Everybody Calls Me Jana Banana: I heart Hartsville

February is a cold, short, little month that has so many important messages and celebrations that help us forget that it’s still rather cold and the deciduous trees are still rather bare.

Today is the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day, and I am wearing red in honor of my mother who had a heart attack just before Christmas. One in three women suffers from heart disease, and it is the number one killer for women of all ages. It is imperative for all of us to be more conscious of the signs of heart disease, prevention and the importance of annual physicals. Learn more at www.goredforwomen.org.

We celebrate Presidents Day to honor the founding fathers of our nation, which used to be known as Washington’s Birthday. When I was little we made Abe Lincoln log cabin houses from peanut butter and pretzel rods. Do school children still do that?

This month is also Black History Month celebrating the accomplishments that our brothers and sisters have made for our nation and in honor of the people that fought so hard for equal rights in the not-so-distant past.

One glance inside any retail store or their display windows will remind you this month we’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day, and Feb. 14 happens to be the most romantic day of the year for many. We may learn of many wedding proposals and enjoy some great treats, gifts and specials from our local Hartsville merchants and restaurants. How perfect to live in a place that even sounds like love?
The Darlington County School District has designated the month of February as Proud to be an American Month to remember and honor the patriotic heroes in our nation.

Here in Hartsville, People to People has proclaimed each February Random Acts of Kindness Month to promote the idea of doing anonymous good deeds to promote good will, peace and love to all. The concept has been popular world-wide and has sparked such endeavors as the Free Hugs campaign, the film “Pay It Forward,” popular books and inspiring tales. You can read a collection of some great acts of kindness ideas for all ages on www.actsofkindness.org.

The good folks of People to People have really touched on a subject near and dear to my heart. This seems an appropriate time of year to remember the late David King, who practiced random acts of kindness each day without ever wanting any credit.

When I was a newly single mother with a cantankerous diesel Chevy Suburban, he towed it to repair shops for me a few times and would not take a dime of payment. On one occasion, I went to pick up the car, and the manager of the garage told me that David King had told him not to charge me, and my payment would be to do a good deed for someone in the future.

The memory of that moment comes to mind whenever situations to help arise. People like David inspire others to be kinder than necessary.

The last special event in Hartsville is that it will be proclaimed I Love Hartsville month to celebrate the beauty of the people, places and legacy of this beautiful city we are proud to call home as well as to honor the legacy of the founding families of Hartsville and look forward to a bright future.

Thanks for taking this Yankee girl in and allowing her to call this my second home. I really DO love Hartsville!