The dance group from the Palmetto Dance Center in Elgin entertained residents at Laurel Baye during Family Day.
For the seventh year, the Fairfield Healthcare Center of Laurel Baye, located on Bellfield Road in Ridgeway, held a family day for the residents and members of their families. This event is a special time for all the residents and one they look forward to each year. It is a time when families get together for fun and fellowship and the opportunity to meet and make new friends.
Although it was a little cool and overcast, the rain held off for the best part of the day. When it did start to sprinkle, it was not enough to dampen the spirits of those in attendance. The grounds were decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins and fall foliage. Music for shag dancing, line dancing and many other tunes were furnished by ‘Party Doctor’ Donald Prioleau and Dee Jay Pete Martin. Earlier in the morning the party revelers were entertained by a dance group of young people ages 8 to 18, from the Palmetto Dance Center in Elgin. This dance center has 300 dancers, but those performing this day were the Competition Team who will also be entertaining in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. in December.
For the young family members, there was face painting and games. The barbecue pork was cooked by Dwight Robertson of the Ridge Riders of Ridgeway and his assistants Alizina Wilson and Donetta Gripper. The Ridge Riders is a non-profit group that raises money for toys for underprivileged children. Accompanying the pork sandwiches was baked beans, coleslaw, a pickle spear and soft drink. In a nearby shelter, a long line of hungry folks stood waiting for the famous funnel cakes that were being made.
A motorcycle club from Ridgeway was in attendance with their motorcycles on display. The club, known as Go Hard Riders, has 30 members, of which 14 were in attendance. This event also draws antique car owners, giving them a chance to show off their pride and joys. Thane Humphreys had his 1962 Ford Fairlane on display along with William Stephens’ 1955 Chevrolet, Sylvester Tucker’s 1955 Chevrolet, Jerome Mincey’s 1984 Corvette, Tommy Proctor’s 1962 Ford Falcon and Sam Edenfield with his 1971 GMC truck. Those of us who have seen Edenfield’s cars at Rock Around the Clock and the antique car exhibit at the Air Show each year will be saddened to hear that he sold his famous Chicken Coupe to a man in Charleston who is putting it in a museum. The museum is an old service station and the Chicken Coupe will be displayed among the old timey gas pumps. Sam said, “If I want to see my old coupe anymore, it is going to cost me money.”
The staff is grateful for the day’s sponsors: Regional Ambulance Service, Laurel Baye Healthcare, Water Systems Inc. of West Columbia, Healthcare Services Group, Palmetto Home Medical Inc. and United Pharmacy. Thanks also to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s deputies who are always ready to help Director of Activities Frances Maddox and the staff when putting on events such as this. Just carrying supplies and helping to move the residents around is a great help. Thanks to Corporal D.J. Wilson, Corporal Ron Mull and Sergeant Steve McDonald. It is with the help of many volunteers and community support that such an event can take place. The center now looks forward to such upcoming events as a trip to the State Fair, a costume contest at their Halloween party, the Christmas lights at Saluda Shoals Park, the Angel tree and their annual Christmas party.
