Community news for York, Chester, Lancaster counties – Feb. 14, 2016

▪ York County All on Board Coalition and Keystone Substance Abuse Services will host a Marijuana Summit – Real Answers, Real Stories, Real Data, 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Richardson Ball Room at Winthrop University. The event is part of the The Blunt Truth York County Task Force. Ben Cort, business development manager for the Center for Dependence Addiction and Rehabilitation, part of the University of Colorado Health system, will speak. For information, see allonboard.org or keystoneyork.org.

Special events

▪ The Arts Council of York County will host its annual fundraiser Fire & Ice Gala 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St. The event includes photos with a fire and ice sculpture, open bar, food and silent auction of original art by local artists. An original, 6-foot tall, brushed stainless steel palmetto tree by South Carolina artist, Bob Doster will be raffled. The winner will be announced Feb. 22. Tickets are $100. Raffle tickets for the original Doster stainless steel Palmetto tree are $50 and can be purchased in advance or at the gala. Raffle tickets are also available to those not attending the gala. Tickets are available online yorkcountyarts.org, by calling 803-328-2787, or at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St. For sponsorships, call the arts council.

▪ The Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund In Memory program honors Vietnam vets who died later as a result of their service in Vietnam, but are not eligible for inscription on the memorial wall in Washington because of U.S. Department of Defense guidelines. Examples of causes of death that fit the criteria for inclusion include exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD/suicide, cancer, diabetes, cancer, heart attack and Cholangiocarcinoma. Application deadline is March 3. For information, go to VVMF.org or call 202-393-0090.

▪ Mission: Red seminar, a heart health and stress management symposium for women, will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Feb. 20 at Clover Community Center, 120 Bethel St. Tickets, $10 and include lunch, materials and a T-shirt. To sign up call 803-222-9493 or stop by the center.

▪ Live Well Clover will sponsor and eight-week, free Couch to 5K program beginning Feb. 29 to help residents get ready to participate in Live Well Clover’s second annual 5K run, April 23. Space is limited. To register go to bit.ly/1SLJmlb or call 803-222-9495.

▪ Rock Hill will host a Black History Month celebration, “First Time, First Place and First Class,” 6 p.m. Feb. 25 in the council chambers at city hall. A reception will be at 5:30 p.m.

Fundraisers

▪ Eastside Baptist Church will have a barbecue fundraiser and cancer benefit, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday at 318 N. Jones Ave, Rock Hill. All proceeds go to Ray Martin who is the youth and outreach minister at Eastside to help with medical bills. Meal includes: barbecue, baked beans, slaw, dessert and roll. Tickets, $8. For information or tickets, call 803-322-3843.

▪ The York Lions Club is sponsoring a Spring Raffle for Charity with a $1000 cash prize. All proceeds will benefit York area residents. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $10 each, or 3 for $20. The drawing will be 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the club’s meeting at Old York Seafood. For information or tickets call club president Ron Parrish at 803-684-6039 or 843-309-0242.

▪ A “Farewell Salute to Downton Abbey,” a fundraiser for Historic Rock Hill inspired by the PBS program, will be 6-9 p.m. March 5 at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St. The event will include cocktails, wine, champagne, and heavy hors d’oeuvres, period music, prizes and 1920s-era entertainment. Vintage dress is encouraged; black tie is optional. Tickets are $65, members; $70, non members if purchased by Friday. Tickets are $10 more after that. Each ticket includes two complimentary drink tickets with cash bar thereafter. Sponsorships are also still available. For information on how to purchase tickets or become a sponsor, contact Historic Rock Hill at 803-329-1020 or info@historicrockhill.com.

▪ Cub Scout Pack 349 will host its inaugural Chili Cook-off and Winter Carnival, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 22 E. Liberty St., York. Door prizes. Proceeds go to Tender Hearts Ministries. Send entry requests to 349cubscoutpack@gmail.com

▪ The Krispy Kreme Race – Run 4 Reading will be 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27 beginning and ending at Fountain Park in downtown Rock Hill. The 4-mile loop includes a stop at Winthrop University, where participants will be “challenged” to down a dozen doughnuts before racing back to the finish line. Other races include a casual run, a one-mile relay with four friends to carry a book to the finish line or be a “sleep-in” supporter and still get a T-shirt. Costumes encouraged and doughnuts available for all. Register at run4reading.raceonline.com. Proceeds go to the Early Learning Partnership of York County.

▪ “Be Irish for a Night,” the 22nd annual fundraiser for Pilgrims’ Inn, will be 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 12 at Saint Anne Parish Life Center, 1696 Bird St., Rock Hill. The event features a corned beef and cabbage dinner, homemade Irish corn bread and desserts, wine, beer, soft drinks, Irish dancers and music and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $40 ($30 tax deductible). For tickets, call 803-327-4227.

