2023 Discover Lancaster County

“I didn’t know they did all that too”

playground and gym time

•48campus and facilities security cameras

•Patriotism –daily salute and pledge to flag

•Daily Bible classes and prayer time

•Manners taught: yes ma’am, no sir, please, thank you, etc.

•Structured environment, well disciplined students

•Phonics and cursive writing

•Average student reads over 36 books per year

•Graduates attend all major colleges such as BJU and Harvard

•#1inU.S. on Biblical Worldview, Nehemiah Institute

h I tit t

•International students from Korea, China, Brazil, and other countries

•Learning support, FREE help classes

•Parents relocate fromMA, VA,NC, etc.toenroll in CCA.

•Annual awards: Sir Francis Bacon Science, John Hancock Penmanship,L.S. Connor Math, and others

•Modern technology –smart boards, Apple TVs, monitors, iPads

•State and national accreditation, certified teachers

•Substantial college scholarships awarded annually

•Leadership development through 25-point plan

• Average student tests more than one grade ahead

• Modern technology-smart boards, Apple TVs, monitors, iPads

• Daily parent updates throughSeeSaw and ParentWeb

• State and national accreditation, certified teacher

• Learning support, FREE help classes

• Parents relocate from MA, VA, NC, etc. to enroll in CCA.

• AnnualSir Francis Bacon Science Award, John Hancock Penmanship Award, L.S. Connor Math Award, and more

• Fifteen thousand-volume library

Discover Our Contents

Community

Welcome 8, Lancaster County Demographics 9, Numbers You Need 10, Lancaster County Map 11, City of Lancaster Map 12, City of Lancaster Profile 13, Heath Springs Profile 14, Kershaw Profile 15, Indian Land Profile 16, Van Wyck Profile 17, Utilities 18, Public Transportation/Driver’s License 20, Helpful Organizations 22, Local Media 24, Pet Information 26, Historic Sites Map 27

Government

Redistricting 28, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster County Council and County Officials 29, State/Federal Lawmakers 30, Kershaw/Heath Springs/Van Wyck Councils 31, Voting Info 32, Voting District Maps 33, Property Taxes 34

Public Safety

EMS 36, Law Enforcement 37, Firefighters 38, County Fire Departments List 39

Business/Economy

Economic Development 40, Major Employers 42, Housing Market 43, Chambers of Commerce 44

Health Care

Hospital 46, Health Care Centers 47, Senior Services 50

Education

Education Overview 52, K-12 Schools List and School Demographics 53, School Board 54, USC Lancaster 55, Promise Neighborhbood 56

Recreation

New Rec Center 58, Arts Scene 59, Local Festivals 60-61, Libraries 62, Local Attractions 63, Rec Centers 64, State Parks 65, Small Parks 66, Clubs 67-69

Sports

Champions 70, Youth Sports 71, High School Sports 72, USC Lancaster Sports 73, Golf 74-75, Adult and Spectator Sports 76, Local Racetracks 77

Churches

Local Church Listings 78

Advertising

Here’s My Card 80-81, Advertiser Index 82

Color keys: Listings of area churches, parks, schools and more are color-coded to the map of the county on page 11, so just follow the colored dots to find out where everything is located in the county.

is an annual publication of The Lancaster News and Carolina Gateway 980 N. Woodland St., Lancaster, SC 29720

Telephone: 803-283-1133 Fax: 803-283-8969 Web: www.thelancasternews.com; www.carolinagatewayonline.com

Publisher: Dale Morefield

Editor: Jane Alford Design: Jane Alford, Randall Dameron

Editorial Contributors: Jane Alford, Mac Banks, Lanie Bryson, Mandy Catoe, Jaden Cross, Robert Howey, Rick Johnson, Gwynn Leaird, Jamison Murphy, Eric Rowell, Gregory Summers, Zachary Summers, Kayla Vaughn

Advertising Team: Narissa Jackson, Ashley Johnson Graphics: Randall Dameron

Every effort is made to ensure that information in this guide is correct. If you notice a factual error or your group would like to be included in the next guide, please let us know by calling 803-339-6869 or emailing jalford@thelancasternews.com.

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Out of county

Peyton Faulkenberry’s “Maverick’s Trip Downtown” was the runner-up for People’s Choice in the 2022 Red Rose Photography Contest.

Welcome to Lancaster County Community

Lancaster County is growing – its popula tion topped 100,00 this year, according to the U.S Census Bureau, which says we now have 100,366 residents.

That growth is bringing a lot of changes throughout the county – changes in our schools, our roads, our towns and govern ment. Changes that can leave you behind if you blink.

But the publication you’re holding now –Discover Lancaster County – is here to help, full of useful facts and ideas for things to do. It’s the 25th mini-encyclopedia of our home county, published by The Lancaster News and Carolina Gateway.

If you’re a newcomer here, Discover is your go-to guide to this place. Where are the towns, and what are they like? How do you get a driver’s license? Who are your government representatives? What is Forty Acre Rock?

These 84 pages can answer thousands of questions about how to navigate your new territory.

But you don’t have to be a new arrival to find this publication useful. At the newspa per, we pride ourselves on knowing Lancaster County, and Discover is on every desk. It’s our all-purpose reference book. We hope it will

find a home on your coffee table, too.

Lancaster County encompasses both the bucolic farmland of Buford, Heath Springs and Kershaw, as well as the booming suburbs of Indian Land, part of the sprawling Char lotte metro area.

Construction of roads, schools, homes and other projects seems unending here as we work to accommodate our fast-growing population, but several such projects have just wrapped up.

Two new artificial-turf soccer complexes opened in Heath Springs and Indian Land in August. And a few weeks later, the Indian Land Recreation Center reopened after an ex pansion and renovation.

In November, a new bridge on the north bound side of Charlotte Highway crossing Cane Creek was completed.

Downtown Lancaster is in the middle of reimagining itself as a destination for visitors and locals alike. This fall, ground was broken for Mural Court, a pocket park in downtown Lancaster. When it opens next year, it will give residents another spot to eat lunch or just en joy the public art.

The Lindsay Pettus Greenway, winding through the town, is an increasingly popular

destination, drawing nearly 1,300 visitors a week. It just unveiled new murals honoring the Catawba Nation by Alex Osborn in its Gillsbrook Road underpass. The greenway is about to embark on a two-part expansion that includes a pedestrian underpass on Main Street connecting Independence and Consti tution parks, and create another access point in the Forest Hills neighborhood.

USC Lancaster is also in the middle of sev eral renovation projects and opened the reno vated Indian Land campus this school year.

Nutramax Laboratories just finished an ex pansion of its Lancaster facility and plans to invest $30 million and create 200 more jobs in Indian Land. New employers like Chief Build ings, which opened this fall, are adding to a healthy economic mix.

And speaking of health, MUSC HealthLancaster Medical Center is expanding its lo cal services, adding robotic surgery, interven tional radiology and a transplant program. It also plans to build a hospital in Indian Land.

With so much going on here, it would be easy to get lost in the shuffle. But have no fear. Discover Lancaster County is here to guide you through it all. You can read all about these projects and more right here.

Lancaster City Council members, from left, Ron nie Sowell, Tomonica Marsh, Kenneth Hood, Jackie Harris and Mayor Alston DeVenny at the groundbreaking for Mural Court on Oct. 17.

Numbers You Need

Emergency – In case of emergency, always call 911.

l Forest fire reporting and controlled burning, 800-777-3473

l Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, non-emergency, 803-283-3388

l Lancaster Police Department, non-emergency, 803-283-3313 or 803-283-1173

l Palmetto Poison Control Center, 800-222-1222

l S.C. Highway Patrol, non-emergency, 803-283-8585 or 803-639-9035

Government

l Heath Springs Town Hall, 803-273-2066

l Kershaw Town Hall, 803-475-6065

l Lancaster City, 803-283-CITY (2489)

l Lancaster County Administration Building, 803-285-1565

l Lancaster County Voter Registration, 803-285-2969

l Town of Van Wyck, 803-712-4993

Post offices

l Fort Mill, 803-547-2771

l Heath Springs, 803-273-4855

l Indian Land, 803-548-4547

l Kershaw, 803-475-8525

l Lancaster, 803-286-6202

l Van Wyck, 803-283-2135

Schools

l Adult Education, 803-285-7660

l Andrew Jackson Middle, 803-475-6021 or 803-283-1970

l Andrew Jackson High, 803-475-2381 or 803-283-1958

l A.R. Rucker Middle, 803-416-8555

l Barr Street Learning Center, 803-416-8946

l Brooklyn Springs Elementary, 803-283-8471

l Buford Elementary, 803-286-0026

l Buford Middle, 803-285-8473

l Buford High, 803-286-7068

l Carolina Christian Academy, 803-285-5565

l Clinton Elementary, 803-285-5395

l Discovery School, 803-285-8430

l Erwin Elementary, 803-285-8484

l Harrisburg Elementary, 803-396-3737or 803-283-8484

l Heath Springs Elementary, 803-273-3176

l Indian Land Elementary, 803-548-2916 or 803-283-1939

l Indian Land Intermediate, 803-547-3600

l Indian Land Middle, 803-578-2500 or 803-286-5300

l Indian Land High, 803-286-8470

l Kershaw Elementary, 803-475-6655 or 803-286-6689

l Lancaster County Career Center, 803-285-7404

l Lancaster High, 803-283-2001

l Lancaster County School District, 803-286-6972

l McDonald Green Elementary, 803-285-7416

l North Elementary, 803-283-9918

l South Middle, 803-283-8416

l Southside Early Childhood Center, 803-283-3915

l University of South Carolina Lancaster, 803-313-7000

l Van Wyck Elementary, 803-313-6650

Carolina Gateway newspaper, 803-283-1133

Del Webb Library at Indian Land, 803-548-9260

Kershaw Branch Library, 803-475-2609

Lancaster County Economic Development Department, 803-286-3633

Lancaster County Library, 803-285-1502

l The Lancaster News, 803-283-1133

l MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center, 803-286-1214

l S.C. DMV/S.C. Highway Department, 803-286-4859

l S.C. Works (S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce), 803-285-6966

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC CHESTER COUNTY YORK COUNTY

UNION COUNTY, NC

Lancaster City Limits

Heath Springs Town Limits

Kershaw Town Limits

Van Wyck Town Limits

Indian Land / Panhandle

Western Lancaster County

Eastern Lancaster County

Southwestern Lancaster County

Southeastern Lancaster County Roads & Highways

Interstate Highways U.S. Highways S.C. Highways

Water

Andrew Jackson State Park

Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve

Buford’s Massacre Site & Monument

Hanging Rock Battleground & Monument

Landsford Canal State Park

Walnut Creek Park

Lancaster County Schools

ELEMENTARY

Buford

Clinton

Discovery School

Erwin

Heath Springs

Indian Land Elementary

Indian Land Intermediate Kershaw

McDonald Green North

Southside Early Childhood Harrisburg

Van Wyck

MIDDLE

A.R. Rucker

Andrew Jackson

Buford

Indian Land

South

HIGH

Andrew Jackson

Buford

Indian Land Lancaster

COLLEGES

USC Lancaster

PRIVATE

Carolina Christian Academy

Lancaster Golf Course

Kershaw Golf Course

Carolina Lakes Golf Course

Edgewater Golf Course

Lancaster County Airport / McWhirter Field

MUSC Health – Lancaster Medical Center

11

Lancaster City Hall

Lancaster County Administration

Lancaster County Courthouse

Lancaster County School District Offices

Lancaster County Council of the Arts

U.S. Post Office

Lancaster County Fairgrounds

Springdale Recreation Complex

USC Lancaster

Native American Studies Center

Lancaster Cultural Arts Center

MUSC Health – Lancaster Medical

DOWNTOWN LANCASTER WALKING TOUR SITES

Lancaster Historic Courthouse, 1828

Dunlap House/Cunningham Home Hotel, 1875

Bank of Lancaster, 1888

J.F. Mackey Drug Co., 1910

First Methodist Church, 1839

Old Lancaster County Jail, 1823

Lancasterʼs first AME Zion Church, 1870

Old Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, 1862

Springs House, 1828

Lancaster City Hall, 2000

Old U.S. Post Office, 1927

Mural and Sculpture Park, 1976

Springs Block, 1905

Old Farmers Bank & Trust Co., 1915

Robinson Cloud Department Store, 1880

Bank of Lancaster, 1907

T.M. Fitzpatrick Mercantile, 1875

B.C. Moore Building, 1860s

Former Masonic Hall, 1902; Rebuilt, 1920

Davis Store and Bakery, 1862

Lancaster County Administration Building, 2002

City of Lancaster

The downtown area of Lancaster, known as the Red Rose City, got a boost this fall with the groundbreaking for the new Mural Court, a pocket park being built between two communi ty-painted murals on Dunlap Street.

A public/private partnership, it joins other such recent gems in the city, including the popu lar Lindsay Pettus Greenway, which opened in 2020 and just added new Catawba-inspired mu rals to one of its underpasses.

The Lancaster Cultural Arts Center’s $1.4 million expansion is another such project done during the pandemic. Housed in the Old Pres byterian Church and restored by the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation, the center has a rich history, and provides concerts and free lunchtime lectures, started this year.

Lancaster is also home to USC Lancaster, which continues to improve its facilities and expand its academic offerings. Its Native Ameri can Studies Center, celebrating its 10th anniver sary this year, houses the largest collection of Catawba pottery in the United States.

The city is also working on a multi-milliondollar, multi-year revitalization plan. The cen terpiece of the plan is Gay Street Commons, a marketing hub that creates a downtown desti nation through retail shops, arts and entertain ment.

Incorporated in: 1802

Area: 6.4 square miles

Form of government: Council-administrator

Origin of name: Settled by people from Lancaster, Pa., who were descendants of the House of Lancaster in England

Population: 8,575

Median age: 39

Age breakdown: Under 18: 26% 65 and older: 18%

Racial breakdown: White: 47% Black: 49% Other races/multi: 10% Gender breakdown: Male: 45% Female: 556%

All figures from 2020 American Community Survey

Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke and his wife Dottie returned to his hometown to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his moonwalk in April. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce presented him with this rocket sculpture by local artist Bob Doster.

Heath Springs

The year 2022 was a good one for Heath Springs, Lancaster County’s smallest town.

This summer, the county opened a new soc cer complex in Heath Springs, which has two fields, a playground and other amenities.

“This field was not built for us. It was built for our children and our grandchildren,” Lan caster County Councilman Allen Blackmon said at the August ribbon-cutting. His grand daughter Olivia Pate came to the event with him to try out the soccer turf. He said “great things” will come to the Heath Springs area because of the soccer complex.

Then on National Rural Health Day (Nov. 17), Dr. Zora Smith Denson, Heath Springs’ director of community relations, was named the 2022 Community Star for South Carolina.

She was chosen for her work to improve the lives of people in rural areas through education and outreach programs, including organizing the town’s first health fair and participation in FAN (Faith, Activity and Nutrition), bringing a free mini-mall to town and addressing the Stoneboro food desert.

The town has also hired an architect to de sign new playground for children in the heart of town, to replace the aging, unused park in front of the Ann Taylor Municipal Center.

Incorporated: 1890

Area: 1.6 square miles

Form of government: Council-mayor

Origin of name: Named after Benjamin Dawson Heath, who bought 290 acres here, including the mineral springs, in 1888. Population: 742

Median age: 48

Age breakdown: Under 18: 17% 65 and older: 25%

Racial breakdown: White: 50% Black: 49% Other races/multi: .2% Gender breakdown: Male: 42% Female: 58%

All figures from 2020 American Community Survey

The Town of Heath Springs has beeninexistencefor morethan 20 ears. Withap tion of under 1,000 residents, we prideourselves on maintaining theh tality of asmall Southern town while striving to improve the future for all of ourresidents.

Garrett Peagler and a friend ride a four-wheeler in the Independence Day parade in Heath Springs.

Kershaw

Kershaw’s downtown clock will no longer display the correct time just twice a day.

The town received $14,700 in donations and pledges to repair the pedestal clock at the cor ner of Hampton and Marion streets.

Almost $12,000 was needed for repairs, so the amount raised will also pay to repaint it, said Kershaw Town Administrator Ryan McLemore.

One of the donations was a $10,000 contri bution from the congregation of the Frontline Biker Church that stunned town leaders.

“What they did, they did from the heart,” said Kershaw Mayor Mark Dorman.

Other donors include The Stevens Foun dation, First Palmetto Bank, Shelia Hinson, Bob Davis, William Jackson, Eddie and Linda White and First Citizens Bank.

The town’s initial goal was to try to raise 75% of the money through fundraising, so taxpayer dollars would not have to be used.

The Massachusetts-based Electric Time Co. will repair the clock, which has been broken since 2011.

“It’s going to look brand new. I think it’s go ing to really be a new staple attraction in the downtown area, really nice, and lighted up at night to add to the sparkle that is already there,” McLemore said.

Incorporated in: 1888

Area: 1.82 square miles

Form of government: Council-administrator

Origin of name: Named after Civil War Gen. James B. Kershaw Population: 1,765

Median age: 45 Age breakdown: Under 18: 23% 65 and older: 24%

Racial breakdown: White: 70% Black: 25% Other races/multi: 7%

Gender breakdown: Male: 48% Female: 52%

The clock in downtown Kershaw will soon begin to keep time again, thanks to some generous donors. It hasn’t worked since 2011.

All figures from 2020 American Community Survey

Indian Land

Indian Land has grown into a town of its own, without actually becoming one. The last move to incorporate the area failed in 2018.

But the Panhandle area of Lancaster County has continued to grow and develop, with a pop ulation now topping 40,000. With that growth has come more government representation, thanks to redistricting. Indian Land now has three members on Lancaster County Council and school board, and at the state level, the area now has a S.C. House representative of its own.

Indian Land has also become the county’s economic engine, attracting corporate head quarters and new businesses, which helped create a housing and retail boom. Several new apartment complexes are under construction, and RedStone recently announced the second phase of its retail and entertainment complex. The area now has its own Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce, started in 2021.

This fall, the Indian Land Recreation Center reopened after an expansion and renovation and the county opened the Harrisburg Athletic Complex, with soccer fields and a playground in the northern end of the Panhandle.

Indian Land is also home to a growing num ber of residential housing options for seniors, including Greenway Square Retirement Com munity, which opened this year.

Unincorporated

Area: Panhandle of Lancaster County

Origin of name: Most of Indian Land was part of the 144,000-acre “Catawba Indian lands” deeded to the tribe by the British in 1763.

Population: 40,680 (includes ZIP code 29707 and parts of 29720, and Van Wyck)

Median age: 46

Age breakdown: Under 18: 21% 65 and older: 27%

Racial breakdown: White: 87% Black: 6% Other races/multi: 6%

Gender breakdown: Male: 48% Female: 52%

All figures from 2020 American Community Survey

INDIAN LAND

Green areas depict the town of Van Wyck

Bill Thomas, executive director of the Carolinas Chili Championship, promoted the Oct. 22 event by making chili at the Indian Land Fall Festival a few weeks earlier.

Van Wyck

Van Wyck, which rhymes with bike, is Lan caster County’s newest town and is experiencing some of the growth trickling down from Indian Land, with recent requests from developers to build subdivisions there.

