Central City Optimists Planning Oct. 6 Banquet

By Tamara Ford, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C.

Sep. 23–The Central City Optimist Club of Rock Hill will host its 22nd annual banquet at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St.

The organization will honor Educator of the Year, Youth of the Year and Optimist of the Year during a short program. Six scholarships will be awarded to recent local high school graduates.

New officers will be installed by Lt. Governor-Elect Asbey Skinnell. Dinner will be served followed by dancing; music will be provided by Uni-Que Entertainment. To purchase tickets or for details, call Lonnie Harvey Jr. at 325-2020.

Family program has parent night out

Family Connection of South Carolina in Rock Hill will host its parents night out beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Olive Garden in Rock Hill. For details, call 366-4839.

Driver safety program planned in Rock Hill

An AARP driver safety program will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Park Point Village, 3025 Chesbrough Blvd., Rock Hill. The instructor will be Mike Hemlepp. The class is for ages 55 and older.

Those who attend both days will receive a certificate which may reduce the cost of their auto insurance premiums. Participants do not have to be members of AARP. The cost is $10. To register, call Sandra Hinson, 327-4723, or Hemlepp, (803) 631-5218.

TOPS, Emmett Scott plan open house events

These open houses are planned:

• An open house for the Rock Hill TOPS, Taking Pounds Off Sensibly, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Advanced Pain Relief Center, 410 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill. The event is free with no obligation. Participants can learn about weight loss success, caring support, individual food and exercise plans and about the program. For details, call Dr. Suzanne Wahler at 366-2225 or 984-1824 or visit www.tops.org.

• Emmett Scott Recreation Center, 801 Crawford Road, Rock Hill, will host an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Learn about the opportunities at the center and celebrate recent improvements, including the new gym floor. A brief program will be at 10 a.m. in the gym, followed by a tour. Displays and demonstrations by groups and programs at the center are planned. The Boys & Girls Clubs of York County will give tours of the game room and study areas. Their step group will perform. For details, call Loretta Robinson at 329-5661.

Catawba Care, Hospice seeking volunteer help

These volunteer opportunities are being offered:

• The Catawba Care Coalition will host a volunteer orientation program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at its offices, 1151 Camden Ave., Rock Hill. The coalition, a United Way agency, is seeking volunteers to assist with community outreach and education, transportation, cooking, clerical tasks, child care, special events and more. The coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes optimal health for York, Chester and Lancaster county residents by providing medical care and support services to those with HIV/AIDS and by educating the community. For details, call 909-6363, ext. 238, or visit www.catawbacare.org.

• Community Home Care & Hospice will offer free volunteer training from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 and 5 at its office, 1236 Ebenezer Road, Suite 210, Rock Hill. Volunteers must attend both days. For details and to register, call Chris Devinney at 417-0167.

Parenting programs include class, clinic

The following parenting programs are being offered next week:

• Parenting Partnerships of York school district, 37 Pinckney St., York, will offer its cougar cub class at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Those who are unable to attend the morning session may attend a 6 to 7:30 p.m. class. The free health clinic will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. A pediatrician will be there from 10 a.m. to noon. Medical services, including immunizations, sick visits, sport physicals, vision and hearing screening and well care are provided by Rock Hill Pediatrics for Medicaid and the uninsured ages 18 and younger. For an appointment, call 322-6636.

• The Rock Hill Family Resource Center’s free medical clinic, for ages 18 and younger without health insurance, will be open this month from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays. It is at 217 Orange St., Rock Hill, and co-sponsored by the Early Learning Partnership and First Steps of York County. Park in the rear of the building. Other free clinics are in Fort Mill, Clover and York. For appointments and directions, call 322-6636 or 980-2079. Drop in and play parent and child activities will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, a free event designed for preschoolers. For details, call 981-1557.

Historical, state park groups have meeting news to share

These groups will meet:

• The Rock Hill chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the American Red Cross building, 200 Piedmont Blvd., Rock Hill. The group will discuss the area’s transportation system. The local chapter is not an organization speaking for the blind, it is the blind speaking for themselves. The group is made up of about 60 active members who have been serving York County for more than 30 years. For details, call Lenora Robertson, 366-1832, or contact Johnny L. Blackwell via e-mail at jblackwell@truvista.net.

