AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

It’s the 4th of July and time to celebrate America’s birthday.

Show your patriotism by flying the flag and attending Gilbert’s 61st Peach Festival, a family-friendly event sponsored by the Gilbert Community Club. The festival kicks off with the Peach Festival Parade, including Peach Queen Cicely Wise and many dignitaries and floats.

There will be a morning program with Al Harman, Miriam Matthews, Gilbert Mayor Donnie Cason, Larry Bingham, Cal Forrest, Shane Massey and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson.

You can enjoy BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, and peaches in many forms, like cobbler, sundaes, slushes and even peach tea.

The many activities include a car show, tractor and farm machine show, arts and crafts, exhibits and multiple stage performances. Some of the entertainers are Ryan Trotti, Pine Ridge Boys, Tokyo Joe and Whiskey Run.

The festival concludes with an explosive fireworks display . It’s a day for honoring our nation’s freedom and the peach, queen of all fruits.

Congratulations to all who make this festival a success and all who have helped in past years. I always remember seeing Raymond and Mary Alice Boozer in the midst of activities.

Those on this year’s Peach Festival committee are Shelba D. Howard, Blake Amick, Jean Fallaw, Jessica Fallaw, Craig Finley, Kelli Frost, Jaime Gwyn, Monica Motes, Jennifer Stalvey, Mindy Smith and Allison Harman.

Lexington County BlowFish Baseball is holding a two-day celebration with both games ending in fireworks. July 4, there will be an Independence Concert and July 5 is Veteran’s Night. Game time is 7 pm at BlowFish Stadium, 474 Ball Park Rd., Lexington. Take yourself out to the ball game!

Lexington is very proud of Madison Branum, who received a prestigious honor last week. A rising sophomore at Indiana State University, she won the 2019 Sonic Columbia City Women’s Golf Championship at Woodlands Country Club. Madison’s grandfather, the late John Summers, won the Columbia City Men’s Golf Championship in 1995, 1996 and 2002. Madison started playing golf at her grandfather’s driving range and continued at Heathwood Hall and her senior year at River Bluff High School.

Madison is the granddaughter of Janie Summers of Lexington.

June and Arthur Jusco of Lexington hosted group sessions last week for friends to hear the amazing stories of missionaries Chris and Elmira Koutzan of Moscow, Russia. Their talks were very moving as they told what they are doing to help special needs children in Russia – even getting Russian government laws changed.

It was heartwarming to meet them and their four children, two of whom are adopted.

Happy birthday to Sheriff Jay Koon, Teresa Addy, Mary Keisler, Clay Lee, Tim Riley, Rob Yarborough, Eddie Corley, Linda McIntosh, Mary Shane, Ron Diegel, Glenda Dugan, Nancy Hughey Jr., Mike Taylor, Joe Dreher, Billy Dugan, Marcus Hightower, Philip Lee, Sonya Lee, Barbara O’Brien, Lauren Owen, Gage Gaskins, Ashley Glover, Ben Haggard, Jack McMakin, Emily Rodgers, Meagan Schneider, Libba Rhoad, Chase Jordan, Darlene Butler, Pat Clemens, Mary Cockran, Mary Green, Mary Hazelton and Caroline R. Morrison and Becky Robinson.

Congratulations to Faye Horne of Lexington, who was honored with a retirement ceremony at the Adjutant General’s Complex in Columbia. She ended 32 years of service with the SC Army National Guard.

According to sources, she was a most dedicated and admired employee with the Guard. And there were many at her retirement ceremony, including generals, confirming their admiration for this loyal retiree.