Elizabethtown, White Lake Part of Planned Military Training Exercise
CAMP LEJEUNE – U.S. Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), have scheduled a training exercise on military installations in North Carolina from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22 in in preparation for an overseas deployment.
Training events will take place in Elizabethtown, White Lake, Fayetteville and Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue. READ MORE
Thoughts While Shaving
How many leaves can one huge tree produce? Many…
NC high school football championship play next weekend…
Christmas shopping season is underway … ready or not…
A 50% chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m., today. READ MORE
Seasonal offerings abound at N.C. farms this winter
Contributed
RALEIGH – Residents and visitors looking for farms that offer outdoor experiences and unique gift ideas this holiday season will have plenty of options with many winter agritourism activities planned at farms across the state. Light shows, holiday festivals, craft markets, and wine tasting are among the seasonal offerings. READ MORE.
3 Things To Know For Saturday
1. Christmas Tree Lighting: Today, 2-8 p.m., Camp Clearwater, White Lake.
2. Turkey Shoot: Today, 6 p.m., Bay Tree Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.
3. Snakes: Today, 10 a.m., Jones Lake State Park Visitor Center. READ MORE
• BLADEN ONLINE’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR
This Day in History For Dec. 3
1910 – Neon lights publicly displayed (Paris Auto Show)
1931 – Alka Seltzer goes on sale.
1967 – 1st human heart transplant performed in South Africa by Dr. Christiaan Barnard on Louis Washkansky. READ MORE
STORIES FROM FRIDAY, DEC. 2
Bladen County Board of County Commissioner Agenda Released
Maria C. Edwards, Clerk to the Bladen County Board of County Commissioners released the Agenda for the December 5, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm and will be held in the Commissioners’ Room, located on the lower level of the Bladen County Courthouse, 106 East Broad Street, Elizabethtown. READ MORE.
Let’s Eat Out, But Where?
Good day to you, Bladen County. As we head into the final month of 2022, we are informed that this winter season may actually feel like winter rather than just a long autumn. Did you get all of your Christmas shopping done on Black Friday? Neither did I, but there’s still plenty of time for that. READ MORE.
Mother County Genealogical Society Meeting
Mother County Genealogical Society will meet December 10 at 12:30 in the Bladenboro Historical Society Building, 818 South Main Street, Bladenboro, NC. READ MORE.
Town of White Lake Public Notice
Pursuant to requirements of the Town of White Lake Zoning Ordinance Section 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 1879 White Lake Drive, White Lake, N.C. READ MORE.
Bladen County Board of County Commissioners to Hold Special Meeting
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting at 7:45am on Monday, December 5, 2022. The purpose of this meeting is to consider approving Surety Bonds for County Officials. READ MORE.
Yard Sale This Saturday
There will be a yard sale this Saturday, December 3, 2022, located at 10859 NC 41 West, Bladenboro, NC. The sale will begin at 8 a.m.
Open Letter – Jerome Purdie for Bladen County School Board
On November 8th we fell short at the polls that night losing to my opponent. Like any other candidate losing is not a part of the plan, but my heart was filled with so much joy knowing that I gave it all I could and I left no stone unturned. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade the experience for nothing. READ MORE
North Carolina’s October County and Area Employment Figures Released, Bladen At 5.0
RALEIGH — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in October and decreased in one. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. READ MORE.
You Decide: Is Economics About More Than Jobs and Inflation?
By Mike Walden
Every time there is trouble looming for the economy, my schedule of presentations and interviews explodes. It happened during my more than 40 years on the North Carolina State University faculty, and it still happens in my retirement as I continue to interact with groups and the media. READ MORE.
N.C. Museum of History to Host Special One-Day Public Exhibition of First Printing of the U.S. Constitution
Contributed
Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina Museum of History will host a special one-day public exhibition of a rare first printing of the U.S. Constitution, Wednesday, Dec. 7. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Bladen County Commissioners meet Monday evening … One item of business … election of Chairman and Vice Chair … sometimes a non event, sometimes, more lively…
My cell phone died, or is seriously ill, as of late Thursday … frustrating… READ MORE
Turnaround Times For Nematode Testing Expected To Be Long
Contributed
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Nematode Assay Lab is warning North Carolina growers to expect turnaround times of 15 weeks or longer for routine (predictive) nematode samples submitted this year. READ MORE
STORIES FROM THURSDAY, DEC. 1
Bladen County Animal Control Adoption Special is Now Underway
Dr. Teresa Duncan, Director of Bladen County Health and Human Services, announced the Bladen County Animal Control Adoption Special starts today. The special program will run from December 1st through December 31st, 2022.
