Home / The Good News / The Good News Feb. 11-17, 2026

The Good News Feb. 11-17, 2026

Warmer temperatures are thawing things out, and Columbus County is moving and stirring after cold days and lots of snow. February is hopping with events, and Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be a good one in the area. Play, volunteer, or learn something new this month. We got it all right here in this week’s edition of The Good News.  

Don’t see your organization’s event listed? Let us know if your church, civic group, or association has markets, revivals, plays, gatherings, or fundraisers that you want published in The Good News. Would you like your church’s weekly services to be added to our Community Church Listings? Send all your submissions to ccn.cfaircloth@gmail.com. We will get them out there for absolutely free. 

Storytime is back at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville with even more time to share the love of reading. The program will take place on Thursdays and Saturdays every first and third week of the month from 10:30-11 a.m. The museum’s address is 415 South Madison Street in Whiteville.   

Bees collect pearl millet pollen. (Photo by Karen Harris-Shultz, ARS)
Bees collect pearl millet pollen. (Photo by Karen Harris-Shultz, ARS)

The Columbus County Beekeepers Association will have their monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Whiteville. Luke Elkins will be the guest speaker, and he will be teaching everyone everything they need to know about the upcoming swarm season.  

The association will also have Beginning Beekeeping School on Feb. 13-15. The Feb. 13 session will meet from 6-9 p.m., the gathering on Feb. 14 will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the wrap-up will be Feb. 15 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.  

The cost is $70 and includes county and state membership. The fee does not cover the book, and those who planned to attend are encouraged to purchase ‘Beekeeping for Dummies’ through Amazon or Dandant.  

The class will also cover material for the written and practical exam for those seeking to get their N.C. Beekeeping Certification, but you don’t have to take the exam to enjoy the program. The required PPE field day will be held at a later date.  

Spots are limited, and preregistration is required. Contact Barry Chadwick at 910.317.0173 or email him at barry@ccbeeclub.com for more information. To find out how to pay via Venmo, Paypal, or Cash App, visit www.ccbeeclub.com. The extension is located at 45 Government Complex Drive. 

Western Prong Baptist Church will be holding the 2026 Night to Shine this Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. The event is an unforgettable prom night for individuals with special needs ages 14 years old and older.  

Registration is required, and you can do so by scanning the QR code located on this page or on the 2026 Columbus County Night to Shine Facebook page. Western Prong can be found at 167 Peacock Road in Whiteville. 

If you’re a vet who needs to sign up for your VA benefits or if you have any questions about the process, the Veterans Benefits Administration will be set up at the Veteran Memorial Park of America Community Outreach Center on Friday, Feb. 13, beginning at 10 a.m.  

Come out and fellowship with others who have served their country and learn about resources for vets in the area. Refreshments will be served. The center can be found at 6354 James B. White Highway South in Whiteville.  

If you’re still making plans for Valentines Day with your loved one, then consider planning a dinner date for a good cause. The Lightkeepers at Safe Harbor Baptist Church will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support their youth group. 

The event will be held on Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. at the church, and you can dine in or carry out. Plates are $10 each and include spaghetti, salad, dessert, and your choice of tea, lemonade, or water. The church’s address is 27001 Andrew Jackson Highway in Delco.   

The Columbus County Farmers Market will be hosting their Valentines Day event on Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Celebrate love, local flavor, and fresh finds with produce, handmade crafts and gifts, sweet treats, and baked goods.  

While picking out those last-minute goodies for your sweetheart, you can also plan a surprise dinner. Pre-order Valentines Day meals will also be available at the market.  

If you would like to peddle your wares as a vendor or sell your good eats with a food truck this year, you can contact CCFM via their Facebook page. They can be found at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville. 

If the great outdoors is more of your thing than a sit-down Valentines Day dinner, then the Fatmucket 5K Walk/Run and One Mile Fun Run is for you. Enjoy fresh air, fun, and a little friendly competition at the Lake Waccamaw State Park on Feb. 14 beginning at 8 a.m.  

The event is free and perfect for couples, families, friends, and solo runners alike. Participants will have the opportunity to compete for medals across multiple age divisions, with the first 200 registrants receiving a hand-painted participation medal crafted by talented students at West Columbus High School.  

Whether you’re racing for the finish line or strolling for the scenery, Fatmucket is a heart-healthy way to start your Valentines Day. Lake Waccamaw State Park is located at 1866 State Park Drive. 

If you want to do something good for the environment, then the Waccamaw Siouan Ambassadors have a project for you. On Feb. 21 from 9-10 a.m. and from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., the tribe will be hosting a community roadside clean-up. 

The first crew will meet up at the St. James Volunteer Fire Department, and the second group will gather at the white house located at the intersection of 211 and Old Lake Road. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and a bright colored shirt. 

When you’re done with the clean-up head over to East Columbus Junior/Senior High School for the Landyn Jacobs Memorial Baseball Game and Family Day on Feb. 21. The purpose of the event is to honor the late son of Lake Waccamaw Mayor Greg Jacobs who passed away in a car crash last August.  

Registration for the ball game and concessions will be available starting at 12 p.m. Waivers must be signed to play. A speaker and the unveiling of the memorial for Landyn will be at 1 p.m., the pregame will be at 1:30 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem, and the first pitch will be at 1:50 p.m. The game will begin at 2 p.m.  

Baseball players that played and graduated from East Columbus, and parents of current East Columbus players can participate. The high school can be found at 32 Gator Lane in Lake Waccamaw.  

 The N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville will be teaming up for the ‘Intro to Air Quality: Criteria 1’ workshop on Friday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the museum. The free event is for all formal and non-formal K-12 educators. 

This event is a Science Education workshop designed to empower your teaching with engaging lessons on air quality, air science, and health impacts. To sign up, visit  Register Now: https://ncdaq.wufoo.com/forms/x86ajo0n3eoga/. The museum is located at 415 South Madison Street in Whiteville. 

If you’re thinking about heading to college in the fall, you may need a little help with filling out your FAFSA. Join Southeastern Community College on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for FAFSA Day in the campus library.  

The college’s Financial Aid staff will be available to assist both current and prospective students and their parents with the application process. There will also be giveaways for attendees.  Take the next step in funding your future. SCC can be found at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.    

It’s always important to be prepared, and the Sheep Dog Foundation wants to empower and inspire women to protect themselves. On Saturday, March 7, the organization will be holding the Women’s Defensive Handgun Beginner Pew ‘N Que from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  

The workshop will focus on real world information, hands on instruction, motivation, encouragement, and food. More gatherings are planned in the future, so consider joining up with the SDF’s Women’s Self-Defense and Social Club. Membership is absolutely free.  

Come out and join other women who share the same motivation for self-preservation in a judgement and drama-free environment. Sessions will be held at 300 Alfred Hayes Drive in Chadbourn. You can register here at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defensive-handgun-beginner-workshop-and-barbeque-registration-1979675218871. The deadline is Feb. 27.  

 The sixteenth annual Southern Farm Days will be back March 20-22 at the Boys and Girls Home of NC Horse Complex. Columbus County News will be live during the event, and we would love to spotlight your small business. . 

If you are interested in sponsoring a live stream or would like to be featured as a vendor during Farm Days, message us via the CCN Facebook page. We can’t wait to hear from you.  

 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 ccn.cfaircloth@gmail.com or visit us at our new location at 125 Suite A, East Main Street in Whiteville. We love visitors. If the door is open, we are open for business.

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