The Good News for Oct. 22
Happening this weekend
As spooky season approaches, many churches, businesses, and organizations are holding harvest celebrations and trunk or treats. Be sure to send your Halloween 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. The Trunk or Treat Guide 2022 is updated daily, and you can sign up for the CCN newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox every morning.
• Maze Craze at Galloway Farms in Hallsboro is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of every weekend until Nov. 6. This year the 13-acre Outer Banks themed maze will lead you on a treasure hunt as you search for OBX icons hidden along the paths.
Outside of the maze, enjoy games, tractor-pulled wagon rides, barrel train rides, live farm animals, concessions, and more. Food vendors are on site with good eats, and be sure to check out the farm’s Snack Shack to get your hot cocoa, hot apple cider, pumpkin spice, salted caramel, cinnamon sugar donuts, and more.
A two-acre kid's fun maze contains the story trails. Walk along with your children and read the story of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, Jack and the Cornstalk, The Three Silly Goats and Their Stuff, and sing with Farmer Alma's Sing-Along Trail. Tickets start at $12.
Visit www.gallowayfarm.yapsody.com/event/index/738159/2022-maze-craze-at-galloway-farm to purchase your tickets through Nov. 5.
• The 50th annual Waccamaw Siouan Powwow continues through tonight at 11 p.m. at the tribal grounds. There are, contests, food, and vendors with handcrafted items for sale. Traditional dancing demonstrations, Waccamaw Siouan history, and drumming will also be featured during the event. Admission is $8, and children ages four and under get in free. The grounds are located at 7275 Old Lake Road in Buckhead.
• The N.C. Yam Festival is happening today, and a full slate of activities is set for the border town.
Downtown will feature vendors, food, entertainment and more.
The traditional sweet potato giveaway will take place after the festival in the parking lot of the Tabor City Public Library (aka Yam Fest Headquarters). Bags will be provided thanks to Tabor City IGA. The sweet potatoes were grown right down the road and purchased from Hunter McPherson Farms.
• Transformation Church will be having a fish fry today (Saturday, Oct. 22) from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The cost is $8 per plate, and tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling 910.918.1226. The church is located at 9955 James B. White Highway South, one mile north of Williams Township School.
• Two Whiteville firefighters saved a man’s life last week at the Smithfield’s restaurant. Ronald and Daphne Groce had stopped by the eatery on their way home from Oak Island, and Ronald began choking. The firefighters jumped in and performed the Heimlich maneuver. Ronald was fine after the incident, and the couple has been singing the praises of the firefighters.
• Columbus County’s own Dustin Chapman and Ryleigh Bunch at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend for the Josie Music awards. The duo is nominated for categories such as Rising Star of the Year, Country Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocalist of the Year (under 18), and many more.
In other news
• The Columbus Baptist Association will have their monthly Backpack Buddies packing party on Monday, Oct. 24, at the 7 p.m. at the CBA office. The ministry sends home breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack on Friday afternoons for children who may not get a meal again until Monday morning when they return to school. The office is located at 208 South Thompson Street in Whiteville.
• The Bolton Pine Tree Festival scheduled for Oct. 1 has been moved to Oct. 29.. The committee is still looking for food vendors for the event. For more information, contact Bolton Town Hall at 910.655.8945.
• The Columbus County Shriners will be holding their annual fish fry on Thursday, Nov. 10, in Riegelwood at the corner of Waccamaw and Old Stage Road and on Friday, Nov. 11, at the DB Cox Crop Insurance office in front of Tractor Supply in Whiteville. 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.
• Tabor City resident Athena Donahue took to Facebook this week to praise Officer Draper of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office for his help. Donahue was stranded with a flat tire, and Draper came to her aid, changed the blowout, and got her back on the road.
• The Elizabethtown Fire Department is currently seeking a full-time firefighter. The application period is now open and will run until Oct. 31. All applicants must visit the town’s official website to complete the form. Visit https://elizabethtownnc.org/ for more information.
• Galloway Farm will be presenting a night of music by local artists, Podiac Jack, on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. The band covers music from the 50s – 90s including genres like rock, rockabilly, and blues. They cover music by the Beatles, The Who, Johnny Cash, Green Day, and more. Local food vendors and fair favorites will be available for purchase at the event. Visit www.gallowayfarm.yapsody.com/event/index/746225 to purchase your tickets now.
• Southeastern Community College and the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation will be partnering together to host a community trunk or treat on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the SCC campus.
There will be live music, costume and trunk contests, food, games and more. Due to the positive feedback from the public, there are no vacancies left for vendors or trunks for the event. SCC is located at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.
• The 2022 Riegelwood Thanksgiving and Christmas parade and festival is currently seeking participants and food vendors for the event. The celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, and those interested are asked to message Kimberly Faircloth via Facebook.
• It’s going to be a big Christmas this year in downtown Whiteville. The annual tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. There will be music, hot cocoa, free carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and much more. Be sure to mark your calendars for this event.
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.