The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. Loans are offered at affordable terms, including a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. All eligible small businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply.

SBA Launches Largest Expansion of Women's Business Centers in 30 Years: This includes the South Carolina Women's Business Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

JANUARY: National Hot Tea Month

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce has had to RESCHEDULE the Mayors Masquerade Ball for Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Grand Old Post Office, 201 Pearl St. Tickets are $25 and include food, music, and champagne toast at midnight. Cash bar. Limited tickets. 843-393-2641

Woman finds purpose in helping Darlington County community get healthier

 

Today

The Knitting & Crochet Club of Lamar will meet at 4 p.m. on Mondays at the Lamar Library, 103 E. Main St., Lamar. Info: 843-326-5524

Monday Night is Spaghetti Night at Joe's Grill, 306 Russell St., Darlington. Served with salad, bread, and tea for $8.95. Info: 843-944-0626

Pickle Ball at Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road, Darlington, will be held at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

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

Darlington County Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, and on the first Monday of the month at Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington. Due to COVID-19, in-person access is restricted. Watch meetings online here. Info: Janet Bishop 843-398-4100 or jbishop@darcosc.net

Pace Makers, a faith-based community walking program, meets twice a week from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.  on Tuesdays and Fridays at Byerly Park in Hartsville. The purpose of this group is to build community through diversity. Info: Anna Grace Hubbs, Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County, 843-398-0060 or AnnaGrace.Hubbs@fmcdc.org

Darlington City Council: 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and on the first Tuesday of the month except where noted (*). Dates are January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 13*, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 9*, and December 7. Due to COVID restrictions, only staff, council, and media are allowed in the courtroom. Watch the meeting live at at http://www.facebook.com/DarlingtonSC/live. You can find the agenda posted online by noon Monday prior to the meeting at https://www.cityofdarlington.com/city-council-agendas-meeting-minutes/. Submit comments to council by noon Monday prior to the meeting to be read aloud during the meeting to rock@cityofdarlington.com or by mail anytime to City of Darlington Planning, P.O. Box 57, Darlington, SC 29540.

Temple Free Will Baptist Church's Don Squires will hold a weekly Bible Study and fellowship every Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at Taki's Diner, 609 Pearl St., Darlington. Come at 8:30 a.m. for Dutch breakfast.

The Rotary Club of Hartsville meets at 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Pam's Restaurant, 1009 W. Bobo Newsome Hwy., Hartsville.

Joe's Grill celebrates Wing Night with 50-cent wings for supper on Tuesday nights at 306 Russell St., Darlington. Dine-in only. Info: 843-944-0626

Wing specials, Drink Specials and Karaoke Every Tuesday Night at the Darlington Moose Lodge, 1056 N. Governor Williams Hwy., Darlington.

Darlington Country Club will continue to have Tuesday Family Night dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 125 Country Club Road. Now our Members can bring the kids out for a fun filled night while they enjoy a quite dinner. 843-393-2196. 

Pickle Ball at Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road, Darlington, will be held at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

 

 

Wednesday

Bethea Retirement Community is recruiting team members who are dedicated to the mission and core values of providing outstanding care to the residents who live in the Bethea Community. Come learn more about the available positions at the Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 in the new state-of-the-art Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 157 Home Ave., Darlington. You may also apply online. All full-time positions are eligible for health insurance, PTO & retirement.

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center will hold a Blood Drive on January 6 at 1304 W. Bobo Newsom Highway, Hartsville. To register, visit redcrossblood.org and enter zip code 29550. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. This will be a mobile blood drive, and the blood mobile will be parked under the front breezeway of the hospital.

Senior Movie Mornings will be held at 10 a.m. on Dec. 23 and the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Lamar Library, 103 E. Main St., Lamar. Info: 843-326-5524

Trinity UMC Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Organ Medley: Dr. Keith Taylor will lead us in worship with some beautiful music from the organ of Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington on Facebook live at 12 noon Jan. 6.

St. Matthew's Church will hold a Virtual Men's Bible Study at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays and a Virtual Women's Bible Study at 12 Noon on Wednesdays. St. Matthew's Church will hold Virtual Church at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Sunrise Rotary Club of Hartsville meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 am at Hampton Inn & Suites of Hartsville, 203 E. Carolina Ave. The Rotary Club of Hartsville is a part of District 7770 of the Eastern South Carolina. (843) 229-2729 or hartsvillesunriserotary@gmail.com

Enjoy Wine Down Wednesdays at Chianti's Wings & Things, 124 Cashua St., Darlington, from 4 to 9 p.m. with wine and wing specials. (843) 944-0880

Drive In Worship Service at 126 Pearl Street parking lot of Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington at 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Hope to see you there! Listen on FM 88.7.

