The Pilot Club of Darlington's December meeting included our Tree Lighting and dinner meeting with special entertainment and a service project. Our annual tree lighting service is held to celebrate the honorariums and memorials to fund our annual scholarship program.

$2500 Matching Fundraiser Challenge to Benefit Bridge Boarding. Home at Last has challenged us to raise $2500 starting Nov 29 and running for 25 days, until Dec 24. We are over HALF WAY to reaching our goal so YOUR HELP is needed now more than ever! IF we raise $2500 BEFORE Home at Last does (they are running a similar campaign to ours), a $2,500 match will kick in, and every dollar you donate towards this special campaign will be doubled. Please, click and give and then share this email and or link on your Facebook page, and together we will cross the finish line first and your donation will be matched! Thank you for your support! Darlington County Humane Society Rescue

• Darlington mayor says she accomplished a lot in 4 years
• Darlington Mayor-elect graduates from economic development institute
• Shop Small Downtown Open House Photos
• Darlington County Council OKs new fire trucks, communications upgrade

Want to be at the top of our Weekly Update? Email Lisa Rock at darlingtonplanner@gmail.com or call 843-992-1561 for rates.

 

Today

Darlington County Humane Society Board of Directors meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Hartsville Memorial Library, 147 W. College Ave., Hartsville.

The Darlington County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Training Room of the DCSD Administration Building, located at 120 E. Smith Avenue, Darlington.

U.S. Congressman Tom Rice will be hosting the last telephone town hall for 2019 at 7:30 p.m. to ask your questions about his work on behalf of the Seventh District. To register, please click on the link below or dial 866-295-1745 at the time of the event. Sign up today.

 

Tuesday

The DDRA Board of Directors will meet at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St.

At 9 a.m. Tuesday mornings, men are invited to join a special devotion time at the Purple Fish Coffee Company, 110 W. Hampton St. Great coffee and fellowship.

The Darlington Country Club Sundowners meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the club, 125 Country Club Road.

Joe's Grill will have 50-Cent Wing Night for supper at 306 Russell St. Dine-In only.

Tenampa Mexican Restaurant will hold Taco Tuesday for lunch and supper at 40 Public Square. $1 crunchy beef or chicken tacos and various drink specials. Dine-In only.

Tuesday night is WINGS and KARAOKE with S&T Karaoke at Chianti's Wings & Things, 124 Cashua St., downtown Darlington. The wings are 75-cents each, and the songs are free.

The Darlington Country Club opens for members and their guests for Family Night Buffet from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the club, 125 Country Club Road. This week, come as early as 4:30 p.m. and make gingerbread houses!

Levon Kirkland, recently inducted into Clemson's Ring of Honor, will make an appearance, sign autographs, and speak from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Dominion Church in Darlington. Admission $10 for adults and free for children.

Join Groucho's Deli in Hartsville as we GIVE BACK 10% of sales from 4 to 9 p.m. to Hartsville Young Professionals (Mingle and Jingle benefiting Child & Family Resource Foundation) on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The MORE You Eat; The MORE We Give! #GrouchosGivesBack #GrouchosHart #Deli4Dinner #HelpUsHelp #YouCanHelp

 

Wednesday

Free Exercise Class at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St. 843-398-4030

Crab Night every Wednesday night at Darlington Elks Lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. 843-393-1451

Darlington County Picklers meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

Get in the holiday spirit and join us for a Christmas Zumba Class at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 hosted by Caroline Williams at Fitness World Gym, 821 S. Fifth St., Hartsville. Fitness World Members can attend for free, non-members will need to pay a $10 entry fee, which will go directly to benefit the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault.

Santa's coming back to Fahrenheit 225 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 26 Public Square. Bring the kiddos and come enjoy some delicious food!

 

Thursday

The Rotary Club of Darlington meets at noon on Thursdays at the Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road.

The Darlington Kiwanis Club meets at 1 p.m. every other Thursday at the Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road. This week's program will be Christmas Music.

Attention Ladies: Join Mechanicsville Baptist Church this Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. for a great time together for Grace Moments at Gunter Cabin, 2344 Lide Springs Road. Bring your favorite hors d'oeuvre, some bagged cookies, and a wrapper ornament as we reflect on this special time of year.

