The staff at Columbus County News and WTXY Kool 103.9 FM would like to wish all the dads out there a very happy Father’s Day. Kids, be sure to take Dad out to eat on Saturday and Sunday and support local businesses in your town. Log onto www.columbuscountynews.com each and every day for absolutely free to catch up on any news you’ve missed this week. Get your news delivered every morning to your inbox before your coffee ever hits your cup by signing up for our daily newsletter.
• Dory is on a mission to find her long-lost parents at the next Movies on Madison on Friday, June 16, at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville. The feature film will be Finding Dory. The museum lawn will open at 7:30 p.m. for activities, and the movie will begin at dusk. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase. This is a family event, so no coolers, pets, alcoholic beverages, or smoking are allowed on the grounds.
You can also join museum staff in the Nature Playspace as they paint flower pots on Thursday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m. Participants will be able to plant flowers or take some home with them after the activity. This pop-up is for children 4-8 years old, but everyone is invited to attend. The facility can be found at 415 South Madison Street.
• Union Grove Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church will host a First Responders Appreciation Lunch Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. All fire, EMS and law enforcement are welcome. There will be free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, desserts and drinks. Union Grove is located at 477 Livingston Chapel Rd., Delco.
• Impact Ministries with Engage Life Church will be having their annual bake sale on Saturday, June 17, starting at 8 a.m. Proceeds will go towards sponsoring a child at Falcon’s Christian Academy. The benefit will be held in the parking lot behind Sue’s Diner across from the old Columbus County Courthouse.
• The H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation will have their annual kickball tournament on Saturday, June 17, at 12 p.m. Team registration starts at 11 a.m., and vendors can peddle their wares for $25. There will be live music and food available from Shirley’s Kitchen. Admission is $1 for kids 12 and under, and $2 for everyone 13 and up. Bring your lawn chair and blankets to 116 Miller Street in Chadbourn to enjoy a day of kickball and fun.
• Columbus County Schools recognizes two outstanding faculty members annually as Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year. On June 14, Stephanie Hammond from West Columbus High School was named the CCS 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year, and Jamie Faulk from East Columbus Junior-Senior High School was named the Principal of the Year. Both CCS members will move on to compete in regional and state competitions.
• The Columbus County Farmers’ Market will be hosting their annual Farm-to-Table benefit on Thursday, June 22, at 6 p.m. Much of the feast will include ingredients from local growers and vendors, and all proceeds will go toward upgrades and repair for the commercial kitchen at the market. Businesses are also invited to reserve and sponsor a table for $500, and each of the sponsors will be listed on the event’s menu.
Individual tickets can be purchased for $50 each, and there are 50 spots still available. The Farm-to-Table dinner will be held at the Spillway, 1252 Millpond Road, Whiteville. For more information about the meal or to reserve your seat, contact Amber Howard at 910.234.4620 or send her an email at ameares321@gmail.com.
• Ten pups got rescued this week at the Columbus County APS. The staff partnered with rescue groups to give the furbabies a better life. The shelter still has more dogs and cats looking for homes, and you can stop APS Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to find your new furry best friend. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services can be found at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville.
• The Whiteville High School class of 1983 is currently planning their 40th reunion weekend. Cyndee Long, Lisa Weathers-Shipman, Skeeter Storms, Wendy Jones, Lynne Cribb-Edwards, and Linda Bordner-Garner are heading up the arrangements for the gathering. If you would like to attend the event, the ladies ask that you reach out to them via Facebook, or send a request to join the official WHS Class of 1983 Facebook page.
• Brown Street Station in Chadbourn is open every second Saturday of the month for the Main Street Market. Live entertainment and vendors will be there from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the public to enjoy. The venue is located at 202 North Brown Street. For more information about vendors opportunities, call 910.477.8080.
• As schools close for the summer, Columbus County churches are setting up their Vacation Bible Schools. From the eastern end to the west, there are plenty of opportunities for children and their families to participate in one of many events. Some of them begin this weekend. If you would like your church added to the list, please send an email to crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news. Visit https://columbuscountynews.com/2023/06/vbs-guide-for-summer-2023/ to see local churches and their VBS dates.
• The Lakeside Ministry will run every Sunday through Labor Day at 9 a.m. at the Lake Waccamaw campground pavilion. This Sunday, June 18, the speaker will be Willard McPherson, and the singer will be Terri McPherson.
• Columbus County Parks and Recreation is now accepting registration forms for youth fall soccer through June 30 for boys and girls ages 4-12 years old. You can register your child in person at the facility located at 306 Jefferson Street in Whiteville from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and from 1 – 4 p.m. For more information, call 910.640.6624.
• Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue in Fair Bluff will be holding a volunteer workday on June 24. You must be 18 years old or older to use tools and climb ladders. If you would like to volunteer at Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue, find out more information, make a donation, or become a sponsor, you can contact Rhonda Billeaud, co-chairman for Shizzy’s, by phone at 910.840.1886. You can also send her an email at rhondabilleaud@shizzyswildcatrescue.org. The full summer schedule for Shizzy’s can be found at https://columbuscountynews.com/2023/05/shizzys-wildcat-rescue-updated-summer-schedule/.
• Welcome PFWB Church will be having a number of events during the month of June. The church will have VBS camp on June 21 at 7 p.m. and all day VBS on June 25 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Waterslides and a cookout will follow. On June 25, the church will have VBS commencement from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., and their annual fried chicken plate sale will be held afterwards. Plates are $8 each. Welcome Church is located at 3104 Old Cribbtown Road in Chadbourn. Call 910.653.9284 if you have any questions.
• Sandy Plain Baptist Church will have a concealed carry class on Saturday, July 1, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Spots are $65 and will include lunch, snacks, and refreshments. Call 910.625.5884. The church is located at 6824 Swamp Fox Highway East in Tabor City.
• There is good news for those spending their Independence Day at their favorite fishing hole. The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission has declared no fishing license will be required on July 4 from 12 a.m. – 11:59 p.m., regardless of age, so that families can go outdoors and spend the day making memories together while reeling them in. This applies to both residents and visitors to N.C. waters.
• Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Department will be holding their annual boot drop and hotdog sale on Tuesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Members will be set up in front of the station located at 203 Flemington Drive for the Independence Day fundraiser.
• The town of Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival has announced one of its first contests for the celebration. The Creative Watermelon Hat contest will take place on festival day, July 29, at Riverside Drive. The entry fee is $10, and the time will be announced soon. Visit www.fairbluff.com to stay up to date on the latest watermelon information.
The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY Kool 103.9 FM, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at columbuscountynews.com. Email crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news with your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.