Incorporated in 2017, the town is now the largest in Lancaster County in terms of area, al though it still has only about 1,000 residents.

Van Wyck recently adopted its first compre hensive plan for 2031, which largely deals with keeping the rural, environmentally-friendly feel of the town, while managing growth.

Last year, the town embarked on Artscape at Van Wyck, a juried exhibition of 10 sculptures on display mostly around the community center. A new set of sculptures was installed in November.

The town will be getting $648,000 in capital project sales tax funds from the county to up grade the Van Wyck Community Park around the Van Wyck Community Center. The funds will pay for about 85% of the project.

The county oversees most of the town’s func tions, such as police and fire and other services. The town does have its own planning commis sion, and is working on its first unified develop ment ordinance.

The community hosts several annual events, including an Independence Day celebration and the Lighting of the Way in December.

Incorporated in: 2017

Area: 10 square miles

Form of government: Council-mayor

Origin of name: Van Wyck was the Dutch maiden name of the wife of an officer with the Seaboard Airline Railway, which once ran through the village.

Population: 1,033

Median age: 56

Age breakdown: Under 18: 20% 65 and older: 36%

Racial breakdown: White: 87% Black: 9% Other/multi: 45%

Gender breakdown: Male: 44% Female: 56%

All figures from 2020 American Community Survey

Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind

Millie shows off a strawberry she picked at Hall Family Farm with her mom, Rachel, during the 2022 Ag+ Art Tour in late May.

Get connected to power, phone, water

Whether you’re moving into Lancaster County or just moving into a new home, you’ll need to contact a number of utilities to get set up. Here’s who to call:

Electrical service

l Duke Energy serves most Lancaster County residents. Deposits for new customers range from $100 to $250. Call 800-777-9898, option 3, to start, stop or move service, or go online at www.duke-energy.com.

l Lynches River Electric Cooperative serves about 5,830 residents in the southern and southeastern parts of the county. New customer deposits start at $45 for homeowners and $195 or $395 for renters. There is a $5 co-op membership fee, and a $30 connection fee. Customers desiring same-day connection must pay a $55 fee. Call 800-922-3486 to apply.

l York Electric Cooperative serves about 6,350 customers in the Panhandle. Deposits are $230. To apply, call 800-5828810. Customers can pay bills online at www.yorkelectric.net.

Natural gas service

l Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority serves most of Lancaster County. New customers should apply in person at the office at 1010 Kershaw Camden Highway, the authority’s Indian Land office at 9041 Northfield Drive, or the authority’s Kershaw office at 107 N. Cleveland St. Deposits range from $100 to $300 for renters and $25 for homeowners. Call 803285-2045 or 803-548-4777 or visit the authority’s website at www.lcngasc.com for details.

Commercial propane gas suppliers provide tank installation and home delivery in areas of the county where natural gas is not available.

Water and sewer service

l Lancaster County Water and Sewer District serves the unincorporated areas of Lancaster County. New customers should apply at 1400 Pageland Highway in Lancaster. The capacity fee for a new 3/4-inch residential water service connection is $1,075; the capacity fee for a new sewer service connection is $1,350 for connections south of S.C. 5 and $2,290 for connections north of S.C. 5. There is an additional fee of $20 for sewer inspection. Renters pay a $100 deposit. No deposit is required with proof of ownership. For details, call

803-285-6919 or 800-832-2126.

l New city of Lancaster residents apply at the utility billing department inside City Hall at 216 S. Catawba St. New customers must provide picture ID, Social Security card and proof of lease or ownership when they apply. There is a $105 deposit. For city water and sewer questions, call 803-283-CITY (2489), option 1. Tap fees are handled through the building official’s office at 803-283-CITY (2489), option 5.

l Kershaw residents must go to the Kershaw town clerk’s office at 113 S. Hampton St., to apply for water and sewer service and trash collection. Call 803-475-6065 for details.

l Heath Springs area residents apply for water, sewer and trash collection service at the town clerk’s office, 103 Duncan St. Call 803-273-2066 for details.

Telephone, cable TV, internet, email

Comporium Communications serves Lancaster County with internet, digital video, security and home phone and is an authorized dealer for AT&T wireless phone sales and services. High-speed internet packages range from $49.95 to $74.95 per month depending on speed, and can be bundled with other services. New customers can sign up for services at 969 S.C. 9 Bypass West, Lancaster; 6277 Carolina Commons Drive, Indian Land; and 202 N. Main St., Heath Springs. Call 888-403COMP (2667) for details.

Lynches River Electric Cooperative’s Rivernet Connect serves Lancaster County with phone and internet service. Monthly packages range from $59.95 to $269.95 for homes and busi nesses. It also offers a $30 per month affordable connectivity program for qualified households. New customers can sign up at 707 S. Arant St., Pageland, or online at www.rivernetcon nect.com. Call 843-675-3200 for details.

Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) serves parts of Lancaster County with cable TV, internet, home phone and home security. Individual services begin at $29.99 per month for the first year, if bundled with other services. New customers can sign up for services online at www.spectrum.com or call 844-466-9429.

Mail service

Lancaster County has four post offices:

l Lancaster, 501 N. Main St., 803-286-6202

l Heath Springs, 115 N. Main St., 803-273-4855

l Kershaw, 521 N. Matson St., 803-475-8525

l Van Wyck, 5222 Old Hickory Road, 803-283-2135

The Fort Mill office, 201 Tom Hall St., 803-547-2771, serves Indian Land, which also has one contract post office where residents can only ship mail out at MJ Mart, 9775 Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521 and S.C. 160), Indian Land, 803-548-4547.

The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to open a new full-service post office in Indian Land, but it is currently searching for a suitable site. No time frame has been released yet for its opening date.

Trash collection

In the city of Lancaster, trash is collected curbside once a week. The trash collection tax is $23 for one container per month and $15 for each additional container. Trash collection fees are added to the customer’s water bill. Call 803-283-CITY (2489), option 1 for utility bills or option 8 for solid waste.

Curbside trash pickup for Kershaw town residents is avail able once a week. Fees vary and are added to the water bill.

Heath Springs city residents have a weekly curbside pickup for $12 a month, added to the water and sewer bill.

County residents can take their trash to convenience sites or pay a private trash collection service. Call 803-283-2101 or 800-768-7348 for details on what the centers accept, as that has changed in the last year. The county has 13 recycling/ convenience centers:

l Erwin Farm, 3122 Bethel Road

l Fort, 5330 J.B. Denton Road

l Heath Springs, 173 Solar Road

l Indian Land, 9103 Northfield Drive

l Kershaw, 6491 Old Lancaster Highway

l Lynwood, 1349 Lynwood Drive, Lancaster

l McGill, 3103 Kershaw Country Club Road

l Midway, 4125 Payne Road

l Public Works, 1980 Pageland Highway

l Race Track, 273 Shiloh Unity Road

l Rich Hill, 4202 Joshua Tree Road

l Tradesville, 2149 Old Camden Monroe Highway

l Unity, 2511 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Out of county

Need a ride? Check out these options

If you need a ride locally or across the country, check out one of these transportation options.

Airports

l Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, 5501 R.C. Josh Birmingham Parkway, is one of the largest airports in the nation for passenger and cargo flights. It offers nonstop service to over 140 destinations and has more than 700 daily departures. For details, call 704-359-4013 or visit www. charlotteairport.com.

l Lancaster County Airport, 286 Aviation Blvd. (off S.C. 9), Lancaster, accommodates small planes and corporate jets on its 6,000 feet of runway. It offers flight instruction, aircraft rental, maintenance and fueling. The airport also features a new apron for heavy aircraft and a new runway, called one of the nicest in the South. For details, call 803-285-1565.

Buses

l Sunshine Travel, 1315 Camp Drive, Lancaster. For details, call 803-283-4407 or visit www.sunshinetravelex press.com.

l The Charlotte Greyhound station is at 601 W. Trade St., 704-375-3332. For route and ticket information, call 800231-2222 or go online at www.greyhound.com.

LARS shuttle service

l Lancaster Area Ride Service (LARS) offers rides within Lancaster County and to Rock Hill, Charlotte and Columbia. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, except for holidays. Rides within the county are $2 each way. Rides to Rock Hill are $5 each way. Rides to Charlotte or Columbia are $10 each way. You must be 18 or older to ride alone. Riders must schedule appointments at least three business days in advance. For details, call 803-285-6956 or visit www.lancastercoa.org.

Rental cars

If you need to rent a vehicle, you have three options in Lancaster County:

l Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 597 S.C. 9 Bypass East, Lancaster, 803-286-5322 or 800-261-7331 or www. enterprise.com

l Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Suite 500 in the Shoppes at 521, 9787 Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521), Indian Land, 803-547-

Get your S.C. license to drive

When you move to South Carolina, you need to get a new driver’s license and register your vehicles in the state.

If you have a valid driver’s license issued by another state, you can use it for 90 days. After that, you must get a South Carolina driver’s license, unless you are an out-ofstate student, with the military or a military dependent here temporarily.

Get your license at the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office at 1694 Pageland Highway, Lancaster. The phone number is 803-286-4859 or 803-896-5000. Or try the office at 3071 Highway 21 Bypass in Fort Mill, which is closer to Indian Land. Its phone number is 803-547-8350. Both offices are open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, ex cept for Wednesday, when they open at 9:30 a.m.

You must provide proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certifi cate or passport), proof of Social Security number and two proofs of your current physical address. If your name has changed since birth or the name listed on your current license has changed, you must provide all legal documents that sup port the name change. All documents must be originals or government-issued copies.

To get an original driver’s license or upgrade to a different class, you must pass vision, knowledge and road tests. South Carolina now issues driver’s licenses that are valid for eight years, and cost $25.

The SCDMV must be notified within 10 days of any name

8230 or www.enterprise.com

Ride services

l Lyft: Download the app to get a ride from a local driver. Visit www.lyft.com for details.

l Uber: Download and sign up within the app or website to get a ride from a local driver. Visit www.uber.com for details.

Taxicabs

l Red Rose Cab Co. is the only taxi company in Lancaster. Its phone number is 803-286-8294.

or address changes, so it can contact you when your license expiration date is near and for warning letters for traffic viola tions. You can make these changes in person at the DMV or online.

Newcomers to South Carolina have 45 days to transfer their vehicle title and registration. You may apply for the title and registration by mail. The form you need – Form 400 – is available at www.scdmvonline.com. You must have the following to transfer an out-of-state vehicle title and registration:

• Your out-of-state vehicle title and registration – If there is a lien on it, you need the name and address of the lienholder.

• Liability insurance information – You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not just the name of the insurance agent.

• Completed Form 400 – To complete the form, you must have your vehicle’s odometer mileage reading and current lien information.

• Paid property tax receipt – Before you can register your vehicle here, you must first pay your county property taxes on it. Those can be paid at the Lancaster County Treasurer’s Office in the Lancaster County Administration Building, 101 N. Main St., Lancaster.

• Title and registration fees – You can pay these in person at the SCDMV, 1694 Pageland Highway, Lancaster.

Trains

l Amtrak: The Charlotte station, 1914 N. Tryon St., is serviced by the Carolinian/Piedmont (Charlotte to Raleigh and New York City) and the Crescent (New York to New Orleans) with a stop in Atlanta. The Camden station, 1060 W. Dekalb St., is unstaffed, but Amtrak Silver Service (New York City to Miami) stops there daily. For details, call 800-USA-RAIL (8727245) or visit www.amtrak.com.

l The LYNX Blue Line offers fast, quiet, convenient lightrail service to 15 stations between I-485 at South Boulevard in Pineville and uptown Charlotte. For details, visit www. lynxcharlotte.com.

Local agencies here to provide help

l A Father’s Way (former Lancaster Fatherhood Project) works with fathers to help them meet their financial and parent ing responsibilities, 105 S. Wylie St., Lancaster, 803-283-3444.

l Affinity Health Center (formerly Catawba Care) provides primary and preventative care, HIV specialty care, dental care, mental health services, and free, walk-in HIV/STD testing, 455 Lakeshore Parkway, Rock Hill, 803-909-6363 or 877-6476363.

l Agape Hospice provides care to patients with terminal illnesses, 404 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-289-6565.

l AL-ANON Family Groups provides counseling and group therapy for the families of substance abusers. For a recording of area groups, addresses, phone numbers and meetings, call 803-285-4131.

l Alston Wilkes Society – Lancaster provides rehabilitative services to adults released from correctional facilities, at-risk youth, veterans and their families, and the homeless. 705 N. White St., Lancaster, 803-288-0794.

l The local American Red Cross chapter helps military families with emergency communications and financial assistance, provides help to fire victims and holds blood drives, 803-283-4072.

l Belair United Methodist Church food pantry, 8095 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, provides food to those in the Indian Land schools area, 803-547-6631.

l Plexus Health is a full-service medical facility that offers discounts on medical services, prescriptions and labwork for the underserved, 838 W. Meeting St., Medical Arts Building 5, Suite H, Lancaster, and 212 E. Marion St., Kershaw, 803-285-2273.

l Carolina Community Actions Inc. assists low-income households with emergency heating, cooling, rent assistance and more, 101 Wylie St., Lancaster, 803-285-2034.

l Chester/Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs Board Inc. provides services and supports citizens with intel lectual disabilities, autism, and head and spinal cord injuries, and their families. Early Intervention Services serves children up to age 3 and their families.1126 Camp Creek Road (P.O. Box 577), Lancaster, 803-285-4368.

l The Children’s Council is dedicated to reducing problem youth behaviors, including teen dating violence, teen pregnancy and drug abuse, 1611 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, 803-2834995.

l Christian Services assists struggling families with a family store, food pantry, mobile food trucks, life skills classes such as parenting, budgeting and relationship skills and employability skills training. Store and pantry at 1227 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster; store 803-285-9327, pantry 803-285-4444. Employability training at Adult Education, 610 E. Meeting St., Lancaster. Community center, after-school programs and more at Lancaster Bowling Center, 1352 Reece Road, Lancaster, 803-286-0711.

l Communities in Schools connects community resources with Lancaster County schools to help young people successfully learn and prepare for life. Its Youth Build program gives youth ages 16-24 educational resources and job-training opportunities. 1240 Children’s Ave., Lancaster; 803-285-2311.

l Counseling Services of Lancaster offers prevention and outpatient treatment of alcohol and drug abuse for adolescents and adults, 114 S. Main St., Lancaster, 803-285-6911.

l Department of Social Services offers aid to families with dependent children, food stamps, medical assistance, foster care

and investigates and reports abuse, 1837 Pageland Highway (S.C. 9), Lancaster, 803-286-6914.

l Golden Care offers adult day care with transportation, support groups, in-home care and several therapy programs, 403 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-416-8000.

l Habitat for Humanity builds adequate and basic hous ing for families in need, located in Covenant Baptist Church, 165 Craig Manor Road, Lancaster, 803-283-1203.

l HOPE (Helping Other People Effectively) in Lancaster provides short-term emergency assistance with food, rent and utilities for local residents and transients, as well as a teaching kitchen for all ages, 2008 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, 803-286-4673. Senior nutrition program at 1352 Reece Road, Lancaster, 803-286-0711.

l Hospice of Lancaster provides care to patients with terminal illnesses, Suite 201, 901 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-286-1472.

l Hospice Care of South Carolina provides care to patients with terminal illnesses, 311-B N. Main St., Lancaster, 803-285-2014.

l Kershaw Area Resource Exchange (KARE) provides assistance with food, shelter, fuel and utilities, clothing closet and resource referrals. Hospice Care of South Carolina, SC Works and S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation also use this facility, 206-210 E. Marion St., Kershaw, 803-475-4173.

l Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless (LACH) pro vides access to services that allow homeless people to improve their lives, 109 S. Wylie St., Lancaster, 803-283-8928.

l Lancaster Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind offers support to blind and low-vision people in Lancaster County, 803-804-1223.

l Lancaster County Council on Aging provides senior citi zens with meals, information, referrals, transportation, in-home care, education and recreation in Lancaster, 803-285-6956; Heath Springs, 803-273-9206; Indian Land, 803-802-4653; and Kershaw, 803-475-8849.

l Lancaster County Guardian ad Litem program provides trained volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in family court proceedings, 803-286-6064.

l Lancaster County Outreach Project enhances the lives of abused and neglected children and adults in need, served through the Department of Social Services, 1837 Pageland Highway (P.O. Box 1719), Lancaster, 803-289-4438.

l l National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for adults with mental health conditions and their families, 704-575-5925 (Indian Land) or www.namipiedmont. com (Lancaster).

l Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault offers assistance to victims of sexual assault, including 24-hour crisis counseling, advocacy, children’s medical exams and forensic interviews, 106 N. York St., Lancaster, 803-286-5232.

l Safe Passage offers domestic violence support, 803329-3336.

l Salvation Army operates Center of Hope, a homeless shelter at 119 S. Charlotte Ave., Rock Hill, 803-324-5141.

l S.C. Legal Services provides civil legal services to protect the rights and represent the interests of low-income South Carolinians, 214 Johnston St., Rock Hill, (803)327-9001.

l The United Heritage Total Family Outreach Coalition (formerly Southside Adult Family Literacy Program) provides outreach programs to help strengthen families and keep them together, 807 Sowell St., Lancaster, 803-287-3932.

l The United Way of Lancaster County provides funding for 16 agencies serving Lancaster County residents, 109 S. Wylie St., Lancaster, 803-283-8923.

l Veterans Affairs helps military veterans and their families, 1033 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-283-2469.

l Women’s Enrichment Center (formerly The Pregancy Care Center) offers info and options for women, including free pregnancy tests and confidential consultations, 720 S. Main St., Lancaster, 803-286-5900.

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Out of county

Madelyn Denice, right, and Alice Carr pass out bags of food for holiday meals to senior citizens at HOPE in Lancaster last December as part of the annual Ward Faulkenberry Christmas Basket effort.

Stay informed with local media

Newspapers

l The Lancaster News, 980 N. Wood land Drive (P.O. Box 640), Lancaster, 803283-1133, website: www.thelancasternews. com. The paper covers community news, sports, education, business and lifestyles in Lancaster County. It is published Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday.

l Carolina Gateway, 980 N. Woodland Drive (P.O. Box 640), Lancaster, 803-2831154, website: www.carolinagatewayonline. com. This weekly paper covering Indian Land/Van Wyck is published on Wednesday.

l The Charlotte Observer, 9140 Research Drive, Charlotte, 704-358-5000 or 800-532-5350. This daily paper covers the Charlotte metro area.

l The (Rock Hill) Herald, 572 John Ross Parkway, Suite 107 (P.O. Box 148), Rock Hill, 803-329-4000. This daily paper covers York, Lancaster and Chester counties.

l Kershaw News-Era, 103 S. Hart St., Kershaw, 803-475-6095. This weekly paper, published on Wednesday, covers Kershaw and Kershaw County.

How to get

Radio

l SkyGRadio, www.skygradio. com, 511 W. Caston St., Heath Springs, 844-611-7594. SkyGRadio, an internet radio station, features gospel, syndicated ministers and inspirational speakers.

l WRHI (1340 on the AM dial; 100.1 on FM), 142 N. Confederate Ave., Rock Hill, 803-324-1340. Affiliated with Fox News and the S.C. Radio Network, it features news, talk and sports.

