Lake City Community Planner for May 4

Upcoming events scheduled in and around the Lake City area:

Brazilian ballerina

Professional Brazilian ballerina Michelle Saramago, along with her personal coach, Madame Maria Clara Salles, will offer 45 minute ballet lecture-demonstrations in Lake City and Kingstree.

Lake City native Tony Brown, a graduate of South Florence High School, will partner with the Brazilian ballerina. Brown is a second-year student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He started his ballet training under Karl Singletary and is a principle dancer with the South Carolina Dance Theater of Florence.

The local schedule of the lecture-demonstration is as follows:

• 5 p.m. May 17 in Lake City (location to be announced)
• 10 a.m. May 18 at Kingstree Elementary School
• 6 p.m. May 20 in Kingstree (ballet-lecture demonstration open to the public)

National Day of Prayer

The annual observance of the National Day of Prayer will be held at noon Thursday at the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial, next to the Lake City Public Library, on Main Street.

Community leaders and pastors will gather and participate in prayer for the seven centers of influence: government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

For more information, call local coordinator the Rev. Larry McAlister at (843) 394-8887.

Cancer workshops

A group workshop for dedicated to helping female cancer patients cope with and combat the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments will be held from 3-5 p.m. Monday and Sept. 12 at McLeod Health & Fitness Center, at 2437 Willwood Dr. in Florence, July 11 and Nov 14 at Carolinas Hospital System, at 805 Pamplico Highway, Florence. To register, call (800) 227-2345.

Lake City Concert Series fundraiser

Lake City-area residents will pay a vocal tribute to the silver screen during the third annual An Evening for the Arts fundraising gala on May 12.

The event, in the banquet hall at Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America in Lake City, also will showcase artwork from local artists and schoolchildren, and many of the items may be purchased during a silent auction.

Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m., as the Lake City Winds, under the direction of Cliff Gardner, will entertain during a wine reception hosted by D. Walters. At 7:30 p.m., Francis Marion University theater professor Glen Gourley will lead a group of men in performances of songs from musicals and movies.

Admission is by season ticket or $25 at the door. Nan Ya is located on U.S. 52 at Beulah Road south of Lake City.

Lake City chamber hours

The Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce’s hours of operation have changed. The chamber is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Quilters guild

Swamp Fox Quilters Guild will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, at 2000 Marsh Ave. in Florence.

Computer classes

The Dr. John M. Thomason Public Library in Olanta will offer Computers 101: An Introduction. Topics covered will include hardware and software, the web, and email. Students will also work through mouse and keyboard exercises at 10-11:30 a.m. May 12. Registration is required. For more information, call (843) 396-4287.

Leaders Institute information fair

Florence Community Leaders Institute will offer an information fair in Francis Marion University’s Lowrimore Auditorium, at 4822 E. Palmetto St. in Florence, on May 20 and 21. Topics will include role of Government, health Disparities/Health Issues, education, youth issues and challenges, economic development, and housing and community development. U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina will give the keynote address. The event is free to the public. To register, call Claudia Cartledge at (843) 792-3518.

$10,000 cash drawing

The Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce will hold a $10,000.00 cash drawing at 7:30 p.m., May 19. The drawing is limited to 250 tickets at $100 each. The event will include free hors d’ourves and a cash bar at the Clubhouse Grill at the Lake City Country Club. The event benefits Lake City’s historic train depot. Tickets can be purchased at the chamber office, at 144 S. Acline St., or from chamber directors. For more information, call the chamber at (843) 374-8611.

South Carolina Tobacco Festival

The 2011 South Carolina Tobacco Festival and the inaugural Palmetto Outdoor Sports Festival will be held from Sept. 16-18 in Lake City. The Street Dance, on Sept. 17, will feature the Band of Oz. Events will include archery, cycling, softball, basketball, golf, a poker run, skeet shooting, a Palmetto Cruisers car show, community-wide sporting events. For more information, call the Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce at (843) 374-8611 or visit the chamber’s website, www.lakecitysc.org, for updates.

Camp Woodie

Camp Woodie, in Pinewood, will hold sessions during June and July. Level 1 Camp, for ages 8-16, will teach the basics of waterfowl and wildlife conservation, wing shooting, archery, duck calling, boating, hands-on wildlife programs, sports, fishing, swimming and other activities. Level 2 Camp, for ages 12-16, will learn the history and heritage of waterfowl, hone their wing shooting, paint decoys, learn how to rig and place decoys, build a duck blind and more. All Level 2 campers return for a duck hunt in the fall. For more information on dates and costs, call (803) 452-6001, visit www.scwa.org or search for “Camp Woodie” on Facebook.

Chamber meet and greet events

The Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce organizes meet and greet events at local businesses from 5-7 p.m. every third Tuesday of each month. Refreshments and finger foods are provided to all guests. The May 17 meet and greet will be hosted at Carrie Belle’s Coffee Shop, at 133 E Main St. in Lake City.

A Taste of Lake City

A Taste of Lake City, hosted by Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce, will be held Nov. 17. Details to be announced.

Lake City Lions Club

The Lake City Lions Club meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Schoolhouse Bar-B-Que in Scranton.

Farmers Festival

The South Carolina Farmers Festival will be held in Lake City from June 16-18. It will feature contests in art, photography, canning, sewing and baking, as well as a barbecue cookoff. To participate in the contests, call the National Bean Market Museum at (843) 374-1500.

Summer karate camp

Summer training camp will be offered at Johnston Karate, at 118 Sauls St. in Lake City, from May 30 through July 2. The core styles taught will be boxing and karate focusing on mixed martial arts, self defense and fitness. Training sessions will be available all day, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The fees are $20 per week or $60 for the duration of the camp. For more information or to schedule a free trial class, call Owen Johnston at (843) 598-5942 or visit ww.facebook.com/johnstonkarate.

