AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

If you see young ladies around town who are wearing name tags, welcome them to Lexington.

They are participants in the Distinguished Young Women’s Competition for South Carolina. They will engage in various activities around Lexington and visit state government buildings in Columbia, including the State House and the S.C. Supreme Court. They’ll also visit the zoo, the Blowfish Stadium, and Lexington Municipal Building. Some meals are being provided by churches, businesses and individuals.

Anne Bull tells us the competition’s finale will be held July 26-27 at the Lexington One Performing Arts Theatre at 7 pm. Meanwhile the girls are practicing for their talent, physical fitness and academic competions.

These young ladies, all high school seniors, will be hosted by several Lexington families during the week. Host families include Mike and Jeannine Spradlin, Jim Wigglesworth and Teri Puryear, Morgan and Will Thornburg, Anna Mills and DJ Cox, Victoria and Scott Busbee, Robin and Bob Grant, Brenda and Mack Maxwell, Cindy and Phil Smith, Maggie and Harrison Gray, and Michelle and Nate Nienhius.

Where were you on July 20, 1969? It was a tremendous day in our nation’s history. Fifty years ago on this date, the boundaries of earth were broken and humanity set foot on the moon. The Eagle Lunar Lander, with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin aboard, landed on the Sea of Tranquility on the moon. Armstrong was the first one out and he proclaimed the unforgettable: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The entire nation was moonstruck as everyone rushed out to buy “Moon Pies.” Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” was the hit song. It was an occasion to remember. Visit our State Museum this week for “Space Week.”

It is difficult to think about garnet and black or purple and orange in this exteme heat, but USC’s opening football game is August 31 against UNC in Charlotte. Clemson’s opener will be August 29 against Georgia Tech in Clemson.

Robin Moss reports

the annual Women’s Brunch, “It’s a Garnet Girl Thing” will be August 3, 10 am-1 pm, at the Country Club of Lexington. Tickets are available by emailing ggirlbrunch@yahoo.com . Proceeds will be donated to the USC Women’s Athletic Program.

Anne Bull reports that she and lots of Lexington ladies attended Dabo Swinney’s Ladies Clinic at Clemson. The clinic, which raises funds for women’s breast cancer research, included presentations by the coach and players and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Lexington attendees included Marlene Wheeler, Tripp Garick, Alfreida Mathis, Beth Gross, Jan Kinard, Kay Hendrix, Marian Newman, Cindy Rainey, Bobbie Sue Harman, Mabry Smith, Abbie Duncan, Madelyn Mathias, Stephanie Alexander, Lori Bates, Elizabeth Clark, Kathy Clark, and Molly Bruorton.

Speaking of extreme heat, please do not leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. It heats up very quickly and heat stroke, or even death, can occur.

Peter Pan Jr. will be performed at the Villlage Square Theatre July 28-August 4. For tickets to this much-loved story, call 359-1436 or visit www.villagesqauretheatre.com .

Icehouse Amphitheater presents Flannel Fest July 26 at 5 pm.

Happy birthday to Donna Bundrick Griffin, Linda Smith, Karen Parrish, Richard Kerr, Roger Rucker, Retha Sox, Angela A. Adams, Chief Haycraft, Emily Sons, Ron Redd, Earl McLeod, Jim Snell, John Griggs, Kiersten Smith, Rob Campbell-Kelly, John Helms, Jeannine Romano, Sally Keiper, Lisa Bryant, Monty Caughman, Robert Lang, Craig McKenzie, Megan Paeth, Jimmie Kaiser, Cole Catalanotto, Laney Rodgers, Ali Cato, Barbara Harmon, Frank E. Lee, Tommy Miles, Josh Busbee, Cameron Glover, Teresa MacFawn, Eliott Marr, Parker McInnis, Ariel Rabern, Erin Stoudemire, Jake Torbett, Roy Windham, JT Brodowski, Wade Keisler, and John Sink.