The Good News for Feb. 11
It's going to be a wet weekend across Columbus County, but if you feel the need to get out and about, there are some activities to keep you busy. Be sure to log onto www.columbuscountynews.com to find out what's going on for absolutely free. No subscription required, and we never charge to find out what's going on in your area.
What's going on in Columbus
• Join the Columbus County Sheriff's Animal Protective Services for the pet treat tasting event Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the parking lot at Tractor Supply. Other organizations like the Humane Society, mobile dog groomers, and puppy donut bakeries will be there for pets and their families to enjoy. Zeko's International and other food trucks will be on site for the public, and pet photos will be available for furbabies. Tractor Supply is located at 26 Whiteville Plaza.
• Lake Waccamaw Dixie Youth baseball will hold signups each Saturday until Feb. 25. Registration will be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and kids ages 4-12 years old and their parents can head over the Lake Waccamaw United Methodist Church to join a league. For more information, contact Jason Dorsey at 910.625.6167, or Brandon Mitchell at 910.625.9750. The church can be found at 506 Lakeshore Drive.
• Cerro Gordo will also hold their third round of signups for their Dixie Youth baseball program today, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Cerro Gordo Dixie Youth Complex. The last opportunity to register will be next weekend on Feb. 18. A $40 fee is due at the time of signup. For more information, call Kiley Hinson at 910.512.4524, Quinn Allen at 910.918.2481, or Marko Little at 910.918.8276.
• The final installment of the Momentum youth rally will be held this Sunday, Feb. 12 from 5-7 p.m. The event will feature guest speaker Scott Pace with music by The Museum, and will take place at Western Prong Baptist Church. The church is located at 167 Peacock Road in Whiteville. Momentum is for children in grades 6-12. Admission is free, and snacks will be provided each evening. If you or your youth group is interested in attending, please call the Columbus Baptist Association office at 910.642.2155 so they can plan accordingly.
• Brown Street Station and Kool 103.9 F.M. are teaming up to bring you their first ever Super Ball party in honor of the Superbowl on Sunday, Feb. 12. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m. There will be two large screens to watch the game, football pool, and door prizes after each commercial break. The cost is $10 per person. Brown Street Station is located at 202 North Brown Street in Chadbourn. No alcoholic beverages will be served at this event.
• The Chadbourn Depot Museum will be hosting the Italian Valentines Dinner event on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The meal will include a full course dinner with dessert and wine. Tickets are $30 per person, and semi-formal attire is required. To purchase your ticket, call 910.899.2992 or 910.770.1874.
• The East Columbus High School FFA are currently selling tickets for their Sweetheart Banquet fundraiser for Monday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. The tickets are $50 for a dinner for two, and babysitting for the event is available for $5 per child. The meal will include an entrée, salad, side, and a dessert. For more information or tickets, contact an FFA member or call the school at 910.646.4094.
Events next week
• The Anchorage Camp of Lake Waccamaw will be having a BBQ dinner fundraiser on multiple dates in February and March to raise money to refinish the skate floor. The next opportunity to support the cause will be on Feb. 21, and the spread will include barbecue, coleslaw, and/or baked beans, and 12 rolls. The meal will feed up to a family of four, and the prices will range from $25-30 with the option to add sides and extras for a few dollars more. For more information about this event, call the camp office at 910.646.4111. You can find more coverage of this story atwww.columbuscountynews.com.
• Shiloh Church will be having a benefit singing on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. The event will include the Unity Quartet and The Tylers. A plate sale will follow the singing. Call 910.280.9626 or 910.212.8967 for more information. Shiloh Church is located at 7793 Hallsboro Road South.
Hot off the press in Bladen
• Elizabethtown will be hosting the 2023 Year of the Trail Festival from Feb. 17-19. The weekend will include guided hikes, paddle boat and bike rides, outdoor vendors, Southern cooking, music, and fellowship. To find out more, visit www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com/2023-year-of-the-trail/.
• The Bladen County Veterans and Community Stand Down will be held on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Elizabethtown Baptist Church. Information on assistance support services will be available to veterans and their families. For more information, contact Leon Grimes at 919.621.8053. The church is located at 1800 West Broad Street.
• The Leadership Bladen program is now looking for people to join the next class of graduates. Learn about all the different aspects of what makes the area run from government and education, to tourism and agriculture. Applications can be found by visiting the Leadership Bladen website.
In other news
• On Feb. 7, the Chadbourn Town Council and Police Chief Kenneth Elliott present Corporal E. Lewis the Life Saving Award. While on duty, Lewis entered a burning home and pulled someone from the fire.
• Clarkton Volunteer Fire Department will host a hunter safety class Feb. 25 at the fire station. The event is free and is required for anyone applying for a N. C. hunting license for the first time. The Hunter Safety Program was founded in the late 1970s, and within a few years of its creation, hunting accidents dropped sharply in the state. Students learn the basics of conservation, firearm and bow safety, tree stand safety, and proper gun storage. To sign up, go to https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/191419. You can also find out more information about hunter safety in North Carolina at ncwildlife.org.\
• Taste of Columbus will go back into the 'Roarin' 20s' on Feb. 25 at Western Prong Baptist Church at 5 p.m. The annual event is the Columbus County Youth and Families Association's only fundraiser of the year. All proceeds go to other county organizations for various activities and high school scholarships awarded by the association. Tickets are available for $25 for attendees 19 years old and older and $10 for youth 3-18 years old. Call 910.640.8080, 910.840.9295, or 910.445.6031 for more information or to purchase your ticket.
• Southern Farm Days will be back again this year on March 17-19. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The event will be held at the Boys and Girls Home horse complex in Lake Waccamaw. Visit www.southernfarmdays.com for a complete list of vendors and entertainment.
• The Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce has announced the date for the 2023 Spring Has Sprung Festival. The celebration will commence on Saturday, April 22. The chamber is looking for vendors and parade participants for the event. Those interested can call the office at 910.377.3012 or send an email to tccofc@yahoo.com.
• The Columbus County Sheriff's Office has expanded their family once again this week. Robert Hammonds, Raymond Hall Jr., and Franklin Blanton Jr. have joined the department ranks. Hammond and Hall will be the newest members of the Patrol Division, and Blanton will join the Court Division.
• Smyrna Baptist Church Young Women's Association will be holding their annual collard sale on Friday, March 17, starting at 12:30 p.m. The ladies will have collard wraps for $3 and collard sandwiches for $6. Wraps and sandwiches come with fatback, pepper jelly, or chow-chow. Delivery is available for orders of 10 plates or more. Pre-orders must be placed by March 13, and no call-ins will be accepted the day of the event. The church is located at 8003 Highway 211 East in Lumberton. Call 910.536.2012 for more information.
• The Whiteville Juniorettes Club will present their annual Princess Day on Sunday, March 26, from 2-4 p.m. at the Spillway. Bring your little ones for nail painting, coloring, face painting, and a meet and greet with princesses. Tickets will be available for $15 starting the week of Feb. 13. Contact a Juniorette or visit the Whiteville Juniorettes Club Facebook Page for more information.
The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at columbuscountynews.com. Email crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news with your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.