AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY ly

Our univited guest has moved on. However, Hurricane Florence ravaged the coast of North Carolina and brought damage to Myrtle Beach before moving inland.

The downgraded tropical storm Florence brought wind and rain as it scraped its way across the Midlands.

Schools closed so that the buildings could be used as shelters for evacuees from the coast. Some roads and highways were closed due to hazardous driving conditions and flooding. The aftermath of this monster storm is swollen rivers and water trickling down from North Carolina’s historic rainfall.

We are most fortunate to have escaped the brunt of the storm here in the Midlands.

To help the Red Cross disaster relief, call 758-1020. There are many in need.

The Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce held its month breakfast meeting Sept. 11, presded over by Chamber Chair Troy Simpson and President Otis Rawl.

The chamber was honored to have Kassy Alia as speaker. Her husband, Police Officer Greg Alia, was killed in the line of duty in Columbia on Sept. 30, 2015.

Kassy has embraced this tragedy and formed a group in his memory to reach out and help others. She is CEO of “Serve and Connect,” a movement to end divisiness.

Megan Brasingto was named the chamber’s Ambassador of the Month.

It was announced that plans are being made for an upscale “Dinner on the Dam” on April 7. Details will be forthcoming.

The businesses of Library Hill will host a Business After House Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

The chamber’s Fall Golf Classic will be help Sept. 27 at Golcen Hills Golf and Country CLub.

Donna Griffin has had much success with the Lunch & Lern program at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Gilbert. This month Hamp Caughman Jr. and I had the pleasure of representing Caughman-Harman Funeral Home and speaking on pre-planning options. Attorney H. Hugh Rogers spoke on the “Three Essentials Everyone Must Have.”

The next program is Oct. 9. Call 359-7586 for information.

In memorium and honor of the S.C. Midlands first responders and miltary service members, a service was held Sept. 11 at the Memorial on Lincoln Street at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Lexington’s Hamp Caughman Jr. was invited to speak and be a part of this evening of remembrance. Hamp and his wife Jane lost their son Thomas in combat in 2004.

Sylvia Clyburn, president of the Friends of the Lexington County Museum, asks for copies of

familetters for our upcoming Museum Gala Feb. 16. The theme is love letters from the past: Honoring our veterans. They would like not only love leters, but letters of love of family that were written during any military conflict dating back to the Civil War.

If you have some to share, mail them to Friends of the Lexington Museum, PO Box 637, Lexington SC 29071.

Hurricane Florence did not dampen the spirit or attendance at the lovely wedding of Niki Summers and Antonio Hiller on Sept. 15 at St. Paul Baptist Church in Lexington. Proud parents are Mr. and Mrs. Darren Gantt, Mr. Charles Summers and Glenda Hiller, and the late Darryl Leaphart. Grandparents are Ms. Bernice Gibson, Ms. Elizabeth Summers, Ms. Florence Hiller, Ms. Annie Leaphart, and Mr. Boyd Jones.

Mary Alice Lorick says, “We will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lexington Main Library by honoring the memory of Pat Conroy. Jonathan Haupt, executive director of the Pat Conroy Library Center, will speak about Pat Conroy’s relationship to libraries throught his life. The theme is, ‘I was Born to be in a Library.’ This event, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the library, is free and open to the public.”

Happy birthday to Ella Calvert Bouknight, Brent Caughman, Leonard Carroll, Samantha Hayford, Rhonda Marchant, Jean Millward, Johnnie Peechatka, Frank Ralston, Kim Goff, Wyman Kyzer, Anna Riz, Ian Ruiz, Jo Mayer, Ramona Steele, Linda Tivis, Lu Bickley, Joe Bannon, Kimber Coleman, Gerald Ives, Genny Nelson, Michelle Black, Rob Gamble III, Tiffany Glover, Craig Harmon, Courtney Moinnis, Charle Steele, Carl Baughman, Anna Cox, Jordan Crapps, Laura Dicker, Aulston Marchant, Jodie Mc-Farland, Maureen Garis, Jerri Wingard, Kelley Mintz, Joe Peay, Aiyana Redd, Lee Shealy, Joe Bedenbaugh, Hugh Gunter, Frances Monts, Nelson Taylor, Marge Carter, Dot Tunstall, Albert Futrell, George LaPierre, Kirsten Davis, Jo Counts, JoAnne Whitehead, Beth Carrigg, Joan Simpson, Audrey Boyette, Tiffany Boyette, Zachary Deinzer, Myrna Jeffcoat, Barbara W. Davis, Joe Cribb, Cheryl Cobb, Patty Giancola, and our daughter Sally Powden.

Don’t forget, “Art in the Garden” is this Friday, Sept. 21, at Wingard’s Market on North Lake Drive.