Optimists Hosting Circus May 10 in Rock Hill

By Mary Jo Balasco, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C.

Apr. 20–The Carson and Barnes Circus will present shows at 2 and 7 p.m. May 10 in the lot beside the Applied Technology Center, 2399 W. Main St., Rock Hill.

The family-owned circus has been touring for more than 70 years. The show is being sponsored by the Rock Hill Optimist Club, and all proceeds will benefit a childhood cancer program.

Advance tickets, which must be purchased by May 9, are $6 for ages 2 to 11 and $12 for ages 12 and older. Tickets purchased at the door will be $8 children and $16 adults. Tickets may be ordered by calling 366-5050 or e-mail twebbretired@yahoo.com.

Beginning Wednesday, tickets may be purchased in Rock Hill at Angel Insurance Agency, 404 Oakland Ave. or 1401 Albright Road; The Bookworm at Winthrop University, 700 Cherry Road; Dr. Winslow Chiropractic Center, 419 E. Main St.; and O’Darby’s Beverage, 4124 Celanese Road; in Fort Mill at the Leroy Springs Recreation Center, 971 Tom Hall St.,; and the Baxter Village Community Center; in Clover at Clover Auto Parts, 301 S. Main St.; and in York at the Craft Connection, 621 N. Congress St.

City Club evening features paintings, plays

Acts of Art, an evening of five short plays inspired by five paintings, will be presented at 7 p.m. April 30 and May 1 at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St.

Admission is $48 per person, including the performances and a four-course dinner with a cash bar. The event is open to the public. For details, call Stacey at the City Club, (803) 980-2525.

CHM events include ‘Battledrum,’ Earth Day

The Culture and Heritage Museums will have the following events:

— “Battledrum,” an arts-in-education musical about Civil War drummer boys, at 9 and 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 7 p.m. Thursday at the McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. The musical tells the story of Rufus, a Confederate orphan who is adopted by a troop of Union soldiers. The show is based on real-life stories of more than two million boys, age 17 or younger, who served on both sides of the conflict. It is recommended for ages 9 to adult. Admission is $10 per person. Reservations are recommended. For details or reservations, call 684–3948, Ext. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The musical is presented by the Eckerd Theatre Co.

— Earth Day birthday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Participants will celebrate with activities, games, entertainment and more than 30 educational exhibits. The Scrap Exchange, a reuse center, returns with fun, hands-on activities that promote creativity, environmental awareness and community through reuse. There will be a 4-H petting zoo. Pony rides and family-friendly foods will be sold. The event is free and presented in partnership with York County Collection and Recycling and Rock Hill Clean and Green.

— Citing your sources, a workshop on footnote use in writing family history, will be from 11 to 11:45 a.m. May 3 at the Historical Center of York County at McCelvey Center. For details, call 684-3948.

— Parent/teen kayak trip, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. May 3. Participants will meet at the Museum of York County for an after-hours tour of the documentary photography exhibit, River Docs: A Catawba River Narrative, then kayak the quiet coves of Lake Wylie. After kayaking, participants may bring a picnic supper to enjoy around a campfire. Shuttle, equipment and instruction are provided by Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The trip is for ages 12 and older. Cost is $22 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited. Register by Friday by calling (803) 981-9182. No refunds will be given after the registration deadline.

Historic Rock Hill plans May Day fundraiser

Historic Rock Hill will have a family May day event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 on the lawn of the historic White home, 135 Elizabeth Lane, Rock Hill.

Admission is $5 and includes lunch and activities. Activities for children include May pole dancing, face painting, croquet, a cakewalk, storytelling and handprints.

Vendors will sell jewelry, homemade soap, Egyptian items, art and pottery. Weaving demonstrations will be ongoing during the event.

Lunch will be served and azalea cuttings from the White home gardens will be available for purchase. The historic preservation group is in the process of restoring the home.

For details, call 329-1020.

