The Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association awarded its final grant through its Improvement Incentive Program for 2019 last week to Chianti's Wings & Things. Since the program's inception, the DDRA has awarded $10,000 in grants for improvements, meaning more than $200,000 worth of upgrades have been made by local businesses due to our efforts.

The grant to Chianti's, owned by Sae-Quana Chianti Smith, was awarded for signage, painting, and numerous repairs made to the building at 124 Cashua St. Her improvements include enhancements to the outdoor dining space, so you can take advantage of it all year long.

The executive chef has made her home in Darlington after a career in New York. She welcomes the change of pace and hopes to make Chianti's a local favorite. She has been working to do just that with karaoke nights on Tuesdays and Fridays, and on Monday night she held a Clemson vs. LSU Football Party with specials. The business will celebrate its one-year anniversary in April, so keep an eye out for her anniversary activities.

Chianti's Wings & Things, located at 124 Cashua St., opens from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and offers catering services.

Registration is open for the Recreation baseball and softball leagues for boys and girls that currently live in DARLINGTON COUNTY, ages 3-18. League age is based on Jan. 1 for softball and Sept. 1 for baseball, of the current year. The cost is $45 per child. Discount of $10 off each additional sibling in the home. Late registration will be Feb. 21-27. The cost will increase by $10. No requests for participants to be on same teams except SIBLINGS. FYI: The All-Star fee for 2020 will be $30. Please be prepared to pay if your child makes the team. 843-398-4030

The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County is accepting new patients in Hartsville and Darlington.

Want to be at the top of our Weekly Update? Email Lisa Rock at darlingtonplanner@gmail.com or call 843-992-1561 for rates.

 

Today

The Board of Directors of Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority will meet in the conference room at 131 Industrial Way, Darlington, at 5 p.m. on Jan. 21 and the third Monday of the month. Dates for 2020 are Feb. 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21.

Darlington Country Club opens for a Family Buffet every Tuesday Night at the club, 125 Country Club Road. It's Taco Tuesday!

Darlington Elks Lodge holds dance lessons from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

 

Wednesday

Seventh District Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: On Wednesday, January 22, at 9:00 a.m., U.S. Congressman Tom Rice is hosting the Seventh District Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology in Florence. All are welcome to attend as we reflect on our blessings in the Seventh District. Please RSVP by calling the Grand Strand Office at (843) 445-6459 or by emailing brittany.ferrigno@mail.house.gov.

Take a trip to Hamlet, N.C. - Historic Depot and Museum on Wednesday, January 22, with Darlington Area Recreation. Depart at 10 a.m. Cost: $7 plus lunch on your own. Register 843-398-4030

Darlington County Picklers meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

The Animal Shelter Committee will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 4 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington, to discuss concerns/issues presented to Council members.

Darlington Elks Lodge holds karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

 

Thursday

The Darlington Kiwanis Club meets at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, and every other Thursday at the Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road. Info: www.facebook.com/DarlingtonKiwanis Program: Tara McCormick with YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee

The Stitchers Club of Hartsville will meet at 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Hartsville Memorial Library.

Darlington County Community Action Agency Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, and on the fourth Thursday of the month at Butler Head Start Center, 1103 S. Sixth St., Hartsville.

Story Time will be held at 10 a.m. Thursdays at the Darlington Library, at 11 a.m. at the Society Hill Library, and at 11:30 a.m. at the Lamar Library. Info: 843-398-4940 ext. 305, 843-378-0026, or 843-326-5524

The Rotary Club of Darlington meets at noon on Thursdays at the Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road.

The Hartsville Kiwanis Club meets at 12:15 p.m. on Thursdays at the Hartsville Country Club.

The Hartsville Lions Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Mr. B's Restaurant in Lydia.

Trivia Night at Fahrenheit 225 at 7 p.m. Thursdays at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Info: 843-944-0321

Al-Anon, a fellowship of adult relatives and friends of alcoholics for mutual support, will meet at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Hartsville AA Hut, 310 S. McFarland St. Info: 843-992-2981

Centennial Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the corner of Fifth Street and Carolina Avenue in Hartsville with fresh, homemade, organic, and gourmet foods, live music, and entertainment.

Darlington Elks Lodge holds Bingo from 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights at the lodge, 836 Timmonsville Highway, Darlington. Info: 843-393-1451

Darlington County Picklers meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

Cooks for Christ Benefit for Gerald Poole of Darlington will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at West Florence Fire Department #1 on Pine Needles Road in Florence. Plates are $8 each. Proceeds to the Gerard Poole Medical Fund. Delivery of seven or more plates. Fax orders to 843-667-6090 or email to cooksforchristsc@gmail.com by Wednesday. Info: 843-687-4577

 

Friday

The Purple Fish Coffee Company will feature LIVE MUSIC from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday nights. Drink specials.

Live Jazz at Fahrenheit 225 at 7 p.m. Fridays at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Info: 843-944-0321

Darlington Country Club opens for a Members' Dinner every Friday Night at the club, 125 Country Club Road.

 

Saturday

Darlington Country Club opens for a Members' Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays at the club, 125 Country Club Road.

Darlington Library's second annual Black Creek Literary Festival will be a celebration of local literary talent from the Black Creek and Pee Dee region, featuring a moderated Q&A panel on writing basics. Local authors will have booths where they will share their love of writing and connect with their audiences personally. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Info: BlackCreekLitFest@darlington-lib.org

The Miss Mayo Scholarship Pageant will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology, 405 Chestnut St., Darlington.