Television

l LearnTV, 850 Roddey Drive, Lancast er, 803-285-6019. Programming for the education and government-access channel is produced by Lancaster County high school students and the city of Lancaster.

l Cable News 2 (CN2), 135 Elizabeth Lane, Rock Hill, 803-326-2777. This local cable channel covering York, Chester and Lancaster counties is owned and operated by Comporium Communications.

news and advertising into Indian Land’s community paper

All Indian Land, all the time Indian Land's own newspaper covers this fast-growing community in Lancaster County's Panhandle, along with the new town of Van Wyck. So if it's happening in northern Lancaster County, Carolina Gateway wants to know about it. You can help by sharing your news with us.

We want your news and story ideas

No story is too big or too small. Send your news and story ideas to Editor Jane Alford at jalford@ thelancasternews.com or call 803-339-6868.

We want to hear your opinions

Send your letters to the editor and columns to Carolina Gateway, Attn: Jane Alford, via email (preferable), mail or fax.

We want your announcements

We print announcements on government, business, religion, education, sports and club meetings and events. Deadline is noon Thursday for the next week's publication. Please include a contact number and/or email.

We want to hear about your family

From birth to death, the events in your family's life

matter to us, so share your family's news with us. Call 803-339-6868 for details.

Births: Birth info must come from the hospital or a birth certificate.

Engagements, weddings and anniversaries: Pick up these forms at our office, fill out online or call 803-339-6868 to have them sent to you.

Obituaries: Obituary information must come from a funeral home. Deadline is 10 a.m. Monday for that week's paper. Basic obits are $25; premium obits with photos available for a fee based on word count.

We want your advertising

Retail: To reach a retail ad rep, call 803-3396862. Deadline is noon Thursday for the next week's paper.

Classified: To reach a classified ad rep, call 803339-6863. Deadline is 10 a.m. Friday for the next week's paper.

We want you to see our paper

Carolina Gateway distributes 3,100 newspapers each Wednesday in the 29707 ZIP code. If you don’t get the paper, you can see it for free at the paper's website, www.carolinagatewayonline.com.

High school students Bethany Poston and DeFredric Twitty edit a LearnTV show at Lancaster High School.

Sharon Sapp with the Lan caster County Society to Pre vent Cruelty to Animals poses with Tank, one of the rescue’s dogs, beside the group’s new transport van in early Feburary. The LSPCA raised $45,000 in donations to buy the van.

Pets welcome here

Lancaster County has a nearly new animal shelter, which opened in August 2020.

The Lancaster County Animal Shelter, man aged by Alan Williams, is at 2074 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, just past Lancaster Health and Rehabilitation.

The 8,600-square-foot shelter cost $3.1 mil lion to build. It includes a 4,800-square-foot building with space for animal intake and holding, a medical area for treatment, offices and space for pet adoptions, as well as laun dry and food storage areas. It also has two rooms for cats, as well as 46 runs to house dogs, and was built to replace the cramped, outdated animal shelter on Lynwood Drive.

Leash laws

The same leash laws ap ply through out the county, regardless of municipality. They include:

• A pet owner/custodian must keep the pet restrained at all times.

• Invisible fencing must be clearly marked and labeled through signs on mailbox post and freestanding signs on the property.

• Pets can’t be off the land where the owner lives, or on other private property with that property owner’s permission, unless they are on a leash at all times.

• Those who own, keep or care for a dan gerous animal must have the animal confined at all times. A dangerous animal is unconfined if it isn’t confined securely indoors or in a se curely enclosed fence or securely enclosed and locked pen or run area. The pen or run area must be clearly marked as containing a danger ous animal and must be designed to prevent entry by the general public, including chil dren. It must also be designed to prevent the animal from getting out. The animal can’t be removed from the building or enclosure unless

it is securely muzzled and on a leash, bridle or another device of sufficient strength to handle the animal and under the control of a person who is at least 18 years old and physically big enough to reasonably restrain the animal.

Animal control

In Lancaster County, animal control and the animal shelter are separate operations.

Lancaster County Animal Control is under the jurisdiction of the sheriff’s office and fields complaints related to stray or unrestrained animals. Its officers have multijurisdictional authority and respond to animal complaints in the municipalities of Heath Springs, Kershaw, the city of Lancaster and Van Wyck, as well as unincorporated parts of the county. Animalcontrol officers can also remove animals and talk with pet owners about restraint laws. If a stray animal is running loose and the owner can’t be identified, it can be picked up and tak en to the animal shelter.

Residents with complaints regarding strays and unrestrained animals or dangerous dogs should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Of fice at (803) 283-3388.

Pet adoptions

When owners don’t reclaim their animals, they become county property and the shelter tries to find new homes for them.

Shelter adoption fees are $80 for a sterilized cat and $100 for a sterilized dog.

The fees include bordatella, distemper and rabies vaccinations, as well as the cost of a mi crochip implanted below the animal’s skin to encode it with an identification number. All animals available for adoption at the shelter are also tested and dewormed, according to age and species.

Other animal-shelter fees vary, based on the circumstances.

If your pet is lost, call (803) 286-8103 or visit the shelter. For additional information on the shelter, visit www.lancastersheltersc.com.

Animal Rescues

There are several rescue groups that work closely with the Lancaster County Animal Shelter to provide homes for pets.

Humane Society

Since its founding in 2008, the Humane Society of Lancaster and its volunteers have worked with the Lancaster County Animal Shelter to provide temporary homes for rescued animals and get them adopted to loving homes. The nonprofit also works with the national Humane Society to provide low-cost spay and neuter clinics. For additional information or to make donations, visit www.savelancasterscpets.org or call 803-285-5683. Leave your name, phone number and reason for calling. You can also email midwifeSC2@gmail. com for details

Lancaster Animal Shelter Supporters

The motto for Lancaster Animal Shelter Supporters (LASS) is “A Shelter is a Reflection of the Community it Serves.” Formed in 2013, LASS is a Sun City Carolina Lakes club that supports the local animal shelter in many ways. It raises money for shelter supplies and lab equipment, helps pay for low-cost spay and neuter clinics and pays for boarding at approved animal rescue shelters. For details, visit www.LAS SofSC.org or contact Arlene McCarthy at president@lassofsc. org or 704-576-5824. To volunteer, email lassofsuncity@ gmail or call 803-396-8678.

Lancaster SPCA

The nonprofit Lancaster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) was founded in 2013 to save unwanted dogs and cats in Lancaster County. It ensures each animal receives the best possible veterinary care, then focuses on fostering them until they are adopted into a loving home or transported to a rescue partner. LSPCA is funded through dona tions, grants and corporate sponsorships. LSPCA also provides educational programs in local elementary schools promoting ethical treatment and proper care of animals; resources for Lancaster residents for low-cost spay and neuter services; and a community TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program for feral cats. LSPCA also distributes pet food to those in need. LSPCA also provides dog houses, blankets and/or hay for animals that muus stay outdoors during the winter. For details or to donate, visit www.lancasterspca.net, email LancSPCA.SC@ gmail.com or call 803-398-1119. Donations can be mailed to Lancaster SPCA, P.O. Box 3042, Lancaster, SC 29721.

Paws in the Panhandle

The county’s first no-kill pet sanctuary, Paws in the Panhandle, provides a temporary home to shelter pets. In 2017, the nonprofit Indian Land-based animal rescue group bought Palmetto Kennels off U.S. 521, just north of Shiloh Unity Road, and now uses 41 of its 80 runs to short-term board pets available for adoption. It also has a cattery for 19 cats. Proceeds from pet grooming, as well as boarding dogs at the facility, are used to fund the rescue operation. It also oper ates PAWSitively Thrifty, a thrift shop at 8715 Whippoorwill Road in Indian Land. For additional information or to make donations, visit www.pawsinthepanhandle.com or contact Paws in the Panhandle president/founder Gloria Davey at 803-802-7297.

Williams

Government

Redistricting changes here

The county’s political borders now have a much different look due to the explosive popu lation growth in the Panhandle.

With redistricting, three of the seven seats (Districts 1, 4 and 7) on Lancaster County Council are now in the northern end of the county.

Currently, Terry Graham represents District 1 and Brian Carnes represents District 7. Jose Luis was elected to County Council in Novem ber and will represent District 4 beginning in January. All three are Republicans.

District 4 was shifted into the Indian Land area after Larry Honeycutt announced in 2019 he wouldn’t seek a fifth term as its representa tive.

District 4 is now at the very top of the coun ty. The “old” District 4 residents shifted into council districts 1, 2 or 5.

The U.S. Constitution, the state constitu tion and state law requires South Carolina to redraw the electoral lines every 10 years, based on census data, so that people have equal rep resentation within various levels of govern ment as populations fluctuate.

Lancaster City Council, S.C. House, S.C. Senate and U.S. House political borders also

shifted. The S.C. House shift moved District 44 into the Panhandle, giving Indian Land its own representative – Republican Mike Neese –for the first time, and the S.C. Senate shift gave the county three senators.

Latest numbers

The latest census numbers place the coun ty’s population at 96,016, which means the seven council districts must be divided close to 13,717 residents per district to assure equal representation. The numbers are based on resi dents, not voters.

Lancaster County Council is responsible for drawing the local lines and boundaries for its seven districts. The county’s school board districts follow the same lines as the council districts.

Council spent more than six months work ing on the plan and approved the 10th ver sion of redistricting in early 2022. Eight public meetings were held to solicit feedback and in put from residents.

It was especially challenging to make the numbers work while maintaining County Council District 2 as a majority-minority dis trict.

Lancaster County Attorney John DuBose said the redrawn map meets all requirements spelled out by state statute, the 14th Amend ment and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

This includes “one person, one vote,” voter district population variances under 10%, inclu sion of a majority-minority district, adherence to past court proceedings, maintaining areas of interest within districts and soliciting public input.

Six of the seven council districts deviate less than 5% from the population goal.

However, District 1, which is represented by Graham, has a population of 14,541 residents (6.01%) because it now includes the Arrowood subdivision.

District 2 surrounds the Lancaster city limits and its population base is roughly 54% Black, 10% Hispanic and 33% white. That is down from 58% Black in the 2011-12 redistricting.

As an added safeguard, the county hired An derson attorney Joey Oppermann as a consul tant to make an in-depth study of the county’s voting precincts and voting patterns to assure that a minority candidate would have a chance to win the District 2 election despite the per centage drop.

Lancaster High School juniors, from left, Stephanie Leon, Xu Pheng Ly and Jocelyn Lopez get a feel for what it’s like to sit in Lancaster County Council members’ chairs during a mock coun cil meeting April 29. Standing are Lancaster County Administra tor Dennis Marstall and LHS junior class adviser Kristie Davis.

Who’s in charge in city, county?

Lancaster City Council

Alston DeVenny

Kenneth Hood

1006 Westover Place, Lancaster, SC 29720 803-289-1458 (city) 803-320-1512 (c) 803-286-8108 (h) 803-286-6647 (w) adevenny@lancastercitysc.com

345 Robinson Road Lancaster, SC 29720 803-577-5259 (c) 803-626-6641 (w) kbhood@lancaster citysc.com

Tomonica Marsh

315 McCardell St. Lancaster, SC 29720 803-322-4243 (w) tmarsh@lancastercity sc.com

443 W. Springs St. Lancaster, SC 29720 843-337-5984 (c) jharris@lancastercity sc.com

P.O. Box 1376, Lancaster, SC 29721 843-337-6120 (c) omjones@lancastercity sc.com

Lancaster County Council

Hazel

1409 Clark Place Lancaster, SC 29720 803-283-8950 (h) htaylor@lancastercitysc. com

Ronnie Sowell

1105 Hawthorne Road Lancaster, SC 29720 803-287-6292 (h) 843-337-5950 (w) rsowell@lancastecitysc. com

Flip Hutfles

216 S. Catawba St. P.O. Box 1149 Lancaster, SC 29721 803-289-1699 (w) 803-289-1453 (w) shutfles@lancastercity sc.com

Assessor (not elected)

District 1

Charlene McGriff, D 227 Nope Lane Lancaster, SC 29720 803-287-1048 (c) 803-286-5232 (w) cmcgriff@comporium. net

Billy Mosteller, R 415 Potter Road Lancaster, SC 29720 803-286-6044 (h) bmosteller@lancaster countysc.net

Jose Luis, R 15795 Reynolds Drive Indian Land, SC 29707 803-200-1627 jmluis10@yahoo.com

Steve Harper, R 972 Providence Road Lancaster, SC 29720 803-804-5325 (c) steveharper@lancaster countysc.net

Allen

Brian Carnes, R 128 Wade Carnes Lane Indian Land, SC 29707 803-288-3290 (h) 803-230-4852 (c) 803-320-9107 briancarnes@lancaster countysc.net

Brad Carnes

Room 213

Lancaster County Administration Building 101 N. Main St. Lancaster, SC 29720 803-285-6964 bcarnes@lancastersc.net

R Room 151

Lancaster County Administration Building 101 N. Main St. Lancaster, SC 29720 803-285-7424 Smurphy@lancastersc. net

717 S. Main St. Lancaster, SC 29720 P.O. Box 1809 Lancaster, SC 29721 803-416-9909 kknight@lancaster sc.net

Randy Newman, R

104 N. Main St. Lancaster, SC 29720 803-416-9367 randy.newman@ solicitor6.org

Solicitor District 1

Octavia Mungo Jones

Taylor

District 4 Mayor District 1 District 2 District 3 mayor pro tem District 5 District 6 City Administrator

Lancaster City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Lancaster City Hall, 216 S. Catawba St., Lancaster. Website: www.lancastercitysc.com

Jackie Harris

Karla Deese, R

Coroner District 1

The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Crawford Funeral Home will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and respect. Our staff of dedicated professionals is available to assist you in making funeral service arrangements. Ou honest service and commitment excellence have served our stomers well, and you can rest assured that we can assist you in your time of need.

Who’s in charge?

House District 44

House District 45

House District 53

House District 65

Mike Neese, R

303 Straightaway Lane Indian Land, SC 29707

404A Blatt Building Columbia, SC 29201

803-212-6937 (o) 704-497-7944 (h) Mikeneese@schouse. gov

Senate District 16

Brandon Newton, R

P.O. Box 2501 Lancaster, SC 29721

404D Blatt Building Columbia, SC 29201 803-212-6874 (w) 803-320-9615 (c) BrandonNewton@sc house.gov

Senate District 17

Richie Yow, R

200 W. Main St. Chesterfield, SC 29709

327D Blatt Building Columbia, SC 29201 803-212-6949 (o) 843-623-5001 (w) RichardYow@schouse. gov

Cody Mitchell, R

P.O. Box 323, Bethune, SC 29009

505 Blatt Building, Columbia, SC 29201 803-734-2701 (o) 843-332-5050 803-427-6487 (h)

Codymitchell@schouse. gov

Senate District 27 Governor

Michael Johnson, R 1201 Carolina Place Suite 103, Fort Mill, SC 29708

602 Gressette Building Columbia, SC 29201 803-212-6008 (o) 803-984-0126

MichaelJohnson@ scsenate.gov

Mike Fanning, D

7825 Camp Welfare Road, Great Falls 29055

502 Gressette Building Columbia, SC 29201 803-212-6108 (o) MikeFanning@ scsenate.gov

Penry Gustafson, R 236 Hackamore Lane Camden, SC 29020 P.O. Box 601, Camden SC 29021

610 Gressette Building Columbia, SC 29201 803-212-6040 (o) 803-669-6364

Henry McMaster, R P.O. Box 12267 Columbia, SC 29211 1100 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201 803-734-2100

www.governor.sc.gov

PenryGustafson@scsenate.gov

Senate

Tim Scott, R 520 Hart Building Washington, DC 20510

1301 Gervais St., Ste. 825 Columbia, SC 29201 202-224-6121 (DC) 803-771-6112 (SC) scott.senate.gov

Who’s in charge in county’s towns?

Heath Springs Town Council

At-large mayor pro tem

At-large

At-large Mayor At-large

Town Administrator

Eddie Moore

673 Hart St./P.O. Box 388

Heath Springs, SC 29058 803-273-9938 (h) 843-337-1816 (c)

Peggy Bowers

104 New St./P.O. Box 641 Heath Springs, SC 29058 803-246-1415 (c)

Iva

Lee Drakeford

101 Mill St./P.O. Box 171 Heath Springs, SC 29058 843-337--2812 (h) 803-287-7480 (c)

Deborah Truesdale

109 Truesdale St.

Heath Springs, SC 29058

803-287-8677 803-288-5459 (c) 803-273-9950 (h)

Kershaw Town Council

Vincent Webb

214 W. Hammond St. Heath Springs, SC 29058 803-273-9229 803-287-9751 (c)

Wanda Kilpatrick

103 Duncan St./P.O. Box 100 Heath Springs, SC 29058 803-273-2066 wanda@heathsprings.us

406 W. Pine St.

P.O. Box 191 Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-7234 (h) 803-729-8223 (c) mark.dorman@ townofkershawsc.gov

Faulkenberry

115 W. Stevens Drive

Kershaw, SC 29067 803-246-1558 (c) bobbie.faulkenberry@ townofkershawsc.gov

Michael

415 E. Sumter St. P.O. Box 422 Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-9655 (h) 803-287-8557 (c) michael.cook@ townofkershawsc.gov

302 E. Richland St.

Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-4365 (h) 803-669-6307 (c) jody.connell@townof kershawsc.gov

118 Blackmon Circle

Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-3383 (h) 803-416-6538 (c) harvey.truesdale@ townofkershawsc.gov

Van Wyck Town Council

205 W. Pine St. Kershaw, SC 29067 803-289-2765 (c) dwilliams@townof kershawsc.gov

309 W. Pine St. Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-1163 (h) 803-320-8525 (c) seegarsrandy@gmail. com

113 S. Hampton St. Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-6065 (o) 803-416-2285 (c) ryan.mclemore@ townofkershawsc.gov

Sean Corcoran

P.O. Box 256

Van Wyck, SC 29744 704-589-0025 (c) corcoranesq@yahoo.com sean.corcoran@townofvan wyck.net

Bob Doster

P.O. Box 1055

Lancaster, SC 29721 803-285-9190 rcdoster@comporium.net myzombieman@yahoo.com bob.doster@townofvanwyck.net

Xavier Kee

P.O. Box 43

Van Wyck, SC 29744 803-288-3734 keexavier@yahoo.com xavier.kee@townofvanwyck.net

Stuart Graham

P.O. Box 48

Van Wyck, SC 29744 803-804-6017 stuart.graham@townofvan wyck.net

Van Wyck Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Van

Cassandra Watkins

P.O. Box 303

Van Wyck, SC 29744 803-524-3267 cmhwatkins23@gmail.com cassandra.watkins@townofvan wyck.net

Crissy Laviolette

P.O. Box 159

Van Wyck, SC 29744 803-393-9296 crissy.laviolette@townof vanwyck.net

Heath Springs Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Ann Taylor Municipal Center, 103 Duncan St., Heath Springs.

Wyck Community Center, 5036 Old Hickory Road, Van Wyck.