 

Thursday

Please join U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, for a live webinar to announce the launch of Ascent. Ascent is a first-of-its-kind digital online learning platform geared to help women-owned small businesses grow and scale their existing business. With Ascent, female entrepreneurs will be able to utilize this platform that brings a modern, e-learning experience specifically targeted for women business owners. Click here to register

The Bridge, a casual support group for first responders and veterans. Meets at 6 p.m. on Jan. 7 and on the first and third Thursday of every month at the Free Medical Clinic, 203 Grove St., Darlington. Registration required: 843-398-0060 or annagrace.hubbs@fmcdc.org

Darlington Kiwanis Club will meet at 1 p.m. Jan. 7 and every other Thursday at Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road, Darlington. Speaker: First Sgt. Bradley Norris with the S.C. Highway Patrol will share information about 2020 and the future of the highway patrol, especially with a new DPS director.

The Darlington County Historical Commission meets at 10 a.m. on Jan. 7 and on the first Thursday of the month, excluding July and August, at the Historical Commission, 204 Hewitt St., Darlington. Info: 843-398-4710 or bgandy@darcosc.net.

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

Enjoy classic Shrimp-N-Grits (or pork chip and grits) at Joe's Grill on Thursday nights at 306 Russell St., Darlington.

Fahrenheit 225 will have Trivia & Rock Bingo Night on Thursdays beginning at 7 p.m. Pick up to-go orders at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Call in take-out orders at (843) 944-0321.

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 Lamar Beautification Committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Jan. 8 and the second Friday of every month at Town Hall, 117 Main St. Come support the Town of Lamar's efforts for a clean and beautiful town. 843-326-5551

Mason Horne will perform a live acoustic concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Carolina Nightlife & Grill, 2244 Harry Byrd Hwy., Darlington.

Frisky Friday with host Uncle Buddha and DJ Shi C will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Darlington Tavern, 1125 N. Main St., Darlington.

 

Saturday

Faith Plus Ministry Community Outreach will be held Jan. 9 and every second Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., to help those that are in need of food, clothing and household goods. Event begins at 1 p.m. Hosted by Kingdom of Gods Children at 811 N. Governor Williams Highway, Darlington. Everyone in the surrounding Darlington County are all welcome to attend. Food and Refreshments will be served. If anyone has any barely used clothing and household items they will like to donate, please contact Sis Laura Byrd (843) 420-9150 for more detail and information.

The Darlington Soup Kitchen is open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday mornings at 586 W. West Broad St.

The Darlington Moose Lodge Annual Turkey Shoot returns Saturdays at 3 o'clock at the lodge, 1065 N. Governor Williams Hwy., Darlington. Huge Prizes, New Range Master, Food and Drink Specials every Saturday! Sponsored by Darlington Gun Works, Piggly Wiggly, Wingz & Ale, Southland Gun Works, Mayflower Seafood Restaurant, and Fahrenheit 225. Come by for a chance to win Turkeys, Gift Cards, TVs, Steaks and more! 843-393-2311

Vision Board Night: Join a fun night of making vision boards together and setting intentions/goals for the new year from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Crema Coffee Bar, 136 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. We will have materials here for you, but please bring a magazine to share if you can!

 

Sunday

Children's Activities begin at 5 p.m. Sundays with Kids for Christ at the Kid Central Building then share the love of God with them through teaching and songs from 6 to 7 p.m. for Children's Musical Practice at Central Baptist Church, 512 Spring St., Darlington.

St. Matthew's Church will hold a Virtual Church Service at 11 a.m. Sundays. Info: 843-393-4112

Parking Lot Church in the grassy area behind the ball field at 10:30 a.m. at Mechanicsville Baptist Church. There will be ushers directing you where to park your vehicle. Once parked, please tune your radio to 102.5FM. All are welcome.

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Lamar will hold services at 11 a.m. in person or online. Masks required in person. (843) 332-1188.

Lee Street First Church of God brings the Word of God to you. Connect via Facebook Live or Zoom 646-558-86-56 ext. 222 777 7676. Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. Tuesday midday prayer at noon. Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m. Prayer Hotline 1-888-409-8880. Info: https://leestreetfirstcog.org/ or 843-393-2672

 

Mark Your Calendar

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy Environmental Roundtable will meet virtually at 10 a.m. Jan. 15 concerning EPA regulations. The meeting will focus on regulations surrounding perchloroethylene and a discussion of IRIS assessment creation.

Jack Box Party Games will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at Crema Coffee Bar, 136 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. Please bring a phone/tablet/laptop to play.