▪ The Arts Council of Chester County’s 10th Annual Oyster Roast & Auction Fundraiser will 6-9 p.m. March 19 at the National Guard Armory, 1025 Armory Road. The event features a silent and live auction, all-you-can-eat steamed oyster bar and Lowcountry boil buffet, slaw, bread, dessert, and sweet tea. Cash bar (beer and wine). Reserved tables are $600 and include eight tickets and preferred seating with business recognition. Half tables are available after at least one table has been purchased. Tickets are $40, members and $45, nonmembers. No tickets sold at the door. Tickets available at the Arts Council, 123 Main St. Cash or checks only. For information, call Lauren Medlin at 803-581-2030 or email artschester@truvista.net.

▪ Bethel United Methodist Church soup kitchen is open 11 a.m. Thursdays through March at the church, 1232 Curtis St., Rock Hill. Open to the community. Donations accepted.

Entertainment

▪ Allison Creek Bluegrass will host the Bullock Creek Cowboy Church Band at 7 p.m. Thursday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church, S.C. 274 and Allison Creek Road in York. The band plays bluegrass mixed withcountry and bluegrass gospel. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concessions start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; donations accepted.

▪ Clover School District Auditorium will host Family Night XVII with Timmy and Susana Abell at 7 p.m. Thursday at the auditorium on S.C. 55. This husband-and-wife team blend storytelling, music and puppetry for an evening of family fun. During the show, Timmy plays a variety of unusual musical instruments including an English concertina and pennywhistle. Tickets: $5, individuals; $10, families.

Meetings

▪ The City of Rock Hill Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism will hold a public input meeting 4 p.m. Tuesday in room 373 of City Hall to discuss and take comments regarding a South Carolina State Trails Grant to extend the recently completed connector trail between Riverwalk and River Park to the lower parking lot at River Park. The meeting is open to the public and will be held before the City’s Trails and Greenways advisory committee meeting. For information, call 803-329-5620.

▪ The Spencer Estates Neighborhood Association will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Operations Center, 757 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill. A representative from the Rock Hill School District will speak.

▪ The Catawba Council of the South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature will meet 10 a.m. Wednesday at Highland Park Senior Center, 917 Standard St., Rock Hill. For information, call Wayne Kersey, chairman, at 803-287-9453.

▪ The Catawba Chapter of the DAR will meet 2 p.m. Tuesday in the community room at Park Pointe, 3025 Cheshbrough Boulevard, off S.C. 5. The chapter, a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, will be present certificates and pins to 18 Vietnam veterans.

▪ NAMI Piedmont Tri County will host and educational meeting on the importance of sleep presented by Dr. Talah Baki at 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill. Baki, a cardiologist with Carolina Cardiology, will talk about sleep and how it relates to mental health disorders. Free and open the public. For information, call 803-610-8174.

▪ The York Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners will meet 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at the USDA Service Center, 1460 E. Alexander Love Highway, York. Open to the public. For information, contact Barbara O’Connell at 803-684-3137, ext. 101.

▪ Relay for Life leadership committee and team captains will meet Tuesday at Woodland United Methodist Church, 180 Cherry Road, Rock Hill. The committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. and team captains at 6:30. Tracie Lewis with the American Cancer Society will speak. All team captains should attend. Relay for Life/York East will be 2-10 p.m. May 14 at Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill. To sign up or create a team go to relayforlife.org/yorkeastsc.

▪ The York County Quilt Guild will meet 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill. Elaine Quehl, international quilt artist, designer and fabric dyer, will talk about her evolution from traditional quilter to art quilter and will bring recent quilts and digital images. Open to the community.

▪ The Western York County Branch of the NAACP will meet 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Greater York Chamber of Commerce. For information, contact Wanda Simril at 803-684-6200.

Clubs

▪ Lake Wylie Shag Club’s Prom Night dance will be 8 p.m. Feb. 27 at at the Fort Mill Moose Lodge, 1676 Harris Road. There will be food. Admission: $3, members; $5, guests. Prom attire suggested but not required.

▪ Rock Hill Area Shag Club will host its seventh annual Winter Beach Blast, 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday at American Legion, 524 Heckle Boulevard. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. Entertainment by The Entertainers and DJ Phil Long. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, free shooters, free beer, cash bar, 50/50 drawing door prizes and raffle basket. Raffle proceeds go the “Hall of Fame Foundation.” For tickets call Debbie Brown at 803-242-6104 or email shagdeb@comporium.net.

▪ The Woman’s Club of Rock Hill will host an “Oscar Winning” Bridge and Games Luncheon, noon-3 p.m. March 10 at the clubhouse, 607 Aiken Ave. Cost is $25 and includes lunch, snacks and door prizes. For reservations, contact Betty Hedstrom at 803 415-7278 or bettyhedstrom@gmail.com. Your call or email will be confirmed. Send check, in advance, to WCRH and note Bridge and Games Luncheon, P.O. Box 3302, Rock Hill, S.C. 29732.