Mark Dorman

Cook

John ‘Jody’ Connell

Harvey Truesdale

Randy Seegars

Ryan McLemore

District 4

Mayor District 1 District 2 District 3 mayor pro tem

At-large At-large Town Administrator

Kershaw Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Kershaw Town Hall, 113 S. Hampton St., Kershaw. Website: www.townofkershawsc.gov

Bobbie

Danny C. Williams

Have your say at ballot box

Lancaster County has 70,000-plus registered voters. If you’re not one of them, here’s how to register.

To register to vote, you must be 18 years old by Election Day, a United States citizen and a resident of South Carolina and the county where you are registering to vote.

Voters may register in person at the Lancaster County Voter Registration Office in the Lancaster County Administration Building, 101 N. Main St., Lancaster; at the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, 1694 Pageland Highway (S.C. 9), Lancaster, when you get your driver’s license; or at the Department of Social Services, 1837 Pageland Highway, Lancaster.

Voters may also register online at scvotes.gov or print out an application from the scvotes.gov website or the county website, mylancastersc.org. They can mail, fax or email the application in with a copy of their ID. Mail applications to Lancaster County Voter Registration, P.O. Box 1809, Lancaster, SC 29721. Fax applications to 803416-9357 or email them to mahudson@lancastercountysc.net.

Voters must be registered at least 30 days before an election. Call 803-285-2969 for details.

The county website, mylancastersc.org, has information about absentee voting and upcoming elections. Applications for absentee ballots must be printed out and returned to the local voter registration office. Election results are also posted there and at scvotes.gov.

Where to vote in Lancaster County

Listed below are Lancaster County’s voting precincts, followed by polling location and street address:

l Absentee – Voter registration office on the lower level of the Lancaster County Administration Building, 101 N. Main St., Lancaster

l Antioch – Antioch Baptist Church, 3052 Taxahaw Road, Lancaster

l Black Horse Run – Transformation Church, 1212 Transformation Lane, Indian Land

l Buford (formerly Dwight) – Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1841 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster

l Camp Creek – Camp Creek Baptist Church, 998 Potter Road, Lancaster

l Carmel – New Hope Baptist Church, 2393 New Hope Road, Heath Springs

l Chesterfield Avenue – First Baptist Church, 300 S. Market St., Lancaster

l College Park – Carole Ray Dowling Center, 509 Hub bard Drive, Lancaster

l Douglas – Douglas Presbyterian Church Community Center, 2325 Sunday Place, Lancaster

l Elgin – St. Luke United Methodist Church Leisure Center, 128 Providence Road, Lancaster

l Erwin Farm – Grace Presbyterian Church, 1026 Grace Ave., Lancaster

l 521 North (formerly Jacksonham) – Taylor’s Grove

l Lancaster

Baptist Church, 2382 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster

l Flat Creek (formerly Midway) – Flat Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 7563 Flat Creek Road, Kershaw

l Gold Hill – Gold Hill AME Zion Church, 9239 Van Wyck Road, Van Wyck

l Harrisburg – Harrisburg Elementary School, 10251 Harrisburg Road, Indian Land

l Heath Springs – Heath Springs Senior Complex, 5353 Kershaw Camden Highway, Heath Springs

l Hyde Park – Hyde Park Baptist Church Recreation Building, 1898 Flat Creek Road, Lancaster

l Kershaw North – First Baptist Church Youth Building, 210 N. Matson St., Kershaw

l Kershaw South – Marian O. Boan Community Center, 200 Close Circle, Kershaw

l Lake House – Lake House at Sun City Carolina Lakes, 1353 Del Web Blvd., Indian Land

l Lancaster East – First Washington Baptist Church, 1300 E. Meeting St., Lancaster

l Lancaster West – First Presbyterian Church, 700 N. Main St., Lancaster

l McIlwain (formerly Lynwood Drive) – Sherwood Baptist Church, 1030 Darlene Blvd., Lancaster

l Osceola – Osceola United Methodist Church, 6575 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land

l Pleasant Hill – Bright Light Baptist Church, 4469

Kershaw Camden Highway, Heath Springs

l Pleasant Valley – Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Highway (S.C. 160), Indian Land

l Possum Hollow – Transformation Church, 1212 Transformation Lane, Indian Land

l Rich Hill – Rich Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 3089 Rocky River Road, Lancaster

l River Road – Indian Land Middle School, 8063 River Road, Indian Land

l Riverside – Catawba Baptist Church, 1144 Riverside Road, Lancaster

l Shelley Mullis – Faith Presbyterian Church, 7520 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land

l Springdale (formerly Gooches Crossroads – Springdell Baptist Church, 1420 Springdell Church Road, Lancaster

l The Lodge – Sun City Carolina Lakes Lodge, 2955 Sun City Blvd., Indian Land

l Tradesville (formerly Spring Hill) – Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2245 Old Camden-Monroe Highway, Lancaster

l Unity – Unity ARP Church, 3495 Unity Church Road, Lancaster

l University – The Church of the Good Shepherd, 1005 University Drive, Lancaster

l Van Wyck – Van Wyck Community Center, 5036 Old Hickory Road, Van Wyck

Melvene McMillon casts her vote in the general election Nov. 8 at the Lancaster East precinct at First Washington Baptist Church on East Meeting Street.

Lancaster County Council and School Board Districts

S.C. House and Senate Districts in Lancaster County

S.C. House District

S.C. House District

S.C.

S.C. House District 65

S.C. Senate District 16

S.C. Senate District 17

S.C. Senate District 27

S.C. Senate Division

Property taxes

These tax calculations are based on an owner-occupied home appraised at $406,000, the median home value in Lancaster County, with an assessed value of $16,240.* They include the local residents’ school tax credit and local option sales tax credits.

Lancaster County: 342.9 mills

Total taxes without homestead exemption: $2,473

County taxes with homestead exemption: $2,168

Stormwater fee: All residents who live north of S.C. 5 must pay a $60 per home stormwater fee, which is added to the total tax owed.

Special tax district fees: Residents in the Indian Land Fire District, Pleasant Valley Fire District and Van Wyck Fire District must pay an additional $90 per home fire fee, which is added to the total tax owed.

Special purpose tax district: Reid Pointe residents must pay an additional 35 mills in taxes to repay a 20-year bond for street repairs, which began in 2019.

Assessment fees: Lancaster County residents in the Edgewater development and Indian Land residents in the Brookchase, Sun City Carolina Lakes and Walnut Creek developments must pay additional infrastructure bond assessment fees that vary each year. These fees are added to the total tax owed.

City of Lancaster: 342.9 county + 178.8 city mills (521.7)

Total taxes without homestead exemption: $2,473 (county) + $1,390 (city) = $3,863

Total taxes with homestead exemption: $2,168 (county) + $1,219 (city) = $3,387

Town of Kershaw: 342.9 county + 95.6 town mills (438.5)

Total taxes without homestead exemption: $2,473 (county) + $123 (town) = $2,596

Total taxes with homestead exemption: $2,168 (county) + $108 (town) = $2,276

*All dollar figures used in calculations are rounded, including assessed tax value, and all calculations presented here are estimates.

Note: The towns of Heath Springs and Van Wyck do not collect municipal property taxes.

How much will taxes on your home be?

Owner-occupied residential property in Lancaster County is assessed at 4% of its ap praised value, multiplied by the area’s millage rate. (If you don’t live in the home, the rate is 6%.) Here’s how to do the math:

1. Home’s appraised value* x .04 or .06 = Assessed value

2. Assessed value x (county mills + city mills) x .001 = Tax owed

3. If you qualify for the local residents’ school tax credit** of 171, deduct this from total millage in step 2, before multiplying by .001.

4. Subtract the local option sales tax (appraised value x credit factor for the county and your town***). This will be a dollar figure.

4. Add any special tax district or assessment fees to get the total tax owed.

*Those 65 or older or disabled who have lived in the county for a year may qualify for a $50,000 homestead exemption. Call the Lancaster County Auditor’s Office, 803-285-7424, for more information.

**The local residents’ school tax credit applies only to owner-occupied homes and must be applied for through the Lancaster County Tax Assessor’s Office, 803-285-6964.

***Local option sales tax credit factors: County: 0.000784; City of Lancaster: 0.003728; Town of Kershaw: 0.003520

What do Lancaster County taxes pay for?

Total school and county millage is 342.9 mills.

Here’s a breakdown by percentage on what those county taxes pay for: School operations........................49.9% County operations........................24.6% School debt................................18.9% County debt.................................2.8% Capital improvement......................1.4% USC Lancaster...............................1.3% Courthouse security........................1.1%

Public

The Lancaster County EMS headquarters is no longer confined to a cramped old nursing home.

The new $2.2 million, 19,000-square-foot fa cility is now open on U.S. 521 just north of the Lancaster city limits.

“It’s been a long time coming for those of us who have been around for awhile,” said Lancast er County EMS Director Clay Catoe at the May 2022 ribbon cutting.

County leaders had been pushing for the new headquarters since 2017. It is housed in the old Founders Federal building between North Cor ner Road and S.C. 5.

Founders gave the 36-year-old building to the county in 2010 when it consolidated multiple operations into its headquarters on Gillsbrook Road.

“We came out here and council was pretty well convinced this was the place, but they were still not 100% sure,” said Steve Willis, former county administrator.

“Clay and his folks came out here before any of this was here and placed blue tape on the con crete and laid everything out. That’s what sold County Council,” Willis said.

The county’s EMS headquarters was previ ously housed in the old, county-owned Gardner Nursing Home on Pageland Highway for nearly

four decades. EMS shared the 85-year-old facility with HOPE in Lancaster.

While the headquarters operation has moved, EMS Station 1 remains there.

In the past, EMS has been in a patchwork of locations with supplies and equipment kept wherever space could be found.

In 2021, Lancaster County EMS crews an swered a record-setting 19,224 calls. That num ber is up more than 2% from the 18,825 calls answered the previous year.

The new facility consolidates the agency’s ad ministrative and business offices, training and

logistics in one centralized location. And having that centralized training hub is already paying off.

The county’s most recent EMS Boot Camp graduates completed all their coursework there. The national award-winning, successful in-house training program allows the local agency to grow its own certified staff of medics.

A participant receives $1,400 worth of free training (200 hours) to become a certified medi cal technician, along with a part-time job at EMS. The funding comes from local tax dollars and participants must sign a yearlong contract to work for the county. In its first three years, 18 have graduated from the boot camp.

Boot camp lead instructor Stacey Chapman noted that two of the recent grads are fully certi fied and the other six are going through the cer tification process.

““Being centralized is great, plus it cuts down on students having to move back and forth, which makes their time more efficient,” Chap man said.

ment to get a room or ask if it’s OK if we do skills at a certain time or in a certain place makes a huge difference,” Chapman said. “Being cen tralized is great, plus it cuts down on students having to move back and forth, which makes their time more efficient.”

Law officers protect residents

Lancaster County is protected by four law enforcement agencies: Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, S.C. Highway Patrol and S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Barry Faile leads the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. Its main campus is at 1520 Pageland Highway, which includes facil ities for command staff, records, support ser vices, inventory, patrol, investigations, crime scene and evidence personnel. A deputy is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the lobby to take reports and assist residents.

The office operates substations in Indian Land and Kershaw, and the Lancaster County Deten tion Center.

The sheriff’s office is a state and nationally ac credited law enforcement agency. It was also one of nine agencies in the state accredited by the S.C. Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition.

The agency’s SWAT team assists with highrisk operations and its crime scene unit con sists of four nationally certified crime scene investigators who work thousands of cases each year.

The sheriff’s office is also a member of the S.C. Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Lancaster County Drug Task Force Unit and the Multi jurisdictional Violent Crime Task Force.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office can be reached on its non-emergency lines at 803283-3388 or 803-283-4136. The detention center number is 803-283-2084. For more in formation, visit www.lacoso.net.

Lancaster Police Department

The Lancaster Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city. It is located at 405 E. Arch St., Lancaster. It has also set up a satellite station at MUSCLancaster.

The police chief is Don Roper. He was named chief in August 2022 after a 15-month search. He retired as Mount Holly’s police chief in July, following 35 years of policing in Gaston County, N.C.

The Patrol Division is responsible for respond ing to all calls for everyday police services. Capt. James Whitaker is patrol com mander.

Special Operations in vestigates crimes in order to make arrests and bring cases to court. Lt. Brian

Crime Stats*

Violent crimes

Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office

Lancaster Police Department

Homicide 4 3

Forcible rape 35 11 Robbery 13 3 Aggravated assaults (including domestic violence) 184 (47) 60 (N/A) Total violent crimes 236 77

Property crimes Burglary 227 70 Larceny (including shoplifting) (including breaking/entering auto) 1,004 (228) (163)

208 (179) (25)

Motor vehicle theft 105 11

Total property crimes 1,336 1,012 Total Part 1 crimes 1,572 1,089

Data covers 2021.

Small is the Special Operations Unit com mander.

Support Services supports all departmen tal operations of the city police force. Capt. Dwayne Davis is administrative commander.

The department offers various services to increase citizen awareness and participation in crime prevention. Services include victim’s assistance, school resource officers, bike pa trol, bike registration, Crime Watch programs, security surveys, special response teams, drug enforcement and investigations.

The police station can be reached at 803283-1173.

S.C. Highway Patrol

The S.C. Highway Patrol Troop 4, Post D,

led by Capt. Jeff Wade, cov ers Lancaster and Ches terfield counties, with 20 troopers focused on reduc ing speeding and other driv ing infractions and keeping drunk drivers off the roads. They also work traffic ac cidents and recreate traf fic accidents through their state-of-the-art technology systems to determine causes for accidents.

The troop’s community relations’ officer is Master Trooper Gary Miller. He can be reached at GaryMiller@scdps.gov.

The local S.C. Highway Patrol office, 1710 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, can be reached at 803-283-8585 or visit the SCHP website at www.scdps.sc.gov.

S.C. DNR

Capt. Matt McCaskill, who oversees war dens in Lancaster, Chester, York, Kershaw, Lee, Fairfield, Chesterfield, Darlington, Flor ence, Dillon, Marlboro, Marion and Williams burg counties, leads the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

The Department of Natural Resources has jurisdiction over the state’s waterways, fields and woodlands. Its officers guard the state’s natural resources and apprehend criminals who try to exploit them. DNR officers also en courage the safe use of natural resources and safe hunting and boating practices.

To reach the area DNR field office, call 803734-3607. To reach DNR’s regional office in Florence, call 843-661-4766. To report viola tions, call 800-922-5431.

Faile

Roper

Wade

From left, Carlie Mingo and the Rev. AnThony Pelham talk with new Lancaster Police Department Chief Don Roper at USC Lancaster. The city of Lancaster hosted the public meet and greet for Roper and his wife, Julie Roper, on Thursday.

The Lancaster Fire Department received the 2022 Richard S. Campbell Award for excellence in public fire safety education earlier this month from the S.C. State Association of Fire Chiefs. From left are Tony Gainer, Danny Deese, Justin McLellan, David Melton and Jason Laney.

Fire rescue to get new trucks

The arrival of new rescue equipment tops the 2023 list for the county and city fire depart ments and Lancaster County EMS.

But when those pieces of apparatus will arrive is anyone’s guess, with many manufac turers still working through delays stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been difficult,” said Lancaster Fire De partment Chief Justin McLellan. “It’s getting better in some things, but I’ve quite honestly never seen anything like it. There are major delays in fire hos es and firefighter turnout gear.”

The National Fire Protec tion Association requires firefighter protective gear be replaced every decade, regardless of its condition.

“It’s a big deal,” he said.

The Lancaster Fire Department has two fire stations and is scheduled to get two new trucks this year.

One is a fire engine for Station 1 on East Arch Street, along with a heavy rescue vehicle for Station 2 on Hubbard Drive near the USC Lancaster campus.

“We’re hoping they will be here in the spring, but right now, you just don’t know,” McLellan said. “We’re also hoping the three new ladder trucks that the county is purchasing will be in the pipeline before the year is up.”

In 2021, the Lancaster County Council ap proved a $6 million general obligation bond to buy ladder trucks for Indian Land, Pleasant Valley and one to stage at city Station 1.

Darren Player is the director of Lancaster

Call

Structure fires 95 17

Grass/woods fires 252 29

Vehicle fires 66 9

Lightning strikes 2 0

Medical calls 2,945 698

Motor vehicle collisions with extrication 44 27

Motor vehicle collisions without extrication 758 315

Other rescues (elevator, water, machinery, etc.) 16 12

Hazardous conditions (gas leaks, spills, landing zones, power lines, natural disasters, etc.)

custom built from the ground up.

Player is also the director of the county’s emergency management agency, which has seen the overall demand for all types of emer gency services grow by leaps and bounds.

In fiscal 2021, the two agencies responded to 4,910 total calls.

In fiscal 2022, its firefighters and first re sponders were called out 7,718 times, a whop ping increase of 57%.

386 56

Service calls (lock-outs, smoke removal, public service, etc.) 745 133

Good intent and false alarms 2,409 242

Annual Total* 7,718 1,538

Data covers July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

County Fire Service, which includes 18 volunteer fire stations and about 300 vol unteer firefighters and first responders who respond to emergencies in the commu nities, as well as across the county. The fire service also includes a team of about 40 full-time firefighters.

“We’re hopeful that the pre-construction phase for the ladder trucks will take place in the upcoming months. The goal is to get them delivered in 2024,” Player said, noting the three ladder trucks will be

Those staggering numbers – the result of explosive growth, along with a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters – have many county fire service departments considering the possibility of adopting fire protection dis tricts.

There are now three fire protection districts in the northern end of the county – Pleasant Valley, Indian Land and Van Wyck, which voters approved in November 2021.

Residents within each district voted for the fire districts and pay an annual $90 fee to bol ster the fire service near their homes with fulltime firefighters and additional equipment.

Player noted that the Pleasant Valley and Indian Land fire protection districts may be combined in the future.

“That’s something the county fire commis sion has been discussing, though the ultimate decision will belong to Lancaster County Council,” Player said.

The non-emergency phone number for Lancaster County Emergency Management is 803-285-7333. The non-emergency phone number for Lancaster County Fire Rescue is 803-283-8888.

The phone number for the county fire mar shal’s office is 803-313-8056.

