It was a rainy, dreary morning when the group met in the parking lot of Grace UMC. Again, Shirley Holgate had planned our mountain trip but did not determine the weather. Hoping the sun would come through later, we traveled on, stopping for a coffee break. Remember last year when we had the coffee break, a man driving a bakery truck boarded the bus with fruit cakes for everyone. Well, this year, there were no fruit cakes offered but a real "fruity" story occurred that will have to be told by Midge Albanese or Annette Crawford. Just ask them. Our usual driver, E.J. Holgate was not well, so Erin Williams filled in and did a great job of driving through the rain and fog. Even with the rain, it was sunshine on the bus and the rain stopped long enough for us to select loads of apples. And here's a great idea for you, if you are ever near Tryon, N.C., call for reservations for dinner at Caro-Mi Dining Room. You walk or ride through a covered bridge to reach the restaurant with large rocking chairs on the porch overlooking a mountain river cascading over large rocks. Vegetable bowls are continually filled as they are emptied. I had the mountain trout and it was fantastic. The service and atmosphere are first class.

It was a tired but happy group that arrived back in the parking lot at 9:30 p.m.

Last Thursday, Marion and I had the privilege of attending the fireside chat sponsored by the North Augusta Heritage Council, held at Carolina Oaks Bed and Breakfast Inn. It was a fascinating evening with ghost stories told by John Menger. Not only did he make us a believer of ghosts, he proved to be a first class chef, providing refreshments fit for the king and queen of ghosts.

A reminder that you will be able to tour Carolina Oaks Bed and Breakfast Inn on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Oct. 30 at noon and 2 p.m. Other tours are available by appointment.

Last week, Margaret, Kitty, Emilie and I eagerly looked forward to the fashion show/luncheon at Trinity On The Hill UMC. The room was crowded, the hospitality excellent, the food good, and the fashion show hilarious. Members of the church were dressed in clothes depicting other eras, i.e., the can-can type was dressed with Coke cans all over her arms, Robert Symms and partner were outfitted in gold garb as Sonny and Cher and impersonated their acts. It was a fun fashion show but definitely not "fashions fit for fall."

From our readers - one asked, "What does it cost to replace a flag or repair the flagpole on top of the new city office building? Does this have to be done by renting a crane for $1,500?"

I submitted the question to the man who knows, Mayor Lark Jones, and he answered:

"We will have to replace the flags probably every six months just due to normal wear and tear. We have done it once by using several ladders on the roof. No crane was rented."

To the readers commenting on last week's Wrinkles:

To those who said I wrote like the late Sam Woodring, I say "thanks!"

To those who found the story hard to believe, take off the blinders, look around, investigate, ask questions and don't be complacent. We still have freedom of information - let's not lose it!

To those who said it's best not to "stir up things," we offer this quote by Pastor Martin Niemoller:

"First they came for the Jews - and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionists,

Then they came for me.... and there was no one left to speak for me!"

E-mail mradacj@aol.com- 803-279-8704