Cool, crisp, fall weather will make its way into Columbus this weekend. Volunteer at Shizzy’s, hang out at the haunted trail, or shop at the farmers market. There’s fall fun out there to be had. Be sure log onto www.columbuscountynews.com 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.
If your church or organization is having a fall festival, safe night or trunk or treat for Halloween, we want to know. Send your events to crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news to be published in the 2023 guide for absolutely free.
The Grissettown Longwood Fire Department is holding their annual Grissettown Haunted Trail. The event will run every Saturday and Sunday and on Halloween night from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. The station is located at 758 Longwood Road in Ocean Isle Beach. 
Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue in Fair Bluff will have two workdays this month on Oct. 14 and 28 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 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 here. Shizzy’s can be found at 658 Main Street.
The fifth annual Kevin Conner Memorial Run starts Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Whiteville. Conner, a Highway Patrol trooper from Bladenboro who was based in Columbus, was killed in an ambush during a traffic stop on Oct. 17, 2018.More than 900 runners participated last year. Registration for the run ends at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The run will begin at Whiteville City Hall, 422 S. Madison Street. Runners can register before the race at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/NC/Whiteville/TrooperKevinConnerMemorialRun. Participants can also register at the pre-race packet pickup or on race morning by using the QR code to register via phone. Additionally, online registration from any mobile device or computer is open until the race begins at 8:30 am. Streets will be blocked briefly in several parts of Whiteville during the race. Traffic control will be in place directing motorists to detours.
The Columbus County Youth and Families Association made a donation to a worthy cause. The organization donated a check to Lorelei Palmer of Girl Scout Troop 4265. Palmer’s project is to build a kid’s park for the Boys and Girls Home of N.C.
The Columbus County Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Handcrafted jams, jellies, jewelry, soaps and so much more will be up for grabs. Get your fall flowers, fresh eggs, and milk while you’re there. Join them on Oct. 21 for Chicken Bog and BBQ Day. The market is located at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.
Transformation Church will be holding their annual fish plate sale on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Plates are $12 each and include fried flounder, slaw, hush puppies, and fried sweet potatoes. Drinks are $1 each. The sale will be at 9955 James B. White Highway South.
Bingo Night has returned to the Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The entry fee is $5, and all ages are welcome to attend. Candy and chips will be sold. The museum is located at 201 Flemington Drive in Lake Waccamaw. 
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church will be having their ‘OktoberFest’ gospel and praise event on Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be vendors, music, and more. If you would like to be a vendor at the event, contact Tonya Lennon at 910.234.1102. The cost for set up is $25. The church can be found at 5548 Silver Spoon Road in Whiteville.
Mishop Springs Community Church will be hosting their homecoming event on Oct. 22 with service starting at 11 a.m. A meal will follow. There will also be a special singing by Daniel Ward. The church is located at 2756 Pine Log Road in Whiteville. All are invited to attend.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services is now accepting donations of blankets, treats, food, cat litter, and other pet supplies at their booth at the Columbus County Fair. You can also drop off items by the shelter located at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville.
The town of Lake Waccamaw will be hosting the annual Safe Nite traditionally held at the BGHNC on Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at East Columbus High School. Residence are encouraged to set up at the trunk or treat with decorated tents or vehicles. Those interested in participating as a community group, business, or food vendor can send an email to info@lakewaccamawnc.gov. ECHS is located at 32 Gator Lane.
Southeastern Community College, the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation, and Columbus County Parks and Recreation will be holding a trunk or treat ‘Safe Nite’ for kids. The event is set for Tues, Oct. 31, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the college and will feature food, candy, games, and lots of fun for the little ones. If you have any questions about Safe Nite, contact Larry Everette at 910.733.3375 or Mariah Strickland at 910.788.6263.
New Life Community Church will be having their annual holiday bazaar on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendors will be selling handmade jewelry, crafts, cakes, Scentsy products, Avon, Mary Kay, woodwork, pottery, coffee, hot chocolate, gourmet cotton candy and more. A community yard sale will also be held during the event. New Life can be found at 107 Maultsby Street in Whiteville.
The Whiteville Junior Woman’s Club wants to remind you to save an important date for the upcoming holiday season. The club’s annual Mistletoe Market will be on Dec. 1 from 12-8 p.m. and Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Columbus County Fairgrounds. Admission is $5 each, and kids ages 12 and under get in free. The market will feature food trucks, vendors, Christmas mini photo sessions, a Kid’s Zone, and free gift wrapping will be provided by the Whiteville Juniorettes.
Downtown Whiteville also has the date of the Christmas parade set for those who would like to spectate or participate. The extravaganza will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, with the parade at 6 p.m., the tree lighting at 7:30 p.m., and carriage rides from 5-10 p.m.
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.