McLellan

Fire Departments

Lancaster County Fire Rescue has 18 volunteer fire departments. The Lancaster Fire Department has two stations. The fire departments, addresses, chiefs and non-emergency phone numbers are:

l Antioch Volunteer Fire Department – 3015 Taxahaw Road, Lancaster; Phillip Hall; 803-283-8700

l Bell Town Volunteer Fire Department – 4600 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster; Tony Gainer; 803-285-6215

l Buford Volunteer Fire Department – 1893 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster; William Morris; 803-285-9183

l Camp Creek Volunteer Fire Department – 2386 Camp Creek Road, Lancaster; Toby F. Roberts; 803-286-4251

l Elgin Volunteer Fire Department – 114 Tram Road, Lancaster; Brooks Faulkenber ry; 803-286-4489

l Flat Creek Volunteer Fire Department – 7563 Flat Creek Road, Kershaw; Britt Blackmon; 803-475-4450; substation – 8300 Taxahaw Road, Kershaw, no phone

l Gooches Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department – 1594 Grace Ave., Lancaster; Randy Hardin; 803-285-8107

l Heath Springs Volunteer Fire Department – 103 Duncan St., Heath Springs; Jonathan Payne; 803-273-4075

l Indian Land Volunteer Fire Department – 185 Six Mile Creek, Indian Land; Christopher Miller; 803-547-2747

l Kershaw Volunteer Fire Department – 110 S. Hampton St., Kershaw; Stewart Barfield; 803-475-6902

l Lancaster Fire Department (Station 1) – 401 E. Arch St., Lancaster; Justin McLellan; 803-283-4385

l Lancaster Fire Department (Station 2) – 453 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster; Justin McLellan; 803-283-4663

l McDonald Green Volunteer Fire Department – 2787 Lynwood Drive, Lancaster; Clint Sowell; 803-286-8808

l Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department – 9370 Possum Hollow Road, Indian Land; Greg Nicholson; 803-548-5600; substation – 10754 Harrisburg Road, no phone

l Rich Hill Volunteer Fire Department – 3089 Rocky River Road, Heath Springs; Stacy Roberts; 803-286-9580

l Riverside Volunteer Fire Department – 1875 Riverside Road, Lancaster; Stephen Gardner; 803-286-7663

l Shiloh Zion Volunteer Fire Department – 703 Monroe Highway, Lancaster; Sam Plyler; 803-285-1703; substation: 1509 Monroe Highway, Lancaster, no phone

l Tradesville Volunteer Fire Department – 2145 Old Camden Monroe Highway, Lancaster; Jason Laney; 803-285-5358

l Unity Volunteer Fire Department – 2495 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster; Jay Hayes; 803-285-7934

l Van Wyck Volunteer Fire Department – 4455 Old Hickory Road, Van Wyck; Craig Roof; 803-285-4281

Firefighter Todd Duncan with the Lancaster Fire Department assists Logan Pate with the water hose at the Fire Expo on Oct. 15.

Surrounded by Nutramax Laboratories employees, Gov. Henry McMaster and Randy Romito, the com pany’s vice president of operations, cut the ribbon Oct. 6 on the 200,000-square-foot-expansion at the Nutramax facility in Lancaster Business Park.

Industries investing in county Business

Lancaster County continues to enjoy success in landing new industry and seeing the expan sion of existing business.

In January 2022, family-owned Chief Build ings Chief, a Nebraska-based metal building manufacturer, announced plans to create more than 100 high-paying industrial jobs over the next five years at a $22 million production plant in Lancaster Business Park.

It moved into the vacant 104,500-square-foot Valmet building, and has already begun prelimi nary operations.

The company will initially create 58 jobs, most of which will pay about $23 an hour. Chief’s local workforce will include 102 employees by 2027.

DJ Eihusen, the board chair, CEO and presi dent of Chief Industries, compared choosing Lancaster as the home for its third manufactur ing facility to pulling a dartboard from the closet, hanging it on the wall and throwing darts at it.

But after visiting Lancaster in September 2021, Eihusen said the dartboard came into fo cus.

“We really left, saying, ‘It’s not a matter of should we, but why wouldn’t we?’ We were in credibly impressed,” he said.

This past October, Nutramax Laboratories cut the ribbon on a 200,000-square-foot expansion

in its production facility at Lancaster Business Park. The community-minded maker of nutri tional supplements for people and pets also cel ebrated its 30th anniversary with a who’s who of dignitaries, including Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. House Rep. Ralph Norman (R-5).

A local economic juggernaut, the company has created 670 jobs and invested about $100 million since coming to Lancaster in 2010. Pri vately owned, Nutramax Laboratories is now the leading manufacturer in Lancaster County.

“It’s all about the people,” McMaster said. “I get the privilege of speaking to business people from around the world very often. They are looking for places to invest hundreds of millions of dollars and there is a big risk that goes along with that. You pick the wrong spot, you might lose the company, so they are very careful.”

Another Nutramax expansion is already in the works. In June, the company announced plans to invest $30 million and create 200 more jobs at the 250,000-square-foot former Cardinal Health facility in Indian Land.

“The Lord just opened doors for us again and again, and all along, provided for us things we could never do for ourselves,” said Nutramax Laboratories founder Dr. Bob Henderson.

Chief Buildings move here has created the

kind of problem that most counties want. There is a critical need for industrial sites here.

Leaders have now passed a plan to create a more proactive funding mechanism to develop future commercial and industrial sites.

Called Generating Opportunities for Land Development, or GOLD, the program will set aside funds to attract new investment and jobs to Lancaster County.

GOLD focuses on water, sewer and road in frastructure to commercial and industrial prop erties and buying land for business and industri al parks that can be marketed for constructions of spec (speculative) buildings. Much of GOLD targets the development of industrial sites at the Lancaster County Air-Rail Park off the S.C. 9 By pass near Grace Avenue.

“It’s about a no-brainer for us to be investing in our own county. It’s going to create jobs,” said Lancaster County Councilman Billy Mosteller.

In October, the county hired Brian Fulk as its new economic development de partment director. Fulk re places Jamie Gilbert, who resigned in May.

Major County Employers

l Lancaster County School District, 2,418 employees, 4-year-old through 12th-grade public schools, 803-286-6972, www.lancastercsd.com

l Red Ventures,* 1,758 employees, internet marketing and more, 704-971-2300, www.redventures.com

l Movement Mortgage,* 825 employees, home financing, (877) 314-1499, www. movement.com

l MUSC Health - Lancaster Medical Center, 697 employees, health care, 803-2861214, www.muschealth.org/locations/lancaster-medical-center

l Nutramax Laboratories, 670 employees, human and animal health supplements, 803-289-6000, www.nutramaxlabs.com

l Continental Tire of the Americas,* 657 employees, tires for commercial trucks and cars, 704-583-3900, www.conti-online.com

l Lancaster County,* 575 employees, 803-285-1565, www.mylancastersc.org

l Haile Gold Mine (OceanaGold),* 501 employees, gold mining, 803-475-1220, www.hailegoldmine.com

l Walmart in Lancaster, 411 employees, mass merchandiser, 803-286-5445, www. walmart.com

l Walmart in Indian Land, 401 employees, mass merchandiser, 803-802-6666, www.walmart.com

l Founders Federal Credit Union,* 348 employees (in Lancaster County), credit union, 803-283-5900, www.foundersfcu.com

l Keer America,* 308 employees, cotton yarn manufacturer, 803-835-1100, www. keeramerica.com

l CompuCom Systems,** 300 employees, global information technology, 803-2287400, www.compucom.com

l Unique Loom,* 270 employees, floor coverings distributor, 803-804-5319, uniqueloom.com

l University of South Carolina Lancaster,* state college, 252 employees, 803-3137000, www.usclancaster.sc.edu

l McClancy,* 250 employees, spices, 803-548-2366, www.mcclancy.com

l CrossRidge/INSP/Inspiration Ministries,* 238 employees, media production and distribution, international ministry, 803-578-1000, www.insp.com, inspiration.org

l Pro Staffers, 223 employees, temporary employment agency, 803-285-4286, www.prostaff.com

l PCI Group,* 222 employees, mission-critical document delivery, 803-578-7700, www.pcigroup.com

l Sharonview Federal Credit Union,* 208 employees, credit union, 704-969-6700, www.sharonview.org

l TriNet,* 200 employees, human resources solutions, (888) 874-6388, www.trinet. com

l Arcosa Meyer Utility Structures,* 196 employees, electrical steel transmission tow ers, 803-286-5656, www.arcosa.com

l City of Lancaster,* 180 employees, 803-286-8414, www.lancastercitysc.com

l ServiceMac,* 175 employees, mortgage subservicing, 803-650-3413, servicemacusa.com

l Kershaw Correctional Institution, 160 employees, state prison, 803-475-5770 or 803-896-3300, www.doc.sc.gov/institutions/kershaw.jsp

l Honeywell (Hand Held Products),* 160 employees, sensing and motion devices, 803-835-8000, www.honeywell.com

l White Oak Manor, assisted living facility, 159 employees, 803-286-1464, www. whiteoakmanor.com

l Acadia Healthcare (Rebound Behavioral Health Hospital), 134 employees, psychiatric and substance abuse treatment facility, 803-810-0995, www.acadiahealthcare.com

l Simpson Electric, 133 employees, electrical wiring, 704-821-5200, www. simpsonelectricnc.com

l Comporium,* 132 employees, telecommunications, 803-283-9011, www. comporium.com

l Chester/Lancaster Disabilities/Special Needs Board, 132 employees, public agency serving area residents with disabilities, 803-285-4368

l Rico Industries,* 130 employees, flags, pennants and screen printing, (312) 4270313, www.ricoinc.com

l Pattison Sign Group,* 128 employees, sign maker, 803-339-0059, www.pat tisonsign.com

l Adornus Cabinetry,* 125 employees, cabinet manufacturer, 803-830-3200, adornus.com

*Lancaster

**Lancaster County Economic Development Department July 2021

Sources: Individual firms summer/fall 2022

County Economic Development Department October 2021

Housing market still strong

The local real estate market remains strong in this region of the Carolinas.

Sales made a slight shift downward in the last quarter of 2022 due to increasing inter est rates, inflation and an increase in available homes for sale.

Eric Grace, a Realtor with eXp Realty, said there is still plenty of good news for sellers, and even buyers, in the coming year.

“While the days of getting multiple offers way over list price may be dwindling, house values will most likely continue to be up from previous years,” he said. “And the percentage of list price received will also most likely re main fairly steady.”

The increase in inventory and interest rate may push some buyers out of the market. Grace said the good news is buyers will have more negotiating power. The housing boom of the past few years resulted in buyers ac cepting homes as-is and often paid 20-30% over asking price.

“The Charlotte region and Lancaster County, in particular, will continue to be a very hot market,” Grace said. “We continue to have plentiful jobs in the region, good weather, and compared to other big cities and regions still one of the most affordable hous

ing markets.”

Growth is spreading down the 521 corri dor.

“We are continuously seeing new con struction pop up from Indian Land and into the city and surrounding areas,” Grace said.

Homebuilder True Homes added 100 new homes to the Edgewater development on the banks of the Catawba River in the southwest ern part of the county.

The city of Lancaster continues to see a lot of growth. A new development of 179 homes is being built on S.C. 9 Bypass West by NVR, the parent company of Ryan Homes.

Over 250 new homes are planned just off University Drive.

Indian Land continues to be the hot test market with a median home price of $525,000 this year, a whopping increase of $105,000 since last year at this time.

The Canopy Realtors Association Market Reports indicate the median sales price for homes in the Charlotte region including Lan caster is $380,000, up by 17% since last year.

Lancaster County’s median home price of $515,000 is up 37% over last year.

The city of Lancaster’s median house price for this year is $315,000, up $30,000 from

2021.

Grace said homes stay on the market a bit longer than in 2021, but the median sales price in the county is still up 37% since Oc tober 2021.

Despite 42% more homes available for sale, sellers are still receiving full asking price, he said.

Lancaster County issued 1,027 new home construction permits in 2022 (through Oct. 24), 111 less than 2021.

The Housing Affordability Index indicates that inflation has lowered the buying power for many people.

Since this time last year, the average house hold income is only about two-thirds of what is needed to buy a home in the median price range.

“An individual buying a house for $500,000 in 2021 may now only be able to afford a house in the $350,000 range,” Grace said.

“As a Realtor, the most important items when working with a seller is to emphasize the importance of a good pricing strategy and solid marketing,” Grace said. “Hire a Re altor you trust and who understands the mar ket and then take their expert advice when they offer it to you.”

Rosegate is a 146-home Ryan Homes development under construction off the S.C. 9 Bypass West corridor in Lancaster. Prices start in the mid-$200,000s for a two- to three-bedroom single-family home with a two-car garage. As an added bonus, lawn maintenance is included.

Chambers assist businesses

A chamber of commerce can be an important resource for the local business community. There are three chambers in Lancaster County ready to help business owners.

Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce

The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce’s goal is to improve the quality of life and to make the county “a better place to live, work and do business,” through regional and local collaborations that enhance a spirit of community

“I can think of no better way to play an integral role in continuing to help shape the community than serving in this capacity,” said chamber President and CEO John McCain, who was named to the post in September 2021.

The chamber’s partnerships include the Winthrop University’s Small Business Development Center, the York Tech Entrepreneur Network, the Catawba Regional Development Corporation and the S.C. Small Business Administration.

One of its biggest educational initiatives is Leadership Lancaster. Established by the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce in 1988, the seven-month-long program provides learning sessions that cover a variety of topics ranging from local government and state legislation to health care, history and education. Its goal is to produce communityminded leaders who are politically engaged and invested in Lancaster County. It begins each November and ends in May.

The chamber puts on many events throughout the year, including its quarterly After 5! Mix n’ Mingle and monthly Morning Business Connections. The chamber also hosts community information events, such as the Legislative and State of Community and

Education breakfasts and the annual Rub of the Green golf tournament every October.

Chamber board officers for 2023 are Will Hutchins, chamber chairman; Stefanie Stacks, chair-elect; Thomas Hardin, treasurer; and Bridgett Plexico, secretary; Marvin Starks, Diversity Council chair; and Jimola Wade, vice chair of membership development; and Pamela Trimnal, past chair.

Brenda Thompson is the chamber’s vice president. The chamber also employs membership director Jessica Banks and office manager Michelle Hammond. The chamber also employs membership director and events coordinator and membership specialist Pam Higley.

The chamber’s office is at 453 Colonial Ave., Lancaster. For details, call 803-283-4105 or visit www.lancasterchambersc.org.

Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce is focused on achieving goals that better the IL community. The chamber is a voluntary membership organization made up of business, industry, individual, and civic groups. It is led by a combination of staff, volunteers, committees and special task forces.

“Connecting our Community” is the slogan of the Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce and its mission is to improve the quality of life to make the community a better place to live.

More than 150 members and 23 sponsors have joined the chamber since it was started in January 2021.

The chamber hosts several events throughout the year, including ribbon-cuttings, First Light and After Hours networking events, quarterly luncheons, an annual golf tournament, the Indian Land Fall Festival and the Carolinas

Chili Championship.

Mike Neese is president and CEO of the Indian Land chamber, while co-founder Terry Graham, who is also a member of Lancaster County Council, chairs the organization’s board.

Other board officers are vice chair Reid Wilkerson; Christie Pedder, treasurer; Heather Hamilton, director of membership; Ken Buck, secretary; and Gerald Danko, advocacy and public policy.

Indian Land is by far the fastest-growing part of Lancaster County. Based on estimated 2021 census figures, its population now tops more than 40,000 residents. As Indian Land is projected to double in size over the next decade, Graham said he wants the Indian Land chamber to be a hub for the community.

The Indian Land chamber’s office is at 9789 Charlotte Highway, Suite 400-161. For details, call 803-820-9925 or visit info@ indianlandchamber.org.

Kershaw Chamber of Commerce

The Kershaw Chamber of Commerce is active and well in the southern end of the county. The chamber usually meets at noon every second Tuesday at Southern Properties Realty, 101 N. Cleveland St., Kershaw.

It holds four events each year – the chamber banquet in April, the Spring-a-Thon festival in May, and Wreaths Across America and the Christmas parade in December.

Kershaw chamber officers are Sheila Hinson, president; Tammy Reynolds, vice president; Harvey Truesdale, treasurer; and Carmen McKoy, secretary.

For details, email kershawchamberofcommerce29067@gmail.com, call Hinson at 803-243-0195 or visit the Kershaw Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

AN

UNFORGETTABLE

226 S. Main St. | Lancaster, SC 29720 | 803-313-9488 Email: chefv@vmeals.com | Follow us on

McCain

Neese

Hinson

The doctors and care team members involved in the first successful local kidney transplant July 2 at MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center include, from left, front row: Hannah Haigler, Dr. Prince Mohan Anand, Susan New ton, Wendy Truesdale, Dr. Monther Altiti and Dr. Paras Malhotra; and back row: Chantleigh Richardson, Chris Ward, Dr. Ahmad Alqassieh, Susan Broughton and Dr. Robert Bell.

MUSC expands medical services Health Care

The local division of the Medical University of South Carolina continues to grow and expand its medical services.

MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center added several new services this past year, includ ing robotic surgery, interventional radiology and a transplant program. MUSC is the state’s second largest heath provider behind Prisma Health.

The hospital has added robotic surgery by way of the da Vinci Robotics Surgical System. The first surgery performed by the robotics system was Jan. 31, 2022, with board-certified surgeon Dr. Monther Altiti. The system is used for general surgery, urological, gynecological and colorectal procedures. Dr. Nicholas Langan also performs robotic surgeries using the system and urologist Dr. Aravind Viswanathan joined the hospital as the director of robotic surgery this year.

“We are excited to be able to offer this advance robotic technology to patients within the com munities we serve,” said Dr. Edward McCutch eon, MUSC Health-Lancaster chief medical officer. “Adding this level of technology to the services we offer is an expanded example of the commitment that MUSC has made to this area of the state as well as a display of the importance of innovation within our scope of work.”

The system is used with a robotic arm at the

surgical site. The surgeon, who is sitting at the console within the operating room, controls the arm. The system delivers a 3D high definition view, which provides the surgeon with a crystalclear view of the surgical area they are working on. The da Vinci System can magnify 10 times what the human eye can see and the instruments move like a tiny hand, but with greater range of motion.

In July, the hospital announced its first suc cessful kidney transplant.

The patient, John Amaker, 70, had over whelming praise for the physicians and medical team involved in his care.

“Not only do I feel very good, but I was up and walking the very next day,” Amaker said. “I have told everyone I know about the exceptional care I received while a patient at MUSC Health-Lan caster. It would be hard to find any doctors better than those I had in Dr. Prince (Mohan Anand) and his team. My entire medical team delivered outstanding care. I could not have asked for any thing better.”

“This is a big step forward toward the bright future of health care in this area,” said Dr. Prince Mohan Anand, medical director for the local kidney transplant program, which started in March. “We are keeping our promise of provid

ing great care and better access locally.”

“This is an incredible milestone for our divi sion, the entire MUSC Health system and the state of South Carolina,” said J. Scott Broome, chief executive officer of MUSC Health-Lancast er Division.

Founders Federal Credit Union gave the MUSC Foundation $500,000 toward MUSC Health’s new transplant program here.

The health-care system has partnered with the Lancaster County School District to provide ath letic trainers for the county’s four high schools. Athletic trainers are essential to reducing injury and supporting safe competition among athletes.

MUSC Health continues to move forward with plans to build a hospital in the Indian Land area of Lancaster County. The proposed hospital will sit on 87 acres in the Panhandle off Charlotte Highway between INSP and the Marvin Road area near Black Horse Run. The $235 million hospital will be 200,000 square feet and will have a 100-bed capacity, with nearby medical offices.

MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center is a 225-bed, all-private room facility, with more than 120 physicians and care team members. It is located at 800 W. Meeting St., Lancaster. Its phone number is 843-792-1414 and its website is muschealth.org/lancaster.

Health-care Centers

There are a number of other health-care centers in the county. Here are a few of them:

l l Plexus Health

Plexus Health is a nonprofit community-based health-care provider in Lancaster County. Formerly known as Care Health Family Medical practices, it has been providing health care and pharmacy assistance since 1993. Plexus Health offers a full range of primary health services and an onsite private pharmacy.