Train the Trainer (T4T) opportunity will become available in January 2021.  On Jan. 20-21, community members will be able to attend a two-day virtual AS+K? About Suicide to Save a Life Training. AS+K? is a basic gatekeeper T4T that covers key information about suicide prevention, and enables trainers to then facilitate trainings throughout their communities. If you would like to be considered for the training, please complete the registration link. You may contact Tinotenda Martin at tinotenda.martin@scdmh.org with additional questions. Pre-registration link

Join the South Carolina Department of Commerce for a virtual webinar training on USMCA (NAFTA 2.0) Updates from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 21. For more information and to register please contact: Norris Thigpen at 803-737-0598 or nthigpen@sccommerce.com.

Looking For Something Extraordinary To Do This Year? Come and learn about one of the greatest youth programs in the nation at a Civil Air Patrol Information Meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at American Legion Post 13, 1752 Harry Byrd Hwy., Darlington. Great opportunities to grow and lead others in your community and beyond. Amazing opportunities for adults and youth. Missions include Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services. Cadet Program for Ages 12-18. Info: Captain Jane Proell at Jane.proell@scwgcap.org or 843-732-0227

U.S. Rep. Tom Rice will hold a Telephone Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. During the call, Rice will provide an update on current federal issues and answer questions from you on issues concerning the Seventh District.

Straight out of the Carolina pines, 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Jefferson, S.C., Mason Horne brings a youthful, but timeless voice to country music beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Carolina Nightlife & Grill, 2244 Harry Byrd Hwy., Darlington. Inspired by Carolina roots and love of traditional country music, Mason picked up his first guitar at the early age of 5-years-old and began writing songs at the age of 10. Horne is rapidly growing his fan base and reaching thousands of people and new fans with each video he releases on Facebook.

 

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & CAPACITY

Click here for a list of what businesses are operating and at what capacity. Please send information to info@buildupdarlington.org or text 843-992-1561 to update a listing. We will continue to update this link, www.buildupdarlington.org/covid19, as we get information.

• Darlington County Courthouse will be restricted to appointment only to maintain social distancing requirements. Call 843-398-4100
• City of Darlington Offices will be restricted to appointment only to maintain social distancing requirements. Call 843-398-4000
• Palmetto Disaster Recovery Offices are opened in Marion and Conway with limitations. To apply, applicants must contact one of these two offices to schedule an appointment. For residents of Darlington County, applicants would need to contact the Marion Office at 803-609-1164 or 843-731-3550.
• Looking for employment? Keep SC Works Pee Dee in mind. Currently open by appointment. Email scworkspeedee@eckerd.org or call (843) 407-9679 for the Florence office or call (843) 309-9817 for the Hartsville office.
• Darlington County Community Action Agency has several programs available to help those in need during these difficult financial times. Click here to download the flyers. 843-332-1155
• If you know someone facing eviction and they need assistance, South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) may be able to help. The CDC has halted evictions due to CVOID-19 concerns through Dec. 31, 2020. Call toll-free 888-346-5592 or by apply online at https://sclegal.org/.

 

GENERAL COVID-19 INFORMATION

For general information about COVID-19, the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are trusted sources of information. We encourage you to visit their websites for the most current and correct information.

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control  
• S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control
• The COVID-19 Data Hub 
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Resource Page 
• Taking the Pulse of American Households During COVID-19
• Providing Perspective During COVID-19 Using Census Data

DHEC Careline 855-472-3432: Get answers to common questions about the Corona Virus from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

If you are sick, MUSC Health offers a Virtual Visit to determine if you should leave home to seek medical attention if you think you may have been exposed to the Corona Virus. Use promo code "COVID19" at this link.

 

CITY SERVICES

While City Offices will be restricted to staff and appointments until further notice, individuals are encouraged to do all business by phone or email during this event. City staff will be available by phone and email, and essential services will not be interrupted. You can find updates here.

You may call the following numbers with service-related issues

• Emergencies, call 911
• Business Licenses - 843-398-4000 ext. 101
• Permits - 843-398-4029
• Water/Sewer, Normal Business Hours,  - 843-398-4040
• Water/Sewer, After 5 p.m.,  -  843-758-1127
• Fire, Non-emergency - 843-398-4013
• Police, Non-emergency - 843-398-4026
• Municipal Court - 843-398-4004
• Streets & Sanitation - 843-398-4035
• Media Inquiries - 843-992-1561

You may still pay your utility bill or traffic citation online here. City staff will disinfect public areas more frequently and have hand sanitizer available in public buildings. Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection will remain on regular schedule.

CITY COURT RESUMES. Municipal Court will be held twice a day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Pearl St., Darlington.

Due to COVID-19, the following rules will be in place:

• Only 25 defendants in the courtroom at a time.
• Everyone will be required to wear a face mask before entering.
• Social distancing will be enforced.

Download the DDRA Membership Application here. Download a Map Location Form for your business. Return to info@buildupdarlington.org or DDRA, P.O. Pox 57, Darlington, SC 29540.

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.