Lake City Community Planner for July 14

LAKE CITY — The following upcoming events are scheduled to take place in and around the Lake City area:

Family movie event

The Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library in Olanta will host a family movie event from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Children and their families are welcome. “Fish-approved” human snacks will be provided. Admission is free, and the film is rated G. For more information, call (843) 396-4287.

ScienceSouth camps

ScienceSouth will hold its last two summer camps beginning with Extreme Engineering from Monday through July 23, followed by Junior Scientist camp from July 26-30. Both camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Junior Scientist camp is ScienceSouth’s newest camp and is for little scientists ages 6 to 8. For more information, call (843) 679-5353, ext. 310.

Olanta computer classes

In July, the Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library in Olanta will offer free computer classes. The schedule is as follows:

• Computer Basics: Microsoft Word from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday.
  
• Computer Basics: The Internet from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 29

Each class will last about one hour. Each session is a complete class and is not part of a series. Admission is free, but registration is required.
For more information or to register, call (843) 396-4287.

FMU planetarium

• Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “Stories of the Greeks” at 3 p.m. July 22 on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1441.
  
• Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “Eyes on the Sky” at 3 p.m. Aug. 8 on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1441.
  
• Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “Galaxies in the Universe” at 3 p.m. Aug. 22 on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1441.

Pageant

The Little Ms. Starlett Beauty Pageant 2010 will be held Aug. 14 at Florence Civic Center for ages 12 months to 12 years. Categories are “Beauty Wear” and “Wow Wear.” The “Wow Wear” winner will receive a cash prize. For more information, call (843) 356-3810.

Baseball player search

Coast to Coast Baseball is seeking skilled baseball players ages 10-18 to represent the United States in competition in Puerto Rico, or to work with top college coaches and pro scouts at one of its Florida or Arizona Camp & Showcase events held at the Major League Baseball spring-training complex. For more information, visit the tryouts section of the Coast to Coast website, www.coasttocoastathletics.com, or call (740) 373-4455.

FMU fall semester

Francis Marion University’s fall semester classes begin Aug. 23. For more information and to register, call (843) 661-1231.

Child-care scholarships

Florence County First Steps will be taking pre-applications for child-care scholarships (ABC) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday at 658 S. Coit St. in Florence. To be eligible, applicants must be Florence County residents, meet the ABC income and employment guidelines, and participate in monthly parent meetings and workshops. For more information, call (843) 629-0202.

Florence Symphony auditions

Auditions for the Florence Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-11 season will be held Aug. 23. There are openings for principal trombone and principal clarinet as well as section players throughout the symphony.

The auditions will be held at Central United Methodist Church’s third-floor rehearsal room in the sanctuary building. Central is located at the corner of Irby and Cheves streets in downtown Florence.

All interested musicians should e-mail manager@florencesymphony.com at any time or call (843) 661-2541 after July 26 to make an appointment. Please have a solo piece of your choosing prepared, and sight reading will be provided.

The deadline for applying is noon Aug. 20.

The Florence Symphony Orchestra came into being in the spring of 1949. A call for volunteers to form a community band has lead to over half a century of performances with four concerts a season. As it prepares to move into the new Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, the symphony will expand to five concerts in the coming season. The symphony also operates the Florence Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Hospice volunteers

Hospice Care of South Carolina is seeking volunteers in Florence County. Celebrating its 14th year of care with offices in 26 counties, Hospice Care of South Carolina provides compassion and comfort to families and patients living with life-limiting illness. The treatment goal is to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so they may live with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. For more information, contact Whitney Rogers, regional volunteer coordinator, at (843) 409-7991 or whitney.rogers@hospicecare.net or one of your local offices at (803) 484-6869 or (843) 355-3105.

Pee Dee Regional Art Competition

The Florence Museum of Art, Science and History has announced the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition 2010. Entries to the competition will be accepted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21 at the museum, at 558 Spruce St. in Florence.

An online prospectus can be completed and printed from the Florence Museum website, at www.florencemuseum.org.

The competition highlights the best contemporary art in South Carolina’s 12-county eastern region, which includes Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Sumter, Marlboro, Williamsburg, Lee and Kershaw counties.

Awards will be presented at the opening party, to be held the evening of Aug. 27. First place is a cash award of $600, second place is $400, and third place is $250. There are four honorable mention awards for $65 as well as a $50 JoAnn Fender Scarborough People’s Choice award, which is voted upon that evening by all of the attendees of the opening reception.

Each artist may submit as many as four pieces in any medium. The works must be hand-delivered to the Florence Museum before 4 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13.

There is a fee of $12.50 per entry, but museum members may submit two free entries.

For more information, call the museum (843)-662-3351.

Barbecue judging class

The S.C. Barbeque Association will hold a class in Columbia on Saturday to train new barbecue judges.

This all-day seminar is designed to start a person on the path to becoming a full-fledged certified barbecue judge. It is the first of a five-step process towards that goal. There are about 350 active certified judges in the state.

The class will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the recreation hall of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, at 1715 Bull St. in Columbia.

The cost to attend is $35, which includes a barbecue lunch.

