The weather is hot, but there is some entertainment to be had indoors. Go check out what local businesses and groups are up to in Columbus County this week.
• Starting July 2 and continuing every first Saturday of the month, the Whiteville Fun Factory will be hosting children and families with special needs and sensory restrictions. The event will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., and will include arts and crafts and entertainment. Tickets are $10 for children ages 4 and up, and $5 for children 3 years old and under.
Regular business hours are Monday-Friday from 12-9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. except the first Saturday of each month, and on Sundays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The Fun Factory is located at 42 Hill Plaza in Whiteville.
• The Lake Waccamaw community will be starting a Girl Scout’s Brownie troop in the area. Brownies are second and third grade girls who are interested in exploring, making new friends, and learning new things. Parents who wish to sign their child up for the group can contact Karen Wares at 919.389.3418 or by email at kware@nccoastalpines.org.
• The Men and Women United for Youth and Families organization will be hosting a Community Fun Day on Saturday, June 25, from 12-4:30 p.m. at the Ransom Activity Center. There will be games, face painting, music, dancing, basketball. food, drinks, and so much more. All proceeds from the event will go toward the groups college scholarship fund.
For more information about the event, contact Ricky Graham at 910.297.8178. The activity center is located at 2694 General Howe Highway in Riegelwood.
• Deputy Dwayne Barnes attended the 2022 North Carolina DARE Officers Association Conference last week. The conference was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Atlantic Beach. During the conference, Barnes attended continuing education classes and received updates that will be beneficial for future D.A.R.E. classes.
During the conference, a DARE Car Show was held. Columbus County Sheriff’s was awarded Runner-Up for the department’s DARE truck, which is seen in almost every local parade. The truck was seized from an area drug dealer, then redecorated with messages about avoiding illegal drugs.
• Whiteville Parks and Recreation is now holding registration for fall youth football until Aug. 12. The program is for child ages 7-12 years old, and fees are $38.50 for city residents and $48.50 for non-city residents. You can register your child at City Hall located at 317 South Madison Street or online at http://www.parksrec.egove.basgov.gov. For more information call 910.642.9052.
• Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue is building a 56-acre big cat sanctuary located in Fair Bluff. They are in need of volunteers to help with the construction of den boxes and installation of perimeter fencing, top railing and kickers on several big cat and wolf habitats on Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Work days are also scheduled for July 9 and July 23.
All interested volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds, and be comfortable working in various weather conditions. No experience is necessary. Groups are welcomed. To sign up, please contact Rhonda Billeaud at rhonda.billeaud@shizzyswildcatrescue.orgor call 910.840.1886.
• The Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services has reduced adoption fees for all the furbabies at the shelter to half price until June 30. Dogs are $67.50, female cats are $37.50, and male cats can be taken home for $27.50.
The fees for dogs cover a spay and neuter voucher, rabies, parvovirus, and bordetella vaccines, and dewormer. Cat fees also include a spay and neuter voucher and a rabies vaccine.
The shelter is located at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville. For more information about adopting or fostering an animal, call 910.641.3945. Available pets can be viewed online on the CCSAPS Facebook page, and photos are updated every Monday.
• The East Columbus Darlings played in the district tournament last weekend and won five straight games in a row. These undefeated little champs are now District 9 champions, and they will travel to Carthage from July 8-12 to in hopes of bringing home the state title. If you would like to donate to the team to help with travel expenses, please CashApp the Lake Waccamaw Dixie Youth team at $HAR1966.
• The H.E.A.R.T.S Foundation is now accepting donations for their back-to-school supply drive on July 30. For more information about the event, call Lashoney Frink at 910.625.1745 or Larry Everette at 910.733.3375. For monetary donations, checks should be made out to the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation, and mailed to 247 Dessie Road, Chadbourn, N.C. 28431.
• Deputy Tavon Pierce of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office recently graduated from the General Instructor training course held at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg. The course is a 90-hour class that prepares law enforcement professionals to educate and instruct in continuing education and BLET programs.
• The Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina is back again with their fresh produce. The vegetables are being sold at the Country Store Thrift Store at Lake Waccamaw. Cucumbers, banana peppers, red peppers, and squash are available for purchase. The veggies were grown by the youth on the campus of the BGHNC.
• The 35th annual Columbus County Fireworks Celebration will be held on Friday, July 1, at South Columbus High School. Gates open at 6 p.m., and preshow entertainment will begin at 6:45 p.m. Fireworks will be set off at 9:30 p.m. The Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce will sell patriotic glow necklaces, food, soft drinks, water and raffle tickets. Old Zion Wesleyan Church youth will have snow cones and popcorn available for purchase. No coolers, pets, alcohol beverages, or unauthorized vendors are allowed at the event. South Columbus High School is located at 40 Stallion Drive in Tabor City.
• The Kelly Family will host their Giving Back to the Community free lunch July 2 in Chadbourn. The meal is held in memory of “Deac” Alexander and Mother Mary Kelly. To-go chicken plates will be available at the Chadbourn Depot from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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Email crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.newswith your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.
