People & Events Oct. 21

Darlington County Library awarded state stabilization funds
The Darlington County Library System will be able to add to the services it offers citizens thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Education allocated by the General Assembly and administered by the S.C. State Library. These added funds will enable the system to make those purchases and update some technology to better serve library patrons, said Darlington County Library Director Sue Rainey. 

The State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) Program is a new, one-time appropriation of funds under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), awarded through the Department of Education to each state to help stabilize state and local budgets. A portion of the SFSF identified as government services funds is being distributed to county public library systems at 42 cents per capita. SGSG funds will help to replace a portion of library funding lost in the current fiscal year owing to budget cuts across the state.
Rainey said the funds come at a crucial time.

“More and more people are using our libraries,” she said. “They are searching for jobs using our computers and doing resumes. We offer free computer classes twice a day, one day a week at each of our four libraries for those in need of training. People who have lost jobs find that the library is a quiet place where they can get information and help with their questions. Some just love to read as a form of recreation. I can’t think of a better place to spend some time than at a free library.” 

Darlington County woman attends state conference
Darlington County resident Judy Barefoot was among a group of more than 90 women from across the state attending the 2009 South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Charleston.

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.
The SC Farm Bureau Federation is a non-profit membership organization formed to promote and preserve the work of family farmers and rural lifestyles across the state.  In exchange for their annual dues and financial support of education, promotion, and lobbying efforts on behalf of agriculture and family farmers, Farm Bureau members are entitled to discounts and access to a number of quality products and services.

Persons interested in supporting the efforts of local farm women can contact their county Farm Bureau for additional information or go online at http://www.scfb.org.

Pee Dee Electric to hold 70th Annual Meeting
Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Inc. will hold the 70th Annual Meeting of its members at the Florence Civic Center on Saturday. At registration members will have the opportunity to vote for a seat on the co-op Board of Trustees. W. F. “Buster” Rogers, incumbent, is being challenged by George McMillan. Three Board members, James Goodson, David Howell and Hamer Parnell are running unopposed and will be re-elected by acclamation during the business meeting. All members of the Board are PDEC members and serve four-year terms without compensation. 

Entertainment will be presented by popular local song artist Todd Norris. 

E. LeRoy “Toy” Nettles Jr., president and CEO, will present the annual state of the co-op message. 
Each registered member will receive a $15 energy voucher and a CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb). A health fair presented by Carolina Hospital System gives members a chance to check on their blood pressure, cholesterol and other health-related issues. WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification) will hold a drawing to raise money for scholarships with prizes of $200 and $300 cash.

After the business session over 50 door prizes donated by co-op vendors, including cash prizes of up to $100, will be given away.  Energy vouchers for $300, $400 and $500 and a grand prize of a GMC pickup truck will be given. 

For more information on how to use energy wisely, visit PeeDeeElectric.com or call 843-665-4070.

Consumer Affairs sponsors essay competition for fifth- and sixth-graders
COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) continues its mission of consumer education with a competition designed for some of South Carolina’s youngest consumers. The statewide competition for all South Carolina fifth- and sixth-grade students allows them to put into words what they would do with $100. Students participating in the essay competition will develop a better understanding of financial literacy and consumer education while improving their writing skills.

The top five winners will a receive $100 United States Savings Bond and will be recognized along with their parents/guardian and a teacher in a public ceremony.

Students today are growing up with words and phrases like “recession,” “economic downturn,” and “from Wall Street to Main Street.” Consequently, the department encourages schools, community organizations, businesses, the media and consumers to focus public awareness on financial literacy, especially among young consumers.

For essay competition guidelines and entry forms, visit http://www.scconsumer.gov. If you need further information, please call Maria Audas (803) 734-4296 or toll-free at (800) 922-1594. Deadline for entry is Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m.

Bree Boyce crowned as Miss Florence
Bree Boyce, a sophomore at Francis Marion University and a West Florence High School grad, was crowned Miss Florence 2009 at the Hartsville Center Theater Saturday night.

In front of a crowd of family, her Alpha Delta Pi sorority sisters, and local members of the community, the 20-year-old theater major wowed the judges in the interview, swimsuit, evening wear and talent competitions. With her rendition of Art is Calling For Me from the Broadway opera comic “The Enchantress,” she captured the Artistic Expression and Talent Award, as well as Miss Congeniality.

There were four other contestants in this year’s pageant, Kaitlyn Bailey (Mayo Magnet High School), Alaina Novak (College of Charleston), Sarah Potter (Charleston Southern) and Sarah-Frances Parker (University of South Carolina). Parker was awarded first runner-up and the physical fitness award and Potter won second runner-up, said Terri Brown, local executive director of the Miss Florence scholarship pageant.

Erika Bryant, 16, of Dillon Christian School won the Teen portion of the pageant. The two other contestants in this age group were Autumn Ewell (Long Middle School) and Maggie Love (Williamsburg Academy).
Boyce will compete in the Miss South Carolina pageant on July 3, 2010.