People & Events

Darlington County women attend state conference
Darlington County residents Jo Tolson and Judy Barefoot were among a group of more than 90 women from across the state attending the 2008 South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Florence.
Farm Bureau Women at county, state and national levels coordinate public relations activities and projects promoting agriculture. Their work includes supporting important family and agricultural legislation, youth programs, “Education in AG-tion” activities, leadership development opportunities, and commodity promotions.
According to Director of Women’s Programs Faith Lawrimore, “Recent years have been quite challenging for many South Carolina families earning their livelihood raising crops and livestock. The S.C. Farm Bureau Women’s Committee has recognized this and works hard to educate the public about farming. Their dedication, knowledge and interest in agriculture contribute much to the organization, as they work for the future success of farming in our state.”

Pee Dee Coalition
to present Animal/Human Connection Oct. 28
In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault will present Domestic Violence: The Animal/Human Connection on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fairfield Inn, 200 S. Fourth St., Hartsville.
Guest speaker for the event is Nicole Howland, criminal domestic violence prosecutor for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office.
Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited and lunch will be provided.
Cost of attendance is $10 and one of the following donated items for the Darlington County Humane Society: bleach, dry puppy or kitten food.
For more information or to RSVP, call Pamela Prince, Darlington County coordinator, at 383-0240. Please RSVP by today, Oct. 24.

Conference to focus on youth
The Rev. Reginald J. McLeod Sr., pastor of Kay Branch Missionary Baptist Church, will be a featured speaker and moderator for the upcoming youth conference, “Gold Nuggets... Life Enrichment Series” on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m., at Lakeview Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Other speakers include Larry Bryant, national field organizer for the Campaign to End Aids of Washington, D.C.; Lance Brooks, motivational speaker of Atlanta, Ga.; and Lonoia Murphy Halyard, president of Herman Martin Jr. Foundation (HMJF).
The conference, a joint venture by HMJF and Kay Branch Missionary Baptist Church, comprises discussions about self-esteem and peer pressures, goal-setting and accomplishments, mentorship, and expectant results of sexual misbehavior.
Registration is $10 and includes luncheon and printed materials. All area youth and youth leaders are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Minister Dowdy at 917-4850 or visit www.hmjfoundation.org. 

School District to host open house for new offices

Darlington County School District will hold an open house drop-in in its new administration building on Monday, Nov. 10, from 4 – 6 p.m.
The open house will be followed immediately by the Darlington County Board of Education’s monthly meeting at 6 p.m., which will be held in the training room of the new building.
The public is invited to tour the new administration building and to stay for the board meeting.
The administration building is located at 120 E. Smith Ave., Darlington, on the grounds of Darlington High School and across from the Darlington post office.
The district renovated the former Darlington High School Applied Technology Center (fold career center) for the district offices. Prior to that, the district offices were scattered between four buildings in Darlington.
“With our offices in the same building, it is easier to communicate and to work collaboratively,” said Dr. Rainey Knight, district superintendent. “More importantly, it is more convenient for our parents and constituents.”

DOT to change traffic stop at Floyd Road, Leavensworth Road intersection

Effective Nov. 10, the S.C. Department of Transportation will implement a change to the control of stopping at the intersection of S-16-24 (Floyd Road) and S-16-36 (Leavensworth Road) in Darlington County. The change will affect how traffic stops at the intersection.
The change will be to an All-Way Stop, meaning traffic on Floyd Road and Leavensworth Road will have to stop at the intersection.
For more information, call E.L. Parnell at (843) 393-6171.

PEOPLE IN UNIFORM

Army Reserve Pvt. Michele D. McFarland has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
McFarland is the daughter of Inez McFarland of Darlington and sister of Lizzie McFarland of Bronx, N.Y.
In 2005, the private graduated from Evander Childs High School, Bronx.

Army Reserve Pfc. Dominique C. Rivers has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Rivers is the daughter of Lisa Rivers of Bishopville and granddaughter of Marlene Rivers of Camden.
In 2004, the private graduated from Camden High School.