Join us in downtown Hartsville for Christmas on Carolina on Thursday evenings through December 19. During Christmas on Carolina evenings, Camden Carriage Company will pick up riders on East College Avenue and stroll them through our downtown on a 20-25 minute ride. Carriage rides will be $10 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under); Camden Carriage Company will only be able to accept cash on these evenings. Hartsville's Te'Quan Coe and his violin will fill Carolina Avenue with the sounds of the holidays to top off these perfect holiday nights. For more information, please visit www.HartsvilleForTheHolidays.com or call 843-917-0602.

 

Friday

Trinity United Methodist Church will hold a HUGE Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Youth Center on Orange Street across from Carolina Bank. Furniture, dishes, pictures, jewelry, shoes, toys, baked goods, games, and more unique items.

Join the Hartsville Young Professionals for an evening of holiday cheer to support Child and Family Resource Foundation from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 at Black Creek Arts Council, 116 College Ave., Hartsville. Limited ticket sales of 120. Cost: $30 for singles, $50 for couples. Age 21 and older only please. This will be a fun-filled evening to help raise awareness of the needs Child and Family Resource Foundation has, while also celebrating all the successes that the group has had impacting youth in our area. This year our goal is to raise $10,000! Cocktail Attire.

The Darlington Country Club will host the Darlington Raceway Christmas Party.

The Purple Fish Coffee Company will be closed Friday, Dec. 13. Join us from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

 

Saturday

Darlington Country Club opens for a members' breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays at the club, 125 Country Club Road.

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce and Light Up Darlington Christmas Committee will hold Christmas on the Square from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, with shopping, Santa, hot cocoa, and more.

Bring your little ones to the Hartsville Museum for pictures with Santa before the Hartsville Christmas Parade from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the museum, 222 N. 5th St, Hartsville. Feel free to bring your own camera for this wonderful photo opportunity.

The 2019 Hartsville Christmas Parade will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.

The Darlington Country Club will host the Darlington Middle School Christmas Party.

 

Sunday

Restoration Outreach Ministries will hold Prayer in the Square at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, on the Public Square.

Join the Darlington County Historical Society as we celebrate the Sound of Christmas with carols, organ music, & refreshments at the historic Trinity Church. Prepare yourself for a glorious afternoon celebrating the holiday season with friends and family in the style of the 19th Century from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Trinity Church, 171 Burns St., Society Hill. Dress warmly and come ready to step back in time. Rain cancels.

All Hunt Bonz Deli locations inside Fastrack Convenience Stores will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come on out and have breakfast and lunch with us on Lamar Highway, South Main Street, or Hoffmeyer Road.

Darlington County Picklers meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

Darlington Presbyterian will hold its Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the church, 315 Pearl St.

First Church of God presents Adore, a Celebration of Christmas, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the church, 620 N. Main St. Admission is a canned good or non-perishable food item to benefit The Lord Cares. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with refreshments following the service. Info: 843-393-7942 or www.fcgdarlington.net

 

Mark Your Calendars

The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct a Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, in the lobby of City Hall, 400 Pearl St. Those hired will assist in the 2020 Census count.

The Darlington Country Club opens for members and their guests for Family Night Buffet from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the club, 125 Country Club Road. This week, enjoy the Club's Christmas Drop-In Dec. 17.

The Darlington Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, and the third Thursday on the month at Taki's Diner, 609 Pearl St.

Columbia City Ballet presents this year's Educational Outreach performance of The Grinch at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Center Theater in Hartsville.

Free showing of Dr. Suess' The Grinch at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy!

Featuring the Columbia City Ballet, the Nutcracker Ballet will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Center Theater, 212 N 5th St, Hartsville. Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 843-332-5721 for special seating.

The Darlington Country Club will play host to the Men's Club Dance on Dec. 21.

Don't miss this incredible night of laughs and fun as Dominion Church holds its Ugly Sweater Party with a white elephant gift exchange at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church, 1030 Pearl St., Darlington. It's going to be a night of incredible FOOD, FAMILY, and FELLOWSHIP! A prize to the ugliest sweater and everyone that brings a gift will leave with one!