Chester library friends plan spring book sale

The Friends of the Chester County Library will have a spring book sale from May 8 through 10 at the library, 100 Center St., Chester. A preview sale for Friends members will be at 6 p.m. May 8. No book dealers are permitted at the preview sale.

To join Friends, a $5 membership fee and application form must be submitted to any Chester County library site. No renewals or new memberships will be accepted at the door.

The sale will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10. Thousands of brand new or slightly used books will be available for less than 50 cents each. For details, call Ann Ramsey at (803) 377-8145.

Dance events planned in Fort Mill, Rock Hill

The following dance events are planned:

— The Ballroom Dance Club will have its spring dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Springs Recreation Complex, 971 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. The band Just Us will perform. Advance reservations are $20 per couple for members and $25 per couple for non-members. Door admission is $25 per couple for members and $30 per couple for non-members. Refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Attire is dressy. For details or reservations, call Joyce at 366-9805 or visit www.TheBallroomDanceClub.com.

— Ballroom dance line dance classes will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill. Jean Wheeler is the instructor. Line dances will be the samba, waltz and the cha-cha. A beginner samba lesson is offered at 7:30 p.m. April 30. A $3 per person donation per class is requested for the children and youth building fund. Beginners and experienced dancers are welcome. No partner is necessary. For details, call Pat at (803) 980-4000.

Reception planned for Governor’s School students

South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities will have a reception today to recognize students accepted into the 2008 summer program and those attending the 2008-09 residential high school. The reception will be at 3 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill.

Anyone interested in the school is invited. Current students and parents and a school representative will be available to answer questions. For details, e-mail Teresa Creech, parent guild leader, at attbcree@comporium.net

The school, located in Greenville, provides a unique learning environment for students as a state agency and public high school. Its mission is to serve the artistically gifted students in South Carolina through programs of pre-professional instruction in an environment of artistic and academic excellence.

Register for cheerleading at local YMCA next month

The 2008 Rock Hill cheerleading registration for kindergarten through fourth grade will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and May 24 at the Rock Hill YMCA, 402 Charlotte Ave.

Registration fee is $30 and includes coach certifications, insurance for each cheerleader and field fees. A separate fee for individual team booster clubs will be determined by each team.

For details, call the cheerleading association voice mailbox at 980-1118, e-mail Lisa at cyclebabe@comporium.net or visit myspace.com/rockhillcheerassoc.

Singles event planned at Clover church

First Baptist Church, 117 Main St., Clover, will have a Singles Mingle at 7 p.m. Friday. Single and single-again Christian adults of all denominations are invited for a free night of food, fun, fellowship and mingling. Child care will not be available. For details, call (803) 222-3216 or e-mail lpalnud@aol.com.

Diaper giveaway planned by Antioch church

Antioch International Church will have its annual diaper giveaway for local families from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 17 at NarroWay Theatre and Conference Center, 3346 U.S. 21, Fort Mill.

Approximately 250,000 diapers will be given away. Families with one child will receive 100 diapers and those with two children will receive 200.

The first 300 families at the event will be given a gift bag of paper products valued at more than $25. A grand prize giveaway for a one-year diaper supply will be at noon. Family activities include a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon modeling and free refreshments.

For details, call the church at (803) 493-0955 or e-mail info@LifeAtAntioch.org.

Turkey shoot, yard sales to help local people, causes

The following will have fundraisers:

— A benefit event for Joshua Rhodes will be Saturday to help with medical expenses for repair of a cleft lip and palate. Activities begin with a turkey shoot at 9 a.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Hickory Grove. A lunch, supper and bake sale will be from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the old Hopewell School site in Hickory Grove on Hopewell Road, off S.C. 97. Food to be sold will include hash, barbecue plates, Bratton’s chicken stew, hamburgers and hot dogs. There will be a raffle and 50/50 drawing. From 11 a.m. until midnight there will be a disc jockey and live music at the school. For details, call Misty Bratton, (803) 925-4914, or JD Mitchell at (803) 925-0639 or (803) 984-4276.