For more information, contact Lake High, the association’s president, at Lhigh1@sc.rr.com, and he will send information on how to join the association and how to become a certified judge.

Williamsburg Tech early registration

Williamsburg Technical College has announced a special early registration for new students with completed admissions paperwork. The registration will take place from 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. from July 22 through Aug. 5.

The admissions application process must be complete to take advantage of early registration. Open registration for the public is scheduled for 3-8 p.m. Aug. 18 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19. High school students may also register to take college courses while still in high school.

Course information, admission applications and financial aid applications are available at www.wiltech.edu or by visiting Williamsburg Technical College.

FMU conference

Francis Marion University’s Graduate School of Education is hosting the third annual Conference for Advocacy for the Non-traditional and Divergent Learner (CANDL) from 8:30 am to 1 p.m. July 23 in the Lee Nursing Building. Admission is free. For registration and more information, call (843) 661-1558.

'What Do I Do at the End of the Day’

An event titled “What Do I Do at the End of the Day” will be at Lake City Football Stadium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24 with speakers, mentors, expounders and comedians as well as food, games, giveaways and more. Transportation will be provided. For more information, call (843) 598-2236.

Class reunions

• The Carver High School class of 1969 is planning a reunion. Please forward contact information, including an e-mail address, to Carver High class reunion 1969, P.O. Box 282, Lake City, SC 29560-2428, attn: Mattie Gaskin, or call (843) 210-3046.
  
• The Lake City High School class of 1971 is planning a class reunion in June 2011. Forward contact information and questions to Jerry Singletary (Jerry52@ftc-i.net) or Cynthia W. Burgess (CynthBrg1@AOL.com).
  
• The Kingstree Senior High class of 1985 will have its 25-year class reunion at from Sept. 3-5 at Sunset Acres. The festivities include: Meet & Greet on Sept. 3, Family and Friends picnic and ’80s party on Sept. 4, and a Sunday Gospel Brunch on Sept. 5. The cost is $100 per classmate by May 1 and $125 after that date; guests are $25 for the weekend. Kids (meet and greet/picnic only) younger than 13: $5 each; kids 13 and over: $10 each. Mail cashier checks or money orders only to Dwayne Fulton, and make them payable to: The Class of 1985, 10356 Hemingway Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556. For more information, call Theresa McKnight at (843) 598-9137 or e-mail teresamcknight@ymail.com.
  
• The Lake City High School and The Carolina Academy classes of 2000 are having their 10-year reunion July 31. The reception will take place from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Lake City Country Club. Singles are $15, and couples are $25. The cost includes food. A photographer also will be available. For more details, e-mail Dusty Moore at dusty.moore@yahoo.com.
  
• The Lake City High School class of 2002 will have its reunion from June 8-12, 2012, in Lake City. For additional information and to RSVP, please contact class President La’Tekia Harrell by phone at (843) 229-2128 or by e-mail at latekiaharrell@yahoo.com. Class members also may contact student body President Se'Mekia Harrell-Green by phone at (843) 230-4789 or by e-mail at mekiaharrell@yahoo.com.
  
• The Hannah High School class of 1960 will hold its 50-year reunion at 4 p.m. Aug. 21 at Woodstone BBQ, at 1513 Pamplico Highway in Florence. For more information, contact Janice Poston Woodberry at by phone at (843) 394-8045 or e-mail at woodj@sc.rr.com; Annie Raye Haselden by phone at (843) 386-2251 or e-mail at haseldenar@verizon.net; Lee Edwards at (843) 389-0486; or Raymon Hearne at (843) 669-8280. The event’s Facebook.com page is “Hannah High Alumni & Friends aka Hannah Historical Society (Hannah, SC).”

Young entrepreneurs

SC Economics, formerly the SC Council on Economic Education, is looking for five elementary, middle or high school students who have taken up the challenge of running their own businesses. They must understand the costs and benefits of working for themselves and be willing to share their experiences with their peers.

The five 2011 SC Young Entrepreneurs will be interviewed on the ETV Stock Market Game Program, which is broadcast to schools during the fall and spring semesters. In addition, at SC Economics’ awards luncheon, each student will receive a $200 cash prize and be honored by their teachers and fellow students.

If you know a student who fits the profile of a SC Young Entrepreneur, fill out the Young Entrepreneur Nomination Form at http://www.sceconomics.org/entrepreneur_form.htm.

Teachers, parents, community members or even young entrepreneurs themselves may complete the form.

SC Economics is a nonprofit business-education partnership dedicated to providing teachers with the tools and resources needed to educate South Carolina’s students about financial literacy, economic principles, and the changing global economy. To learn more, visit www.sceconomics.org.

New York City trip

RnJ Events will sponsor a bus trip to New York City to see “The MAAFA Suite -The Healing Journey” along with shopping and sightseeing Sept. 23-26. The MAAFA Commemoration in New York is a coming together of the community to memorialize and honor the millions of Africans lost in the horror of what has previously been identified as the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade/Middle Passage. 2010 marks the 16th year St. Paul Community Baptist Church commemorates the MAAFA theatre production. For more information on how to participate, contact Robin L. Coletrain at (803) 556-9697 or rcoletrain08@yahoo.com or James E. Singletary at (917) 992-5830 or js2864@columbia.edu.