Uninsured patients are charged according to a sliding scale based on income. Staffed by licensed family medicine doctors, Plexus Health serves all ages.

The center, located in Medical Arts Building 5, Suite H, 838 W. Meet ing St., opened in 2008. It is open 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday. The center’s phone number is 803-2852273. The pharmacy is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Its phone number is 803-569-1900.

The Plexus Health office at 212 E. Marion St., Kershaw, opened in 2012. It is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The pharmacy phone number is 803-475-2083.

l Lancaster County Health Department

The Lancaster County Health Department offers a general clinic providing immunizations, family planning, maternity referrals, help for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), communicable disease pre vention and treatment, environmental health, children’s rehab and home health services.

The health department is at 1228 Colonial Commons Court, Suite 100, Lancaster. Its phone number is 803-286-9948. To reach children’s rehab services, call 803-285-7628; for home health services, call 803286-8441.

l Rebound Behavioral Health

Rebound Behavioral Health is an adult inpatient center and sub stance abuse rehabilitation program.

At Rebound Behavoiral Health, staffers recognize the difficulties that surround the decision to receive treatment. The process for treatment is comfortable. Rebound Behavioral Health is prepared to provide ef fective care in a manner that promotes security and long-term success.

Rebound Behavioral Health is located at 134 E. Rebound Road, Lan caster. Its phone number is 803-313-3712.

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Out of county

County senior services reopen

The Lancaster County Council on Aging has reopened its senior centers after being closed for most of the last two years, due to fluctuat ing COVID-19 rates.

Its main site, Prime Time for Seniors Center in Lancaster, reopened in June, said site manager Bessie Allen, adding that the sites in Heath Springs and Kershaw were to reopen in Demember.

The centers offer group meals, activities and opportunities for se niors to socialize to meet the nutrition, health, socialization and exer cise needs of the county’s older residents.

While the centers were closed, the Council on Aging provided home-delivered meals every day to county seniors, using the daily de liveries to keep close tabs on the county’s homebound and sometimes isolated elderly population. Almost 70% of those served by the pro gram are age 75 or older.

The center delivers more than 300 meals every day to area seniors: 216 in Lancaster; 85 in Kershaw and Heath Springs; and 45 in Indian Land.

New director

Kylie Craig was named the new executive director of the Lancaster County Council on Aging in late February. She has been with the pro gram since July 2021.

Her first goal was to get the county’s senior centers reopened.

“Step one is to get out of the COVID slump,” she said. Armed with a master’s degree in gerontology and geriatric care management from the University of Florida, Craig said her longterm goals are to of fer more enrichment for seniors versus just having activities.

“We want some new health initiatives, bringing in educational classes and we are really looking to break away from the senior center model,” she said.

Craig said she wanted the new job because she feels there is so much that could be done for the seniors of Lancaster County.

“Our seniors deserve so many services that they don’t know we of fer or we don’t offer yet,” she said. “I really have a passion for helping seniors. I come from the senior living world and my concern is always what happens to the people who can’t pay for that kind of care. When I found the Council on Aging that answered a bit of my questions.”

The Lancaster County Council on Aging was founded in 1975 with a mission to provide a network of services to help senior citizens main tain as independent a lifestyle as possible.

No Indian Land site yet

The Council on Aging is still looking for a temporary location for the Indian Land Senior Center. The Indian Land center lost its site when the Indian Land Recreation Center closed for an expansion and renovation project that did not include room for the seniors.

“We are actively searching for a location in Indian Land,” Craig said. “We are also looking for land to build a new center in the future.”

The council is looking for about 4 acres of land in Indian Land where it can build a facility. It is getting $2.9 million for the center from the 2020 capital sales tax referendum passed by voters.

LARS bus system

The Council on Aging also operates the popular Lancaster Area Ride Service (LARS), which provides demand-response transportation for county residents.

Trips must be requested three days in advance and residents are charged a nominal fee each way. It costs $2 each way for trips in the county; $5 each way for trips to Rock Hill; and $10 each way for trips to Charlotte or Columbia.

For more information, to make ride reservations or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 803-285-6956 or visit www.lancastercoa. org.

Senior Centers

l Heath Springs Senior Complex, 5353 Kershaw Camden Highway, Heath Springs, 803-273-9206. Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Site manager: Taylor Matthews

l Kershaw Satellite Senior Center, The Carolina Room in the Marion Boan Community Center, 201 Close Circle (Stevens Park), Kershaw, 803-273-9206. Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Site manager: Taylor Matthews

l Prime Time for Seniors Center, 309 S. Plantation Road, Lancaster, 803-285-6956. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Open for meals 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Site manager: Bessie Allen

l The Indian Land Senior Center is closed, pending construction of a new building at a yet-to-be-determined site. In the meantime, Indian Land seniors can get home-delivered meals by calling Bessie Allen at 803-285-6956.

l Sun City Carolina Lakes Lake House, 1353 Del Webb Blvd., and Sun City Lodge, 2955 Sun City Blvd., Indian Land, 803-547-8858. Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Open only to Sun City residents.

Senior Agencies

l Lancaster County Council on Aging, 309 S. Plantation Road, Lancaster, 803-2856956; site manager Bessie Allen

l Catawba Area Agency on Aging, 2051 Ebenezer Road, Suite B, Rock Hill, 800-6628330 or 803-329-9670

l Senior Network Coalition, 803-285-6956

Lancaster County Council on Aging staff members Tim Duncan and Kay Harris pre pare meals for home delivery at the Prime Time for Seniors Center in Lancaster.

Craig

EducationHarrisburg Elementary School music teacher Jona than Rovnyak calls on a second-grader during class on Aug. 25. The school offered an hour be fore school, starting at 6:30 a.m., for targeted re mediation. Students either met in small groups or had one-on-one time. The results were that scores in both English/language arts and math went up.

Schools bounce back from COVID

This is the first year in the past three years that Lancaster County School District hasn’t had to worry as much about the COVID-19 virus and could get back to educating students normally.

That said, the district has taken measures to recoup learning losses due to the pandemic.

One of the hardest-hit group’s is this year’s second-graders, who were kindergartners dur ing the first year of the pandemic and were in first grade last year. This year is the first time they have had any sort of a normal school year.

But the district is starting to see how extra group and individual study time before and af ter school, as well as summer school, is helping get students back on track. Principals were al lowed to design the programs that they felt best helped their students.

“Everybody came together and provided a multi-tiered system of support. We focused on phonics and phonics gaps,” said North El ementary Principal Keishea Mickles.

ESSER funds, money the district got from the federal government to help with COV ID-19 related issues, were used specifically for instructional recovery. Through mid-August, the district had received $21.2 million in ES SER funds.

Enhanced security

The district has enhanced the amount of se curity at local schools this year and continues to be vigilant about weapons being brought to school. It added 25 more walk-through metal detectors throughout the district, bringing its total to 40. They are used at sporting events and other big gatherings such as plays, con certs and other performances at schools.

“Every school will have a walk-through de tector and your high schools will have multiple ones,” said Bryan Vaughn, district safety direc tor. Handheld metal detectors are also available at every school.

The district held an active-shooter simula tion at Indian Land High School before school began with local law enforcement to practice the district’s response to such events.

School resource officers have been as signed to Indian Land Intermediate, all middle schools and high schools in the district.

The district is searching for funding to add officers at all elementary schools. Clinton and North elementaries both have officers already.

The district has also initiated a clear bag policy at sporting events and other large gath erings.

Athletic upgrades

The district is also working on upgrades to school athletic facilities. After two studies on both indoor and outdoor facilities, the school board met to narrow the list down to the high est-priority items.

Lighting was one of the main issues, as well as bringing sites into American Disability Act compliance, wall padding for interior sports and upgrading practice facilities.

The district is looking to improve the light ing at its outdoor playing fields over the course of the next three summers. The total cost of these projects is estimated at nearly $3 million.

The first project will be replacing lights at the Buford and Lancaster softball fields, the Lan caster baseball field and the Lancaster track.

In year two, Andrew Jackson High, Buford High and Indian Land Middle baseball fields and Indian Land Middle softball field will get new lights.

In year three, the football fields at Andrew Jackson, Buford and Lancaster High and In dian Land Middle will get new lights.

All lights will be LED lights with metal poles by Musco Lighting, which specializes in design and manufacturing sports lighting.

Public School District Office

l Lancaster County School District 300 S. Catawba St., Lancaster 803-286-6972 or 800-277-LCSD

Superintendent: Dr. Jonathan Phipps Students: 15,108 Website: www.lancastercsd.com

Public Elementary Schools

l Brooklyn Springs Elementary 1637 Billings Drive, Lancaster 803-283-8471

Principal: Brittany McManus; students: 453

l Buford Elementary 1906 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster 803-286-0026

Principal: Jill Nelson; students: 758

l Clinton Elementary 110 Clinton School Road, Lancaster 803-285-5395

Principal: Keisha Witherspoon; students: 500

l Discovery School/GT program 302 W. Dunlap St., Lancaster 803-285-8430

Site manager: Chucky Rivers; students: 110

l Erwin Elementary 1477 Locustwood Ave., Lancaster 803-285-8484

Principal: Cory Hyslop; students: 435

l Harrisburg Elementary 10251 Harrisburg Road, Indian Land

Lancaster County Schools

803-396-3737 or 803-283-8484

Principal: Teryn Dalton; students: 982

l Heath Springs Elementary 158 Solar Road, Heath Springs 803-273-3176 or 803-286-8621

Principal: Sheri Watson; students: 396

l Indian Land Elementary 4137 Doby’s Bridge Road, Indian Land 803-548-2916 or 803-283-1939

Principal: Sarah Deason; students: 1,102 l Indian Land Intermediate 8361 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land 803-547-3600

Principal: Brad Johnson; students: 1,078

l Kershaw Elementary 108 N. Rollins Drive, Kershaw 803-475-6655 or 803-286-6689

Principal: Kelli Overcash; students: 528

l McDonald Green Elementary 2763 Lynwood Drive, Lancaster 803-285-7416

Principal: Melanie Hollis; students: 401 l North Elementary 1100 Roddey Drive, Lancaster 803-283-9918

Principal: Keishea Mickles; students: 676 l Van Wyck Elementary 4945 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster 803-313-6650

Principal: Jason Ramey; students: 730

Public Middle Schools

l Andrew Jackson Middle 6865 Kershaw Camden Highway, Kershaw

803-475-6021 or 803-283-1970

Principal: Chris Timmons; students: 486 l A.R. Rucker Middle 422 Old Dixie Road, Lancaster 803-416-8555

Principal: Michelle Crosby; students: 558 l Buford Middle 1890 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster 803-285-8473

Principal: Ashley Bradley; students: 439 l Indian Land Middle 8063 River Road, Indian Land 803-578-2500 or 803-286-5300

Principal: Chris Thorpe; students: 1,196 l South Middle 1551 Billings Drive, Lancaster 803-283-8416

Principal: Brent Chavous; students: 658

Public High Schools

l Andrew Jackson High 6925 Kershaw Camden Highway, Kershaw 803-475-2381 or 803-283-1958

Principal: Shuntay Miller; students: 622 l Buford High 4290 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster 803-286-7068

Principal: Michael Belk; students: 566 l Indian Land High 6100 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land 803-286-8470

Principal: Kevin Miller; students: 1,676 l Lancaster High

325 Woodland Drive, Lancaster 803-283-2001

Principal: Rosalyn Mood; students: 1,455

l Lancaster County Career Center 625 Normandy Road, Lancaster 803-285-7404

Director: Rodney Miller; students: 1,200

Other Public Schools

l Barr Street Learning Center alternative middle/high school 610 E. Meeting St., Lancaster 803-416-8946

Principal: Anita Watts

l Lancaster County Adult Education 610 E. Meeting St., Lancaster 803-285-7660

Director: Kim Linton; students: 150

l Southside Early Childhood Center 500 Hampton Road, Lancaster 803-283-3915

Preschool programs director: Kathy Richardson; students: 203

Enrollment numbers from September 2021

Private School

l Carolina Christian Academy 1850 Kershaw Camden Highway (U.S. 521 South), Lancaster 803-285-5565

Administrator: Dr. Huey A. Mills Principal: Trina Mills; students: 315 Website: www.carolinachristian.org

Who’s in charge of county schools?

Lancaster County Board of Education

P.O. Box 291

Van Wyck, SC 29744 719-510-2403 (c) 803-283-8554

Eddie.Boykin@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Tyrom Faulkner

500 W. Barr St.

Lancaster, SC 29720

803-285-5784 (h) 803-283-3444 (w)

Tyrom.Faulkner@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Courtney Green

3349 Lamplight Road, Lancaster SC 29720

803-320-2842

Courtney.Green@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Brad

595 W. Shiloh Unity Road

Lancaster, SC 29720

803-804-2957 (h) brad.small@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Casey Cato

2397 McIlwain Road

Lancaster, SC 29720

803-804-1273 (c)

Casey.Cato@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Margaret Gamble

118 S. Matson St. (P.O. Box 69) Kershaw, SC 29067 803-475-6621 (h)

Margaret.Gamble@ lcsd.k12.sc.us

1203 E. Arrow Lake Court

Indian Land, SC 29707

803-331-1990 (c) 800-277-5273 (w)

MelvinM.Stroble@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Lancaster School District Office

300 S. Catawba St., Lancaster, SC 29720 803-416-8806 (w) 803-286-6972 (dis trict’s main number)

Jonathan.Phipps@lcsd. k12.sc.us

Website: www.lancastercsd.com

District 5

District 2, secretary District 3 District 4 chair District 6 District 1 Superintendent

Eddie Boykin

Dr. Jonathan Phipps

Lancaster County school board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the school district office, 300 S. Catawba St., Lancaster. The public is welcome to attend. To address the board, sign up before 7 p.m. at the meeting or call 803-286-6972 in advance.

Small

District 7 vice chair

Melvin Stroble

USCL upgrades continue

Changes and upgrades continue to improve USC Lancaster’s main campus and its Indian Land campus.

Renovations and upgrades are nearing completion in the Arnold Special Events Room and downstairs restrooms in the JAmes Bradley Arts and Sciences Building. In the Bundy Auditorium, carpet upgrades are un derway and stage renovation is next.

The Stevens Theatre renovation is expected to begin before the holiday break and wrap up in summer 2023. This will be a major up fit and expansion of the space (rest-rooms, changing areas, prop and costume storage) to accommodate the growing theater produc tions and other theatrical activities.

USCL’s Indian Land satellite campus, opened in 2018, began offering courses in a newly renovated space at Indian Land Middle School this fall 2022. A ribbon-cutting event for the new stand-alone four-classroom site was held Nov. 10. The campus continues to serve all types of students, from dual-credit high schoolers to senior citizens. The Indian Land campus offers classes in economics, English, personal finance, math, history, phi losophy, Spanish and management.

USCL just opened its new Lancers Esports Arena in Hubbard Hall with a ribbon-cutting Deb. 8.

In April, USCL opened its Palmetto College iCaro lina Community Learning Lab, which is open to the public. It provides Apple products, such as MacBook Pros, iPads, Apple pencils and iMacs, and educational programming to faculty, staff, students and the com munity for free.

The lab, in Room 102 of the Bradley Build ing, is one of eight labs opening in the state to provide underserved communities with ac cess to high-speed broadband internet.

“We are thrilled to have one of the state’s eight Apple Labs here at USC Lancaster,” said Dr. Walter Collins, USCL dean.

USCL will assist in establishing a second iCarolina Lab in the Kershaw Branch Library. Work started this fall to set up a smaller ver sion of the lab to serve individuals in the southern end of Lancaster County. The Gov ernor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund will also provide the resources for this second lab.

USCL continues to make noise nationwide as it gathers national recognition for its pro grams and overall educational quality.

The 2023 rankings for the best community college in the country are out and USC Lan

caster was again ranked as the No. 1 two-year campus in South Carolina by www.niche. com. This is the sixth year in a row that the college has attained this ranking. It is also ranked 34th out of 906 community colleges in the country by niche.com.

USCL serves about 1,800 undergraduate students. Full-time tuition is $7,158 per year, not including fees.

USCL has a 75% acceptance rate, accord ing to niche.com. The student-professor ratio is 16:1, with about 95% gaining employment two years after graduation with an earnings average of $44,900 six years after graduation.

USCL is part of the University of South Carolina educational system, based in Co lumbia. The local campus was established in 1959.

USCL offers four associate degrees in arts, science, business and criminal justice on site. It also offers a nursing degree through the Columbia program. Students can also complete a bachelor’s degree in 13 different programs, including elementary education, through the Palmetto College, all right here in Lancaster.

For more information about the school, lo cated at 476 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, visit www.sc.edu

follow the link for USC Lan caster, or call 803-313-7000.

and

Collins

Cutting the ribbon at the April 7 opening of the new Palmetto College iCarolina Community Learning Lab at USC Lancaster are, from left, front row: Blake Faulkenberry, USCL information technology director; Dr. Walter Collins, USCL dean; Dr. Susan Elkins, USC Palmetto College chancellor; Gayle Walsh, USC Salkehatchie IT director; Bob Dyer, USC Palmetto College IT director; Dr. Carl Owens, Palmetto College iCarolina Lab project director and Apple distinguished educator; back row: Tim Matheny, Apple Education senior systems engineer; Rusty Boozer, Apple Education senior account executive; and Dr. Todd Lekan, USCL associate dean of academic and student affairs.

Promise effort underway

Lancaster’s Promise Neighborhood is a wraparound approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in the city’s poorest areas by providing free services to its children from birth through their career.

The project got a big shot in the arm in Sep tember 2021 when it received a $28 million grant. The U.S. Dept. of Education is giving Lancaster Promise Neighborhood $24,792,000, to be released in $5 million to $6 million incre ments yearly as needed over a five-year period. The rest – $3,568,000 – is coming from local organizations, corporations and individuals.

“This is a chance for us to be the Lancaster we have all dreamed of,” said Founders CEO Bruce Brumfield, a Promise Neighborhood board member. “We now have this opportu nity to change our community.”

Attendance zone

Lancaster’s Promise Neighborhood includes the Clinton Elementary, A.R. Rucker Middle and Lancaster High school attendance zones. The Promise Neighborhood’s goal is to enable families and students in these areas to achieve academic success and restore community pride.

In September, Albert Blackmon was named the Lancaster Promise Neighborhood Advi sory Board chairman. Born in the Promise Neighborhood area, he has experience in edu cation, law enforcement and business.

“As a product of the targeted community, I am honored to serve in this role for I want to see constant improvement,” Blackmon said. “The Promise Neighborhood programs will give us a huge jump forward in creating sus tainable programs for decades to come that are designed to continue to build, develop and promote Lancaster County as an ideal commu nity to model, work, play and live.”

Founding Promise Neighborhood Advisory Board Chair Charlene McGriff praised Black mon’s leadership skills as “top-notch.”

“I am pleased to turn over the leadership of our advisory board to someone as passionate as I am about lifting up all of our children in the zone, where we both grew up,” she said.

