Join Joe's Grill and the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association for the first annual Chili Championship from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Joe's Grill, 306 Russell St. Local teams compete in a taster's choice competition for a Chili Championship Belt! Tasting wristbands are $5. Voting ends at 1:30. Prize awarded at 1:45. Classic car show and vendor spots available too. Special menu that day with food that pairs with chili! Cook teams can pick up entry forms at Joe's or here. Cost is $10 plus food. Proceeds to benefit the City of Darlington Fire Department.

Final week to register for Recreation baseball and softball leagues for boys and girls that currently live in DARLINGTON COUNTY, ages 3-18. League age is based on Jan. 1 for softball and Sept. 1 for baseball, of the current year. The cost is $55 per child. Discount of $10 off each additional sibling in the home. No requests for participants to be on same teams except SIBLINGS. FYI: The All-Star fee for 2020 will be $30. Please be prepared to pay if your child makes the team. Info: 843-398-4030

Darlington Presbyterian Church is hosting a Preaching Mission Sunday, March 8, through Tuesday, March 10, at the church, 311 Pearl St. The guest speaker is Joel Muddamalle, who will be preaching on the topic, "The God Who." He serves as the Director of Theology at Proverbs 31 Ministries in Matthews, N.C. These events are open to the public. For more information, call (843) 393-4851.

The three-day preaching mission schedule includes

• 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 8, in the Sanctuary
• 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the Sanctuary
• Noon Monday, March 9, lunch presentation in the McCown Building
• Monday, March 9, 5:30 p.m. dinner in the McCown Building and 6:30 p.m. service in the Sanctuary
• Noon Tuesday, March 10, lunch presentation in the McCown Building
• Tuesday, March 10, 5:30 pm dinner in the McCown Building and 6:30 p.m.service in the Sanctuary

He will preach about the God who delivers, the God who deals gently with our doubts, the God who causes us to flourish, and the God who teaches us delays are truly divine redirections. There will be a children's program for ages 5k-5th grade, and a nursery will be provided for children younger than 5. Worship music will be provided by Russell and Kristi Johnson of Conway, S.C.

Bringing Downtown Alive! Thursday, May 7, from 7 to 10 p.m., at Liberty Lane and Pearl Street join the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association for the first Bringing Downtown Alive! Event of 2020. The DDRA will hold a Karaoke Party with car show, vendors, and fun downtown. Free admission. Vendor applications.

Caring for Someone Sick and What to Do if You Get the Flu

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 Head Start Program Policy Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 and on the fourth Monday of the month at Butler Head Start center, 1103 S. Sixth St., Hartsville.

The City of Darlington Tree Board will meet quarterly at 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 24, May 11, and September 28; 10 a.m. Friday, December 4; and on an as-needed basis at City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St., Darlington.

Every Monday, Hartsville Church of God will be hosting two prayer services in the sanctuary, 704 Lakeview Blvd., Hartsville, one around lunch time (11:30 a.m.) and one in the evening. Info: (843) 383-4697 or hartsvillechurchofgod@yahoo.com

The Crochet & Knit Club of Lamar will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Lamar Library. Info: 843-326-5524

Alcoholics Anonymous meets weekly at 8 p.m. Monday nights at Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington. Use the Orange Street entrance. Info: 843-395-6897

 

Tuesday

Business Network International meets each Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Black Creek Arts Council, 116 W. College Ave., Hartsville.

Darlington area men are invited to join a time of fellowship and devotion at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays at The Purple Fish Coffee Company, 110 W. Hampton St.

Story Time will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the Hartsville Library. Info: 843-332-5115 ext. 7

The Hartsville Rotary Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Hartsville Country Club.

Darlington Country Club opens for a Family Buffet every Tuesday Night at the club, 125 Country Club Road. Remember to make your reservations early to receive 15% off the cost of your buffet. See you at the Club!

Darlington Elks Lodge holds dance lessons from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

 

Wednesday

DDRA Members Breakfast: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Taki's Diner, 609 Pearl St. Free for members and $5 for others. Members meet on the last Wednesday of the month to network, make suggestions, and find out about upcoming events.

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

Wine Down Wednesday at Fahrenheit 225 on Wednesday evenings at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Info: 843-944-0321

Darlington Elks Lodge holds karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

 

Thursday

Daddy Daughter Dance had to be rescheduled due to weather for Thursday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St. Info: 843-398-4030

Story Time will be held at 10 a.m. Thursdays at the Darlington Library, at 11 a.m. at the Society Hill Library, and at 11:30 a.m. at the Lamar Library. Info: 843-398-4940 ext. 305, 843-378-0026, or 843-326-5524

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

The Hartsville Kiwanis Club meets at 12:15 p.m. on Thursdays at the Hartsville Country Club.