Adoption Special Fees are as follows: READ MORE
Jones Lake State Park Announces December Programs
Jones Lake State Park is one of Bladen County’s most popular attractions. Jennifer Melvin with Jones Lake State Park announced the upcoming December programs. READ MORE
Active Shooter Hoax at East Bladen High School
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office received a call that there was an active shooter at East Bladen High School. Deputies arrived within minutes of the call. There was at least one SRO Deputy already on school grounds at the time of the call.
According to Amanda Sykes with the BC Sheriff’s Office, the campus has been thoroughly checked by law enforcement. READ MORE.
The Elizabethtown Inn is a Travel & Hospitality Award Winner for 2022
The Travel & Hospitality Awards is proud to announce that The Elizabethtown Inn has been awarded the “Best Boutique Hotel/B&B in North Carolina” in its 2022 North, South & Central Americas Travel Awards program.
While this year has been the toughest the travel industry has ever faced, we endeavor to recognize those who deserve praise and to promote the hard work of tenacious travel businesses. Recipients of Travel & Hospitality awards in 2022 were carefully selected based on the aggregation of reviews from multiple third-party sources. READ MORE
Festival Of Lights at Lu Mil Vineyard Opens Again Tonight
Lu Mil Vineyard announced today on their Facebook page, “Let us always remember the real reason we celebrate CHRISTmas! We are so blessed! We reopen tonight for the Drive Thru Lights at 6:00 pm.” READ MORE.
Wesley Pines Management Company Ranked #1 in JD Power Study for 4th Year in a Row
Lumberton, N.C. – Wesley Pines Retirement Community, managed by Life Care Services ®, AnLCS ® Company, announced that its management company ranked highest in customer satisfaction with independent senior living providers for the fourth consecutive year in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study. Wesley Pines is proud to be a part of Life Care Services, which also achieved the highest score in all six factors of independent living resident satisfaction: resident activities, community staff, price paid for services received, resident- apartment/living unit, community building and grounds, and dining. READ MORE.
Bladen County Headlines…50 Years Ago
• The Bladen County Library received a federal grant of $32,297. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Time to ‘flip’ the calendar … December 1, 2022. I know, always say it has been a fast month or fast year … so it seems…
Stock market up big time yesterday … Fed chair indicated the increase in interest rates may be slowed … as the effort to slow inflation appears to be working. Not stopped … but slowed… READ MORE
STORIES FROM WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30
Giving Tuesday Surrounding Bladen County
By: Jair McElveen
Yesterday marked a very generous holiday called Giving Tuesday. This holiday was officially launched in September 2012, two months before the first Giving Tuesday, which took place on November 27, 2012. Giving Tuesday ends up being on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. READ MORE.
Bladen County Animal Control to Hold Adoption Special
If you’ve been considering opening your home to a shelter pet, now’s the time!
Bladen County Animal Control will be holding an adoption special from December 1st, 2022, through December 31st, 2022. READ MORE.
Special Meeting Notice
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting at 7:45am on Monday, December 5, 2022. The purpose of this meeting is to consider approving Surety Bonds for the Sheriff and Register of Deeds. READ MORE.
Bladen Among Counties Rejecting Sales Tax Vote
Information for this story appeared in The North Carolina Tribune, an arm of Business North Carolina magazine. Five counties across North Carolina had the worst political timing this year: They asked voters to raise local sales tax rates amid sky-high inflation. READ MORE
Thoughts While Shaving
So much going on in our area and across the nation and much of the positive info is being ‘drowned out’ by bad news … near and far …
Today, I want to share a little about communications in Bladen, Sampson and small portions of other area counties … Areas served by Star Telephone … READ MORE
STORIES FROM TUESDAY, NOV. 29
Fundraiser for Thomas Faircloth
By: Jair McElveen
Just recently, Bladen County resident Thomas Faircloth received life-changing news that he has been diagnosed with stage four metastatic colon cancer. READ MORE.
