Lake City Community Planner for Sept. 1

Here's a look at the upcoming events taking place in and around the Lake City area:

Olanta library’s new hours

Beginning today, the Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library in Olanta will change operating hours for Tuesdays and Thursdays. The new hours for those two days will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The weekly hours will be:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesdays, Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sundays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lake City One Stop

Lake City One Stop Center/WIA Youth Program is accepting new applications for 2010-11. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21. Program offers GED/high school diploma, Summer Youth JOBS, basic skills upgrading, Keytrain/Aztec, community service projects, college tours, resume preparation and Work Keys. Free workshops cover the topics of mentoring, resume preparation, interview preparation, completing FASFA and career planning. For more information, visit the center at 209 Graham Road in Lake City or call Alberteen McFadden, youth career specialist, at (843) 374-0970, ext. 1080.

Computer classes

The Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library in Olanta will offer the following free computer classes in September:

• Computer Basics: Hardware and The Keyboard — 10-11 a.m. Sept. 9
• Computer Basics: The Mouse — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Computer Basics: Microsoft Word — 10-11 a.m. Sept. 23 and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 28

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

FMU events

• Francis Marion University’s Chamber Recital Series will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Kassab Recital Hall of the Hyman Fine Arts Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.
• Francis Marion University will present a program for Hispanic Heritage Month at 4 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Lowrimore Auditorium of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1188.
• Francis Marion University’s Center of Excellence will hold its fall workshop between 7:45 a.m. and noon Sept. 25 in the Chapman Auditorium of the McNair Science Building. For registration and more information, call (843) 669-3391, ext. 28.
• Francis Marion University’s English Department Film Series will present “Young Man with a Horn” at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Lowrimore Auditorium of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. For more information, call (843) 661-1371.
• The Francis Marion University Art Gallery Series will present 2-Dimensional Works by Honor Marks and 3-Dimensional Works from Sept. 28 through Nov. 11 in the Hyman Fine Arts Center Gallery. The free exhibits may be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.

Olanta pageant

The Olanta Fall Festival Beauty Pageant, sponsored by the Olanta Business Association, will be held Sept. 25 in the Blanding Street Auditorium in Lake City. For applications and more information, call Kay McElveen at (843) 659-4853. Applications also are available in Olanta at Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library, Jolee’s Hair Institute LLC on Main Street and F&L Drug, as well as IGA in Turbeville. Entertainment will be provided by Kelley’s Fine Arts.

FMU observatory

Francis Marion University’s Observatory will hold a public viewing of the moon, Jupiter, Neptune and deep sky between 8 and 10 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24, depending on clear skies. Admission is free. For sky conditions, call (843) 661-1355. For other information, call (843) 661-1441.

Child-care class

The Division of Continuing Education at Williamsburg Technical College, in partnership with the Center for Child Care Career Development, is offering a 30-hour credential course for family and group child-care providers. By completing this course, participants will earn the ABC Family Child Care Credential and may be eligible for a $100 Smart Money Bonus.

Classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays from Sept. 23 through Dec. 2 in Room 504 of Building B at the college. The course’s instructor will be Dr. Earlene Walker-Kelly, and the fee will be $60. The deadline to register is noon Thursday.

To register, call Jeanette Brown in the college’s Division of Continuing Education at (843) 355-4182.

Coupon Keri

The Friends of the Olanta Public Library are sponsoring a Coupon Keri class from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at Olanta’s Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library. This class is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided, and a door prize will be given away. Tickets are $10 and are being sold in advance only. Purchase tickets from the Olanta library or by calling (843) 373-0581. For more information, visit www.couponkeri.com.

Olanta Fall Festival

Olanta Fall Festival, formerly the Gator Festival, will be held Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. On Oct. 2, there will be a Carnival with fun, games, food and entertainment. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Anyone interested in being part of parade should call Kell Floyd at (843) 396-4316.

STEM Saturdays

ScienceSouth will launch STEM Saturdays, a monthly program that encourages science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, on Sept. 18 in Florence.

The program will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m for children ages 5-12. Interested parties may visit www.sciencesouth.org or call (843) 679-5353, ext. 314, for details on dates and registration. Space is limited to 20 children per session.

STEM Saturdays are sponsored by Time Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds (CAMM) initiative.

ScienceSouth is a nonprofit educational organization with the mission of advancing scientific understanding and increasing the competitiveness of future generations in all areas of science. For additional STEM Saturday information, visit www.sciencesouth.org or call (843) 679-5353.

Farm Bill forum

Congressman Collin Peterson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and Congressman John Spratt will be in Florence at the Pee Dee Education Center (Clemson Extension) on Pocket Road at noon Sept. 8. This will be an open forum; the public is invited to discuss the Farm Bill, its possible changes in 2012 and how it will effect local farmers and agriculture in our area. ArborOne Farm Credit is providing lunch at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call Mary Dickson at (843) 432-2344.

FMU chamber recital

Francis Marion University’s Chamber Recital Series’ first concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Kassab Recital Hall of the university’s Hyman Fine Arts Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.