The Hartsville Lions Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Mr. B's Restaurant in Lydia.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rice's staff will hold Mobile Office Hours from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, February 27, at Darlington City Municipal Court Building, Old City Hall Council Chamber, 400 Pearl St., Darlington.

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

Centennial Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the corner of Fifth Street and Carolina Avenue in Hartsville with fresh, homemade, organic, and gourmet foods, live music, and entertainment.

Trivia Night at Fahrenheit 225 at 7 p.m. Thursdays at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Info: 843-944-0321

Darlington Elks Lodge holds Bingo from 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

Al-Anon, a fellowship of adult relatives and friends of alcoholics for mutual support, will meet at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Hartsville AA Hut, 310 S. McFarland St. Info: 843-992-2981

 

Friday

Chicken Bog Fundraiser for Darlington Physically Handicapped from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28, at the Croxton Building, 543 Peach St., Darlington. Delivery available for 10+ plates. Info: 843-393-2943 or 843-319-2764

The Purple Fish Coffee Company will feature LIVE MUSIC from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday nights. Drink specials.

Live Jazz at Fahrenheit 225 at 7 p.m. Fridays at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Info: 843-944-0321

Darlington Country Club opens for a Members' Dinner every Friday Night at the club, 125 Country Club Road.

 

Saturday

The South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary Election will take place on February 29. See more information about the election and check your eligibility to vote at scvotes.org.

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.

 

Sunday

All Hunt Bonz Deli locations inside Fastrack Convenience Stores will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. 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, Thursday, and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

Join Women in the Word and Cornerstone Baptist Church of Hartsville for a women's bible study starting at 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 5 through March 8, at the church, 408 Coker Ave, Hartsville. This event is open to every woman in the Hartsville and surrounding communities. Our study will be a 10-week study on the book of Philippians from 5:30 to 7 p.m. weekly. The book by Keri Folmar can be purchased for $9 online at https://www.heritagebooks.org. Please complete week one before meeting on Jan. 5. Info: Ashley Luhrs at 843-206-409

Trinity United Methodist Church presents Ensemble Aubade from Boston, Mass., in concert on Sunday, March 1, at 5 p.m. in the Trinity Fellowship Hall, 126 Pearl St., Darlington.  Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. This is part of the Concerts at Five presented by the church. Ensemble Aubade is a group of three instrumentalist performing early classical music.

 

Monday

Play Bingo! and meet new friends with the Darlington Area Recreation Department at 10 a.m. March 2 and the first Monday of the month at the Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St., Darlington. FREE. Info: 843-398-4030

The Stitchers Club of Hartsville will meet at 5 p.m. March 2 and the first and third Monday of each month at the Hartsville Memorial Library.

 

Mark Your Calendars

Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association invites businesses, civic groups, and other organizations to participate in the City's biggest social event of the year, The Taste of Darlington. Use this opportunity to show off your skills in the kitchen with hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and other mouth-watering goodies as well as promote your business or enterprise and your commitment to the community. The 2020 Taste will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the garage area at Darlington Raceway as a fundraiser for the DDRA. For details, call DDRA Executive Director Lisa Chalian-Rock at 398-4000 x 103 or 843-992-1561 for more information or to sign up for a table. You also may email info@buildupdarlington.org for an application or visit www.BuildUpDarlington.org.

Darlington County Complete Count Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St. The committee will work to ensure everyone in Darlington County is counted in the 2020 Census.

Community Connections will hold a Community Fellowship with football, basketball, hot dogs, soft drinks, and campfire Smores at Terrence Carraway Park, 100 Magnolia St., Darlington, from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

S.C. State Association Beauty & talent Department presents Denim & Diamonds from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Pee Dee United Elks Lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Donation: $10. Music, drinks, and fun.

Prestwood Country Club will hold its Annual Oyster Roast at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the club, 534 Prestwood Dr, Hartsville. Oysters on the deck, Lowcountry Boil catered by Oliver Segars, Entertainment by the Andy Locklear and Oneida Martin Show. Bring your oyster knives. Age 21 and older only. No tickets will be sold at the door. RSVP by March 2 to ensure we have adequate food and beverages for the event. Cost: $25 each or $40 per couple. Info: 843-858-1968

Spring Forward! Daylight Savings Time Begins on Sunday, March 8.

The Speed & Feed BBQ Festival & Car Show returns to Darlington Raceway on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14.

