There’s been plenty of rain in the forecast, but don’t let those dreary days get you down. Columbus is still buzzing with activity and lots of fun stuff despite the weather. Put on your boogey shoes, donate to some furry friends, or get a little painting in. Let’s take look at everything the county has in store in this week’s edition of the Good News.
The Columbus County Beekeeper Association will be holding their monthly meeting on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. at the NC Cooperative Extension. There will be celebrations to welcome two new Journeymen Beekeepers and to honor a Lifetime Achievement Award. The guest speaker for the evening will be Solution Bee. The extension office can be found at 45 Government Road in Whiteville.
Get ready for a fun night out with a purpose. Join the Columbus County Dream Center for their third annual ‘Black, White & Vinyl’ Gala at Vineland Station on Aug. 14 from 6-10 p.m. This event will be a casual but classy evening filled with great food, music, and dancing to support youth and family services through the organization. Dress in your best black-and-white attire, bring your favorite vinyl records, and come ready to mix, mingle, dance, and celebrate with friends, neighbors, and changemakers while making a difference. The cost is $40 per ticket, and you can get yours by visiting https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/black-white-and-vinyl-event, or you can drop by the Dream Center located at 403 South Martin Luther King Avenue in Whiteville.
The Whiteville Police Department is now partnering with Gentiva Hospice to promote their “We Call, We Care” program. This is a free daily phone check-in service for older adults, disabled individuals, and shut-ins living alone within city limits. Each day, Chief Rockenbach or a WPD team member will call participants between 8-11 a.m. to ensure they’re safe and well. If there is no answer after 3 attempts, they will call a designated key holder. If necessary, an officer will respond in person to check on the individual. To sign up, please complete a form at www.whitevillenc.gov/police-department.
The Food Bank of Wilmington will have a pop-up market on Aug. 16 from 9-11 a.m. at Jerusalem Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. There are no income, residency or ID requirements to receive assistance. The church is located at 6224 Chadbourn Highway in Chadbourn.
When Columbus County’s Dixie Youth Softball teams went to Louisiana recently, they had some help from a heavy hitter in state youth sports. The Columbus County Dixie Softball Board was awarded a $5,000 travel grant from the N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission. The grant was given to help with travel and motel expenses for the recent softball World Series trip to Ruston, La. The local board was informed of the award by a letter of congratulations from Justin Burr, Executive Director of the Commission. Jennifer Bowen expressed her gratitude for the monetary donation and for the support of other sponsors and volunteers. The grant paid off, as the Central Columbus Angels defeated South Carolina 5-3 for the World Series title. (story by CCN’s Tommy Taylor)
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services is now at max capacity and bursting with furbabies at the seams. No dog or cat traps, owner surrenders, or strays will be accepted until further notice. They ask that everyone post displaced pets online to find their homes, rehome animals with trusted sources, and to consider adopting from the shelter if you are look for a new furry best friend. APS is always in need of supplies and will gladly take donations of towels, blankets, flat sheets, cleaning products, wet or dry dog food and cat food, toys, and dog/cat treats. The shelter can be found at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville. To find out how you can help or for animal adoption information, call 910.641.3945. Rescue centers and fosters are welcome and needed at this time.
The North Carolina Extension and Community Association Foundation will be sponsoring an event for the Boys and Girls Home of NC on Aug. 16. ECA Day will be from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the BGHNC campus, and food will be provided. Organizations, civic groups, and individuals attending are asked to register at www.go.ncsu.edu/ecaboysgirlsday. Please be sure to indicate the items you will be donating to the BGHNC cottages. For more information, call Tom Lamont at 910.646.3083 or email tom.lamont@bghnc.org.
Union Valley Baptist Church will have their fifth annual “Christmas in August” auction and fundraiser on Aug. 16. The evening will begin with dinner at 5 p.m., and the auction will be at 6 p.m. The meal will include a Boston butt steak, baked potato, baked beans, a bread roll, dessert and tea. Items for auction will be shared with the public periodically on the Union Valley Baptist Church Facebook page. Bids will be taken through Facebook Live on the night of the event, but in-person participation is encouraged. Proceeds raised will be donated to the Columbus Baptist Association Toy Store Ministry and others. You can RSVP for the meal on the church’s Facebook post.
The Community Art Journey will also be celebrating dragonflies with their Aug. 17 workshop. Folks will be painting their own acrylic painting of the beautiful insects on canvas with Heather Minor. She will be teaching color theory, composition, and basic technique. The cost is $20 for a 12″ x 16″canvas. Call 208.989.9116 to sign up.
Hallsboro United Methodist Church will be getting crafty on Tuesday, Aug. 19, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. They will be diving into a fun and creative evening of rock painting. Children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by a parent. All supplies will be provided, and donations are welcome to help support future craft nights. HUMC can be found at 1004 Hallsboro Road South.
Speaking of HUMC, the United Women of Faith will be continuing their support of Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School. The school is stocked with paper and pens, but classrooms are in need of germ busters to keep everyone healthy and safe. They are taking donations of Kleenex, hand sanitizers, and disinfecting wipes. The items can be dropped off in the Narthex during Sunday worship service, or you can contact the church via Facebook Messenger to arrange a pickup.
The Wolf Pack will welcome their newest pups, the Class of 2029, on Aug. 20 from 9-11 a.m. at the school. There will be campus tours, facility introductions, and club and extracurricular information. Schedules will be passed out during the orientation, and students can also learn about advanced classes and their benefits. The kids will enjoy free Kona Ice and prizes for attendance. Whiteville High School can be found at 413 North Lee Street.
The Columbus County NAACP will host a presentation and listening session on flood preparedness. Partners include the West Whiteville Initiative, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Blueprint NC, and North Carolina Conservation Network. Refreshments will be provided. Registration by RSVP is required. The meeting is from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 21 at St. Mark AME Zion Church located at 114 West Virgil Street in Whiteville. Call 919.323.3380 ext. 142 to RSVP.
Southeastern Community College will also be getting in on some Bee-asics as they buzz into beekeeping with their beginners class. Whether you’re starting a backyard hive or just curious about the little ladies, this course is your gateway into the world of honeybees. Learn about their biology, seasonal care, pest control, and their vital role in pollination. Classes will meet every Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 2-18, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Cartrette Building in Room 148. Register today by visiting www.southeasterncc-register.fundfive.com/course/section/22790. The college can be found at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but Liberty Hospice wants to help you through it. The center will be hosting a free nine-week grief support group from Sept. 4- Oct. 30. The group will meet each week from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Public Library located at 111 North Cypress Street. Each session will include a short video with accompanying discussions offering hope, healing, and support along the grief journey. If interested, call Jovona Bellamy at 910.640.8039, or send her an email at jbellamy@libertyhomecare.com.
Pierce and Company in Hallsboro had an awesome find upstairs at the store last week. Back in the days when there were multiple local sawmills, the store had receipts for when they purchased lumber. They had their own sawmill and shipped pine lumber by the railcar load throughout the East Coast. The steam engine that powered the mill is currently on display at the Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum.
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.
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