Lake City computer classes

Lake City Senior Center will offer Excel computer classes from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Tuesday, and May 11 and 12 as well as clip art classes from 9-11:30 a.m. May 17, 18 and 19. Excel includes making and adding columns, making a calendar, and creating forms for taxes and family history; clip art includes how to include artwork in your document. To register, call (843) 394-2432.

Junior Golfer’s Summer Tour

The 2011 South Carolina Junior Golfers Association Hootie & the Blowfish Pee Dee Chapter Junior Golfer’s Summer Tour has released its schedule:

• Oakdale Country Club, June 13
• Governor’s Run Golf Club, June 17
• Traces Golf Club, June 24
• Twin Lake Golf Club, June 27
• Crossing, July 8
• Dusty Hills Country Club, July 11
• Lake City Country Club, July 18 (trophies for everyone and state points awarded)
• Two-day tour championship: Florence Country Club on July 28, Country Club of South Carolina on July 29
• All-Stars: Seabrook Island Golf Club on Aug. 20 and 21
• All-Star Cup: Daniel Island in September

The deadline for entry is May 31, and the dues are $100, which includes state membership.

Chapter directors are Joe Woodbury and Paul Woodbury. Chapter interns are Joye Altman and Kristin Evans. For more information or to register, call (843) 389-7407 or (843) 373-2256, email joewoodbury@yahoo.com or paullwoodbury @gmail.com, or visit www.scjga.org. On Facebook: SCJGA Pee Dee Chapter.

‘Say It Loud’ summit

Williamsburg County Emergency Management/E-911 and Community Emergency Response Team will present a “Say It Loud” summit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Williamsburg Technical College, at 601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Kingstree. Lunch is provided. Early registration is under way.

Topics for discussion:

• Students ages 11-18: bullying, health/hygiene, gang education, sex education and leadership/etiquette.
• Adults: financial investment (debt management), wills/proxies and health/wellness.

For more information, call (843) 354-9330.

William H. Johnson Scholarship

The William H. Johnson Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is enrolled or plans to enroll as a full-time student for the 2011-12 academic year. The scholarship will be administered and awarded by the Trustees of the Florence Museum. William H. Johnson, one of America’s most influential painters of the 20th Century, was born in Florence. With the financial support of his family and teachers, he was able to pursue his dream of becoming a serious artist. For more information about the William H. Johnson Scholarship, call the Florence Museum at (843) 662-3351.

Pee Dee Coalition volunteers

Pee Dee Coalition is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of rape and family violence and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. Training is available for volunteers who wish to provide direct services to victims and their families. For more information, call Gloria J. Davis at (843) 394-8566.

State Library classes

The State Library has classes that are free and open to state employees, library staff and the public:

• “Proposal Writing Basics” will be offered May 18.

For more information, visit the State Library’s website at www.statelibrary.sc.gov or contact Dawn Mullin at (803)737-3762 or dmullin@statelibrary.sc.gov.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys and Girls Clubs nationwide are benefiting from car donations. The donated cars are auctioned, and the funds generated support their many programs. To donate or for more information, call (800) 246-0493.

Class reunions

• The Carver High School Class of 1969 is planning a reunion. 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 from Aug 5-7 in Lake City. Forward contact information including an email address to Class of ’71, P.O. Box 1451, Lake City, SC 29560 or contact Jerry Singletary (Jerry52@ftc-i.net) or Cynthia W. Burgess (CynthBrg1@aol.com).
• The St. John’s High School Class of 1976 will be having its 35th class reunion at the Darlington Country Club on July 16. The Classes of 1975 and 1977 are also invited. For more information, please contact one of the following: Class of 1976 — Angie Lewis Watts at Angelaw1@darlington.k12.sc.us or (843) 992-2373, Nina Howle Stone at NinaStone1@sc.rr.com, or Wilhelmenia Dowdy at (843) 393-7653; Class of 1975 — Mildred Lundy Hurd at mildred.hurd@yahoo.com; Class of 1977 — Gloria O’Neal Howle at glored1958@yahoo.com or (843) 307-1634.

Hospice Care volunteers

Hospice Care of South Carolina is seeking volunteers in Florence County. For more information, call regional volunteer coordinator Whitney Rogers (843) 409-7991 or e-mail whitney.rogers@hospicecare.net.

FMU events

• Francis Marion University’s Art Gallery Series will present senior shows by graduating FMU visual arts majors through Saturday. The free exhibits may be viewed in the Hyman Fine Arts Center between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.
• Francis Marion University’s Art Gallery Series will present two exhibits from May 10 through Aug. 11: two-dimensional work by Donna Goodman and three-dimensional work by Roger Dalrymple. The free exhibits may be viewed in the Hyman Fine Arts Center between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. For more information, call (843) 661-1385.
• Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “Evening Sky” at 3 p.m. May 22 on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (843) 661-1441.

Lake City library programs

The Lake City Library offers weekly programs for ages 3-17 in the community room. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older at all times. Homeschooled students are welcome to participate. For more information, call the library at (843) 394-8071.

• Preschool story times will be offered at 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays. The 10:15 session will be a repeat of the 9:15 session. Each session will last 45 minutes. Preschool story time will consist of story sharing, singing, movement activities and an occasional craft.
• Weekly elementary school programs will be offered at 4 p.m. Wednesdays. The after-school programs will consist of activities including crafts, guest speakers and movies.
• The Readers are Leaders Book Club will be held at 4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Independent Readers ages 8-12 are encouraged to participate. A different book will be discussed each month. Books will be provided by the library. Activities will vary according to the theme of the book.
• Young adult programs will be held monthly. Age-appropriate activities are scheduled to include guest speakers, crafts, games and movies. Programs will be held at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.