Partnership and pipeline

This partnership of agencies, including Lancaster County Partners for Youth, Lan caster County School District and 24 other area nonprofits and organizations, have been working diligently for a decade in Lancaster’s poorest neighborhoods. During those years, funding came from local businesses, corpora tions, grants and the United Way of Lancaster County. The coalition of agencies had applied and been turned down four times in the past several years for this multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The grant will fund a pathway, or pipeline of

programs, for children starting at birth. These include the best practice initiatives Lancaster County has employed, but never in one con tinuous timeframe throughout a child’s life time.

The pipeline has nine components: Baby College (early care), high-quality child care, extended academic day, student support, health/medical home, neighborhood pride, college/career, data system and training/staff ing. Most of the early academic programs are focused on academic remediation.

Modeled on successful program

Promise Neighborhood is modeled after the evidenced-based Harlem Children’s Zone, which transformed nearly 100 blocks for the most impoverished children in New York City. It provided free support through parenting workshops, preschool programs and childoriented health programs.

This local wraparound approach is a pow erful partnership that began in 1997 with the Coalition for Healthy Youth. Later, law enforcement agencies came together and ap plied for drug-free community grants, which required that other community organizations get on board, including faith-based, nonprof its, schools and government.

The pipeline of programs has already been implemented, including extended-day aca demics at Clinton, A.R. Rucker and Lancaster High. A total of 314 students are already be ing served with homework labs, academic ses sions, fitness and enrichment programs.

Promise Neighborhood staff

Rodney Hamright is the extended-day pro gram coordinator. ACT and SAT test prepara tion sessions were held this fall for Lancaster High School. The first summer enrichment program for elementary students was in June. Marketing coordinator Jason Truesdale is

designing a website and a user-friendly dash board that will reflect progress with data that includes the number of students served, im provements on grades and SAT scores.

In November, Sh’Kur Francis was named project director. He is a former social studies teacher at A.R. Rucker Middle School and a pastor at Grace and Lynwood United Method ist churches.

Prep work for the grant

Prior to Promise Neighborhood being awarded the grant, much work had already begun in the zone – a strong indication of the community’s commitment and dedication to the families needing the most help.

Promise Neighborhood has built a park on Brooklyn Avenue, disposed of 80 tons of trash, installed 200 smoke alarms, distributed 250 in sulated cooler bags of fruit and healthy snacks, renovated and painted 17 homes and cleaned dozens of yards.

Its most visible project is Community Workday, driven by its motto, “Where one sees beauty, one sees hope.” These resumed in late 2022 after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

Through the pandemic, Promise Neighbor hood continued its food outreach, distributing over 3,400 bags of food to students since Octo ber 2020, Saturday Academy tutoring sessions and summer refresher courses.

Community partners include: First Steps, The Children’s Council, The Community Pow erhouse, Call Me Beauty, Lancaster County School District, Catawba Mental Health, Unit ed Way of Lancaster County, USC Lancaster, HOPE in Lancaster, Catawba Public Health, Lancaster County Partners for Youth and Counseling Services of Lancaster.

To keep up to date with Lancaster Promise Neighborhood’s progress, follow it on Face book. It hosts a live telecast at 6 p.m. Wednes days called Wisdom Wednesdays.

A.R. Rucker Middle School science teacher John Agbotse, right, helps Cristian Sanchez, with an experiment during an extended-day academic program through Lancaster’s Promise Neighbor hood.

County rec options expand Recreation

Lancaster County recreational options ex panded in 2022, when it opened a new mul timillion recreational facility in the Panhandle in September, following the August openings of two state-of-art soccer complexes in Heath Springs and Indian Land.

Four years ago, county voters passed a $19 million recreation bond referendum to im prove local recreation facilities, which paid for all three projects, along with two others.

“This is amazing for our county,” said Cliff Henson with Lancaster County Parks and Rec reation at the Sept. 12 ribbon-cutting for the new Indian Land Recreation Center. “Change is going to happen and we need to continue to grow in the change.”

Lancaster County Councilman Brian Carnes was excited by what he saw at the new facility.

“All I could say when I walked in is, ‘Wow,’” he said. “It goes way beyond what I could imagine.”

The center, which incorporated part of the old facility on the property, has a new big gym nasium, which includes two new basketball/ volleyball courts, and the refurbished older courts. The building also contains office spaces.

The center cost $5.9 million, with $4.3 million coming from the bond.

“I am glad this facility is in the heart of In dian Land,” Councilman Terry Graham said. “Boy, it is nice. I wish to thank the voters, who voted for this bond. It is a great day for all Lan caster County.”

There is still another phase of the renova tion still to go. The former Indian Land Rescue Squad building, just outside of the recreation center, will house a community meeting space and indoor batting cages in the former bays where ambulances once parked.

Both soccer complexes, built at a combined cost of about $10 million, are also drawing rave reviews.

“I didn’t expect to see what I saw in Indian Land and what I’m seeing here today in Heath Springs,” County Councilman Larry Honeyc utt said at the Aug. 31 Heath Springs complex ribbon-cutting. “This is the kind of facility you see around bigger towns. For a place our size, this is just great. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

Each complex has two lighted, collegiatesize artificial-turf soccer/multipurpose fields.

The $5.5 million Heath Springs Soccer Complex at 200 Boyd Faile Road also has a

playground, concessions, restrooms and pic nic/shelter area. It is directly behind Small’s Food Center in Pleasant Hill.

The $4.9 million Harrisburg Athletic Com plex at 10167 Harrisburg Road has a play ground and community plaza. It is adjacent to the Avondale development in Indian Land.

Carnes said during the Aug. 24 ribbon-cut ting at the Harrisburg Athletic Complex that the facilities are the culmination of hard work by many.

“From the very start, the vision that the rec reation department had, from council passing the opportunity to issue the bond to pay for these, the citizens voting for them and for all those who worked to make this possible, it’s just tremendous,” he said. “It shows what we can do when we all get together and work to gether.”

The bond also included $2.5 million to par tially fund the first phase of the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and $200,000 to improve the Barr Street auditorium.

“Every good project starts with a vision,” said Dennis Marstall, Lancaster County ad ministrator. “We have got a lot more projects ahead of us.”

Lancaster County Councilmen Brian Carnes and Terry Gra ham cut the ribbon Sept. 12 to open the new Indian Land Recreation Center. They are surrounded by other council members, Lancaster County Administrator Dennis Marstall, far right, other local dignitaries and the center’s staff.

BELOW:

Arts scene vibrant

The Lancaster County Council of the Arts has been busy partnering with local entities to create public art installations around the city and county.

Two of its most recent involve murals.

The LCCA partnered with Lindsay Pet tus Greenway for the Gillsbrook Art Tun nel Mural, a two-sided mural honoring the Catawba Nation by contemporary artist Alex Osborne. It depicts traditional Cataw ba symbols, including the black snake and a hummingbird. He also painted a coiled snake, featuring the handprints of local resi dents, around an elevated concrete manhole cover next to the underpass. The mural was unveiled to great fanfare in November.

LCCA Executive Director Debbie Jaillette said getting to meet Osborn and see his vi sion come to life was exciting and gratifying.

“His being Catawba was magical,” she said. “The mural is special to us in about a hundred different ways.”

The council’s public art initiative with the greenway started with the installation of two Paws on Parade sculptures at the Founders Trail Head, a set of murals by Amari Far ris on the Woodland Drive underpass and a commissioned original poem installed on a permanent panel on the loop trail in the educational center area.

About 30 sculptures of cats and dogs have been placed in strategic locations in Lan caster County from Indian Land to Kershaw.

The Arts Council has partnered with the Arras Foundation on Mural Court, a pocket park between two community-painted mu rals on Dunlap Street. The $250,000 project will include a bench, wall seating, a small stage area, overhead lighting and flower ing plants and trees – all things community members asked for in downtown revitaliza tion surveys. The groundbreaking was Oct. 17 and the park should be ready for public use in early 2023.

“The vision for the park comes from the

people of our community and represents an other spark in the continued revitalization of our beautiful, historic downtown,” Jaillette said.

The Arts Council also partners with the city, Lancaster County School District and Kennedy Center to bring the Columbia City Ballet’s “Nutcracker” to town each Novem ber. Scores of local young dancers perform in the ballet each year. This year, the Arts Council also brought the Columbia City Bal let’s “Motown Ballet,” celebrating Black mu sic, to Lancaster in March, drawing a crowd.

The council also partners with the Lan caster County Library to host Creative Tues days at the Main, which offers art workshops for hobbyists, beginners and professionals.

The council offers programs for adults and children, featuring musical concerts, sum mer arts and science camps, and opportuni ties to showcase your artwork through an nual photography and art contests.

For details on the Arts Council, call 803285-7451 or visit artslancaster.com.

Community Playhouse of Lancaster County

The Community Playhouse of Lancaster County recently won a state award for its perfomance of “Wasp” by Steve Martin. On Nov. 5, it won the community playhouse division of the S.C. Theatre Association Festival in Aiken, and will compete at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Lexing ton, Ky., in March 2023. It also received the adjudicator’s awards for best ensemble and best production, and Tristan Robinson was named best actor.

The 50-year-old nonprofit is still without a permanent stage to call its own. It continues to hold performances at Bundy Auditorium, a 400-seat venue at USC Lancaster, and other places around the county.

Upcoming plays include:

• “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Feb. 1-5 at Bun dy Auditorium

• “Bye Bye Birdie,” May 3-7 at Bundy Au ditorium

For details, call Playhouse President Cath erine Wallace at 803-285-7451 or visit www. lancasterplayhouse.com.

Lancaster Cultural Arts Center

The city of Lancaster has a showcase per forming arts venue in the Lancaster Cultural Arts Center, housed in the historic Olde Pres byterian Church on West Gay Street.

A $1.4 million expansion, completed in No vember 2020, integrated the old with the new, adding a lobby, restrooms, changing rooms and a green room.

The center draws widely acclaimed acts, as well as local talent in a range of genres, including classical, jazz, ragtime and popu lar music. The CAC, with its acoustics, ar chitecture and ambiance, is a lot like Nash ville’s RymanAuditorium and performers are drawn back for repeat performances.

It also holds a popular free lunchtime lec ture series, CAC Conversations, at noon the second Wednesday of each month.

For the upcoming schedule and details on the Cultural Arts Center, call 803-287-6826 or 347-604-2179 or visit www.lcshp.org.

LEFT: Catawba artist Alex Osborn and his mother Jennifer Os born stand next to the hummingbird mural he painted under the Gillsbrook bridge oon the Lindsay Pettus Greenway in October.

Columbia City Ballet dancers Sakura Oka and Nicolas White rehearse for “Motown Ballet,” performed here in March.

Find year-round fun at festivals

There are plenty of local fesitivals and other fun events to keep your family busy and entertained all year. Check The Lancaster News and Carolina Gateway for current information on these events.

January

l “I Have a Dream” parade and ceremony – The annual parade and ceremony, set for Jan. 14, 2023, honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to society. The parade is 3 p.m. and the ceremony is 4 p.m. The parade will end at Lancaster City Hall. The winners of the “I Have a Dream” essay contest are announced at a ceremony at city hall after the parade.

February

l Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – This See Lancaster SC live performance takes place in the multipurpose room of USC Lancaster’s Bradley Arts and Sciences Building. The Community Playhouse of Lancaster County uses a different theme each year. The next show is Feb. 25, 2023.

March

l Native American Studies Week – Join USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center for its annual Native American Studies Week, celebrating Native culture in March. Events usually feature an arts and crafts festival, an art exhibit reception, lec tures and more. Call 803-313-7172 or visit sc.edu/Lancaster/ native-americanstudiescenter for a schedule of events.

April

l Rosie’s Easter Bash – Children can join Rosie the Rabbit, the city of Lancaster’s mascot, each year on the Saturday before Easter – April 8, 2023 – for an egg hunt at the American Legion/fairgrounds, 823 Kershaw Camden Highway, sponsored by the city. Children up to age 12 are invited to hunt eggs, have their picture taken with Rosie and more.

May

l Red Rose Festival – Held in downtown Lancaster, the two-day Red Rose Festival is budget- friendly family fun at its best. There are games and rides for children, live local and nationally acclaimed music artists, loads of crafts and plenty of food. The next festival is May 26-27, 2023.

l Memorial Day Service – Lancaster County residents come together at Lancaster Memorial Park to honor servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom Americans enjoy.

June

l Ag+Art Tour – The Ag+Art tour, sponsored locally by Clemson Cooperative Extension, Olde English District Tourism Commission, Lancaster County Council of the Arts and See Lancaster SC, is a weekend-long festival celebrating the work of local artists and farmers, part of a month-long event across the state. It features free agricultural site tours, gallery displays, demonstrations, homemade goods, home tours, food and drink.

l Juneteenth Freedom Festival: Held on the Saturday

A teen takes a selfie with Rosie, the city’s mascot, at the Red Rose Festival in May in downtown Lancaster.

closest to June 16 on Lancaster’s Main Street from Arch to Dunlap streets, this city festival includes a kids’ zone, speakers, live music, art and food vendors and fireworks.

July

l Charlesboro Independence Day Parade – The event that started out as a handful of Charlesboro folks riding up and down the road in the back of a truck to celebrate July 4 now draws thousands of roadside picnickers, who flock to the rural community for a glimpse of Americana at its best. Any vehicle sporting an American flag can enter the parade.

l Heath Springs July 4 Parade – In the afternoon and evening of July 4, spectators head to Heath Springs for another Independence Day celebration that includes a parade, street dance at town hall and plenty of good food.

l Rich Hill July 4 Parade – Residents of this small community in the eastern portion of the county get together for a little Independence Day fun along Billy Kirk and Rocky River roads on July 4. And just like in Charlesboro, any vehicle sporting an American flag can enter the parade.

l Van Wyck July 4 fireworks – Residents of Lancaster’s smallest town get together for an Independence Day fundraiser at the Van Wyck Community Center on July 4. The cookout, which raises funds for the Van Wyck Development Club, ends with a fireworks show.

August

l Founders Kickoff Classic – High school football is as popular as ever in Lancaster County. In mid-August, local fans have the opportunity to see all four county high schools –Andrew Jackson, Buford, Indian Land and Lancaster – compete in the Founders Kickoff Classic preseason football jamboree. The location rotates, with each county high school hosting the event every four years.

l Bear Hug Brawl – The annual Bear Hug Brawl takes

September

l Gold Mine Cruiser’s Cruise-In --- On the second Saturdays in September and October, take part in a downtown Kershaw car cruise-in. There is free food and fun from 5-9 p.m.

l Car Show and Festival --- Pleasant Dale Baptist Church holds an annual car show and festival every year on the third weekend of September with classic cars, food, entertainment and activities for the whole family.

l Sickle Cell Festival & Family Day --- The annual James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Festival is held in late September at the Lancaster County Fairgrounds. This free event raises money for the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation Scholarship Fund, with live music, a balloon release, festivities, food and screenings.

l Indian Land Fall Festival – This annual festival is usually held the first weekend in October, but will be Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023. It includes business and arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities, farm zone, food trucks and more.

October

l The Honor Our Heroes VFW car show revs up local motor heads for the Capt. John P. Monahan VVFW Post 12136’s annual event in early October. The 2022 event was held Oct. 8 at CrossRidge Center, 2001 Parkway Drive, Indian Land.

l Tailgate Festival – Kershaw hosts this event in midOctober at Richards Park, with food trucks, vendors, carnival rides, live music and a tailgate competition. This event is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2023.

l Nature and Art Day at the Park – This event, a collaboration between the Kershaw Community Park Council and the town of Kershaw, is held at Stevens Park in October. There

place in August at Buford High School Stadium. The event hosts the county’s four junior varsity football teams in a football jamboree in honor of the late Seth Muennich. Proceeds benefit Seth’s Giving Tree Foundation.

will be activities and contests for kids of all ages. It is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2023.

l Pints and Paws Fundraiser – In mid-October, Benford Brewing Co. hosts an annual fundraiser for the Lancaster County Spay and Neuter Project. It offers live music, vendors, food trucks, wagon rides, adoptable pets, and kid- and dog- friendly activities.

l Carolinas Chili Championship – This International Chili Society-sanctioned event features chili cooks from around the country, as well as local chefs in a cookoff at McClancy Corp. headquarters in Indian Land. The event includes chili tasting, live music and more. The 2022 event was Oct. 22.

l Boo Fun Fest – Lancaster’s annual Halloween festival is sponsored by the city of Lancaster and local businesses. Goblins and ghouls of every age can trick-or-treat in a safe environment with games, music, pumpkin and costume contests and lots of candy. The 2022 event was Oct. 29.

l The Haunting at Old Hickory Road: The town of Van Wyck sponsors an Halloween event at the Van Wyck Community Center, 5036 Old Hickory Road, Lancaster. The free family event will feature games, a bounce house, trick-or-treat. It is scheduled for Oct. 31, 2023.

November

l Veterans Day Parade and celebration – Lancaster residents honor the county’s military veterans with an annual parade. The parade begins on Main Street and the celebration is held at the American Legion.

l Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour – Experience life in our area during Andrew Jackson’s time and watch the events that shaped the community as you step back in time at this annual event at Andrew Jackson State Park. Sponsored by the Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park, this event offers

half-hour tours of a series of local historical re-enactments. The 2022 event was Nov. 19, but will likely be earlier in the month next year.

l “The Nutcracker” ballet – This holiday performance involves many local children and youth dancers on stage with the professional Columbia City Ballet Company. The community performance, sponsored by the Lancaster County Council of the Arts, is usually held the week before Thanksgiving at Lancaster High School.

l Heath Springs for the Holidays – Heath Springs hosts a holiday tree lighting celebration with an outdoor Christmas concert, family Christmas photo booth, giant slide, holiday treats and more at the town depot. The 2022 event was Nov. 27.

December

l Lighting of the Greenway: The Lindsay Pettus Greenway hosted its first Lighting of the Greenway event, held 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3, in 2022. Local students provided entertainment and there were free cookies and hot chocolate. Bring a flashlight.

l Native American Arts and Crafts Sale – Catawba pottery, jewelry, baskets and other handmade works by Native American artists and craftspeople are usually sold at this event at USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center at 119 S. Main St., Lancaster. This event is usually held in conjunction with Lancaster’s Christmas in the City event.

l Christmas in the City – Lancaster celebrates Christmas with a number of themed events, usually held the first Saturday in December, in the downtown area, including:

• Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with food and business vendors, artisans and musicians, holiday open houses, children’s rides and craft tent, free trolley rides to event locations and photos with Santa. Admission is free.

• Lancaster Christmas Parade – The county’s largest Christmas parade is a great way to bring the family together for Christmas. The parade is usually at 5 p.m. on Main Street.

