The Good News for Nov. 12

As the holiday season approaches, many churches, fire departments, businesses, and organizations are holding turkey shoots and Christmas celebrations. Be sure to send all your Santa-errific events to Columbus County News for publication. There is no charge for this service, and the news can be read absolutely free at www.columbuscountynews.com. When you visit the website, sign up for the CCN newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox every morning.

Veterans will be honored in Columbus County today at 11 a.m., with the first annual Veterans Celebration Parade. Area businesses are asked to decorate out front to show their patriotic pride. To find out more about this event, visit 1st Annual Veterans' Celebration Parade.

Cerro Gordo Baptist Church will hold a Christmas Bazaar today from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be food, crafts, jewelry, and much more up for grabs. The church is located at 257 Church Street.

Meet author Mariana Rios Ramirez today at 10:30 a.m. at N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville. Ramirez will read "Santiago's Dinosaurios" in both English and Spanish. Dinosaur-related activities and prizes will follow. This special event is brought to you in partnership with the Columbus Chapter of the NC Reading Association.

Come out to the Columbus County Farmers Market today for Collard and Cornbread Day. You can check out some traditional favorites and enjoy a collard sandwich. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.

Turkey shoots and more

Transformation Church will have turkey shoot tonight, and every Saturday night, at 7 p.m. Through November. The church is located one mile north of Williams Township School, at 9955 James B. White Highway South.

Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department is well known for having one of the biggest turkey shoots in the county every year. The contests run through Nov. 26. Start time is 7 p.m. The fire station is located at 10263 Old 74, Evergreen.

Old Dock will host a turkey shoot throughout the month of November. Shooting time starts at 7 p.m.

Abundant Life Assembly of God will hold their annual turkey shoot tonight at 7 p.m. There will be concessions, ladies and kids rounds, and fellowship. The event will run every Friday and Saturday night through November.

Ways to help

Whiteville City Schools are back at it again helping families in need in the community by hosting their annual Thanksgiving food drive. WCS is now accepting donations from now through Nov. 16 at the Central Office located at 107 West Walter Street. The items can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Perishable donations will be accepted with a scheduled drop-off time. Please call Shenicka Banks at 910.642.3546, extension 4223, for more information. She can also be reached by email at sbanks@whiteville.k12.nc.us.

The Columbus County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will be having their 2022 Shuck N’ Shag on Thursday, Nov. 17. Attendees can slurp oysters and dance the night away starting at 5 p.m. at Vineland Station. Tickets are available at the Chamber office, and the price includes all you can eat oysters, chili, Brunswick stew, dancing, and fellowship. To reserve your seat, call 910.642.3171. Vineland Station is located at 701 South Madison Street.

This month's Storytime is all about the sounds of nature at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville. On Thursday, Nov. 17, at 10:30 a.m., come and listen to a read-aloud story and enjoy some nature exploration afterwards. This program is most suitable for children ages 3–6 years old, but families with nature lovers of all ages are welcome. No registration is required for this event.

The Chadbourn Library will be hosting a hot dog and bake sale on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bagged lunches will be $7 each and will include two hotdogs, chips, cookies, and a drink. Deliveries may be made in town by calling 910.654.3322. The library is located at 301 North Wilson Street in Chadbourn.

The Columbus County Shriners annual fish fry has been rescheduled to Thursday, Nov. 17, in Riegelwood at the corner of Waccamaw and Old Stage Road and on Friday, Nov. 18, at the DB Cox Crop Insurance office in front of Tractor Supply in Whiteville. Tickets purchased for this weekend will still be honored. Plates are $10 each, and the organization will be serving up good eats from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. Contact Daniel Hilburn or Matt Wilson via Facebook to purchase your tickets.

The Vietnam Veterans will be partnering with the Disabled Veterans Association to host a Boston butt sale on Friday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $30 each, and sale will take place at the building on South Madison Street.

Join the Whiteville Fun Factory on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., for their Car Cruise In Toys for Tots drive. There will be cars on display, and folks are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate. Cash is also accepted. The factory is located at 42 Hill Plaza in Whiteville.

The 2022 Riegelwood Thanksgiving and Christmas parade and festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 starting at 11 a.m. The parade route starts at Forest Drive and will end at the corner of Green Street and Cornwallis Road after circling the village community. For more information, visit the Riegelwood Parade “Christmas in the Village” Facebook page.

Santa Claus is coming to town, and Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue has all your tree needs covered. The department will be having a Christmas tree and wreath sale fundraiser on Monday, Nov. 21, at the station. The fresh cut evergreens range from $75-$200 and stand between 6-12 feet tall. Wreaths can be purchased for $30-$45 and have a diameter of 12-24 inches. To place an order, call Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue at 910.649.7099 or contact a station member. The department is located at 152 Main Street.

While the Thanksgiving turkey is still settling, get out and about with the Shop Our Stores Downtown Whiteville event on Nov. 26. Shop locally for a chance to win money and prizes for the holiday season, and bring the little ones to meet Santa and Ms. Claus at the Chamber office from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Several other beloved Christmas characters will be at different locations throughout the day, and the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville will be celebrating Indian Heritage Month.

Shop that day, and hang around that evening for the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. There will be music, food, hot cocoa, free horse carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and so much more. For a list of characters and all the events happening that day, visit the Shop Our Store Downtown Whiteville Facebook page.

The Columbus Baptist Association is looking for donations for their annual Christmas Toy Store. The organization needs brand new unwrapped toys to fulfill the needs of over 550 children. The items can be dropped off at the CBA office located at 208 South Thompson Street in Whiteville through Dec. 1. To find out more about how you can help, call 910.642.2155.

The Whiteville City Schools' Board of Education would like to encourage the community once again to give children who are less fortunate. The organization is now accepting donations for their 2022 Angel Tree. Gifts can include bikes, toys, clothes, winter coats, shoes, and other items. Angel gifts are due by Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and can be dropped off at the facility located at 107 West Walter Street in Whiteville. For more information, contact Shenicka Banks at 910.642.3546. She can also be reached by email at sbanks@whiteville.k12.nc.us.

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.newswith your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.