After serving 19 years as executive director of Hartsville Downtown Development Association, Judi Elvington is retiring effective Dec. 31.

The economy may be lagging in cities around the nation, but here in Hartsville the living is decidedly good.

Hartsville Mayor Mel Pennington told members of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce that he is settling into his new role as mayor just over a week after taking office.

Former Hartsville City Councilman and business and civic leader Franklin Hines received dual honors Sunday when he was named Citizen of the Year and Omega Man of the Year by the brothers of the Alpha Beta Beta Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Curves of Hartsville wants to encourage you to try one week at Curves for free. Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, non-members can pick one week to work out at the Hartsville Curves for free.

Rick Fountain and Linda Whittle, both of Hartsville, were honored recently for their years of state service.

Alliance Consulting Engineers representatives presented the Darlington County Economic Development Partnership Board with a slideshow on industrial site certification on Wednesday at the Hartsville Country Club during the board’s monthly meeting.

“Owning a spa is what I always wanted to do,” said Rene Wallace, massage therapist and owner of Golden Oaks Day Spa, which held a grand opening on Thursday.

Business Person of the Year and Caregiver of the Year nominations are sought by The Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce and the Hartsville Pilot Club.

Merchants are getting ready for the Annual Christmas Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in downtown Hartsville. Sponsored by Hartsville Downtown Development Association (HDDA), the open house encourages downtown businesses to remain open after regular business hours for an evening of shopping, entertainment and holiday spirit.

Hartsville Area Happenings

Hartsville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to fund up to $5,000 for a feasibility study into the possibility of creating a city-owned fiber optic network that would allow the city to offer broadband services to city residents and businesses on the open market.

The flea market is in the Bay Village Shopping Center, at the site of the old Wal-Mart.  Manager Tim DeBardelaben says this past weekend was the first weekend the flea market was open and more than 400 people came through the doors.

My fingers kept hitting the wrong keys last week and that was the case when I wrote that the Christmas Parade is Dec. 3, but it is actually Dec. 5. I’ve had it penciled in on my calendar for two months. I want to thank Sharman Poplava at the chamber for calling my attention to this blunder of mine.

For the second year in a row, Hartsville City Council has passed a resolution temporarily suspending part of the blue laws against Sunday morning shopping.