• The South Central Neighborhood Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Liberty Community Baptist Church, 315 Little St., Rock Hill. It meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For details, call Nathaniel Jaggers at 327-2313 or 327-6604.

• The York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the administration building, 7900 Park Place Road in the East York Industrial Park off S.C. 5 in York. For details, call 628-5999.

• The Yorkville Historical Society will host a social from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the home of Ed and Carolyn Wood, 15 W. Liberty St., York. Members should bring a covered dish or a beverage; prospective members are welcome. To RSVP, call 628-1076 or e-mail cemwood@bellsouth.net.

• The Friends of Andrew Jackson will meet at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the meeting house at Andrew Jackson State Park on U.S. 521 in Lancaster. It is this year’s first meeting. Anyone interested in volunteer work or playing at the park is invited. For details, call the park at (803) 285-3344.

• Jack Ahart, U.S. Navy Capt. Ret. and director of the Charlotte Center of United Services Organization Inc. North Carolina, will speak to the Clover-Lake Wylie Republican Women’s Club Friday at the River Hills Country Club in Lake Wylie. The U.S.O. is a private nonprofit group that provides moral and recreational services to members of the U.S. military worldwide. An 11:30 a.m. social will be followed by the noon luncheon. Cost is $14. The reservation deadline is Tuesday. For details, call Linda Armfield at (803) 831-1814.

Blood drives, health fair are planned this week

These area blood drives and health events are planned:

• The York County chapter of the American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at York Technical College, 452 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill. For details, call 329-6575.

• The Lancaster County chapter of the Red Cross will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster, Hubbard Drive. Other drives will be from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Lancaster Rotary Club, 1840 Springs Club Road, Lancaster; and 2:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 210 N. Matson St., Kershaw. For details, call (803) 283-4072.

• A health fair for seniors will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Boyd Hill Recreation Center on Constitution Boulevard in Rock Hill. The event is open to the public. Vendors focusing on health and wellness will provide information. A schedule and registration form is available at www.rockhillrocks.com and at the PRT office, Room 390, City Hall. For details, call Carolyn Snyder at 329-5626.

Local dancing groups invite new participants

These dance groups will meet:

• Chester Circling Squares will square dance at 7 p.m. every Monday at the Lowrys Community Center on Old York Road in Lowrys. Buster Hefner will instruct modern Western square dance and Hilda Hefner will lead classes in line dancing. The circling squares have a regular club dance on the second Saturday of the month. The cost is $2 for the instruction and $7 per couple for the regular dance. For details, call Mickey and Carrie Green at (803) 385-6884 or Andy and Gloria Kirk at 981-6981.

• The Carolina Promenaders will offer square dancing and a workshop from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Shield of Faith Family Church, 2499 Fire Tower Road, Rock Hill. Free open houses will be Thursday. New square dance classes will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The instructor will be Larry Bushnell. The square dance caller is Danny Thomas; line dance instructor is Doris Marks. Casual dress is required; the cost is $3. For details about the new classes, call Bushnell, 802-6658. For other details, call Thomas, 328-0289.

• The Ballroom Dance Club will dance from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex, 971 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. A variety of CD ballroom music will be played. The cost is $5 for nonmembers. Visitors are welcome. Attire is casual for the western- themed dance. For details, call Joyce at 366-9805.

• Beginner shag lessons will be from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24 and Nov. 7 at the Gold Hill branch YMCA, 1785 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill. The instructors for the five-week session will be Steve and Kathy St. Clair, members of the Charlotte Shag Club and the Competitive Shaggers Association. The cost is $125 for couples and $75 for individuals. For details, call 548-9622.

Junie B. Jones party is among library events

The York County Library will host the following programs:

• Junie B. Jones, “Party Animal” party, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Clover Public Library, including snacks, crafts and a packet of Junie activities for ages 6 to 10. For details, call (803) 222-3474.

• Book-to-movie book club, which discussed the book, “Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillio earlier this month. Now the group, for ages 10 to 12, will see the movie from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. To register, call 684-3751.

• Book club for adults; “White Oleander” by Janet Finch, will be discussed at 10 a.m. Oct. 2, York Public Library, York. To register, call 684-3751.

