Heat, school and theater dominated last week. As forecasters predicted, it is a hot and dry summer.

According to Wingard’s Market and Kathy Torres, “Temperatures will typically hang in the 80s and 90s with a possible rise into the 100s here in the Midlands of South Carolina. Add high humidity and it makes for a very hot summer. June is usually not too bad, but July and August will test your endurance, especially when we have a ‘wave’ of higher than normal temperatures.”

Temps reaching the 100-degree mark with the “feels like” temperature higher have been with us this summer. Showers with a cooling trend are always welcome but too few. As the weatherman says, “and the tropics have been quiet.”

Remember to provide your pets with adequate clean and cool water and do not leave them or anyone in a closed vehicle. It is simply too hot to survive!

Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, wear light clothing — flip-flops seem to be the popular footwear — and find cool spots. Shade is most desirable. Seek that good old shade tree!

School is very much in session, and we have a report from Hope Halfacre, assistant principal of Lake Murray Elementary:

“If you want to feel the pure, untamed energy of a new beginning, stand near the front doors of an elementary school on the first day of school. As an assistant principal, my position at the front of the school gives me the best seat in the house to watch our school come back to life. I see the full spectrum of emotions: wide-eyed kindergarteners excitedly running in with oversized backpacks, confident fifth graders eager to step up as leaders and parents wiping way quiet tears as they trust us with their children. Behind the scenes, our teachers, custodians and staff have spent months preparing every detail to welcome our families back with open arms.

“Why do we put so much heart into the first day? Because it sets the tone for everything that follows. A school is more than just brick and mortar, or a collection of desks and whiteboards. It’s a community where children learn not only math and reading, but how to be good friends, resilient thinkers and kind human beings. Every new school year represents a fresh slate. The new year provides every child a chance to discover new strengths, overcome challenges and grow in ways they haven’t yet imagined. Wishing everyone a wonderful new school year!”

Have a good school year! We have an excellent school system and teachers.

Our local Village Square Theater is quite alive! The theater has just completed a most successful run of the Broadway hit “The Music Man Senior.” Theatergoers filled the “house” for all performances last weekend.

The acting, costumes and sets were all outstanding! We are so fortunate to have live theater in our town. Let’s support it!

Coming up is quite a repertoire of hit shows. Get your membership now! Email boxoffice@villagesquaretheatre.com.

Gay Clark sends us a review of “The Music Man” show:

“The Village Square Theater proudly hosted the Broadway hit musical ‘The Music Man’ with matinee performances Friday through Sunday. The cast, which was composed of actors and musicians 55 and older, displayed amazing talent in front of packed houses. The acting, singing and dancing were top-notch, and some selections were performed a cappella. The finale was a vocal rendition of ‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ with the cast members taking their bows before a thrilled audience. Kudos to the production team and all the talented performers.”

Our Lexington Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of President and CEO Angelle LaBorde, held its monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Radius Church complex, with United Community Bank as sponsor and represented by Austin McVay, chamber chair. The delightful breakfast was catered by John Aun of Eggs Up Grill. Ambassador of the Month was Amanda Brand of Walker & Co. LLC.

Featured speaker was David Beaty, senior principal, Stantec. He spoke on the Lexington Countywide Transportation Improvement Plan.

“Each year, the chamber recognizes the achievements of our shareholders and celebrates their outstanding efforts at our chamber awards luncheon and annual meeting.”

Angelle announced the award finalists:

Large Business of the Year: Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, Pollock Co. and Saluda Hill Landscapes.

Small Business of the Year: Elite Lawn and Landscape LLC, Re/Max Purpose Driven and The Perry Agency.

Young Female Professional of the Year: Ikeiya Blakely of Busy Bees Playhouse, Christina Brown of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union and Anna Mills Cox of Amplified Communications LLC.

Young Male Professional of the Year: Gavin Brown of Transitions Homeless Center, J.R. Fennell of the Lexington County Museum and David Ruiz-Puyana of Elite Lawn and Landscape LLC.

The recipients of the following awards will also be announced at the luncheon: Mike Till Impact Award and Ambassador of the Year.

The luncheon will be held Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton with registration, reception and networking from 11:15 a.m. to noon and the program and luncheon to follow from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Admission is $60 or reserve a table of eight for $480. You may register at http://lexingtonsc.org/chamber-event/chamberawards26.

Lexington happenings

Shiloh United Methodist Church hosted “Ice Cream and Hymns” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 featuring our very own musician, Ms. Constance Fleming. It was fun time of singing, learning about scriptures associated with hymns and also sweet treats.

J.R. Fennell, director of the Lexington County Museum, announces:

“The last presentation of our Lexington Museum Lecture Series will be held at the Lexington Municipal Complex on Aug. 27 starting at 6:30 p.m. The August lecture will feature Alice Taylor-Colbert, who will speak on the Cherokee and other Native Americans in the American Revolution in South Carolina. Wine and cheese will be served for guests, and tickets are $40 per person. All funds raised will help support the museum. For more information, call the museum at 803-359-8369 or email museum@lexingtoncounty.sc.gov.”

A report from Linda Griffith regarding American Legion Post 7 is coming next week!

A very special Lexington lady, Betty Simpson, turned 100 on Monday, Aug. 17. Family and friends dropped by to wish her a very happy birthday. Many hugs, cards and gifts were given to this lovely, sweet lady.

Her two granddaughters, Meg and Emily, and their husbands visited her and her daughter, Sandra, on Sunday and presented her with a delicious birthday cake. Happy birthday, Ms. Simpson!

And another milestone celebration! Anne and Dennis Bull celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last Saturday! So special was having family there, including their two precious grandsons, Jackson and Bates.

Mission Lexington is excited to invite you to join the community for a truly historic moment as the organization breaks ground at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, on Mission Lexington’s new home, 1426 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. Please reach out to Leah Doyon, Amy Reeves or Ron Williams with any questions, 803-785-6900. They are the Mission on the Move Campaign Leadership Team.

Support our Mission Lexington!

The Icehouse Amphitheater fall 2026 concert series continues with the Band of Oz on Thursday, Aug. 27, and Tokyo Joe on Thursday, Sept. 3.