— The Rock Hill Civitan Club is seeking donated items for its spring yard sale to be May 3 at the Mount Gallant Church of God parking lot, 1107 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Receipts are available for donations. Proceeds benefit the club’s community service projects. Pick-up is available for donated items. For details, call Wanda at 324-2738.

— The Isabel Jurado Foundation Izzy’s Legacy 5K run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. May 24 at Winthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill. To participate, register online at www.isabelfoundation.org until May 21. The foundation was created by the family and friends of Isabel Jurado, who was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome in May 2005 at age 3. The syndrome is a rare genetic disorder in which individuals are missing an essential enzyme needed to break down a sugar molecule. Individuals with this disorder have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. There are no proven treatments for the syndrome.

— The Humane Society of York County seeks donations for a yard sale to be from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Items may be dropped off at the shelter from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 2036 Carolina Place Drive, Fort Mill. Tax-deductible slips are available. For details, call 327-6626.

— The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life York County-East will be at 7 p.m. May 30 at Winthrop University Irwin Belk Track. The event will begin with a celebration of life, with survivors leading the initial lap. For details, call the society at (803) 750-1693 or e-mail Amanda Wilson, society representative, at amanda.wilson@cancer.org.

— The United Methodist Women of St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, will have a spring clean yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The sale will include a plant sale, bake sale, breakfast, lunch and more. Booth rental is $25. Spaces are limited. Proceeds from registration fees, the plant sale, bake sale and cafe will support UMW projects. For details or table reservations, call Lisa Pilcher at 328-6382 or e-mail her at lpilcher@cca-corp.com.

— York County Christian Women’s Job Corps will have a fundraising evening at 7 p.m. May 2 at Catawba Baptist Church, 2639 Catawba Church Road, Rock Hill. Admission is a suggested $10 donation. The event will feature comedy by Kimberly Sowell, mother, wife, author and national speaker, music by Restore and desserts. The group provides a hand up, not a hand out, for women and children in need, empowering women by developing life and employment skills, bringing them to economic sufficiency, personal responsibility and spiritual awareness. For tickets and details, call the job corps at 327-6077, e-mail cwjc@yorkcountycwjc.org, call Catawba Baptist Church at 324-1036 or visit www.catawbabaptist.com.

— Mount Holly United Methodist Church will have its 10th annual Christian Sport Shooters Classic at 8 a.m. May 3 at Rocky Creek Sports Club, Richburg. This is a Lewis class sporting clay event and shooters of all ages are welcome. Cost is $135 adults, $75 for youth under age 18 and $180 for an adult and youth registering together. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Lunch and a barbecue dinner are included. Proceeds will be used for new playground equipment. For details, call the church at 327-5779, Clyde Mitchell at 328-1376, e-mail Mitchell at cmitchell@rock-hill.k12.sc.us or visit www.cssc.mthollyumc.org.

— The River Pointe Women’s Club will have its annual fundraising yard, bake and plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 3. More than 300 homes will participate in the sale. Look for yard sale signs on S.C. 49 South, between McDowell Park and Buster Boyd Bridge and at the River Pointe community entrances of River Pointe Drive and Woolwine Road, Charlotte. Balloons will be on the mailboxes of participating homes. Proceeds benefit community needs and the Lake Wylie July 4th fireworks fund.

— Bethel Baptist Church will have a community barbecue and car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at 6031 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie. Car show registration will be from 9 a.m. to noon, with judging from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Awards will be given at 2 p.m. Event activities include hot air balloon rides, games and pony rides. Guest speaker will be Reggie Saddler, otherwise known as “The Reggie Sadler Family.” The event is free and open to the public. For details, call Betty Jo Campbell at 417-7269.

— PATH’s Thrift Store, 31 N. Congress St., York will have a sale, all you can stuff in a bag for $5, on shelved children’s clothing this week. PATH serves needy families in the York School district.