The YMCA Shamrock Shenanigans Festival will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the heart of downtown Hartsville on Carolina Ave in front of the YMCA. The morning will start off with a Color Me Green 5K and Shamrock Shenanigans 10K. Food and craft vendors will be set up from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with kid activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. presented by Pleasant Valley Stables and Inflatables. There will also be live music by the Wet Nose Dogs of Florence and adult activities! For more information, please visit www.upperpdymca.org.

Join us for a St. Paddy's Day pub crawl featuring your Hartsville favorites! This guided tour will start at 4:30 in front of BIZZELL'S FOOD & SPIRITS for ID check and last-minute ticket sales. The crawl will start off on Bizzell's patio and continue to the The Rooftop. From there you will travel to Retrofit sip-n-seat then on to Vintage Craft Beer and Wine Boutique before wrapping up at Hoof and Hound Hartsville. Hoof and Hound will be featuring a show with The Buzz, and Vintage will have their very own Dee Tallon for entertainment! Tickets are $30 in advance and include a shirt and one drink at each participating location. Tickets will be available at Vintage, Bizzell's, Retrofit, the Rooftop, and Hoof and Hound starting Feb. 24. Tickets day of will be $35, so get yours today!

Hoof Goes Green featuring The Buzz from 6 p.m. to midnight on March 14 as part of Hoof and Hound's one-year celebration at 113 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. The Buzz takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Traditional Irish food and full service outside. Bring a chair to just enjoy the band.

Take a trip to Conway Theater of the Republic Driving Miss Daisy on Thursday, March 19, with Darlington Area Recreation. Tickets are $40 plus lunch on your own. Register 843-398-4030

A joint meeting of all City Boards and Committees will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at City Hall, 400 Pearl St., led by the City Planning Commission.

Join the Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County for a morning of clay shooting or golfing, with lunch, an awards ceremony and silent auction supporting happy, healthy, families in Darlington County from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Moree Sportsman Preserve and Moree's Cheraw Country Club, 1217 Moree Road and 2341 Old Cash Road in Society Hill. The purpose of the 2020 Double Crown is to bring awareness and raise financial support for medical and mental health services for children and their families in Darlington County who cannot afford it. Click here to purchase your tickets!

Mark your calendars, the Kalmia Gardens' Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser is set for March 21 at the gardens, 1624 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. Tickets are $45 per person and include steamers, an assortment of other foods, beer, wine, and sodas. Currently, tickets are available from Kalmia Board members and by contacting the Gardens, online ticket sales will begin soon and a link will be posted on Facebook and Twitter. www.kalmiagardens.org. Info: 843-383-8145

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is hosting the Second Annual Jumpstart Your Heart 5K to raise funds to purchase automated external defibrillators (AED) for local schools and athletic departments. Enjoy a live radio broadcast by 103X, food vendors, healthy activities and FUN! 5K Run/Walk with t-shirt= $25. Register here

The Darlington Kiwanis Club Annual Oyster Roast & BBQ will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the American Legion Post 13 on Harry Byrd Highway. Tickets are $30 each and include food and beverages. Find the club online

Wednesday, April 8 - Annual DDRA Golf Tournament at Darlington Country Club. Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

Dargan Farms Strawberry Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9. Fun, family and farming ... that's what Dargan Farms is all about! Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day where you can pick your own strawberries or purchase pre-picked buckets, play in their play area, visit with the farm animals, go on a hayride, enjoy refreshments from concession stands and more! Admission is $10 for ages 2 and older. Admission does not include strawberries or concessions.

The Showdown in the Pee Dee will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at A.W. Stanley Gym, 100 Magnolia Street. Special guest Ray Mercer, 1988 Olympic Gold Medal winner, will be available for photos. Admission is $10 or $15 for VIP seats. Tables are available for $500, seat six, and include catering by Bizell's and special photo-op time with Mr. Mercer.

Saturday, June 6 - Darlington Family Fest at Darlington Raceway. Craft Beer, Food Trucks, Live Music by Felonious Funk, and more. Vendor Application. Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce presents its Annual Freedom Fest Celebration of Independence Day on July 11 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Darlington Raceway. Free admission. Parking: $1. Two bands, vendors, amusement rides, fireworks, and more!

 

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.

2020 Congressional Art Competition Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nation-wide high school art competition each spring. The Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent. All high school students in our district can participate. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and the artist will receive round-trip airfare to attend the national winners' reception in Washington D.C. A runner-up from the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regions will have their artwork displayed in our regional offices for one year. For more information and the deadline to apply click this link.