‘Man, it’s a hot one. Like seven inches from the midday sun,’ or whatever it was the Match Box Twenty guy said in that song. You know what else is heating up in Columbus County? All the organizational events going on everywhere. Community resources, SCC, the farmers market, and so many more have some awesome fests, services, and giveaways planned over the next week. Now, that’s what we call Good News.
The Columbus County Department of Aging will have a ‘Shred-A-Thon’ today, June 25, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is help protect community members and the elderly from identity fraud by shredding outdated private documents, preapproved credit card offers, old bills, old tax records and paystubs, employment records, and other documents that include personal information. The Whiteville Senior Center is located at 827 Washington Street.
Southeastern Community College and the Columbus County Farmers Market will host Summer Fest on Thursday, June 26, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the college. There are tons of activities for folks of all ages on the agenda for the evening. Come out and enjoy fresh finds, vendors, food trucks, games, inflatables, and a classic car cruise-in. See what’s growing with a tour of the greenhouse, explore the FlexLab, and visit the newly installed Chadbourn Bell Pavilion. If you’re interested in becoming a vendor, contact Ashley McPherson at 910.788.6243. SCC can be found at 4564 Chadbourn Highway, and the Columbus County Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.
Speaking of the pavilion, SCC will also have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the raising of the Chadbourn Bell on Thursday at 5 p.m. before Summer Fest. They will honor the past, celebrate the present, and ring in a bright future for the college and the community. Everyone is invited to attend both events.
This past Sunday was a great one for a special little girl’s birthday in the Bolton community. Kaisley Reign Johnson was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma last September, and after a series of treatments, the cancer is gone. Kaisley still has to undergo a rigorous treatment plan for the next two years to ensure that the disease doesn’t come back. All she wanted for her birthday on June 22 was a party, but due to her weakened immunity, she can’t be around large crowds. Friends, family, and the community hosted a drive by birthday parade for her instead at the Beatty Event Center. Folks also gifted her birthday presents purchased from Amazon and Target wish lists.
Catholic Charities will have their mobile pantry open on June 27 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Building Bridges in Fair Bluff. The facility is located at 135 Rogers Street. The charity will give away food, adult incontinence products, baby supplies, and personal hygiene products. You can visit https://columbuscountynews.com/event/catholic-charities-2025-mobile-food-pantry-schedule/ to see a list of other dates and times the resources will be available in Columbus County.
Alma Galloway of Galloway Farms ‘Home of the Maze Craze’ delivered a special gift to Hallsboro’s very own historic Pierce and Company. A 4′ x 4′ barn quilt was donated by Blue Star Barn Quilts to the store as a tribute to Columbus County. Owner Mark Bronski, who had not seen the quilt until it was delivered, wanted different images featured on the design to represent things around the county.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville will be taking a trip back to the ’80s with their next installment of ‘Movies on Madison.’ The museum will be showing “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” on the facilities lawn on Friday, June 27. This 1989 Disney comedy about an inventor dad and his adventuring family is rated PG and runs 86 minutes. Come out before the movie begins to set up your seat and learn about amazing insects. The lawn will open at 8 p.m. for the free event, and the movie will begin at dusk. In the event of rain, the film will be shown indoors. This is a family-friendly event, so no pets, coolers, alcohol or smoking will be permitted. The NCMNS-W can be found at 415 South Madison Street in Whiteville. ‘Movie on Madison’ is made possible by the Columbus County Arts Council and is sponsored by the International Paper Foundation.
Associate Pastor Jacob Young and CPHC Ministries will be opening their campus up on June 28 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a community market. Vendors may purchase 3 full size parking spaces for only $10 to set up their collectables, household items, books, crafts, sweet treats and more to sell. Additional space can be purchased for $5. Those interested can register at www.chadbournph.org/event/jhk9tnd/cphc-ministries-community-market or by calling Pastor Young at 910.610.8165.
Gurganus Feed and Grain secured a big donation for the Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services last week. Coker Feed Mill, Ronnie Mace from Valu Pak, Mike Carr from Pride, Frank Hill from Diamond, Dan Huto from Sunshine Mills, and Adam Wittman from Victor pulled together with the feed store to contribute 68 bags of dog food and 3 bags of cat food.
The Columbus Community Band will join the Southeastern Oratorio Society for a combined concert on Sunday, June 29, at 6 p.m. at the Leamon Rogers Chapel at the Boys and Girls Home in Lake Waccamaw. Each group will perform a few pieces individually, then combine to perform four pieces to close the show. Music featured will be patriotic in nature, including such pieces as ‘America the Beautiful’ and a medley of the songs of the Armed Forces. This casual is event is free to the public. Donations for the Boys and Girls Home, Southeastern Oratorio Society, and the Columbus Community Band are all appreciated. All three groups are nonprofit organizations. The Columbus Community Band will also play on Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park of America at their Freedom Fest event.
The First Responder Basketball Tournament hosted by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office will be on July 12 at 12 p.m. at West Columbus High School. Admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds will go to Families First to help support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Teams include the CCSO, City of Whiteville Fire Department, Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.
Remember to check out our Good News tab throughout the week. We love to hear about all the great things happening around you. Email your submissions to thegoodnews@columbuscountynews.com or crystalfaircloth@columbuscountynews.com; call us at 910.914.6056 or just drop by our office at 1015 South Madison St., Whiteville. We love visitors. If the blinds are open, we’re open for business.
