News briefs: Lake Wylie family wins top auction item at Victory Farm event
Lake Wylie family wins top auction item
The Bower family of Lake Wylie won the top-prized auction item at the second annual Denim & Diamonds Gala Nov. 7 at John Walker Stables. The event for Victory Farm Therapeutic & Adaptive Horsemanship Program drew 200 people.
The Bowers won an original oil painting “Victory’s Golden Heart” donated by equestrian artist Elizabeth Sage of Tucson, Ariz. The painting is the artists interpretation of how Victory Farm cares for riders and horses as a mare mother nurtures, protects and cares for her foal.
The event included a live band, food, and live and silent auctions.
Victory Farm is staffed solely by volunteers and relies on donations, grants, and fundraisers for all its operating needs. All proceeds go toward rehabilitating riders and horses. For more information on Victory Farm, visit VictoryRides.org.
Piano school students perform
Piano and guitar students of Joanne Marie’s School of Piano performed solo and ensemble pieces Nov. 15 at River Hills Country Club.
Students performing were: Lainey Moss, Logan Fanning, Deven King, Lanie Conklin, Madelynn Love, Sarah Allen, Lauren Williams, Avery Conklin, Julia Wilson, Zoe Muiruri, Gigi Mesa, Ben Wilson, Emily Justice, Owen Branch, Mason Branch, Anna Marie West, Kevin Nguyen, Emily Allen, Julie Kerkman, Catherine Justice, Sophie Sutton, Katy Sutton, Samantha Wilson, Alex Wilson, Connor Love, Austin Love, Abby Renner, Emily Park and Gabrielle Hoang.
For information, go to joannemarie.parba.net.
Papa Elf’s sales help charities
Papa Elf’s Christmas Trees lot is open at The Mulch Yard, 5946 Charlotte Highway.
A portion of the proceeds go to Merge Ministries and Neighbor to Neighbor programs.
“We could have never imagined that selling Christmas trees would turn into an opportunity to help our community, but that is what has happened,” said Kim Trainer, of the family-owned lot.
They also offer a program called Buy a Tree, Give a Tree asking donors to purchase trees for families in the community. Trainer said they have been asked to help families in Clover School District, McAdenville Elementary School in McAdenville, N.C., and Hope 4 Gaston in Gastonia.
“Last year we gave away 40 trees,” Trainer said. “This year our challenge is 170 trees.”
Hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Trees start at $35 and are Fraser firs sized 4 to 12 feet. Wreaths, garland, crafts, baked goods and hot chocolate also will be for sale.
For more information, call 678-787-6003 or email Mergeministries@gmail.com.
Paint for CAAC
Cajun Canvas, 11116-B S. Tryon St., will hold the seventh annual We’ll Paint For Food throughout November to benefit Clover Area Assistance Center.
Participants receive $1 off a regular priced adult class for each food item brought in, good for up to $10 off.
Requested items include pasta meals (Hamburger Helper, macaroni and cheese, canned ravioli and spaghetti with meatballs), canned meats, beans and vegetables, and chicken-based canned soups.
Visit cajuncanvas.com for the calendar and to register. Select invoice, and make payment at check-in with donation. Call 704-504-5224 for information.
Blood drives scheduled
American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives.
▪ 2-6:30 p.m. Nov. 30, Oakland Presbyterian Activities Center, 421 W. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill.
Red Cross is offering RapidPass so donors may complete pre-donation reading and health history questions online on the day of their donation. This reduces the time spent at blood drives by about 15 minutes. Donors may log on at redcross.org/rapidpass.
To make an appointment or for information, call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.
Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will host its 11th annual Puppies for Patients program. Donors who give blood in November and December may sign a gift tag to be attached to a stuffed toy puppy, and delivered by CBCC to children in area hospitals and care facilities during the holidays.
▪ 2-6 p.m. Nov. 27, Regal Manchester Stadium 14, 1935 Cinema Drive, Rock Hill. Free ticket voucher for donors.
▪ 4-7 p.m. Nov. 27, Sylvia Theater, 27 N. Congress St., York.
Call 704-972-4700 or go to cbcc.us to make an appointment at any location.
Estes to lead N.C. IT department
Gov. Pat McCrory named the leaders of two newly created departments at a ceremony at the State Capitol in Raleigh.
Chris Estes of Lake Wylie will serve as state chief information officer of the Department of Information Technology.
Cornell Wilson will serve as secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The governor pushed for the creation of both departments in his State of the State Address and both were created with the passing of the budget.
Under the leadership of Estes, the new Department of Technology Information will improve management and oversight in IT with the focus of improving customers service, increasing efficiency and cutting down costs. When the governor’s administration entered office, the state had more than 1,000 systems scattered across state government without oversight and accountability. This led to 74 percent of projects coming in over budget and behind schedule. The new department will continue to streamline the state’s IT systems. Estes has served under McCrory as state chief information officer since January 2013. In this role, he has overseen statewide IT planning and operations with an annual budget of more than $600 million and 2,200 employees.
Wilson will focus on protecting North Carolina’s military installations, working with the communities around military bases, helping military families and veterans get the support and services they need, and helping connect veterans with jobs. He has served under McCrory as military affairs adviser since October 2013. A retired Marine Corps major general, he served as commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces, Southern Command and oversaw a $1.5 billion budget and 81,000 Marines and civilians.
Clover readies for weekend of Christmas celebrations
The town of Clover is getting ready for Christmas celebrations.
The festivities begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 with the Merry Market at the Larne Building. Craft vendors are welcomed for a charge of $35.
The Christmas tree lighting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at Centennial Park. There will be Cookies with Santa at the Larne Building.
“Home Alone” will be shown at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Community Center. Pre-movie activities begin at 4:30 p.m.