Fish fry, yard sale among local benefits

These fundraisers are planned:

• First Wesleyan Church of York will have a Graham’s Fish Fry from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church, 1830 York Highway. Plates are $8 and include flounder, chicken breast strips or a combo with French fries, hushpuppies and slaw. Diners can eat in or take food out. Baked items will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the church’s youth group trip to the Florida convention this year. For details, call 684-7335.

• Kings Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Philbeck Road and S.C. 161, York, will have a yard sale beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Yard sale spaces and tables will be $5 each. Sausage biscuits, hot dogs and baked goods will be sold in the fellowship hall. The fundraiser, sponsored by the United Methodist Women, will benefit mission projects.

• St. John’s United Methodist Church in Fort Mill will have its fall and winter children’s consignment and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 and 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 13 at the church, 130 Tom Hall St. Those interested in consigning may contact sjumckids@comporium.net or call 547-7538. Proceeds will benefit the wee school.

• PATH’s Thrift Store, 31 N. Congress St., York, will have a buy one, get one free sale on men’s pants and shirts Monday through Saturday. PATH serves needy families in the York school district.

School groups, families announce reunion news

These reunions are planned:

• The Emmett Scott High School class of 1963 will meet at 4 p.m. today at the Masonic Temple on Crawford Road in Rock Hill. The group will be making plans for its 45-year reunion. For details, call Carol Perry at 980-1513.

• The Rock Hill High School class of 1975 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the food court at the Rock Hill Galleria on Dave Lyle Boulevard in Rock Hill. Those interested in participating in the birthday bash are asked to attend to finalize plans. For details, call Shelia O. Baxter, 324-4652, Malinda J. Boyd, 327-4428, or Gloria “Gwynnett” Hoyles Brown, 366-0585.

• The Broughton family reunion will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at Camp Creek Baptist Church, 998 Potter Road, Lancaster.

Indian Land fall fest will benefit library

The second annual Fall into Fun Festival, to benefit the Del Webb Library at Indian Land, will be Saturday at Sun City Carolina Lakes, U.S. 521 in the Indian Land area.

Festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a 5k walk/run and toddler trot. At 10 a.m. the festival will open with a performance by the Indian Land High School marching band. Activities for all ages will be available, including games for children. Performers include Lancaster native and contemporary Christian music artist Daniel Kirkley and The Walls of Elim, a Christian teen band from Lancaster.

A business area will be available. Auction items include jewelry, artwork, complimentary massages, a two-month unlimited pass to Jazzercise and a 2003 Club Car golf cart. Special cars and motorcycles are welcome at the motor show at Sun City’s golf club with a $20 entrance fee per show car. Trophies will be awarded for the most popular vehicles.

Festival admission is free. Wristbands for $5 each can be purchased for children’s activities. In case of rain, the event will be Oct. 6. For details, e-mail indianlandlibrary@gmail.com or visit indianlandlibrary.blogspot.com.

Learn to use computer through local classes

The following area computer classes are available:

• Panorama Computer Learning, a nonprofit organization that offers computer training for those who have lost jobs, will offer 90-minute online Microsoft computer classes from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The online classes guide participants step-by-step. The cost is $20 per class. For details, call Susan Woods at (704) 968-2769 or visit www.PCLinc.org.

• Fort Lawn Community Center, 5554 Main St., will host computer classes; the cost is $30 each. The classes are: Beginning PC, 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 and 8; Beginners Microsoft Word, 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Oct. 2, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 and 10 and Nov. 7 and 14; Beginners Microsoft Excel, 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 and 24 and Nov. 28 and Dec. 5. The center offers classes in partnership with the S.C. Employment Commission for those participating in the WIA program. Every Friday, from 10 to 11 a.m., seniors are invited to a basic computer skills class. The cost is $3. Private computer tutoring also is offered. For details, call (803) 872-7309.

Catawba pottery demo is planned Saturday

A Native American pottery demonstration will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Catawba Cultural Preservation Building, 1536 Tom Stevens Road, Rock Hill. All ages are welcome. For details, call Shana George-Perry at 328-2427, ext. 230.

Workman outreach event will include drama, music

Agape International Ministries will host an outreach community event from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Workman Park in Rock Hill for those who live in the Workman community. Activities for children, drama for adolescents and adults, music and food will be provided. For details on how to help, call 981-2319.