The Darlington Country Club opens for members and their guests for Santa's Sunday Member Buffet on Dec. 22 at the club, 125 Country Club Road. Pictures with Santa!

Take advantage of one last chance to talk to Santa at Joe's Grill from 4 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 306 Russell St.

In observance of Christmas Holiday and New Year's Day, City and County Offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. The Landfill and Solid Waste Collection Centers will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24, all day on Dec. 25, at 1 p.m. on Dec. 31, and all day on Jan. 1. Residential city trash collection will run on its normal schedule. The Wednesday commercial city trash collection for Dec. 25 will run on Dec. 26 and the collection for Jan. 1 will run on Jan. 2.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville. Give blood; help save lives!

Women, Women and more Women, We're Fired up and Ready to go! We're sick and tire of being sick and tired, let's move and make something happen in 2020. Let's be Bold Democrats! The next monthly meeting of the Darlington County Democratic Women will be from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St., Darlington. For information call Davita Malloy 843-339-8967, Elaine Reed 843-307-7086, Shari Mcfadden, 843-206-4185, Barbara Carraway 843-409-5241

 

HOLIDAY FUN

During the construction happening at Darlington Country Club we have been invaded by 6 mischievous scout elves. These elves are running rampant around the clubhouse, Red Bar, Pro Shop and golf course. They are trying to see which of our members have been naughty or nice and sending reports to the North Pole! We need your help to keep an eye out for these guys and gals. We are going to have a contest to see who can spot the most elves at Darlington Country Club. This contest will be called Elfie. It requires a "selfie" with an Elf... an Elfie! Elfie is for all ages! Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and we guess kids can play too! As a reward for your help, we will have a drawing for prizes. Prizes for both adults and children! Remember, Santa is always watching! Here are the rules of Elfie:

1. If you find an elf or elves (there are 6 elves in total), you must not touch them!! They must remain at their post of the day per Santa's instructions.
2. Snap a selfie with the elf. You must be in the picture! However, one person per picture.
3. Post your picture on your Facebook timeline. If your child or someone you know does not have a Facebook, you may post their selfies on a different account. You must tag the Darlington Country Club and include #ElfieDCC2019 for each photo. This will help us track your findings.
4. Each time you tag a picture with the elf your name will be entered into a drawing for prizes. This cannot be the same picture reposted every day. Only one picture per elf per day. So up to 6 different pictures per person, everyday!
5. If you are at a Darlington Country Club sponsored event and find an elf at the club- dinner, family night, breakfast, Sunday lunch, gofing, etc.

Your name will be entered into the drawing...TWICE! The drawing will be done at our member's Christmas Drop In at 7 p.m. on December 17. You must be present to win. The elves have to return to the North Pole December 15th to prepare for Christmas Eve. So please have all of your Elfies posted by 5 P.M. Dec. 15.

 

Become a Member!

Join the DDRA and show your support for our community. Download the Membership Application here. Members can share news about your business or organization by giving us a call, 843-992-1561, or sending us an email, info@buildupdarlington.org, and we will feature yours news on our site and distribute it through our News Alert system via text and email to people interested in Darlington as well as TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers. We can come take a photo or use what you already have. This allows you to share employee recognitions, new products, sales, special hours and events, and more - all as a benefit of being a member of the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association!

If you are already a member, please make sure to submit any updates to your businesses' Map Location Form to info@buildupdarlington.org.

To have your event listed on our websites, please email info@buildupdarlington.org or call 843-398-4000 x 103 by the week prior to your event.

 

 

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development course, Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence, to Hartsville on Wednesday, March 25. Early bird registration of $399 per person ends Jan. 25. Cost is $449 after Jan. 25.

Sponsored by the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, the one-day event will help area professionals explore how they could begin to identify the personal and organizational values that drive them as a leader to carry out their organization's vision and their role in operationalizing culture-building and team support.

This day of Disney Institute training uses business insights and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance their own customer experience using Disney principles as their guide.

Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence gives participants the chance to explore how leadership insights and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide can provide relevant illustrations and engaging stories to help organizations deliver the type of long-term results they are capable of delivering.