, Max Senf, Mark Hatchett, Ann Campbell-Kelly, Charlie Stith and Carter Farnum

AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

Riverbanks Press, publisher of Jerry Bellune’s new “Your Life’s Great Purpose” available at Amazon.com, sponsors Daisy Harman’s column.