Crossover Band Working on New CD


By Valerie Sliker, courtesy Wagener Monthly

Wagener native singer songwriter Ronnie Rawls is going on seven years now with his current band, Crossover and they’ve recently slowed things down a little so they can work on publishing a CD.

I caught up with the band when they were coming off a five-event week and they were tired, but happy. They all agreed: the exhaustion is worth it. It’s the good kind of tired. The band normally tries to do three events a month. Performing five times in one week was unusual.

Crossover Contemporary Music Ministry consists of Mike Carty on bass, Donnie Miller on drums, Mark Beard as lead singer and Ronnie Rawls on guitar, vocals and songwriter. Miller formerly played with Leon Everette. Carty played professionally in the seventies. Together these guys have a lot of history and many tall tales.

Things naturally slow down in the heat of the summer so the band is pulling in together and practicing a lot as they work on a CD. Rawls has a few CDs out, but the band as a whole has none.

As the name implies, the band crosses over genre and religious denominations. They play some cover songs along with their original songs.

“It’s amazing to watch people as we throw songs at them,” Beard told me. “I see them starting to come around. The last few times we went out, it really ended up being a more spirit filled concert. You’re going to have some folks that could care less what you’re singing, but then there’s folks who by the end of the night, you can see it in their faces. They’re having such a great time. To me, that’s what it’s all about. Showing them that you can do something in God’s name, have a good time and you don’t have to be ashamed.”

M & S Apothecary Grand Opening Celebration

Join Michele Calvert, herbalist, and Shannon Christofferson, herbalist and yoga instructor at M & S Apothecary located at 157 Sand Dam Road, Wagener for a Grand Opening celebration on June 29th from 9 – 5. The fun will include tea tastings, one day sales and door prizes. Vendors include Urban Homestead-her, Ra & Sa Designs, Melissa’s Doterra and Plants by Valleri.

The Mission: It is our contention that herbal medicine-making and harvesting must be carried out with prayers, intent, and love. Our focus is on sharing the old ways of using herbs, oils, and spirit so that their stories are not lost. Our intention is to teach our community (online and in person) and to cultivate relationships with those who wish to better acquaint themselves with the herbs that God has placed on Earth for our bodies. Ultimately, our goal is to share our way out of a "needed" state.

Services: Guided or Self-Guided Meditation, Group or Single classes of Yoga, Ayurvedic Scalp Massage, and herbs, tinctures, salves, balms, natural beauty care, infused vinegars and much more.

Contact Info: 803.564.3846,  [email protected],  [email protected], Facebook: Natural Healing at wagenerapothecary.

Wagener Taps LeDuc as Town Admin

By Valerie Sliker, courtesy Wagener Monthly

The Town of Wagener has recently hired a temporary, part-time town administrator to assist the town with its finances, communication and personnel issues, Mr. Roger LeDuc from Aiken, SC.

LeDuc has worked in local government for nearly forty years. He is retired from Aiken after being its city manager for twenty-five years. Currently, LeDuc is serving as town administrator for four other towns as well.

“The future is very positive,” LeDuc said. “The town has a medical clinic, stores, all the things you’d like to see in a small, rural town. Many small towns don’t have all these services available to its citizens. Long term, Wagener just needs to find ways to continue these services in a fiscally responsible manner.”

LeDuc began work with Wagener on February 4, 2019. For the first six weeks, he spent time getting to know the town, the individuals, the services and finances. He developed a nine-page report on his findings.  After that, LeDuc held a five-hour retreat with the mayor and town council to review his report, to begin making some changes and to set some goals.

Councilmembers of the Town of Wagener under the guidance of Mayor Mike Miller and Roger LeDuc came up with twenty-five goals to improve the administration of the town, to increase the revenue and to balance the budget. Each council member has been assigned lead on a few goals. The momentum fulfilling these goals will be discussed at council meetings.

LeDuc studied and suggested remediations as needed for the following areas in the town’s administration: water, sewer, garbage, policing, fire, office personnel, medical center, insurance, employee handbook, new town hall location, and overall finances.

Kindergarten Registration

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION IS OPEN IN AIKEN COUNTY, WITH EXPANDED CHOICES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Registration for next school year’s Kindergarten classes is underway in Aiken County Public Schools. 5K Kindergarten is open to any child residing in Aiken County that is five years old, or that will be five by September 1, 2019. Parents/guardians of our future Kindergarten classes are invited to create a PowerSchool account and register online now.

Online registration is available by visiting Aiken County Public Schools’ website acpsd.net. An Announcement about 5K registration and a link to “Create Account” and register online is prominently displayed on acpsd.net. 5K Registration information is also available under the drop down menu About Us > 5K Registration.

Aiken County Public Schools offers full-day Kindergarten (7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.), and has Extended Day (after school care) available at all schools. The District’s kindergarten curriculum is literacy-focused and designed to allow small group activities. With a small student to teacher ratio and technology-rich classrooms each supported by a certified teacher and full-time aide, Aiken County Public Schools is well prepared to offer the nurturing environment kindergarten students deserve.

Understanding the Constituion Class

“CONSTITUTION  ALIVE" will be held each Thursday morning at 10:00 am-12:00pm from June 6th through August 1st at the Christ Central Building located at 108 Park St. Wagener. This class is free, but there are workbooks available for $10.00.

Constitution Alive is a course on the foundation of the US Constitution, basically a citizen’s guide to the Constitution. The class will emphasize the original intent of the founding document and also cover the Bill of Rights. Class is taught via DVD featuring David Barton and Rick Green.

This is a Christ Central Ministry. For more information, contact 803-439-2828.

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