The Darlington County Historical Commission will be offering four open-hearth cooking classes at the Jacob Kelley House this winter. Dates and times are from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; and from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. This hands-on experience is $20 per class and will offer you the opportunity to step back in time to experience food prep and dining without electricity and modern conveniences. If you are interested, sign up early as slots are filling up fast. Email bgandy@darcosc.net to reserve.

 

Sunday

All Hunt Bonz Deli locations inside Fastrack Convenience Stores will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Come on out and have breakfast and lunch with us on Lamar Highway, South Main Street, or Hoffmeyer Road.

Darlington County Picklers meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at the corner of Orange and Liberty Streets. Learn to play and meet new friends.

Join Women in the Word and Cornerstone Baptist Church of Hartsville for a women's bible study starting at 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 5 through March 8, at the church, 408 Coker Ave, Hartsville. This event is open to every woman in the Hartsville and surrounding communities. Our study will be a 10-week study on the book of Philippians from 5:30 to 7 p.m. weekly. The book by Keri Folmar can be purchased for $9 online at https://www.heritagebooks.org. Please complete week one before meeting on Jan. 5. Info: Ashley Luhrs at 843-206-409

Mechanicsville Baptist Church will hold a free Family Movie Night showing the film "Overcomer" on January 26 at the church, 2364 Cashua Ferry Road, Darlington. Meet for refreshments at 4:45 p.m., and the movie will begin at 5 o'clock. Free. Open to all.

 

Mark Your Calendars

Women, Women and more Women, We're Fired up and Ready to go! We're sick and tire of being sick and tired, let's move and make something happen in 2020. Let's be Bold Democrats! The next monthly meeting of the Darlington County Democratic Women will be from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Darlington Library, 204 N. Main St., Darlington. For information call Davita Malloy 843-339-8967, Elaine Reed 843-307-7086, Shari Mcfadden, 843-206-4185, Barbara Carraway 843-409-5241

The SiMT Gould Business Incubator at Florence-Darlington Technical College and The Kelley Center for Economic Development at Francis Marion University have partnered together to support regional business outreach programs for the Pee Dee with a day-long event to access the latest in innovation resources from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology. To preregister, visit: www.entrepreneurshipday2020.eventbrite.com.

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Healing Place, 712 Pearl St., at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 30. www.theplaceofhealing.net

Shannon's Salon & Boutique will hold a Prom Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1033 Pearl St. with vendors and prom dresses for sale. For information or to be a vendor, call 843-968-8084.

Carolina Reign will take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Carolina Nightlife & Grill, 2244-B Harry Byrd Hwy, Darlington.

Mechanicsville Baptist Church will hold a Souper Bowl Sunday Youth Fundraiser beginning at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at the church, 2364 Cashua Ferry Road, Darlington.

The City of Darlington will open bids for the upcoming EDA sewer project at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at City Hall, 400 Pearl St.

The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Awards Program on Thursday, Feb. 6, at Darlington Country Club. 

Painting With Friends will hold its opening reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Black Creek Arts Council, 116 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. The free exhibit will be on display through Feb. 28. Featuring works by 10 area artists: Sue Brand, Timi Bronson, Sherry Brown, Frankie Bush, Judy Jacobs, Cornelia Joyner, MJ Martin, Gay Morrison, Linda Sablewski, Jane Wheeler, and Pam Youngblood.

Christian Men's Conference, "The Father's Blessing," will be held Feb. 21-23 at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, 2810 Seabrook Island Rd, Johns Island, SC. The Rev. Rob Sturdy, Chaplain at St. Alban's, the Citadel, will speak.

Take a trip Out to Lunch at South of Pearl. Wednesday, Feb. 19, with Darlington Area Recreation. 12:30 p.m. Dutch treat. Register 843-398-4030

Spring Forward! Daylight Savings Time Begins on Sunday, March 8.

The Speed & Feed BBQ Festival & Car Show returns to Darlington Raceway on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14.

Take a trip to Conway Theater of the Republic Driving Miss Daisy on Tuesday, March 19, with Darlington Area Recreation. Tickets are $40 plus lunch on your own. Register 843-398-4030

A joint meeting of all City Boards and Committees will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at City Hall, 400 Pearl St., led by the City Planning Commission.

Mark your calendars, the Kalmia Gardens' Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser is set for March 21 at the gardens, 1624 W. Carolina Ave., Hartsville. Tickets are $45 per person and include steamers, an assortment of other foods, beer, wine, and sodas. Currently, tickets are available from Kalmia Board members and by contacting the Gardens, online ticket sales will begin soon and a link will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.

Wednesday, April 8 - Annual DDRA Golf Tournament at Darlington Country Club. Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

Thursday, April 23 - Taste of Darlington at Darlington Raceway. Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

Saturday, June 6 - Darlington Family Fest at Darlington Raceway. Info: 843-992-1561 or info@buildupdarlington.org

 

Become a Member!

Join the DDRA and show your support for our community. Download the Membership Application here. Members can share news about your business or organization by giving us a call, 843-992-1561, or sending us an email, info@buildupdarlington.org, and we will feature yours news on our site and distribute it through our News Alert system via text and email to people interested in Darlington as well as TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers. We can come take a photo or use what you already have. This allows you to share employee recognitions, new products, sales, special hours and events, and more - all as a benefit of being a member of the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association!

If you are already a member, please make sure to submit any updates to your businesses' Map Location Form to info@buildupdarlington.org.

To have your event listed on our websites, please email info@buildupdarlington.org or call 843-398-4000 x 103 by the week prior to your event.

 

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