Bullying will be topic of Oct. 2 program

A program on “Bullying: Myths, Facts and the Law,” will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill.

Every day as many as 160,000 children stay home from school because they are being bullied. Parents and students will learn their rights and the issues will be explained.

Resources for students, teachers and parents will be provided. The program will be presented by Winthrop University associate professors Rebecca B. Evers and Mark Mitchell. To RSVP and to inquire about free child care, call Hollye Reid at 366-4839.

United Way meeting planned for agencies

The United Way of York County will host a meeting for nonprofit agencies interested in applying for United Way funding for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Agency representatives may attend one of two meetings, at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 2 and 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Emmett Scott Room in the Flexible Learning Center, 1234 Flint Hill Street Extension in Rock Hill.

Agencies interested in applying must have a representative at one of the meetings. Eligibility applications will be distributed. An allocation package will be given to those that are eligible at a later date. For details, call Debbie Hayworth at 324-2735.

Kids in kitchen class offered by Clemson

A 4-H Kids in the Kitchen class, for ages 8 and older, will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the Clemson Extension Office, 6 S. Congress St., York.

Kids will learn to bake foods that could be entered in the York County Fair from Oct. 15 to 21, make healthy food choices and make new friends.

The instructors will be Angela Forbes, a Clemson Extension food and nutrition agent, and Margie Sippel, a 4-H agent. Classes are limited to 12; the registration fee is $13.

Participants are asked to preregister by Thursday. For details and to sign up, call Sippel at 684-9919, ext. 113, or e-mail her at msippel@clemson.edu.

Rock Hill blues festival is planned Oct. 4 to 6

The third annual Downtown Blues Festival in downtown Rock Hill will be Oct. 4 to 6. Blues musicians will perform at six venues on Main Street in historic downtown. The schedule is as follows:

• 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 4, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, McHale’s on Main; Noel Freidline, Old Town Bistro; Robin Rogers, Thi’s Place on Main; John Emil, Cookie Cafe; and Common Ground featuring Carl Ratliff, Center for the Arts.

• 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 5, Willie “The Bluesman” Roach, McHale’s; Ironing Board Sam, Old Town Bistro; Sabra Callas, Thi’s Place; Scott Bristow, Cookie Cafe; and John Emil, Center for the Arts.

• 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 6, the grand finale, The Plairs All Stars featuring Gerard Benson, Maree Blackwell, John King, Bobby Plair Sr., Bobby Plair Jr., Victor Plair, Carl Ratliff and Willie Roach.

The event will kick off with an opening reception for “Sister Marshall: Harriet Goode 1955-2006,” a visual arts exhibition in the Dalton Gallery. Tickets for the festival are one-day pass, $12; two-day pass, $20; and three-day pass, $30. For details, call 328-2787 or visit www.rockhillarts.org.

Local groups can help with substance abuse

The following substance abuse-related groups will meet:

• Reformers Unanimous, an international faith-based addictions program, will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Rock Hill Independent Baptist Church in the Winthrop Commons Shopping Center, 725 Cherry Road. The entrance and parking are at the rear. For details, call 327-6690 or visit www.reformu.com.

• Nicotine Anonymous, a 12-step program for smokers and chewers, meets from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Fridays at The Serenity Club, 209 Grayson Road, Rock Hill. For details, call (803) 675-6002.

• Celebrate Recovery, a national Christian 12-step program, meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at the York Baptist Association, 434 Museum Road, Rock Hill. For details, call 627-0594 or visit www.golifeway.com/CR.

• For Al-Anon/Alateen meetings in York, Chester and Lancaster counties, call 1-800-334-2666 or visit www.sc-alanon-alateen.org.

Scholarships offered by local HR society

Applications are now being accepted for two $500 scholarships from the York County chapter for the Society of Human Resource Management and the National Society for Human Resource Management.

One scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student whose career focus is human resource management. The other scholarship, known as the “Sons & Daughters” will be awarded to a child or grandchild of a current society member. Those applying for the “Sons & Daughters” scholarship are not required to major in human resource-related studies.

For an application, call 327-9136. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 1. Scholarships will be awarded during the group’s luncheon on Dec. 13.

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