February, 2010

The Town of Turbeville has received notice that an EECB Grant in the amount of $23,522.00 has been awarded to the town through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This grant will be used to make the Turbeville Town Hall on Main St. and the Public Works Building on Green St. more energy efficient. New light fixtures, additional ceiling insulation and new heating and air conditioning units are among the improvements included in the grant.

A grant in the amount of $304,556 has been awarded to the Town of Turbeville by the South Carolina Department of Transportation for Phase VII of the Streetscape project. This phase will include the replacement of the traffic lights on overhead lines to lights on mast arms, removal of overhead lines along Main St. and additional streetlights.

James T. Coker has opened East Clarendon Metro-Care at 1436 Main St. East Clarendon Metro-Care currently has two ambulances with which to transport patients to doctor’s appointments, dialysis, or to area hospitals as requested. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with 24 hour call service. Telephone numbers are 843-659-3244 or 866-494-4944. Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay are accepted. We welcome this new business to town!

Be counted! During the month of March a 10-question census form will be mailed to households to be completed and returned by April 1, 2010. Results of the questionnaire are used in census numbers for formulas that determine funding received by the Town of Turbeville and Clarendon County from state and federal sources. Aid to communities to assist in education programs, public safety, housing, roads and bridges and other programs affecting the lives of citizens is based on the census results. Not completing and returning the form results in a hit where it hurts most – the pocketbook. Complete the form and help keep funds at home!

The Clarendon Relay for Life will be held at Manning High School on the night of May 7, 2010. Two different shirt designs are available in short and long-sleeved t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. Shirts may be ordered at Town Hall. Help cure cancer by ordering your shirt now!

In conjunction with “Cities Mean Business” month, an essay contest was held for students in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades at East Clarendon Middle School titled, “ If I Were Mayor For A Day, I Would----“. Winning essays were read by the students at the February meeting of town council.

Winners were:

6^th grade – 1^st, Madison Coker; 2^nd, D J Pappas; 3^rd, Walker McKenzie

7^th grade – 1^st, Jared Hair; 2^nd, Cory Green; 3^rd, Jesse Beasley

8th grade – 1^st, Dylan Atkinson; 2^nd, Leslie Creech; 3^rd, Ellen Parrish

We congratulate these young people and look forward to their participation in our community!

Morgan Keefe was the winner of the Puddin’ Swamp Festival Art Work contest. Her art will be used for the t-shirts for the upcoming festival. We congratulate Morgan on her accomplishment!

The Clarendon Civitan Club is sponsoring Clarendon Cinderella, a project whose purpose is to provide formal gowns for school functions to high school girls in the county whose families are in financial distress. Gently used or new gowns, purses, jewelry, and accessories may be donated through March 4, 2010. Items may be left at City Laundry in Manning or Little Personal Cleaners in Summerton. Items left at Turbeville Town Hall will be taken to Manning. Gowns should be clean and on a hanger. Girls interested in receiving a gown should talk to their school guidance counselor for details and referral. For additional information call 803-435-8633 during the day or e-mail clarendoncinderellas@yahoo.com.

General Francis Marion Days Living History will be held at Camp Bob Cooper Feb 25^th through 27^th. All Clarendon County third-graders will participate on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 25^th and 26^th. On Friday, Feb. 26^th the public is encouraged to participate in the Lantern Walk: Spy on History, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. On Saturday, Feb. 27^th, demonstrations of Revolutionary War crafts will take place from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Admission and parking are free. For additional information visit www.francismarioncountry.com.

On March 9, 2010, an election will be held to fill Seats, 2, 6 and 7 of the East Clarendon School Board. Seat #2 is now held by Norma Reardon; Seat #6 by Betty Coker and Seat #7 by Dr. George Green. A map is on display at Turbeville Town Hall with voting districts marked. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Turbeville Town Hall.

The Turbeville Community Association will meet at 7:00 PM on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Town Hall. Plans are being made for the Puddin’ Swamp Festival which will be held April 15, 16 and 17.

The annual “Blast From the Past”, presented by the Turbeville First Baptist Church, will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 6:00 PM at the Pine Grove United Methodist Church gym. “Soul Train” will be the theme, featuring reenactments and impersonations of musical artists from the Motown era. Tickets are $10.00 at the door or the First Baptist Church office. Refreshments will be available. Come out and support the church’s young people.

The next regular meeting of Clarendon County Council will be held in the East Clarendon cafeteria at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 8, 2010.

The 2010 Miss Puddin’ Swamp Festival Beauty Pageant will be held on Friday, March 26, 2010, at East Clarendon High School gym.  For additional information call Sharlene McLendon at 389-7840 or 373-1140 or Michelle Feagin at 382-3825 or 372-2533.

Signup for baseball and softball will be held through Feb. 27, 2010. Forms are available at Town Hall, on the Town website and at Smith Field. Signups will be held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Saturday in February at Smith Field.

CHANGE IN MEETING DATE! The next regular meeting of Town Council will be at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

For a detailed Calendar of Events, information on the Town’s Recreation Program, and other information, visit the Town’s web site at www.townofturbeville.com. If your organization is hosting a special event and would like to advertise that event “FREE” on the town’s web site and in the monthly newsletter, please contact Pat Goodwin at 659-2781 or 598-2116.