Family Fur Day is today at the fairgrounds. You can adopt shelter pets for free, get free rabies shots for your animals. Enjoy the petting zoo, check out area food trucks, and join in the games with the kids. The event is free. Remember if you are getting a rabies shot for your pet, it must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Lake Waccamaw is busy this weekend. Not only is it the last official day of summer, but it’s the second annual Community Yard Sale. Dozens of families are participating this year. Look for the American flags and homemade signs. All kinds of secondhand treasures are for sale. Monday is the official big day, but we’re told quite a few folks are getting an early start today. A tip of the hat to Miss Ginger Littrell for organizing this event.
Monday is the start of dove hunting season in North Carolina. Daily limit is 15 birds. Remember that a plug is required in repeating shotguns. Wildlife officers are going to be out in force, with a special emphasis on baited fields and basic safety. Be sure you have permission from the landowner before you hunt.
Since Monday is Labor Day, schools, banks, and government offices will be closed for the holiday.
The sheriff’s office and the Blood Connection will host a blood drive Sept. 5 at the CCSO campus on Washington Street in Whiteville. The drive is from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m. See this story online for a link to make an appointment.
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.
Even if you didn’t flood during Debby, there’s likely a mosquito nursery on your property. Even a teaspoon of water can provide nesting grounds for the bloodsucking insects. Municipal and county officials across the county are spraying for the bugs, but everyone is urged to dump every container of stagnant water you can find to help cut down on the pests.
Our dear friend Sue Miller has been released from rehab and is finally at home with her beloved dogs and cats. Sue isn’t back at work at Gurganous Farm Store in Whiteville just yet, but if you know Sue, you know she’s itching to be back behind the counter. There’s a donation box at Gurganous to help with her medical bills. Sue is one of those folks who is always generous, whether it’s for the youth coon hunt, unwanted dogs and cats, or youth sports teams. Keep her in your prayers for a swift recovery.
A shout out to our friend Angela Norris of the Veterans Memorial Park. When Angela heard about the suicide of an area veteran earlier this year, she goto thinking how more needs to be done to raise awareness about veteran suicide. There’s a new addition at the Veterans Memorial Park Never Forget Garden — a simple black archway with the words 22 a day/Not all wounds are visible. An estimated 22 veterans a day take their own lives. We don’t do enough for our veterans. Reach out and do more than just saying thank you. Be a friend. They defended us in war — let’s defend them here at home. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, call 988. Veterans can press 1 to be connected with a specialized counselor.
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.
Transformation Church will hold a Boston butt sale October 5. Cost is $25. All proceeds go to the building fund. Contact JonBoy Walton or Rae Lennon via Facebook.
Chadbourn K9 Vito and his human partner Officer D. Reinecker joined forces with the sheriff’s office K9 team, featuring Gunny and Cooper, for a day of training in mantracking and narcotics searching. The CCSO dogs and their handlers train weekly and visit area schools to improve community relations.
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.
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.
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