FMU film series

Francis Marion University’s Cinema Film Series will begin Sept. 14. A free film, to be announced, will be shown at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. in Lowrimore Auditorium of the university’s Cauthen Educational Media Center. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.

“TNA Live!”

The superstars of Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “TNA iMPACT” on Spike will visit Florence with “TNA Live!” at Florence Civic Center starting at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the civic center box office. For more information, visits www.tnawrestling.com.

After-school program

Faith & Hope After School program is accepting applications for children in kindergarten through seventh grade. The program is an ABC voucher provider for children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Homework assistance: improved social skills and interpersonal behavior, improved grades and work habits, reduced misconduct and risky behavior, and improved test scores. The location is 114C Sauls St. in Lake City, behind Ward’s Fish Market. For more information, call Paula Morris at (843) 598-2236 or Chewanda Barr at (843) 394-3037.

Free, reduced lunch

Lake City College Preparatory Academy will provide applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Free and Reduced School Lunch program. Applications are available at the public charter school’s W.L. Thompson Mt. Clair Education Campus. Applications will also be available at the school’s community office, at 107 S. Acline St. in Lake City. For more information, call (843) 374-9029.

Lake City Farmers Market

The Lake City Farmers Market, at 111 Henry St., is now open from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call (843) 374-1500.

FMU hewn-timber cabins

Francis Marion University’s hewn-timber cabins are open for tours between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 14, weather permitting. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1311.

Artist-In-Residence program

Painters, photographers, poets and artistic park lovers of all pursuits are invited to apply for the S.C. State Park Service’s 14th annual Artist-in-Residence program.

The program offers a one-week stay in a state park cabin in exchange for a week of inspiration in a natural setting and a piece of original work for the park to keep for posterity and public display.

Interested artists are invited to apply by Oct. 31.  Each application must include examples of past artwork or creative writing. A jury of professional artists and park representatives will select participants based on artistic quality and the ability to interpret and relate the park through their work. Selected artists will be notified by Nov. 30.

Upon completion of the selected artist’s visit, he or she must donate a completed original work to the park within 60 days. In the past, diverse media such as photography, quilts, paintings, wall hangings and pottery have been accepted.

The following state parks are participating: Barnwell, Cheraw, Dreher Island, Givhans Ferry, Hickory Knob, Keowee-Toxaway, Oconee, Poinsett, Santee and Table Rock.

For more information about the Artist-In-Residence Program or to apply, contact Mark Davies at Cheraw State Park at (843) 537-9656 or mdavies@scprt.com. The application form also is available at www.southcarolinaparks.com.

FMU art exhibits

Francis Marion University’s Art Gallery Series will present three exhibits through Sept. 23:

• “Small Surveillances” by Gregory Fry
• “The Goddess Within” by Linda Wiegert
• “3-Dimensional Works” by John Whitman

The free exhibits may be viewed in the Hyman Fine Arts Center Gallery from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.

FMU planetarium

• Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “To Worlds Unknown” at 3 p.m. Sept. 12 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 “Sky Watchers of Ancient Mexico” at 3 p.m. Sept. 26 on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1441.

Nonprofit workshops

Through its Learning Academy, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has six more nonprofit workshops scheduled this year. Workshops are free and open to staff, board and volunteers of nonprofit organizations in South Carolina that are in some way addressing poverty in the state.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s Learning Academy leverages training and educational opportunities to meet the needs of multiple nonprofit organizations in South Carolina. The foundation goes beyond grantmaking and provides nonprofits with tools and resources for success in different areas including board governance and ethics, evaluation, financial management, grant writing, and partnerships and sustainability.

Workshops currently scheduled are:

• Sept. 14: Partnerships: Leading Through Connections
• Sept. 28: Diversity & Inclusion: Building Bridges to Understanding
• Oct. 12: Keys to Financial Management
• Nov. 16: Grant Writing & Evaluation

To allow for more interaction and targeted, hands-on learning opportunities, each workshop is limited in size. Those wishing to participate should visit the Learning Academy section of the Foundation’s Web site, www.sistersofcharitysc.com, and complete and submit an application for each workshop.

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.

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 regional volunteer coordinator Whitney Rogers at (843) 409-7991 or whitney.rogers@hospicecare.net or one of your local offices at (803) 484-6869 or (843) 355-3105.

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 from Thursday through Sunday at Sunset Acres. The festivities include: Meet & Greet on Friday, Family and Friends picnic and ’80s party on Saturday (cost is $7 at the door), and a Sunday Gospel Brunch on Sunday. The cost is $125 per classmate; 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 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.

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.

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 groups

• 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.
• A grief recovery program (GriefShare) will be at Lee's Tabernacle Church, 2226 N. Matthews Road, Scranton, every Thursday night at 6:30 during the months of September and October. This is a Christ-centered, nondenominational video program for the bereaved.  There is no cost to attend.  Please call 389-7051 for more information. 

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.

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.

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.