Sumter County Museum to host author Marie Benedict luncheon

Posted

Clarendon School District One will conduct free vision, hearing, speech and developmental screenings as part of a child find effort to identify students ages 3-5, who may need special education services and are not enrolled in a public school. Screenings will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon at the Summerton Early Childhood Center, 8 South St., Summerton, on the following Tuesdays: today, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14. Call Robert Collar at (803) 574-2117.

The One Sumter Community group will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St. This will be an informational meeting with the new Sumter School District Trustee Board Chairperson the Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Canty, who will discuss his vision, hopes and aspirations for the school board and the expectations for the school district. Call Joshua Dupree at (803) 795-3600.

The Sumter County Museum will present a luncheon and book signing with author Marie Benedict at noon on Monday, Jan. 14. Tickets are $35 for museum members or $40 for non-members and can be purchased online at www.sumtercountymuseum.org or by calling (803) 775-0908. Attendees will receive lunch and a signed copy of Ms. Benedict's book "The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel." Benedict is also the author of "The Other Einstein" and "Carnegie's Maid."

An Alice Drive Middle School Art Exhibit Reception will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Central Carolina Technical College Gallery of Art and Expression (The Gallery Upstairs), CCTC Main Campus, Building M500. This free event is held to celebrate ADMS students and showcase their artistic creations.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at the headquarters building, 529 N. Wise Drive. All area veterans are invited.

The Sumter Branch NAACP's Martin Luther King program will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St. The Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III will speak.

The next Dream Team event will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call (803) 774-7776 for more information.

A free pardon, expungement and employment workshop will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at MH Newton Family Life Center, 415 Manning Ave. Mechelle Potts, of the Third Judicial Circuit Expungement Office, and Sharon Holland, of S.C. Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, will speak.

Sumter AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will offer free tax preparation services from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays (walk-in services) Feb. 4 through April 15 at South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave., and by appointment on the following Saturdays: Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 16 and April 13. No age requirement and you do not have to be an AARP member. Services will also be available by appointment from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays (walk-ins allowed based on counselor availability) at Spectrum Senior Citizens Center, 1989 Durant Lane. Applicants are advised to bring ID, Social Security cards, last year's tax return (if available) and all other pertinent tax documents needed for filing return. Call Lula King at (803) 316-0772 or Emily Dinkins at (803) 983-2514.

The force will be with the Town of Summerton 4 MAIN from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, when Clarendon County "Star Wars" fans of all ages will welcome the 501st Legion. Since 1997, this fan-based costuming organization has spread the magic of the Star Wars genre worldwide through its authentic-looking costumes and has become a leading force in fan-based charity events. In partnership with Harvin Clarendon County Library, this free event will include Star Wars arts and crafts, creative activities, door prizes, face painting, refreshments, and visitors can also take selfies with a Stormtrooper. Costumes are optional. Visit www.501st.com for more information about the organization.

The Sumter County Museum will presents "When the Rainbow Breaks," a Holocaust lecture with Dr. Henry Knight, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, at Temple Sinai Jewish History Center. For more information, contact Annie Rivers at (803) 775-0908 or email information@sumtercountymuseum.org.