AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

How heartwarming that an estimated 1,000 people came to Fort Jackson-National Cemetery last Friday to show their respect for an unclaimed Vietnam veteran, Petty Officer Third Class James Miske.

His procession was led by 150 plus motorcycles to honor the veteran who served our nation. He passed away in Columbia on May 26.

William Lynch of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, which is part of the Dignity Network, says, “It is our honor to provide services for unclaimed veterans and have them laid to rest in the respectful way they deserve.”

Next month, Lexington County Museum Director J.R. Fennell will speak at the Lunch & Learn at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Gilbert. His topic: Superstitions of Lexington County and the Dutch Fork. Call Jerry and Donna Griffin, 359-7586 to reserve a spot.

Mary and Gary Baker cruised New Zealand and Australia during April and May. In Port Macquarie, they attend the annual ANZAC Day service, which honors the war dead and New Zealand and Australian veterans. It’s like our Veterans Day and Memorial Day rolled into one.

They also visited the Blue Mountains, Australia’s version of the Grand Canyon, and saw kangaroos, emus, kiwis, wombats, dingos and koalas.

Dean and Marlene Wheeler have returned from a 3-week trip to Iceland, Scotland and Ireland. After touring Ireland on their own, they joined friends in Dublin for a cruise to Iceland and Scotland.

The Shepherd’s Center held its annual membership and volunteer meeting June

14. Highlight of the meeting was the announcement of Volunteer of the Year. That honor went to Mary Alice Beuchtl.

The fall series will begin Sept. 26. I’ll have more on that later.

The Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce met June 11 for breakfast. The always popular and entertaining Keller Kissam gave an enjoyable pep talk. Keller is president of Dominion Energy’s Southeast Energy Group.

More than 100 local businesses will be at the Chamber’s annual Expo July 11, 11 am-2 pm, at River Bluff High School. Plan to attend and see what they have to offer.

The chamber is partnering with Blowfish Baseball to make Thursday nights the “After Hours” events for the chamber. “Thirty Thursdays” are June 27, July 4 and 11, and Aug. 1.

The Hite-Dooley Early BBQ is June 29, 8 am til sell out. It’s at the Hite-Dooley Reunion building. To order, call Stan Hite, 546-2069, or Charles Dooley, 331-7216.

A drive-thru Blessing of the Wheels is June 30, 1-3 pm, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Dr. This is a new endeavor by Pastor John Woods. Anything with wheels can be blessed – wheelchairs, tricycles, lawn mowers, doll strollers, vehicles, and more.

Happy birthday to Neil MacFawn, Dwight Dooley, Ashley Burnell, Elaine Lawson, Laurie Payne, Logan Payne, Pam Steele, Marshall Coleman, Emilee Edwards, Jackson Rawl, Connor Scurry, Hunter Taylor, Stephanie Jones, Cooper Reynolds, Blake Caughman, Tonya Reynolds, Gloria Rice, Ali Cato, Corey Coleman, John Drafts, John Early, Sharon Shealy, Emily Adams, Marietta Staton, Cora Knight, Mary Cha Brabham, Joshua Keiper, Dawn Mack, Peggy Samotis, Sephie Keiper, Kaiden Savele, Gary Duncan, and Theresa Wilson.