Real Estate Spotlight – Paul Johnson
This month Hilton Auction & Realty, Inc., located at 664 Industrial Park Road in Elizabethtown, NC, is putting a spotlight on Real Estate Agent Paul Johnson. READ MORE.
Christmas By The Lake
The Town of Lake Waccamaw Hosts a Holiday Weekend
Lake Waccamaw, NC, November 28, 2022 – The Town of Lake Waccamaw will be hosting Christmas by the Lake on December 2nd and 3rd. Events include Light Up the Lake Shore, the 31st Annual Lake Waccamaw Christmas Parade and the first Flotilla since the ’90s. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Thanksgiving is now in the rearview mirror for 2022, Christmas is straight ahead…
I hope the individual accused of beating a senior citizen in Bladenboro is arrested soon. Second person beaten, robbed and left along the way in the area over the past few weeks … Can you believe? READ MORE
STORIES FROM MONDAY, NOV. 28
Baltimore Community Center Receives Grant Funds from Bladen We Care
The Baltimore Community Center has been a vital hub for many community members throughout the years. The elderly and young benefit from the rural center in so many different ways.
Recently, Quessie Peterson with the center was presented with a check of approximately $11,000 to help the Baltimore Community Center to assist with their child nutrition programs. READ MORE.
Members of the Elizabethtown Foxglove Garden Club Continue with Tradition
In tradition, last week, the Elizabethtown Foxglove Garden Club decorated a fresh Frasier Fir Christmas tree at Cape Fear Farmers Market in Elizabethtown. According to the decorating committee, the tree’s decor is all-natural and handmade ornaments. The tree’s skirt is also natural, lined with fir tree limbs and golden pinecones. READ MORE.
The Bladen County Christmas 30 Days of Celebration Set in Motion
The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Christmas season with a plethora of festivities. The fun-filled activities have only just begun.
Saturday, November 26, Downtown Elizabethtown merchants had Sidewalk Sales with the E-WL Elf Scavenger Hunt. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Might want to check your ‘must do’ list for November! Last day of the month is Wednesday…
List could include Christmas shopping, putting up the tree and other decorations, address Christmas Card list ….etc. … READ MORE
Update – N.C. 211 in Bladen County Requires Temporary Closure
Closure in Clarkton will start Nov. 28
CLARKTON – A failing drainage pipe underneath N.C. 211 (West Green Street) in downtown Clarkton will require the road to close next week, so the pipe can be replaced.
State Transportation maintenance workers will replace the circular concrete pipe, which has deteriorating joints and causing damage to the pavement. A signed detour will direct through-traffic onto U.S. 701 Bypass and U.S. 701 Business, which intersects a mile to the north. READ MORE
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
NCDOT Says Elwell Ferry is Closed Until Further Notice
North Carolina Department of Transportation announced on Monday the following closings for Bladen County. READ MORE
Second Annual Turkey Shoot to Benefit Elf Angels Fund
Chris and Mandy Butler with 6 B’s Produce announced they would host the second annual turkey shoot fundraiser again
this year. The shoot begins Friday, Nov. 4.
Chris said, “We are donating to the Elf fund this year, which is run by Ms. Debbie Heustess.” READ MORE.
11th Annual Robeson County Christmas Show Opens December 9 at Carolina Civic Center
Photo credit Jody Johnson/Photorad Photography
The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater in downtown Lumberton will hold its 11th Annual Robeson County Christmas Show starting December 9 and running for two consecutive weekends. READ MORE.
A celebration to remember is returning to the little town of Tar Heel.
Fans of Whoville, the Grinch, and other Christmas-themed events have the opportunity to join in some festive fun. This event has added the dinosaurs Christmas as well.
Vanessa McNeill and in the Tar Heel Community announced the Whoville Village would invade Chicken Foot Road this Thanksgiving and come back for holiday fun on Saturdays. READ MORE.
Thirty-fourth Annual MLK Parade
Contributed
Elizabethtown – Preparations are underway for the thirty-fourth (34th) annual parade honoring the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which will be held in Elizabethtown, North Carolina on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The 2023 theme is “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Dr. King’s I Have A Dream Speech.” READ MORE.