The Good News for Aug. 23

Learn all about okra this week at the Columbus County Farmers Market. (USDA photo)

Saturday Aug. 24 is Okra Fest at the Columbus County farmers market. Whether you like it stewed, fried or in soups and gumbo, the lowly okra is a healthy, easily grown and prolific part of many a garden in the South. You can find out more about okra at the Columbus County farmers market today from 8 until 2 p.m. While you’re there, check out all the local produce, baked goods, fresh farm raised eggs, work by local artisans, and other finds from right here in our community. The market is located on Government Complex Drive in north Whiteville.

Herman Williams will be offering free back to school haircuts for needy families at Hibbett’s Sports in Whiteville Saturday Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will also be free hot dogs while they last.

Next Saturday is Family Fur Day at the Columbus County Fairgrounds. Now in its third year, Fur Day has games, a petting zoo, food trucks, giveaways, free rabies vaccinations, and you can adopt a shelter pet. Fur Day is from 10 until 2 next Saturday, Aug. 31, and admission is free. A tip of the hat to our friends at Animal Protective Services for putting so much into this event every year. It keeps growing.

School starts back Monday across our county. Be sure you factor in a little extra time for that morning commute, in case of school buses, and keep an eye out for children before and after school. And we shouldn’t have to say this, but do not ever pass a stopped school bus. It’s dangerous and against the law.

Robert Nealey will lead a mission trip to India next month. A barbecue plate and Boston butt sale is scheduled to help finance the trip. Contact Robert Nealey via Facebook or see this story on our website for details.

Whiteville Police and Columbus Regional are sponsoring a Wellness Health Fair September 6 from 1-3 p.m. at Vineland Station.  The event is mainly for first responders but everyone is welcome. There will be health screenings, booths from healthcare professionals and first responder groups, and much more. Cancer survivors will be recognized in a special ceremony. The Battle of the Badges Cornhole tournament will also be going on. Everyone is welcome.

Boy Scout Troop 507 of Whiteville spent several hours this week cleaning up the Museum of Science. They plan to continue the clean up this week as well. They’ve been pressure washing and taking care of a few other odds and ends.

Speaking of the museum – Museum Director Kelly Lewis and Lisa Yemma are our guests this week on the Columbus Connection. The Museum of Science is a resource that far too few local folks take advantage of, and most of what they offer is free. You can also give the Gift of Knowledge to any school, class, or group. Listen to our program for more details.

Applications are available for the Columbus County Fair Queen pageant, to be held Oct. 12. Application deadline for all five divisions is September 18. See this story on our website for the form, or call Jan Hardee at 910.840.9431.

Everybody loves a hound dog story, and we have one for you today from lake Waccamaw. A wornout and lost hunting dog found her way to lake Town Glamping Campground  Thursday. The folks there at the campground gave her a bed, a few meals and some clean water, as well as pulling some ticks from her ears. The good news is the hound is back with her owners now, thanks to a post on Facebook. The folks at Lake Town Glamping are our Good Samaritans for this week.

Transformation Church and MilkB4 Meat Ministries will host its second annual Night of Praise September 21. There will be music and a special message by Pastor Heath Connor of Emerson Original Free Will Baptist church. The service will be at 6354 James B. white Hwy. South of Whiteville. Everyone is welcome. Transformation meets at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the Lebanon fellowship hall.

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  jeffersonweaver@columbuscountynews.com, call 910.914.6056, or just drop by our office at 1015 South Madison street, Whiteville. We love visitors.

About Jefferson Weaver 2301 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.