People & Events Oct. 7

People in Uniform

Army National Guard Pvt. Eric E. Cloud has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

He is the son of Tiwana Cloud of Bishopville and nephew of Vanessa Gumbs of Brooklyn, N.Y. Cloud is a 2009 graduate of Lee Central High School in Bishopville.

Habitat for Humanity store now open six days a week

The Darlington County Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Hartsville is now open for business six days a week.

Located at 120 W. Washington St., the store is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store was previously open only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Habitat store accepts donated goods for resale. While every ReStore is different, most focus on home improvement goods such as furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances. The donated goods are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price to help fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes in Darlington County.

Materials sold by Habitat ReStores are usually donated by local retailers, contractors and individuals in the community. ReStores provide an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of the waste stream and simultaneously provide funding for all of Habitat’s community improvement work.

Donated items can be picked up on Saturdays by calling the store at 383-8517. Please try to call in advance. Items can also be dropped off at the store during regular business hours.

Info: (843) 383-8517.

Former state FFA President Stephen Tyner featured in Clemson World magazine

Packaging science senior Stephen Tyner of McBee, a McBee FFA alumnus who served as state FFA president in 2005-06, was recently featured in an article in the Clemson World magazine about the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.

The article shared how Tyner traveled from his home in McBee to Pleasanton, Calif., last year for an internship with the Clorox Co. While there, he helped design a package that saved the company a bundle — estimated at $25 million. And just as sweet, the new design is a boost to environmental sustainability.

“My dream is to help bring about a new age of truly sustainable packaging by developing packages that have a positive end use, whether it be natural degradation or by utilizing a more efficient recycling system,” Tyner said. 

According to the article, Tyner is well on his way to achieving that dream. “And as a recipient of several University scholarships, he’s grateful for the opportunity to begin his dream at Clemson.”

The article continues by reporting that “the Clemson Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics is all about ‘getting it right.’ And with its new Harris A. Smith Building, state-of-the art equipment, industry support, across the campus collaboration and a well established reputation, Clemson has secured its position as a national leader.”

“We’re the only university program in the country bringing together packaging science, graphic communications, materials, environmental science, manufacturing, marketing and psychology disciplines to study packaging methods,” said Chip Tonkin, institute director.

Tyner’s success epitomizes the meaning of the FFA mission which is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

W. Pat Earle, agricultural education instructor at McBee High School, is Tyner’s FFA advisor.