Happening in Hartsville

The Hartsville Community Players gala/awards ceremony/annual meeting will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Black Creek Arts Gallery.  There will be a sneak preview of their February dinner theater production, “Southern Fried Murder,” plus live entertainment. The public is invited to help The Community Players kick off the 2009 season and honor the audience choice recipients of the 2008 season. To RSVP, call (843) 857-3535.

Rehearsals for the Hartsville Civic Chorale’s all-Gershwin concert on April 26 have begun. New singers are welcome until Feb. 3. For more information, contact Dr. James Beaumier at 857-3778.

Michelle Morris will be offering a children’s clay class at Black Creek Arts Center on Mondays from 4 to 5:15 p.m. for ages 3 - 12. Cost is $20. A children’s mixed-media class will also be offered on Wednesdays in January beginning Jan. 7, for the same ages, also for $20.

Mary Lou Bailey and Barbara Watson will offer pottery classes at Black Creek Arts Center in February. Call 332-6234 for more information.
The Darlington County Humane Society will hold a pet adoption for dogs and puppies at the Cinema on Carolina Avenue in downtown Hartsville on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in conjunction with the showing of the new movie, “Hotel For Dogs” at the theater. Humane Society volunteers will also be accepting donations pet food, paper towels and bleach for the Darlington County Animal Shelter. The adoption fee is $60 for dogs and puppies.

Christmas In April applications are available at Heritage Community Bank. All applications must be returned by Feb. 13.

The Hartsville Recreation Department is taking registrations for its adult basketball leagues. Registration for open and church basketball runs through Jan. 30. The registration fee is $325 per team. Registration is also open for church league for ages 13 - 17 through Jan. 30. Participants must attend the churches they play for. For more information, call the Coach T.B. Thomas Sports Center at 917-4959.

The 2009 Little Miss, Teen Miss Chesterfield County Pageant Committtee is seeking contestants, 12-19 years of age, to compete on Feb. 7, at McBee High School. Deadline for applicants will be Jan. 31. For more information, call 335-5745 or 662-4029.

The Darlington County Cancer Support Group will meet Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Cornerstone Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Cornerstone Baptist Church is located at 213 North Marquis Highway (Highway 15 bypass) which is next door to Pee Dee Fleet Services. The meeting will be a time of sharing and is for all survivors, caregivers, those who have lost loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about cancer and how it affects families. Please contact Evelyn at 332-6426 or Edna at 332-5742 for information about the group or directions to Cornerstone Baptist Church.

The Butler High School class of 1972 will have a dinner meeting on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (Stevie) Rogers, 2565 Heritage Drive, Lydia. For more information, call Barbara Carraway at (843) 276-9433, Eunice R. Johnson at (843) 339-2560, Stevie Rogers at (843) 332-2133 or Vanessa B. Thomas at (843) 339-2955.

People to People of Hartsville invites everyone to attend the annual commemorative service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 19, 2009, from 12 to 1 p.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 103 Campus Drive, Hartsville. Keynote speaker for the event will be Phillip Woo of Hartsville. Lunch of soup and cornbread will be served by the AKD Sorority Inc. of Hartsville. This is a community-wide event and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Clayton Richardson at (843) 332-3420 or Barbara Carraway at (843) 276-9433.

The 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration/Fundraiser will be held 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19, at the Center Theatre. The program is sponsored by the Elohim Outreach Center and community churches led by the Rev. Calvin Daniels, New Hopewell Baptist Church, Dr. Iva Hodge, Word of Life Ministries and Dr. Vera M. Davis, Nazareth Apostolic Church. All proceeds will be donated to the Elohim Outreach Center located at 219 S. Sixth St., Hartsville.

A Depression Support Group meets the third Monday of each month in Hartsville. The Jan. 19 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Hartsville, 302 Dunlap Drive. Meetings are peer facilitated, and individuals are invite to share their feelings or just listen. Anyone who suffers from depression or has a loved one dealing with depression is invited to attend. For more information, email Danny Pierce at or call him at 616-2723 or call Kathy Odom at 307-8220.

The Hartsville Community Center Building Commission will meet on Tues., Jan 20, at 10 a.m. in the Community Center Building at 212 N. Fifth Street.

The Darlington County National Council of Negro Women will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Darlington Library. All members are asked to be present and prospective new members are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Patricia Barker at 383-8931, Vondra Hollimon at 332-9441 or Gladys Nesmith at 395-2079.

The Hartsville Junior Cotillion is now accepting parent inquiries for their children in the fifth and sixth grades. If you are interested in your child receiving an invitation to the 2009 Junior Cotillion at Prestwood Country Club (Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 6-7 p.m. and 7:15-8:15 p.m.), please contact the cotillion chairperson for Hartsville, Leigh Ann Bizzell, at 858-0551 or via e-mail at . The committee is also interested in hosting a seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade etiquette class focusing on table manners and teenage pre-dating social behaviors. If interested in your son or daughter participating, please contact Leigh Ann Bizzell.

A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention classes will be held in Darlington, Hartsville, Society Hill and Lamar. Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. A Matter of Balance can help you improve the quality of life and remain independent. Classes include easy exercises and information that will help you to enjoy your life. Call Ashley at 393-8521 to sign up or for more information. All classes are free.

“Get on the Bus for the Inauguration Celebration.” Organizers are planning a bus trip from Hartsville to Washington, D.C., for the Inauguration of Barack Obama as president on Jan. 20, 2009. Seating is limited. For more information, call 332-1215 or (843) 276-9433.