▪ The Ballroom Dance Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Oak Room of the Fort Mill Golf Course, 101 Country Club Drive. Guest admission is $15 per couple, $7.50 singles, and includes a free dance lesson. Dances include swing and shag. No alcohol; light refreshments provided. Dressy casual. All skill levels are welcome. For information, call Bob at 803-329-5764, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Workshop

▪ A free workshop for first-time home buyers will be10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Family Trust Center, 225 W. White St., Rock Hill. Topics to be discussed include how to qualify for a mortgage, the types of loans, the differences between fixed and adjustable rates, and how to apply. Mortgage expert one-on-ones and onsite prequalification will be available. Free and open to the public. Register in advance at familytrust.org/knowyourdough.

Seminar

▪ A free seminar on “Transitions Simplified” will be 1:30-3 p.m. March 8 at Carolina Gardens of Rock Hill, formerly Agape Senior Living, 1785 Lexington Common Drive. The seminar provides information on how to make moving less stressful by utilizing a five-step process. RSVP to Anne at a.murrayrandolph@gmail.com or call 803-818-1182

Classes

Scholarship

▪ Applications for the York County Democratic Women’s Council third annual Bessie Moody Lawrence Scholarship are being taken. The award will be given to two college-bound York county Democratic women graduating this spring. For information or an an application packet, contact your high school counselor or call 803-802-7021. Applications due March 15.

Grants

▪ Deadline to apply for small grants through the Arts Council of York County is 5 p.m. March 1. The Small Grants Program provides support for small or pilot arts activities, artist professional development, new and developing programs or organizations, and special projects of high artistic quality that cannot support themselves. Organizations and individual artists may request up to $1,000 per grant and may receive up to two grants in a calendar year. Information and applications are available at www.yorkcountyarts.org. or call 803-328-2787.

School registration

▪ Clover School District will have pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 22-26 at each school. Returning students can register online at clover.k12.sc.us. New students can complete the registration form online and take proper documentation to the school the process.

Documents required are two proofs of residence with the name of the parent or guardian on each, immunization record signed by a doctor within the last year and a legal birth certificate with the state seal. Students must be of age by Sept. 1.

Tax help

▪ AARP will have free federal and state income tax preparation Tuesday and Thursdays through April 14 at the Fort Mill Library in Baxter Village. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with the last client taken at 3:30 p.m. The service is primarily first come but a limited number of appointments are available. There is no limit on age or income. Bring all tax documents and last year’s returns. For information, email FortMillTaxes@gmail.com.

▪ Taxaide will offer free tax preparation 12:30-3:30 p.m. through March 31 and April 13-14 in the adult education area at the Flexible Learning Center, 1234 Flint St. Ext., Rock Hill. Additional hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 23, March 8 and 22 and April 5 at the Charlotte Avenue YMCA, Rock Hill. Bring tax documents and last year’s returns.

▪ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance will offer free tax preparation, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 14 in the wellness center at Rock Hill City Hall. Saturday service will be offered Saturdays in February from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Rock Hill Galleria, Leroy Springs Recreation Complex in Fort Mill and the Clover library. Bring tax documents and last year’s returns.

Volunteers

▪ Agape Hospice will have a volunteer drop-in, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday at 1326 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill and from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday at 12 N. Congress St., York. Light refreshments. Kay Lee, volunteer manager, will be available to talk about volunteer opportunities. For information,call 803-517-2021 or email kaylee@agapesenior.com

▪ Make-A-Wish South Carolina will host a volunteer meeting 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Baxter Village YMCA. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. For information, contact Brennan Brown at bbrown@sc.wish.org or 864-250-0702 ext. 112.

Reunions

▪ The Rock Hill Chapter of Finley High School alumni will meet 5 p.m. Monday at Jackson's Cafeteria, 1735 Heckle Blvd, For information call Charlie M. Robinson at 803-327-4547 or James T. Dunham at 704-232-0793.

▪ Former Hillcrest Elementary School students will meet 11 a.m. Saturday at Foundation AME Zion Church, Neely Store Road, Rock Hill.

Support groups

▪ A Parkinson’s support group will meet 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Westminster Towers Community Room, 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill. Patrice Hinnant, director of wellness at Westminster Towers, will demonstrate exercises. For information, call 803-328-5231.

▪ Alateen meets 8-9 p.m. Thursdays at Zoar Road Club, 14701 Thomas Road, Charlotte. Meetings are for two age groups: 6-12 and 13 and older. For information, call 803-547-2124 or 704-904-7834.

▪ Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Mondays at Serenity Club, 209 Grayson Road, Rock Hill; at noon Tuesdays upstairs at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill; at 8 p.m. Mondays at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2955 S.C. 160, Fort Mill; and at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the house beside First Baptist Church, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Community news for York, Chester, Lancaster counties – Feb. 14, 2016."