AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

It’s back to school for our county students this week!

There will be increased patrols on the roads to insure safety of our students and to monitor traffic. When you see those big yellow buses, slow up and be prepared to stop so the bus can pick up or discharge students.

Parents are cautioned to check their back pack so that it is not too heavy for carrying around all day. All good wishes for a successful school year.

Members of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce were privileged to hear Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, president of Midlands Technical College, speak at the Aug. 13 breakfast meeting. He spoke on the power of education on our community.

Members were informed that the chamber golf tournament is Oct. 3 at Golden Hills Country Club and that the Fall Festival and Oyster Roast is Nov. 16. for information on these events, call 359-6113.

Author Peter Buttress of Lexington spoke to guests at the August Lunch and Learn at Shiloh United Methodist Church. His topic was “Growing up in London during World War II.” He would be pleased to speak to any group. Contact him at 356-9715.

Mr. Buttress is known in the community for taking his support dog, Chase, to schools and care facilities to brighten the spirits of those he meets.

The next Lunch and Learn is Sept. 10, noon-1 pm. Call Donna and Jerry Griffin to RSVP, 359-7586.

Lexington Baptist Church celebrated its annual “Maters and Mayonnaise” last Friday. The event included a buffet and all the fixings for BLT sanwiches and a variety of desserts.Mrs. Dot Tumey was recognized on her 101st birthday and a large, decorated cake was enjoyed. The Frontrunners, a local bluegrass group, entertained the crowd.

Rick and Angie Cunningham treated a few neighbors and friends to slices of Bradford watermelon. The Bradford was recently highlighted in the July Southern Living magazine.

Nat Bradford has resurrected his great-great-grandfather’s crops. This year he sold 500 of the heirloom watermelons on his Sumter farm. His first customer drove all the way from Long Island, NY, to get theirs. These melons cannot be shipped due their soft rinds. You must drive to his farm to purchase one and availability depends on the week’s yield.

Hugh Rogers reports his Friday lunch group of friends met at the Flight Deck Friday. Attorney Leeds Barroll, a country resident and Harvard graduate, spoke to the group on stocks and bonds. Attending were Kate Barroll, Hugh, Jerry Howard, David Hipp, Ross Snell, Horace Harmon, Felix Kirzenbaum, Randy Halfacre, Eddie Howard, and Peter Korn.

Anne Bull and I both recognize Betty Simpson, a long-time Chronicle reader, on her 93rd birthday Aug. 17. Best wishes!

Happy birthday to Bill Carroll, Diane Hall, Amanda Shealy, Gwyn Wingard, Amber Bible, Ninette Burns, Sharon Hobson, Beth Lowman, Eleanor Barnes, Barry Caton, Peggy Fields, Cynthia Gordon, Daisy Harman, Hollie Harmon, Jamie Hight, Dooley Porter, Brant Taylor, Andrew Tworzyanski, Henry Wessinger, Ben DeFanti, Jon Ives, Callie Payne, Odie Rawl, Kenslie Shealy, Lewis Shealy, Eliza Spence, Danny Able, Baukie Bouknight, Destiny Dehl, Larry Glover, Steve Glover, Caldwell Spence, Don Wheeler, Amy Cleary, Andrew Eargle, Joe Jodie, Erin Kaiser, Jaden Newton, Troy Pepper, Christi Harvey, Lauren Keisler, Anniebelle Quattlebaum, Laren Dreher, Madison Gies, Allen Waites, Charletta Maloney, Gabby Adams, Jennifer Clemens, Tacie Ifkovits, Reggie Little, Jennifer Markel, Ann Clark, Ann Bryd, Carter Senf, Michael Butler, Gene Trayer, Melissa Senf, Pat Ellis, Mary Ellen Judson, Grace Mellette, Harry Wolfe, Robert Dooley, David Griffith, Maria L. Cole, Tom Comerford, Bernie Corley, and Connie Stuckey.

Susanne Schmidt says you may have seen picutres of Niagara Falls, but they will never compare to the sight of the falls with your own eyes. The views are breathtaking, whether seen alongside the falls or behind the falls. You can take a boat for an up close look while being soaked by the mist. At night, colored lights illuminate the falls and a fireworks display will end your night visit. A recent visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is how Summer and her daughter Tori were able to see all the wondrous