The Good News for Aug. 26

This weekend, be sure to get out and about with your kiddos before they head back to school on Monday. While you’re doing some of that last minute supply shopping, take a break and head over to the museum for a fun-filled day all about bees.

Happening today:

• Buzz on by the Museum of Natural Sciences on Saturday, Aug. 27, to “Bee Crafty.”

The entomology (the study of insects and their relationship to humans, the environment, and other organisms) activity will begin at 1 p.m. Participants will have the chance to explore the facility’s insect collection, make observations outside, and build their own bee hotel. 

Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UWFYWCSrbKh7sJw2XpWEBXjisGHCNEktQGz6QW4XRUw/viewform?edit_requested=true to sign up for the entomology session.  

You can learn how to build a “bee hotel” at Saturday’s event at the Museum of Science.

 The museum will also hold an early celebration of the annual Honey Festival on at 7 p.m. To get into the spirit of honoring the tiny-winged heroes, the museum will be playing the film “Bee Movie.”

The lawn will be open at 7 p.m. for nature activities, and the show will start at 8 p.m. This event is free, and no registration is required. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

The N.C. Honey Festival is Sept. 10 in downtown Whiteville. 

• The Latter House Ministries will be also be having a Back-to-School Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 1-5 p.m. There will be games, slides, food and more. The church is located at 99 Bertha Drive in Riegelwood. 

• Union Valley Baptist Church will be having an auction fundraiser to support the Columbus Baptist Association’s Toy Store ministry. The event is from 7-10 p.m.  

New items, homemade items, crafts, and more will be up for grabs. The event will be streamed live on the Union Valley Baptist Church Facebook page, however, the church strongly encourages in-person participation to receive the items you would like to bid on for yourself. 

In other news:

Deputies and SROs donated 40 backpacks to area school children last week. (CCSO photo)
Deputies and SROs donated 40 backpacks to area school children last week. (CCSO photo)

• The School Resource Officers and Patrol divisions from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office recently donated 40 backpacks to kids in need.

The bags were paid for by donations from the officers, as part of the sheriff’s office community outreach program. The CCSO worked with school guidance counselors to identify students with specific needs. 

• Eight volunteers are needed to help with the CBA’s annual Toy Store golf tournament. The event is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Land-O-Lakes Golf Course in Whiteville. For more information call 910.642.2155. 

• Gracelyn Fowler and Ranzlee Tompkins were the winners of Tabor City’s #shoptaborcitybacktoschool promotion. Fowler is a first grader at Williams Township Elementary, and Tompkins is a fifth grader at Tabor City Elementary. Both girls received a backpack full of school supplies for the coming year.   

• Longtime attorney Jim Hill was finally welcomed home Wednesday after an extended hospital stay. The veteran counselor was hospitalized in May with heart issues. An impromptu parade around the courthouse in uptown Whiteville saw a number of well-wishers and kin welcoming him home as he was chauffeured by his son, Clerk of Superior Court Jess Hill.


• Services for the Lakeside Ministry at the Lake Waccamaw Campground Pavilion are still ongoing and will continue to run every Sunday through Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. The speaker this weekend will be Ben Worthington, and the singer will be Lauren Edmund. The campground is located at 250 Waccamaw Shores Road in Lake Waccamaw.  

Deputy Spencer stopped to assist a stranded motorist recently, and another Good Samaritan sent the sheriff's office a note thanking Spencer for the act.
Deputy Spencer stopped to assist a stranded motorist recently, and another Good Samaritan sent the sheriff’s office a note thanking Spencer for the act.

• Deputy Spencer of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was recognized last week for his dedication to the job. The officer stopped on Highway 74 when he saw a young lady with a  flat tire. One gentleman was already assisting the woman prior to Spencer’s arrival, but the deputy pulled over and completed the job. The man wrote a letter to the sheriff’s office commending Spencer on a job well done.

The Columbus County Emergency Services will host their first ever Public Safety Day on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds. The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin promptly at the start of the event.  

First responders throughout the area will be holding live demonstrations such as emergency extrication, hazmat scene response, and special operations activities. Members of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office will be there, and Animal Protective Services will be holding an adopt-a-thon for those interested in meeting their new furry best friend.  

The day would not be complete without the fire, law enforcement, and EMS vehicle show and a firefighter competition. Vendors and booths will be set up for folks to browse and shop, and when you get hungry, you can mosey on over to the chicken and rice cook off and buy a plate to appease your appetite.   

The Columbus County Fairgrounds are located at 886 Prison Camp Road in Whiteville. For more information about the Public Safety Day, check out the Columbus County Emergency Services Facebook page. 

• Whiteville Police Department will be having a community blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 1- 6 p.m. The event will be held at Vineland Station located at 701 South Madison Street. For more information about how you can donate, contact WPD at 910.642.5111.

You can “pick and paint” sunflowers and zinnias at Galloway Farms Sept. 17.

• Galloway Farms invites you to come out their Pick and Paint on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 6 – 9 p.m. Pick a few sunflowers or zinnias, then paint a lovely canvas inspired by your bouquet. Instructor Ed Council will be there to help out and guide the way. You are welcome to bring your own cooler with snacks and drinks for the evening. 

Tickets start at $30, and includes one sunflower and one canvas with provided paint, brushes, and an apron. Please come 30 minutes early if you wish to pick your own flowers. Additional flowers can be purchased for a $1 each. Galloway Farms is located at 370 Artesia Road in Hallsboro. Visit  https://gallowayfarm.yapsody.com/event/index/741333/pick-paint for more information. 


• The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at z2j.c7e.myftpupload.com. Email [email protected]with your church announcements, fundraisers, pageant winners, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, family and school reunions, little kids catching big fish or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.