The 45th annual Clover Christmas Parade begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 on Main Street. The theme is Toy Land Christmas. Groups are encouraged to register. Visit the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce for an application cloverchamber.org. Call 803-222-3312 for more information.
Sherlock Holmes book signing Dec. 5
A book signing with authors of “The Improbable Truth: The Paranormal Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” is noon-1 p.m. Dec. 5 at The BooKnack, 742 N. Anderson Road.
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognizable characters in Western literature. Here, 14 authors of horror and mystery have come together to create a unique anthology that sets Holmes on some of his most terrifying adventures.
Local authors signing at the event include Thomas Fortenberry of Steele Creek, and Lucy Blue, Tally Johnson, Melissa McArthur, and S. H. Roddey, as well as editor A. C. Thompson.
For information, call 803-327-9028 or visit amazon.com.
Boat parade launches Dec. 12
The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce’s 27th annual Lights on the Lake Holiday Boat Parade will be Dec. 12, launching from T-Bones on the Lake docks.
New this year there will be a preview of decorated boats the evening of Dec. 11, said chamber president Susan Bromfield.
Returning for its second year on the lawn of T-bones is Christmas by the Lake, which includes warming stations thanks to local churches and groups with free cocoa and hot cider, a live nativity, Christmas music, luminary release to kick off the parade and a visit from Santa.
Christmas by the Lake runs 4-7 p.m.
Boaters will line up at by 6 p.m. for the boat captains meeting. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m.
Awards will be presented to the participant with the most creative lighting display.
Early registration costs $20 by Dec. 10. Late and same-day registration is $25. Registration forms are available at lakewyliesc.com.
Food donations for Clover Area Assistance Center and unwrapped toys for children of all ages for Santa’s Sleigh will be accepted at the chamber’s tent.
Call 803-831-2827 or email lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com for more information.
Lincoln Road between York, Clover closed through June
Starting this week, a portion of Lincoln Road between Clover and York will be closed for several months, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The DOT has hired United Infrastructure Group to replace the bridge over Allison Creek. The state expects the work to be completed by June.
Traffic will be detoured along Boyd Road and Jim McCarter Road – about a mile detour length.
For information, call 864-489-5760.
Accreditation assessment team invites public comment
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will arrive Nov. 30 to examine all aspects of the York County Public Safety Communications’ policy and procedures, management and operations.
Director Allen Brandon said the verification by the team that Public Safety Communications meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to provide comments to the assessment team by calling 803-817-6398 from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 1.
The phone line provided is unscreened and not recorded for anonymity purposes. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at York County Department of Public Safety Communications.
Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
Warming centers open in Rock Hill
The United Way of York County, Bethel United Methodist Church and The Salvation Army will set up Winter Warming Centers for the homeless. Last year, the centers served more than 200 men, women and children at two locations.
Locations and times available are:
▪ Women and Children’s Warming Center: The Salvation Army, 119 Charlotte Ave., Rock Hill. The center will be open each night at 6 p.m. through March 20.
▪ Men’s Warming Center: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1232 Curtis St., Rock Hill. The center will be open each night at 6 p.m. through March 13.
Volunteers are needed to serve nightly meals. Donations of specific items will be needed. For more information, visit UnitedWayofYC.org or call 803-324-5141.
Support agency funding available
The United Way of York County is accepting requests for New Agency Program funding for year 2016-2017.
UWYC provides financial support to organizations addressing health care, financial stability or education. Organizations must qualify as eligible providers as a first step in the funding process. Becoming an eligible provider does not guarantee a subsequent funding award. Eligibility applications are due by noon Jan. 15.
Agencies must meet United Way of York County criteria: have nonprofit status, serve residents of York County, registered with the S.C. Secretary of State Office, provide agency DUNS number, meet financial accounting standards, practice nondiscrimination.
If interested in applying, call 803-324-2735 or email tpeterson@unitedwayofyc.org.
Volunteers needed for free tax service
AARP will again offer free tax preparation in 2016 at the Fort Mill Library in Baxter Village and volunteers preparers are needed.
Those interested in helping with tax return preparation or in helping clients in other ways can visit AARP.org/taxvolunteer to sign up.
Study guides will be provided to help volunteers become certified. There will be an organizational meeting in mid-December and training will take place the first week in January.
This is an all-volunteer program and tax preparations will begin Feb. 2 and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until April 14.
Make-A-Wish volunteers needed
Make-A-Wish South Carolina holds volunteer interest webinars at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month.
Registration in advance is required. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call 864-250-0702 for details.
Veterans group meets in Lake Wylie
The Point Man International Ministries group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at The Journey church.
Point Man is a veteran-to-veteran ministry with a primary service to offer spiritual healing from PTSD. Point Man also is involved in group meetings, hospital visits, conferences, supplying speakers for churches and veteran groups, welcome home projects and community support.
The organization, which includes more than 200 local outposts, reaches spiritually and emotionally wounded veterans.
The local group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Email BudStrope@Point-Man-Ministries.org.
Cat rescuer seeks support
Carol Butler of Lake Wylie has set up a Go Fund Me account to help with her 16-year rescue efforts of cats.
To find out more about her efforts and and how to help with the feline medical bills, visit gofundme.com/CarolKingButler.
Clover gallery seeks artists
The town of Clover is accepting submissions for Gallery 120, 120 Bethel St.
Artists should email an artist bio and three hi-res images of work to gallery120@cloversc.org, and include Monthly Artist Feature Submission in subject line.
Gallery 120 opened in January. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Call 803-222-9493 or visit cloversc.org.
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 1:24 PM with the headline "News briefs: Lake Wylie family wins top auction item at Victory Farm event."