As summer programs wind down, back-to-school events will be in full swing as the new school year approaches. Supply drives and giveaways will be happening all over Columbus County, but don’t forget to have a little fun before the little ones head back to hit the books. The Watermelon Festival in Fair Bluff is going on this weekend, APS will be giving you the opportunity to meet your furry new best friend, and you can even catch a movie at the museum.
Be sure to check out the Good News every Wednesday morning for your weekly dose of updated events, gatherings, community announcements, and happy stories. You wouldn’t want to miss any of it.
Let us know if your church, civic group, association, or non-profit has markets, VBS, 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.
Bladen County welcomed a new face to crew last week. Jeffery Allen Jacobs will be joining the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer, and he comes with many years of experience in his field.
Daisy Vereen Brooks and the Facts of Life Community Outreach Program hosts their Nourish Hope distribution event every Wednesday at 11 a.m. to N.C. and S.C. residents. The food drive is held at the church located at 24678 Peacock Road in Tabor City. For more info, visit their website at www.factsoflifeoutreach.org.
The Columbus County Community Farmers Market opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. and every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Come shop fresh and local and support vendors and farmers in our community.
The market has fresh produce, farm-fresh eggs, homemade breads, jams and jellies, local honey, fresh juices, handmade jewelry, custom tumblers, crafts, games for all ages, live music, and so much more. The market is located at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.
Friends of the Rube McCray Memorial Library in Lake Waccamaw will have their last session of the summer reading program for kids today, July 22, at 10 a.m. at the library. ‘Unearth a Story’ is a dinosaur-themed event with prehistoric stories and activities.
The RMML is located at 301 Flemington Drive in Lake Waccamaw.
Catholic Charities will have their mobile pantry open on July 24 at Building Bridges in Fair Bluff beginning at 11 a.m. They will be giving out free diapers for children, adult incontinence supplies, and feminine hygiene products.
Building Bridges is located at 135 Rogers Street.
The HEARTS Foundation will have their annual Back-to-School supply drive on Saturday, July 25, in Chadbourn. All children must be present in the vehicle in order to receive backpacks.
The address for the giveaway is 116 Miller Street in Chadbourn.
The Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival is happening this weekend, July 25, with activities beginning at 7:30 a.m. with watermelon contest registration. The weigh-in and awards for biggest melon will be at 10 a.m., and the youth and adult watermelon eating contests will be at 10:30 a.m. The youth and adult watermelon quality awards will be presented at 11 a.m., and the parade will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Just when you thought the day was over, the Fair Bluff Rotary Club’s duck race will be happening at 3 p.m. Vendor’s, arts and crafts, and other fun activities will also be available throughout the day. For more details about the festival, visit www.watermelonfestival.fairbluff.com. For vendor information, call 910.840.4091 or 910.649.7202.
Carolyn’s Kaleidoscope Child Advocacy Center is now collecting clothing, school supplies, and other items through July 30. The donations needed include new or gently used clothing, new underwear, school supplies, snack items, hygiene products, and laundry detergent.
The center serves children from birth to 18 years old, so donations of all sizes and age ranges are appreciated. The items will be given out at an event on July 31. The center can be found at 219 North Lee Street in Whiteville.
Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church will be providing a reentry service after incarceration on July 31 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on the church’s campus in the Rev. G.F. Pone Fellowship Hall. This is an invitation for individuals returning to society after incarceration.
The church can be found at 4047 N.C. Highway 242 South in Elizabethtown.
Columbus County Animal Protective Services will be hosting the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats adoption event on Aug. 1 from 5-9 p.m. at the fairgrounds. There will be a BBQ, food trucks, cool treats, drinks, and games for everyone of all ages.
Come for the food and carry home your new furry best friend. Adoption fees are $65 for dogs and $25 for cats. The fairgrounds are located at 886 Prison Camp Road in Whiteville. For more info about adoption, call APS at 910.641.3945.
Whiteville Police Department will be participating in the 2026 National Night Out on Aug. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the station. There will be free food, music, games, giveaways, and lots of family fun. Residents will have the opportunity to meet the local police officers and other emergency response members, gain safety information and resources, and fellowship with neighbors in their community.
National Night Out is an annual event aimed at enhancing community safety and fostering police-community partnerships. It encourages neighborhoods to engage in activities such as block parties, festivals, and safety demonstrations, promoting camaraderie among residents and local law enforcement. WPD can be found at 117 East Columbus Street in Whiteville.
Chadbourn Police Department will also be participating in National Night Out. Their gathering will be held on Aug. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Town Hall. There will be free food, a bounce house, Touch-A-Truck, and face painting.
Monetary donations are now being accepted to help fund the community event. Please contact Jessica Collier at Jcollier@townofchadbourn.com with any questions. Chadbourn Town Hall’s address is 602 North Brown Street.
Movies on Madison will be returning on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville. The next film in the series will be The Iron Giant. This free event is sponsored by the International Paper Foundation.
Museum doors will open at 7 p.m., and the movie will start upstairs at 8 p.m. Arrive before showtime with natural science activities on the museum floor.
Please remember that this is a family-friendly event, so no pets, coolers, alcohol, or smoking is permitted. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call 910.788.5100. The NCMNS-W can be found at 415 South Madison Street in Whiteville.
The museum is also offering Nature Storytime and Playdates throughout the summer. The programs will be available through August, with Nature Storytime evert Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Playdate with Nature at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
Allen and Jenni Strickland and Pam Byrd will be holding a free back to school community event on Aug. 8 at the Todd House Event Center from 2-6 p.m. There will be water slides, games, entertainment, and food for children and their families.
For more information or to help out, call Pam Byrd at 910.625.7974. The center is located at 102 Live Oak Street in Tabor City.
The Columbus County System of Care Community Collaborative will be partnering with Southeastern Community College to host the Back-to-School community event on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on the SCC campus. The free event is designed to support children, youth, and families by connecting with them with valuable resources, educational information, school supplies, health resources, and fun family-friendly activities as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
They are currently seeking community agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers, educational organizations, faith-based organizations, and other community partners to participate as vendors. There is no cost to set up.
Those interested can email Holly.Niebauer@trilliumnc.org by Friday, July 25. For other information, call Erin Warlick at 910.617.6149 or send an email to ebosley@avantagebeh.com.
Provalus in Whiteville is holding a school supply collection drive for Thomas Academy in Lake Waccamaw through Aug. 12. School supplies for all ages are needed, and they can be dropped off at the center’s office located at 127 West Columbus Street.
The Columbus County Health Department will be hosting a back-to-school, drive-thru vaccine clinic to help families get ready for the upcoming school year. The clinic will be held on Aug. 18 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the department.
Children entering kindergarten, seventh, and twelfth grade can get their school required vaccinations at the drive thru. Parents and legal guardians must be present and bring the child’s vaccination record (if available) and their insurance card.
Free school supplies will also be handed out. The CCHD is located at 604 North Madison Street in Whiteville.
Lake Waccamaw residents will be participating in their community wide yard sale on Labor Day, Sept. 7, beginning at 7 a.m. Those who are planning to sell are asked to place a sign or a flag in your yard to let folks know you are open for business.
Shoppers are invited to come out and explore, shop, support the Lake community, and find your next treasure. The fourth annual event will span from Jefferson Road, Flemington, Lake Shore Drive, Canal Cove Road, Waccamaw Shores, and the whole Wooded Acres neighborhood. Updated details will be posted to the Lake Waccamaw Community Information Page on Facebook.
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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