Neighborhoods, more plan meetings and events

These area groups will meet or host events:

— The Spencer Estates neighborhood association’s Come-See-Me picnic will be at 4 p.m. April 27 on the front lawn of Belleview Elementary School, 501 Belleview Road, Rock Hill. Residents are asked to bring picnic foods, beverages and lawn chairs. Plastic utensils, paper plates, cups and ice will be provided. New, current and former neighbors are invited. For details, call Frank Myers at 327-9664.

— The South Central neighborhood association will meet Tuesday at Liberty Community Baptist Church, 315 Little St., Rock Hill. The association meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. For details, call 327-2312 or 327-6604.

— Fort Mill East Moms Club will have an open house from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 30 at Harris Street Park, 465 Harris St., Fort Mill. Mothers can bring children and meet other moms. For details, call (803) 802-6657 or (803) 396-8574.

— The No Room For Racism round table will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill. Topic will be Langston Hughes, his life and writings. For details, call 328-8293.

— The York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the agency’s administration building, 7900 Park Place Road in the East York Industrial Park, located off S.C. 5. The meeting is open to the public.

Reunions planned by guardsmen, schools

The following announce reunion information:

— The Fort Mill National Guard reunion of H. Company, 218th Infantry will be at 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 1442 Harris Road, Fort Mill. Lunch will be served at 5 p.m. A request has been made to make the scheduled reunion time one hour earlier. Anyone in favor of the time change is asked to call Sam Griffin at 547-6666.

— Alumni of York Technical College/University of South Carolina Lancaster cooperative associate degree and practical nursing programs will have a reunion from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at Baxter Hood Center, 452 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill. All nursing graduates are invited to attend the free, alumni-only event. The event includes, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, fellowship and more. Alumni may register online at www.yorktech.com/nursingreunion. For details, call Mary Anne Laney at (803) 981-7067 or e-mail her at mlaney@yorktech.com.

— The Rock Hill Scott-ites will have its 28th annual reunion May 23 through 25 in Rock Hill. For details, contact Richard Hemphill at 327-7524, Josephine Jordan at 329-2911 or Johnnie McCoy at 329-0521.

Oral cancer screenings offered at Healthy Hometown

Doctors and dentists will offer free oral cancer screenings at Healthy Hometown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Piedmont Medical Center, 222 S. Herlong Avenue, Rock Hill.

Piedmont is offering the screenings as part of its participation in oral, head and neck cancer awareness week, sponsored by the Yul Brenner Foundation.

Behaviors that increase the risk of head and neck cancers are use of tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption. Screenings are quick and painless. Appointments are preferred. For appointments, call (888) 457-5211 or register online at www.piedmont medicalcenter.com/smile.

Assisted living centers plan Earth Day, more

Local assisted living centers plan these events:

— Sterling House Rock Hill, an assisted living facility, will celebrate Earth Day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 1920 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill. Activities include strawberry smoothies, a nature walk at Glencairn Garden, making earth art and writing messages of hopes and dreams for the planet and future generations. Admission and refreshments are free. For reservations and details, call Geri Tucker at (803) 366-1189.

— Lake Wylie Retirement and Assisted Living, 4877 Charlotte Highway, will celebrate Lake Wylie health care decision day with a drop-in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the center. Assistance will be given with advance directives, living wills and powers of attorney. For details, call (803) 831-9900.

Overcome life’s troubles with support group help

These area support groups will meet:

— YouthNet brothers and sisters support group/kid connection will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 507 E. Black St., Rock Hill. The group is for children, ages 8 to 13, who have a special needs sibling. Lunch will be served. For details, call Kai Burkins at YouthNet, (803) 222-0811 or Family Connection at 366-4839.

— Lake Wylie Retirement and Assisted Living and the Alzheimer’s Association have joined to provide the Western County Alzheimer’s support group. The first meeting will be at 6 p.m. May 5 at the assisted living center, 4877 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie. The group will meet on the first Monday of each month. For details, call (803) 831-9900.

—–

To see more of The Herald, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.heraldonline.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.