Learn tai chi for fun and health. Tai chi is an ancient, low-impact, graceful mind-body exercise which promotes balance, flexibility, and strength. Classes are every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Community Center at 212 N. Fifth Street.  For more information, contact Den Latham at 861-1957 or

Hartsville’s Alcoholics Anonymous meets daily at 310 McFarland St. Meeting schedule posted on door.
The Golden Hands Needlework Group meets at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Hartsville the first and third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.  The group knits and crochets hats, sweaters, blankets and other items to donate to charities.

The Hartsville Toastmasters meet every second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at the Black Creek Arts Council building, 116 W. College Ave. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit club specializing in the improvement of leadership and speaking skills in a controlled, constructive setting. Guests are welcome and admission is free. If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Andrew Jackson at 332-6151.

The Hartsville Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. extends an invitation, to high school males, to join the 2008-09 Kappa League Program. Kappa League is the Guide Right initiative, of the fraternity, with the purpose of helping African-American males choose and pursue useful careers by exposing them to cultural enrichment and character development.  The young men will participate in seminars and activities to develop leadership skills, refine self-image, build self-esteem and improve social skills.
For additional information contact coach Corey Lewis at HHS or Lynwood Lewis at 332-4337.

The Jacob Kelly House is open on the first Sunday of every month through December.  This 19th century farm house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the Darlington County Historical Commission. During the war between the states, the house was taken over by federal forces and used as headquarters for scouting parties seeking provisions to supply General Sherman’s Army. Admission is free. For more information, contact Joann Lee at 332-4508.

Hartsville American Legion Post 53 and Auxiliary meets on the third Tuesday night of each month. The post is located at North Fifth Street at Society Avenue just across Prestwood Lake. All members, eligible veterans and spouses are invited to attend. For additional information, contact Jim Ousley, Post Commander, 332-9340.

The Southern Animal Welfare League is dedicated to helping abused and neglected animals in our area. Some of the organization’s programs include: building doghouses for dogs without shelter, educating children about pet care, supporting local spay and neuter programs, promoting change and enforcement of animal welfare laws, and much more.  Please join us on the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hartsville Memorial Library to find out what you can do to help.  Call 206-1129 or visit http://www.southernanimalwelfareleague.org to find out more.

The Hartsville High School classes of 1960 - 1963 will hold homecoming on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Hartsville Country Club.  The committee needs everyone’s help in contacting all class members. Also, if other class members are interested, you are cordially invited to participate. Please call Evelyn Smith Dampier at (843) 332-6426 or Wayne Stratton Wallace at (843) 332-1836 for information and to submit correct addresses. 

The Butler High School class of 1967 will have a weekend getaway May 22 - 24, with mini tours of Charleston and Savannah. The event will feature a dinner cruise in each city. For more information, contact Sylvester Wilson at (843) 332-4970 or or Betty W. Pauley at (843) 332-0525 or .

Living Well South Carolina is a new program designed to help individuals that suffer from a chronic disease such as COPD, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other health problems. These conditions are associated with pain, fatigue, depression and many other issues that change the way you live. Classes are being held in Darlington, Hartsville, Society Hill and Lamar to help you live better with your condition. Call Ashley at 393-8521 to sign up or for more information. All classes are free.

A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention classes will be held in Darlington, Hartsville, Society Hill and Lamar. Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. A Matter of Balance can help you improve the quality of life and remain independent. Classes include easy exercises and information that will help you to enjoy your life. Call Ashley at 393-8521 to sign up or for more information. All classes are free.

A community chaplin serves as a chaplin to many people who do not have a pastor or church that they regularly attend. As a spiritual caregiver, your training will equip you with the 10 essential disciplines every community chaplin must have to serve God and see lives changed. Call 332-7771 for more information about “I am community chaplains of America.” This is a certified program.

Divorced? Separated? Divorce Care is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. Call 332-7771 for more information.

The Hartsville Area Recreation Department is looking for umpires. If you are an experienced umpire or would be interested in umpiring contact the Hartsville Area Recreation Department for additional information. Call Lee Andrews at 383-3020.

A scholarship fund has been established in memory of SGTM Clinton “Blue” Lyles Jr. by the S.C. Army National Guard Scholarship Association. Lyles dedicated 40 years of his life to the service of the S.C. Army National Guard. He served as administrator at the Hartsville Guard Unit, Company C of the 3rd Battalion, 178th Field Artillery. Donations to the fund are tax deductible. Make checks payable to the NGASC Scholarship. Send donations to: 1 National Guard Road, Stop 36, Columbia, SC 29201.

The DAV Chapter 47 meets the third Monday night of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the library. All veterans and spouses are invited to attend. For more information call J.W. O’Neal at 383-8670.

Keep Darlington County Beautiful offers citizens, businesses and industries opportunities to contribute to their communities. The organization’s aim is to promote community pride and publicly recognize the efforts of citizens, churches, schools, businesses and industries that participate in activities. Individuals and organizations that would like to participate in Keep Darlington County Beautiful programs such as Adopt-A-Highway, recycling programs or serve on the committee can call 398-4810.

The 2008 meetings of the Board of Directors of the Darlington County Disabilities and Special Needs Board are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month at the Scott Center located at 201 N. Damascus Church Rd. in Hartsville.  The public is invited to attend.

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Call Margaret Coker at 332-7478 for info.