Come on out to The Farm next week for the Barbeque, Bluegrass & Blue Jeans benefit for the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation.
If you are anything like me, you have passed what looks like an equestrian property on Highway 21 between Ridgeway and Blythewood many times, perhaps wondering about it. Maybe admiring the fencing, the rolling green hills, the lovely brick entrance with the roses and the large stable set back off the road. This is The Farm at Ridgeway, and it is owned by Larry Sharpe, owner of Blythewood Oil Company and The Sharpe Shoppes.
This recreational property is available for weddings, parties and as a meeting place. The stable features a large, fully equipped kitchen and gathering area, a restroom with walk-in shower and at least four meeting rooms. This lovely acreage and facility will be the site of the upcoming ‘Barbeque, Bluegrass & Bluejeans Benefit’ to be held on Oct. 13 from 6 until 9 p.m.
The event benefits the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation and replaces the Christmas Gala that has served this purpose in the past. The Farm setting will provide a more relaxed, casual, fun affair for the whole family as it brings public awareness to the needs of the Foundation. There will be something of interest for both adults and children. Local talent will be featured from Fairfield, Chester and Richland Counties.
Food will be coordinated by Norma Branham and Judi Montgomery of Winnsboro, and that food is expected to be exceptional. Barbecue will be prepared by George King and Gary Freeman, pit master and team member of ‘Can’t Quit Smoking,’ the South Carolina BBQ champion. Music will be provided by Knox Station and Country Buddies of Blackstock.
Silent and live auctions will be conducted by auctioneer Mack Hughes, a retired radiologist from Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Some of the many items being offered for auction include: a 55-gallon barbecue drum donated by Freddie Watkins, a patio-size gas grill and barbeque cooking class donated by George King, a golf package from Cobblestone Park, a fragrance basket from Belk, a $100 restaurant gift certificate to Dianne’s on Devine, a $400 Fitness Center gift card donated by Jewish Community Center and a $50 memorial brick for the courtyard at the hospital. Donations from the Ridgeway merchants include: baskets from Over the Top, a gift certificate from The Cotton Yard Market and a South Carolina basket from Laura’s Tearoom. From Winnsboro there is a tea basket from Cornwallis Tearoom and plants from Petal Pushers.
Tickets for the event are available at The Cotton Yard Market in Ridgeway, Price’s Drugstore in Winnsboro, the visitors’ center in Blythewood and Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Ticket prices are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Children under 10 pay $10 and children under 6 are admitted free. The proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for rehabilitation services at FMH such as exercise equipment, a treadmill and replacing the antiquated nurse call system. The hospital foundation’s board of directors consists of community representatives and hospital staff. They are responsible for operation and management of the funds. They are Mike Quinn, President; Mack Hughes, retired radiologist at FMH; Nelson Lacy, Chairman of hospital board; Randy Kelly of Wateree Keys at Lake Wateree; Norma Branham, Fairfield County Treasurer; Phyllis Gutierrez, event chairwoman; Dawn Catalano, Executive Director of FMH; Larry Sharpe, owner of The Farm at Ridgeway; Virginia Lacy, Vice President of FMH foundation and Judi Montgomery.
Donations in the past have enabled the foundation to purchase two cholestech portable machines for checking cholesterol. Quinn said that, in the future, he hopes proceeds from the benefit will fund scholarships for students with the stipulation that they come to work at Fairfield Memorial Hospital upon completion of their studies.
A cake baking contest for hospital employees and volunteers will be held prior to the barbecue. Deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 8, and multiple entries are encouraged. Ribbons and gift certificates will be awarded for the first two places, and the ‘Best of Show’ winner will receive a trophy and a check for $50. The winners will be announced at the Saturday benefit, and the winning cakes will be auctioned off at that time. Cakes must be dropped off at the hospital, Friday, Oct. 12 between 7 a.m. and noon. The judges for this contest are Mike Ross, Mayor of Blythewood; Charlene Herring, Mayor of Ridgeway and Terry Vickers, President of the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.
Hope to see you at this exciting event on October 13. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, please send your check (made payable to Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation) to P.O. Box 1156, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180. Your donations are tax deductible.
Join the fun, and support a great cause that benefits our community.
