The Columbus County Community Farmers Market from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday. Watermelons are the focus this weekend, with free samples, lots of fresh local melons and more. Always remember you can find fresh local produce, farm raised eggs, meat, arts and crafts and more at the Farmers Market. The market is held every Saturday on Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.
The Southeastern Genealogical Society meets Saturday at 2 p.m. at Brown Street Station in Chadbourn Greg Thompson will be the guest speaker. He and his wife restored the century old commercial building for use as an entertainment venue.
Thompson will also be making a major announcement at the meeting. The meeting is free and open to the public. Some members arrive early to share family stories.
Our Good Samaritans for the week are the volunteers who picked up multiple bags of trash at Lake Waccamaw during the July 4 holiday. Not only did they dodge gators and snakes to clean the canal Friday, but they went back several times through the weekend.
The bad eggs for the week are the folks who didn’t take the time to put their trash in the public receptacles at the dam and both boat landings, or haul it out with them. The lake and the canal are not where trash belongs. If you wouldn’t leave it in your front yard, don’t leave it in Lake Waccamaw (or anywhere else).
Wildlife rescue legend Mary Ellen Rogers from Sea Biscuit Wildlife Refuge was at Lake Waccamaw Depot this week. She brought along a pelican that cannot be released back into the wild, as well as a few birds in need of a new wild home. Rogers has been presenting the depot program every year for more than a decade.
Racing is back at the Boys and Girls Home this weekend – remote control racing. The RC Motors Show is going on through Sunday at the Expo Center. The fast-moving niche sport is gaining followers across the country. You can enjoy stunts, jumps and racing on the special course laid out in the arena on Bill Thompson Way.
Columbus native and former sheriff’s deputy Jamie Williamson has a new job – Judicial District Manager for the 13th Judicial District. Williamson has worked as a probation and parole officer in New Hanover and Brunswick. Williamson is assigned to Columbus, Brunswick and Bladen counties.
Mike Creen of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans is urging anyone who served in Vietnam to apply to receive an Orange Heart medal. The Orange Heart program recognizes veterans affected by Agent Orange. For more information, call Creen at 843.214.0315.
Kayla Henson and Shaq Davis from the Columbus County Partnership for Children are guests on this week’s edition of the Columbus Connection.
The partnership offers a number of programs geared at children and families ages birth to five years old. They’re part of the Dolly Parton Reading Program, which puts thousands of books in the mailboxes of children at no cost. Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. is story time. The partnership has a lot of good going on in our community. Their golf fundraiser is coming up in September. Sponsorships are available as well as tee times for groups or individuals. Call 910.642.8226 to find out how you can help.
Movies on Madison will soon be back – with minions. The Museum of Science in Whiteville has completed renovations, and the popular free summer movie series is back July 19.
Despicable Me tells the story of Gru, his daughters and of course, the Minions.
The movie starts at dusk, but the lawn will open at 7:30 p.m. for activities. Refreshments will be available for purchase. No pets, alcohol consumption or smoking is permitted.
The Columbus Arts Council is celebrating 40 years of Mark Bannerman Art Students’ creativity. The free exhibit is at the Arts Council, 822 South Madison Street, Whiteville. Call 910.640.2787 for times.
Local vendors are still needed for a big event in Chadbourn later this month. The Chadbourn HEARTS will hold their annual back to school drive July 27 from 3-6 p.m. at the park on Miller Street. There will be a foam blaster pit, bouncy houses, tours of fire trucks, a rock wall, and even a mechanical bull. Call 910.625.1745 or 910.733.3375 for more information.
The Fair Bluff Reunion with Pizazz will be on July 26. It’s an opportunity to reminisce about the vintage buildings that will soon be demolished with the makeover for the town. The Pizazz Band will be playing a free concert on Riverside Drive. Bring your own chair. The concert is the kickoff for the Watermelon Festival on July 27.
Whiteville parks and rec youth football camp is July 22-23 from 830 until 11 a.m. Whiteville Wolfpack coaching team will drill campers on the basics.
There will be punt, pass and kick competitions, a slip and slide, and more. You can register the day of the camp, but preregistration is recommended. Contact Whiteville parks and recreation for more.
Columbus Regional will hold Safesitter certification courses for sixth through eighth graders in July and August. He one day course includes lunch, snacks and the Safesitter kit. Cost is $60. Contact streadaway@crhealthcare.org to register.
We always have room for your church announcements, civic club news, special events, birthdays, pageant winners, celebrations, Good Samaritans, little kids with big fish and anything else that makes you smile. There is never a charge for sharing your news at Columbus County News Dot com. Email to jefferson@columbuscountynews.com, call 910.914.6056, or just drop by our office at 1015 South Madison street, Whiteville. We love visitors.