Safe Sitter courses

Safe Kids Florence, led by McLeod Health, will host a series of Safe Sitter courses for girls and boys ages 11 to 13. The courses will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the McLeod Pavilion Day Hospital Conference Room.

Upcoming dates are as follows:

• Tuesday (registration has ended)
  
• Aug. 10 (register by July 27)

Safe Sitter is a medically based program that teaches young adolescents how to effectively handle emergencies when caring for children. Thousands of young adolescents across the country have been trained by Safe Sitter Instructors to handle life-threatening emergencies.

Safe Sitter students will receive hands-on practice in basic lifesaving techniques to handle a potential crisis. They will also learn helpful tips to make them more confident caregivers, including safety precautions, how to understand children of different ages, and even the business of babysitting.

Safe Kids asks that parents or guardians escort their child to the class in the morning in order to briefly provide them with important information. The class is $35 and includes class materials, a T-shirt, certificate and lunch. The McLeod Pavilion Day Hospital Conference Room is located at 801 E. Cheves St. in Florence.

Safe Kids Florence led by McLeod Health is funded in part by the McLeod Health Foundation.

To register, please call McLeod Reservations and Scheduling at (843) 777-2005. Please register early because space is limited.

Family reunion

The Archie and Lou Porter family reunion will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 31 at Brown’s BBQ in Kingstree. For more information, call Libby at (843) 345-1472.

Lynda Randle concert

Lynda Randle, a gospel recording artist, songwriter and speaker, will be featured in a musical worship event at 7 p.m. Monday at Lakewood Campground in Myrtle Beach. Randle, a native of Washington, D.C., now resides with her husband, Michael, and their two daughters in Kansas City, Mo. Randle has spent nearly two decades ministering in churches and arenas, sharing her testimony and vocal talents. She is regularly featured on the Bill Gaither “Homecoming” video and concert series. She has more than a dozen video and audio recordings to her credit. For more information, call (843) 997-8490.

Guest Care Program

Lake City Community Hospital now offers the Guest Care Program, which provides a 24-hour care on a short-term or long-term basis. Those who qualify are persons needing supervision, specific therapy or assistance with normal activities. The program is intended to give the caregiver a much-needed break. Generally, a stay is usually no longer than 14 days. Long-term care is available if space is available and criteria are met. Guest Care is not covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, but is payable only by cash in advance. For more information, call (843) 374-6128.

Grief support group

McLeod Hospice is offering a support group for people coping with the loss of a loved one, whether or not the loss is hospice related. The group will meet at noon the last Wednesday of each month in the McLeod Hospice House, at 1203 E. Cheves St. in Florence. For more information, call (843) 777-2007.

Head Start success stories

Head Start is looking for alumni. If you graduated from Lake City/Olanta Head Start, call Yvonne McFadden at (843) 394-5266. The center is planning now for Head Start Awareness Month, which is October.

The Lake City/Olanta Head Start is looking for alumni throughout South Carolina who will share their stories and testimonials of their Head Start experiences. If you or someone you know has attended a Lake City/Olanta Head Start program, call McFadden to be a part of activities as Head Start celebrates 40 years. Head Start would also like to use stories for possible inclusion on its website and in future publications.

Farmers market

The National Bean Market Museum, at 111 Henry St. in Lake City, will hold its farmers market in the Town Square during spring and summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday except July 3. For more information, call the museum at (843) 374-1500.

House fire

Donations are being accepted for the family of Bobby and Angela Matthews following a house fire. An account has been set up at the Exchange Bank of South Carolina — the Angela Matthews Fire Loss Foundation. For more information, call (843) 244-6785.

James Gregory

Florence Civic Center, at 3300 W Radio Drive in Florence, will have “Comedy Night with James Gregory Live” at 8 p.m. Aug. 21. Tickets are $29.50. Group tables are available at a discounted price. Tickets are available by visiting the civic center box office, ordering online at www.ticketmaster.com or calling (800) 745-3000.

Pee Dee Coalition

The Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault is seeking volunteers. The coalition is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of rape, family violence and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. Volunteers make a direct impact in the lives of victims. Whether it is holding someone’s hand at the hospital or organizing a pantry at the shelter, the coalition has programs that cover a variety of interests. For more information, call County Coordinator Freda Cox at (843) 354-6481.

S.C. Tobacco Festival

The S.C. Tobacco Festival will take place in conjunction with the Heritage Music and Arts Festival from Sept. 16-18 in Lake City.

The schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 16: Gospel concerts in the Town Square
  
• Sept. 17: Friday Night Street Dance in the Town Square
  
• Sept. 18: Festival, art shows, and entertainment throughout downtown Lake City

More information will be released as the festival draws near.

Special needs

Parents or guardians who have a child or children with special needs and may be interested in becoming a part of a parent-to-parent support group can contact Tommy and Michelle Russell at (843) 373-0912 or (843) 356-5714 or visit pillaroutreach@yahoo.com.