LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS: Apple picking a highlight among local fall events

Have you been apple pickin’? It’s the “ripe” season now!

Many travel to the Hendersonville, North Carolina area to fill their baskets with this annual fruit. But you might just find the right “pick” here at Wingard’s Market in Lexington.

“Apple season is here,” the business says. “We have a wonderful selection of Eastern apples, along with plenty of fall favorites to enjoy. Look for Adam’s Apple Butter, Faithful Foods Apple Cinnamon Pancake & Waffle Mix, Hillside Apple Cider and Raven’s Nest.”

Donna Bundrick Griffin sends some thoughts and suggestions:

“An apple a day will keep the doctor away! This adage is very true, as this delicious fruit has many health benefits. A nutrient-dense food/fruit, apples are high in fiber and water. They are also a good source of potassium and other vitamins and minerals.

“A medium apple has approximately 80 calories. Other nutritional bonuses are that apples are cholesterol and fat-free.”

Some suggestions for enjoying this yummy fruit are:

Spread peanut butter on apples for a tasty snack.

A great hors d’oeuvre is raw crisp apple slices served with cheddar cheese

Add chopped apples to tuna salad or coleslaw for extra crispiness and flavor

Baked apples make great desserts: try one for breakfast

Add chopped apples to poultry or pork stuffing for great flavor.

Our Shepherd’s Center of Lexington held another Adventures in Learning session Thursday, Oct. 15, at Lexington Methodist Church. In the absence of Chair Jo Dee Douda, Vice Chair Mike Brown officiated.

Meal sponsors were FirstLight Home Care and Thompson Funeral Home. Program leader was Mike Brown, location co-coordinator for Wreaths Across America. He has succeeded Carol Davis, who continues to help and support all the nonprofit’s efforts.

These wreaths are placed on graves at Fort Jackson National Cemetery for the holiday season. This year, the date is Saturday, Dec. 19. They are not just for Christmas, but for service and sacrifice. Call 803-413-1634 or email mike@rahcolumbia.com if you would like to donate a wreath or assist in any way.

It’s so patriotic and admirable of Walter P. Rawl Farms in traveling to Maine to pick up the wreaths and deliver them to Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Our Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center held its monthly Business Over Breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Radius Church complex.

Austin McVay, board chair, opened the meeting with a warm welcome. Meeting sponsor was Wonderly Lights owned by Trey and Cindy Powell, who gave a brief description of their luminary holiday lights.

Pastor Ken Jumper of The Harvest Church delivered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Catering the delicious breakfast was John Aun of Eggs Up Grill. Angelle La Borde, chamber president and CEO, presided. A Milestone Recognition was awarded to AAA Heating and Air, represented by owners Roy and Dana Finley, celebrating 20 years in business — congratulations!

Angelle also recognized elected officials and other special guests. Our chamber was honored to have Keith Price, superintendent for Lexington School District One, as guest speaker. Introduced by Angelle, he officially stepped into the role of superintendent for Lexington District One in July 2025 after serving a year as our superintendent-elect.

He has dedicated nearly 30 years to South Carolina education. He spent 24 years in Richland School District Two as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent and most recently served as superintendent of the Georgetown County School District.

Along the way, he earned his master’s, specialist, and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of South Carolina.

He spoke on the state of our district schools, and I gave him an A-plus on their outstanding status. His remarks were so informative and positive.

Kelly Sharpe from Grow Financial was named the chamber’s Ambassador of the Month for September.

There are so many upcoming events:

The chamber’s Women’s Leadership Council will host “Porch Potions & Pub Brews” from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct 22, at O’Hara’s, immediately prior to Witches’ Night Out.

Witches’ Night Out, from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, is one of the most exciting nights in downtown Lexington!

Friday, Oct. 30, is Morning Mix at Radius Church.

Wingard’s has several holiday events. Ladies Night has been moved to Thursday, Nov. 19. The LPD Fall Festival will be the last Tuesday of the month on Oct. 27. Tickets are $5 per person with children under 5 free. It’s lots of fun for the entire family.

The Rotary Pub Crawl is Nov. 13 from 5-8 p.m. to raise funds for polio eradication and Alzheimer’s research, followed by Murders & Mysteries by the Museum at 8 p.m. (free).

New event: Magic on Church Street will be held Nov. 21-22 at the Icehouse Amphitheater — check it out.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, come out to Main Street at 3 p.m. to honor and remember the service of all of our veterans at the Lexington County Veterans Day Parade.

Our two daughters, Sally and Charlotte, and granddaughter Grace enjoyed a local lunch last week before taking a “trip.” A trip was circling Main Street and side streets “checking out” the 43 scarecrows in the annual Scarecrow Stroll. Have you seen them?

Representing local businesses or services, they are very entertaining. Much thought and creativity was displayed in their presentation.

My girls said they were most amused and amazed! The scarecrows will remain on display through Oct. 29 and are sponsored by the town of Lexington and the Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center.

Remember Mission Lexington’s Holiday Meal Bag Drive. The nonprofit anticipates giving out more than 1,000 holiday meal bags this year. Requested food items are stuffing mix, gravy packets or jars, canned cranberry sauce, canned yams, canned collard greens or turnips, cornbread mix, cake mix or a $10 grocery store gift card (for turkey or ham). Contact Mission Lexington at 803-785-6930 or 216 Harmon St., Lexington.

When picking apples, Mark Twain said, “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb, that’s where the fruit is.”