Thank each and every one of you that made the inaugural Chili Championship so special on Saturday. Championship belt for the cook-off went to Joey Saleeby (People's choice), and Chris Ganiey from Bill's Grill in Patrick won the Owner's Choice Award. In the car show, 1st-Reese Tadlock, 2nd-Calvin Kelly, and 3rd- Eddie McCoy.

Commanders Bill Oxford, SC Department Commander Walt Richardson and Tim Ray

American Legion Post 13 was honored to have our National Commander Bill Oxford visit us. He presented our new members with a pin. Thank you to everyone who came out that afternoon.

NEWS: Darlington County Council approves agreement with Georgia-Pacific

Darlington Presbyterian Church is hosting a Preaching Mission 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 remainder of the three-day preaching mission schedule includes

• 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.

MAY 7 - 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.

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. Buy tickets online here.

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

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

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.

Darlington County Humane Society Board of Directors meets at 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, and on the second Monday of each month at Hartsville Memorial Library, 147 W. College Ave., Hartsville.

How long does it take to stuff 1,000 Easter eggs with candy? Join the members of the Pilot Club of Darlington at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m., just prior to our meeting time of 6:30 p.m., and you can be part of our stuffing team.

The Stitchers Club of Hartsville will meet at 5 p.m. March 16 and the first and third Monday of each month at the Hartsville Memorial Library.

The Board of Directors of Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority will meet in the conference room at 131 Industrial Way, Darlington, at 5 p.m. on March 16 and the third Monday of the month. Dates for 2020 are April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21.

The Darlington County Board of Education meets Monday, March 9, and 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.

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

The Men of Darlington County and their guests will convene Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 a.m. at South of Pearl. We will pray for our friends Sylvia Lambert and Angie Deas. Tim Skipper will lead us. A poor man's breakfast will be served. All men are invited. Please come, there is power in numbers. Mrs. Lambert is the mother of Jimmy Davis. Jimmy has been with the Darlington City Police Department for many years. Angie is the lovely wife of Johnny Deas, who has served for many years with the Darlington Fire Department and owns Signs Plus Systems. These are some of the finest people on this earth. These great ladies need our prayers, so let's do this!

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.

The Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce will hold a Small Business Professionals Roundtable at 8 a.m. on March 10 and the second Tuesday of every month.

The Williamson Park Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 10 and the second Tuesday of the month at the Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St., Darlington.

Darlington County First Steps will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 10 and the second Tuesday of the month at the Hartsville Chamber Boardroom, 214 N. Fifth St., Hartsville. https://www.darlingtoncountyfirststeps.org/

The Board of Directors of the Darlington Kiwanis Club meets at 6 p.m. March 10 and on the second Tuesday of the month.

The Darlington Branch NAACP meets at 7 p.m. on March 10 and the second Tuesday of the month at 109 Pearl St., Darlington. Info: 843-229-1274

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.

Cinema Obscura presents Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St., Darlington.

Darlington Country Club opens for a Family Buffet every Tuesday Night at the club, 125 Country Club Road Get your reservations in before 5 p.m. on Monday to receive 15% off the cost of the buffet. You can call the Club, send a FB message or email us at eventplannerdcc@gmail.com. This week it's BINGO! Night.

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

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

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.

The Stitchers Club of Hartsville will meet at 5 p.m. March 12 and the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Hartsville Memorial Library.

The American Legion Post 13 of Darlington meets at 6 p.m. on March 12 and the second Thursday of each month at the Post on Harry Byrd Highway.

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

The Crochet & Knit Club of Darlington will meet from 10 a.m. to noon March 13 and the second Friday of the month at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St., Darlington. Info: 843-398-4940

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

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

Darlington Soup Kitchen opens every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Street Department, 586 W. Broad St., Darlington. Churches operate the soup kitchen.

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. PHOTO

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 our website: 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.

 

Sunday

Prayer on the Square will be held at 4 p.m. March 15 and the third Sunday of each month. Come together for fellowship and spiritual uplifting. Open to all.

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.

 

Monday

Darlington County Head Start Program Policy Council meets at 5:30 p.m. March 23 and on the fourth Monday of the month at Butler Head Start center, 1103 S. Sixth St., Hartsville.

 

Mark Your Calendars

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.

Carlo L'Chelle Dawson presents Woman Warrior: Harriet Tubman at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St., Darlington. All are welcome.

The 2020 Duck Unlimited Black Creek Chapter Conservation Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at the Coach T.B. Thomas Sports Center, 701 West Washington Street, Hartsville. Info: trey.atkinson@rocketmail.com

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

The Darlington Country Club Ladies Auxiliary proudly presents the First Running of the DCC Cup at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the club, 125 Country Club Road. Bring the family for a great time.

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development course, Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence, to Hartsville on Wednesday, March 25. Cost is $449. 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.

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 on Saturday, March 28. Enjoy a live radio broadcast by 103X, food vendors, healthy activities and FUN! 5K Run/Walk with t-shirt= $25. Register here: https://www.strictlyrunning.com/gpuilreg-8l.asp

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 at http://www.Facebook.com/DarlingtonKiwanis

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

CareSouth Carolina will hold a Mardi Gras Gala from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the DeLoach Center, 451 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville.

Thursday, April 23 - Taste of Darlington at Darlington Raceway. Download the application here. Buy tickets online here. https://www.facebook.com/events/2831703516861156/  Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

New Market United Methodist Church will hold a Fish Fry on Friday, April 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. Dine In or Take Out and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the church, 1921 W Old Camden Rd, Hartsville. Take Out or Drive Thru. Delivery of 25+ plates locally. Info: 843-858-1912 or 843-332-0887

On April 25, Joyful Treasures will hold an HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk beginning at 10 a.m. at the Public Square.

On Saturday, April 25, the Long Bluff Historical Society will sponsor the annual Taste of Society Hill from 7 to 9 p.m. at the historic Adam Marshall House, 454 S. Main St., Society Hill. Tickets are $20 per person at the door. Ages 21 and older only. Proceeds benefit historic preservation in the Society Hill area with on-going projects in the community. Info: (813) 323-1445.

Join your friends and family at Oak Manor Inn, 314 E Home Ave, Hartsville, as we enjoy an Evening Under the Oaks to raise funds for Darlington County Humane Society's Raise the Woof Campaign to build a proper animal shelter on Saturday, April 25. VIP Hour from 4 to 5 p.m. General Admission from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/178798753201894/

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. 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 the link below.

Congressional Art Competition Information

The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County is accepting new patients in Hartsville and Darlington.