• Lighting of the Tree – The community then gathers at 7 p.m. at the Springs House, 201 W. Gay St., to kick off Christmas in the City by lighting Lancaster’s Christmas tree. Once the tree is lit, all of the holiday lights in Lancaster are lit until January.

l Christmas Lights in the Park: The Kershaw Community Park Council hosts a drive-through Christmas Lights in the Park beginning at dusk the first Saturday of December at Stevens Park, 200 Close Circle, Kershaw. The free event includes live music and carolers, live Nativity, light displays and Santa.

l Kershaw Christmas Parade – The town of Kershaw’s Christmas parade starts at the corner of Church and North Hampton streets, goes south on Hampton, then takes a right onto Maston Street to end. The 2022 event was Dec. 10.

l Indian Land Christmas Parade – Indian Land will hold its fourth Christmas parade, with local entries, as well as Santa Claus. The parade starts on River Road and turns onto the service road behind Indian Land Middle and Intermediate schools, ending behind IL Elementary. The parade will be followed by the tree-lighting ceremony in front of the intermediate school. In 2022, it was held Dec. 10

l Lighting of the Way – Van Wyck residents come together to light hundreds of candles along the streets during a procession to local churches for short musical programs. The event begins at the post office at the intersection of Old Hickory and Steele Hill roads. The 2022 event was Dec. 11.

l Van Wyck Christmas Parade – The Van Wyck Christmas Parade and candy toss is usually at noon in mid-December. Sponsored by Van Wyck Fire Rescue, it begins at the intersection of Old Hickory and Steele Hill roads. Santa is at the community center after the parade for photographs, with food trucks onsite.

Lancaster County Library’s renovation and 5,000-square-foot ex pansion was part of $9.2 million in county library improvements. The main library addition includes a 2,000-square-foot meeting room, four group-study rooms, dedicated spaces for teens and friends of the library, a creative lab and a new program room in the children’s area.

Libraries: More than books

Lancaster County Library’s new director says the library isn’t a stuffy old place with tons of books that people may remember from older days.

“People have no idea what we can offer. It isn’t like this book depository where you can come in and check out books,” said April Wil liams, who was named county library director in February.

“We have programs and services. We have programs for children; we have programs for senior citizens. We have had art lessons and music lessons,” Williams said. “So it is really trans forming what people view the library as. It is so much more than books.”

Williams said she wants the library to make key con nections with organizations and businesses to partner and expand programs and services.

“The library should be the first place you think of when you want to access this or get information about this,” she said. “We really want to make the library more visible.

“That is my goal – to make it a hub of the community,” Williams said. “I want it to be the first place people think of if they need in formation or want to gather.

“This library is what Lancaster County residents have deserved for years. It is for the county,” she said of the three renovated librar ies. “It is for them to use.”

Williams oversees Lancaster County Li brary, the Del Webb Library in Indian Land and the Kershaw Branch Library. She has been with the local library system since 2013 and has worked in all the county’s branches.

All three branches, which took advantage of pandemic closures to start renovations, reopened in 2021 after improvements, with Kershaw moving to a brand new facility, and Lancaster and Indian Land undergoing ex

County Libraries

l Del Webb Library at Indian Land, 7641 Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521), Indian Land, 803-548-9260

l Kershaw Branch Library, 101 N. Hampton St., Kershaw, 803-475-2609

l Lancaster County Library, 313 S. White St., Lancaster, 803-285-1502

For more information about the Lancaster County Library system, visit www.lanclib.org.

l Medford Library at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, 476 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, 803-3137060, USCLancaster.sc.edu/library

pansions and renovations.

All three libraries added a designated sec tion where patrons can pick up their own items on hold and check them out themselves.

And they all have the same bright colors and contemporary feel, with more light and space in their updates.

Most of the $9.2 million library renova tions were paid for through the penny Capital Projects Sales Tax passed in 2014, with the county kicking in an extra $1 million.

The main branch added 5,000 square feet, with a new wing that has meeting rooms, four new study rooms with whiteboards and seat ing, and a new creative lab.

Del Webb received new paint and flooring, a climate-controlled foyer, expanded meet ing room and study rooms, additional seating areas, an updated children’s section with sen sory activities and more.

The Kershaw branch moved into the for mer Wells Fargo bank building on Kershaw’s main street, retaining its vault to use as a teen space.

All three branches offer programs for chil dren, teens and adults, including the popu lar annual summer reading program, with projects, guest speakers, prizes, crafts, movie nights and more.

Not only can patrons check out books, magazines, DVDs and books on CD, but they also can access online catalogs and publica tion databases, the digital library apps Hoopla and CloudLibrary, and more.

The library system is also part of the S.C. Lends consortium, where books and other items, if available, are loaned from other li braries via courier.

The community also can use the computers and internet, coin-operated copier, fax ma chine and more.

To get a library card, patrons need to live in Lancaster County and present a photo ID, like a driver’s license, with their current ad dress on it. Patrons may also bring any type of photo ID and a piece of mail with their cur rent Lancaster County address.

Nancy Berry is the library system’s deputy director and branch manager at Del Webb Li brary. Susan Gandy is branch manager at the Kershaw Branch Library.

For more information about library ser vices, programs and policies, and for branch hours, visit www.lanclib.org.

Medford Library

USC Lancaster’s Medford Library is anoth er great resource for county residents – and the place to go for research.

The library services, including free internet access, are open to residents of high school or older with a library card, available at the cir culation counter.

Medford Library also hosts special events and exhibits and ongoing programs, like Cre ative Ventures, a unique program series to ex ercise artistic skill sets, and Show What You Know, a lunchtime speakers series focused on technology.

Medford Library’s director is Rebecca Free man, 803-313-7062 or rfreeman@mailbox. sc.edu. Its hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. MondayThursday and 8 a.m.-noon Friday.

Williams

County offers fun for all ages

Check out one of these entertaining attractions when you’re looking for something to do.

Indoor fun

The indoors can be fun and exciting too. Check out these entertainment centers.

l Jumpin Jax of Lancaster – 2650 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, 803-320-3547

l Kershaw Bowling Alley – 200 Close Circle, Kershaw, 803-475-2142

l Lancaster Bowling Center – 1352 Reece Road, Lancaster, 803-286-0711

Movies

Catch a movie with friends at one of the local theaters.

l Crown Cinema – 1041 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-285-5544

l RedStone 14 – 9650 RedStone Drive, Indian Land, 803-548-2262

Museums and cultural centers

If museums and tours are more your cup of tea, check out one of these, ranging from art, culture and history to transportation.

l Black History Museum – Photos and profiles of local Black residents, 500 Palmetto St., Lancaster, 803-286-5442 or info@prestonblackmoncenter.org, open by appointment only

l Lancaster and Chester Railroad Museum – Features a scale model replica of the original 29-mile route of the L&C, 512 S. Main St., Lancaster, www.landcrailroad.com/museum. html, 803-286-2100

l Lancaster County Historical Museum – Housed in the Lancaster Historic Courthouse, a national landmark designed by Robert Mills, it features graffiti on the walls done by Civil War prisoners. 100 N. Main St., Lancaster, 803-285-1565

l Lancaster Cultural Arts Center – Built in 1865, the center is housed in the historic Old Presbyterian Church, the second-oldest brick building in Lancaster County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was used for worship services for 61 years. Now it is used for live music performances. 307-309 W. Gay St., Lancaster, www.facebook. com/oldlancpres-church, 803-287-6826

l Historic Craig House at Craig Farm – This farm features a historic inn that was built in 1827. You can tour the lovely inn, gardens and make reservations to stay for bed and breakfast at Kilburnie. You will have a wonderful opportunity to discover and experience the pleasures of historic circa-1772 Craig Farm. 1859 Craig Farm Road, Lancaster, 803-287-6826

l Historic Springs House – Come and see the Historic Springs House. This historic house was built in the mid-1800s, but was remodeled throughout the years. The house was used as Lancaster City Hall from 1957 to 2000. It now serves as the home of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts, where you can see a wonderful collection of art on display. 201 W. Gay St., Lancaster, 803-285- 7451

l Native American Studies Center – This USC Lancaster center houses the largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery and shares Native American history and culture through texts, classes, oral history labs, gallery exhibits, an artist-in-residence and programs. 119 S. Main St., Lancaster, 803-313-7172

Outdoor fun

Horseback riding

There are plenty of opportunities near Lancaster for horselovers to get in the saddle. Check out these local horse-riding academies and ranches.

l Belfair Farms Riding Academy – 4499 Old Hickory Road, Van Wyck, 704-661-4341

l Blue Wave Stable – 8821 Belt Lane, 8811 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, 704-847-3424

l Fantasia Farms– 6924 Cross Creek Estates Road, Lancaster, 704-619-5677

l His Barn – 8737 Whippoorwill Lane, Indian Land, 803-547-7791

l Horse ”N” Around – 2593 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster, (740) 641-2146

l Horseplay Farms – 3684 Cimmeron Road, Lancaster, 803-320-3188

l Leg Up Equestrian – 6201 Johannes Road, Indian Land, 803-230-8121

l Lynnwood Equestrian – 748 Lynnwood Farms Drive, Indian Land, 803-396-2025

l Partnership Equestrian Center – 3081 Sentry Road, Lancaster, 803-246-7464

l Redbarn Riding at Larkspur Ranch – 6717 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, 704-542-6466

l Thalia Farm – 9062 Henry Harris Road, Indian Land, 704-609-6285

Mini golf

Miniature golf is just the thing for golfers of all ages who just want to have fun.

l High Seas Miniature Golf – Nautical- and piratethemed mini golf course, 10001 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, www.highseasgolf.com, 803-228-3143

Racing

If you have a need for speed, visit one of these local racetracks.

l Carolina Motorsports Park – This road-racing facility on 290 acres includes a 2.27-mile, 14-turn racing course with an 1,800-foot straightaway and a 16-turn, 0.7-mile kart track. 3662 Kershaw Highway, Kershaw, 803-475- 2448

l Hanging Rock Kartway – This 0.2-mile dirt track offers go-kart racing year-round. Saturday is race day at the track, from 1:30 to 10 p.m. 1082 Horton Rollins Road Kershaw, 704-400-6929

l Lancaster Motor Speedway – This half-mile oval dirt track hosts Saturday night races throughout its season, along with special events. www.lancastersuperspeedway.com, 223 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster, 803-285-1877

McKenzie McFadden enjoys a game of air hockey at the Countdown to Kindergarten celebration Aug. 4 at Lancaster Bowling Center.

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Out of county

Get fit, have fun at rec centers

Looking for somewhere to burn off some stress? Check out one of Lancaster County’s four recreation centers. With one in each part of the county – Buford, Indian Land, Lancast er and Kershaw – you won’t have to travel far to find activities you can join.

l Andrew Jackson Recreation Center

Andrew Jackson Recreation Center, 6354 N. Matson St., Kershaw, is a 12,500-squarefoot facility that opened in 2005. It has a gym nasium, two program/meeting rooms and a kitchen. The AJ center offers an after-school program, youth dance classes, walking, youth sports and Zumba. Call 803-285-5545 for de tails or 803-475-4716 to reach the Andrew Jackson center.

l Buford Recreation Complex

The newest county recreation center – the Buford Recreation Complex, 4073 Hurley Walters Road, Lancaster – opened in 2008.

The 16,500-square-foot Buford center, on 26 acres, has a gymnasium, kitchen and three meeting rooms. There are three youth baseball fields, an adult softball field and two soccer fields. There is also a memorial to the nearby historic Buford Battleground, site of the 1780 Buford Massacre. The center offers indoor walking, an after-school program, summer day camp, tae kwon do classes and youth sports. Call 803-285-5545 for details or 803-289-5500 to reach the Buford center.

l Indian Land Recreation Center

Indian Land Recreation Center, 8286 Char lotte Highway (U.S. 521), reopened in Sep tember 2022 after a $5.9 million expansion and renovation that more than doubled its size to 28,760 square feet. The center, which incorporated part of the old facility, has a new big gymnasium, which includes two new bas ketball/volleyball courts, the refurbished old er courts and office spaces. The former Indian Land Rescue Squad building, just outside of the recreation center, will eventually house a community meeting space and indoor batting cages.

l Springdale Recreation Complex

Springdale Recreation Complex, 260 S. Plantation Road, Lancaster, opened in 2000. The 21,800-square-foot center has a gym nasium, two program rooms and Lancaster County Parks and Recreation administra tive offices. The complex includes four youth baseball/softball fields, two soccer fields, concession/restrooms, a .33-mile walking track and an ornamental pond and creekside

nature area. The center hosts aerobics, afterschool and summer day camp, tae kwon do, a walking club, community events, youth sports and adult exercise classes. Springdale also serves as a meeting place for many com munity groups and church services. Call 803285-5545 for details.

All four county recreation centers may be rented by individuals or groups for family re unions, birthdays or other special events. Call 803-285-5545 for details. Visit the county Parks and Recreation Department’s website at www.mylancastersc.org/parks for updated program opportunities at all county facilities.

l Lancaster County Pool and Tennis Courts

The county recreation department also manages the Lancaster County Pool and Ten nis Courts at 201 Wylie St., Lancaster. The pool, open from May to September, offers swimming lessons, pool parties and competi tive youth swimming. The tennis courts are open to the public.

Other recreation sites

The county also has several other commu nity or neighborhood recreation sites:

l Barr Street Family Life Center

Barr Street Family Life Center, 612 E. Meet ing St., Lancaster, opened in 2013 in the for mer Barr Street High School complex. Hope on the Hill, which provides services for youth, has been renovating the building. The facility includes a gymnasium and auditorium. The gym is used for basketball tournaments and camps. The facility is also used for concerts, workshops and class and family reunions. For details, call 803-283-4940.

l Indian Land YMCA

Indian Land YMCA, 2816 WorldReach Drive, Indian Land, opened in October 2020.

The $25 million, 70,000-square-foot facility has a 25-meter indoor pool, gymnasium, car dio and weight training, indoor cycling room, yoga and Pilates studio, group exercise classes, an elevated walking track, locker room and saunas. The 16-acre site also has lighted ball fields. It also offers after-school child care.

The Indian Land Y is still raising money to eventaully add a $2.5 million water park.

Call 803-396-9622 or visit www.upymca. org/branch/indian-land for details.

l Gregory Family YMCA

The Upper Palmetto YMCA, 512 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, has been running the for mer Gregory Health and Wellness Center at USCL since late 2017.

Since then, USCL has renovated the locker rooms and gym, with the YMCA providing new equipment in the weight room.

The center has a 25-meter indoor pool, fitness facilities for group exercise classes, racquetball and handball courts, showers, a steam room and a sauna. It offers a Child Watch program, as well as programs for se nior citizens, and a strong aquatics program.

The YMCA plans to eventually offer a kids’ after-school program and summer day camp.

Call 803-313-7103 or visit www.upymca. org/locations/gregory-family-ymca for details.

l Marion O. Boan Community Center

The Marion O. Boan Community Center (formerly the Kershaw Recreation Center), 201 Close Circle, Kershaw, is operated by the town of Kershaw, which took it over in 2005.

Facilities include a renovated six-lane bowling alley, video game room, six-lane swimming pool with a bathhouse, park with two play grounds, picnic shelter and skate park, which opened in fall 2013. It offers a summer swim team, senior programs, after-school program and offers rooms available for rental. Call 803475-2142 or 803-475-8825 for details.

l Sun City recreation centers

Sun City Carolina Lakes residents can en joy The Lake House, 1353 Del Webb Blvd. The 40,000-square-foot private recreation center opened in 2007. It offers a cafe, club/meeting rooms, a fitness center, a pool and a ballroom.

Work began in 2020 on a $4 million renova tion to update technology, provide storage and accommodate clubs and interest groups’ needs. The fitness center and indoor pool reopened in August 2021, and the entire building reopened in December 2021.

Sun City opened a second amenities center, The Lodge, at 2955 Sun City Blvd., in 2015. It has another ballroom and pool, plus a pavil ion and a partially covered outdoor patio and playground for adult fitness.

Sun City also has tennis, basketball, bocce ball and pickle ball courts, canoe and kayak access to the Catawba River and an 18-hole public golf course.

l Van Wyck Community Center

Van Wyck Community Center, 5036 Old Hickory Road, offers a community meeting room, kitchen, walking track, bandstand and picnic area.

Private recreation centers

Most of the larger housing developments also offer recreation facilities, many with pools, for their residents’ use.

l Lancaster l Indian Land l Heath Springs l Kershaw l Van Wyck l Eastern Lancaster Co. l Southeastern Lancaster Co. l Southwestern Lancaster Co. l Western Lancaster Co. l Out of county

Andrew Jackson State Park Ranger Leola Smith coaches a girl as she fishes during the Fishing with a Ranger program at the park on June 4. Children ages 8-12 learned how to cast a line, tie fishing knots and identify common fish, and then went fishing in the park’s 18-acre lake.

Enjoy great outdoors at parks

Lancaster County residents have plenty of options for natural and historic exploration, with two nearby state parks – Andrew Jackson State Park and Landsford Canal State Park –as well as Forty Acre Rock Natural Area and the rapidly expanding Carolina Thread Trail at Walnut Creek.

l Andrew Jackson State Park

From battlefield to politics, Andrew Jack son is remembered as the first populist presi dent and larger-than-life character of high energy and emotions. The son of poor ScotsIrish immigrants, Jackson was born in the backcountry along the Carolina border.

To Kirk Johnston, Andrew Jackson park manager for 20 years, Jackson is a fascinating historical figure who is still relevant today.

Andrew Jackson State Park was established in his honor in 1952. Its 360 acres are believed to encompass his birthplace and boyhood home. At the park’s museum, visitors can learn about Jackson’s life in the backcountry of the Waxhaws from his birth in 1767 until he left the state in 1784.

Park facilities include two picnic shelters, gift shop, nature trail, rental boats, amphithe ater, playground, meeting house and a replica of an 18th-century one-room schoolhouse.

The meeting house, styled after the church es, or “kirks,” of the Scots-Irish in the late 18th century, can accommodate 50 people and features a kitchenette. The park also features Anna Hyatt Huntington’s “Boy of the Wax haws” sculpture, an herb garden and orchard.

The park’s 25 campsites are equipped with water and electrical hook-ups. A dump sta tion is available for RV users.

Visitors may fish in the 18-acre park lake or just enjoy rowing across the lake in one of the

park’s rental boats.

The park, at 196 Andrew Jackson Park Road (nine miles north of Lancaster on U.S. 521), is open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. April 1-Oct. 31, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 1-March 31. Office hours are 11 a.m.-noon. The museum is open 1-5 p.m. on weekends and by appointment. The historic one-room schoolhouse is closed until further notice.

Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for S.C. residents over 65, $1 for children ages 6-15, and children 5 and under get in free. Call 803-285-3344 for details. Call 866-345-7275 to make reservations for campsites, picnic shelters and the meeting house.

l Carolina Thread Trail

The Carolina Thread Trail is a regional net work of greenways, trails and blueways that passes through 15 counties in both Carolinas. The trail system has 141 miles open to the public – linking people, places, cities, towns and attractions.

In 2016, a new 180-foot suspension bridge connected the Twelve Mile Creek Trail in Lancaster County with the Twelve Mile Creek Greenway in Waxhaw, N.C., creating 4 con tinuous miles of pathway. The connected trail was among the first interstate sections of the Thread Trail system.

Lancaster County’s first section of the Thread Trail opened in Walnut Creek Park in Indian Land in 2015.

To visit the bridge, park at H.C. Nesbit Park, 1304 H.C. Nesbit Park Drive in Wax haw. There’s a quarter-mile hike to the bridge.

For more information about the Carolina Thread Trail, visit carolinathreadtrail.org.

l Forty Acre Rock Natural Area

Forty Acre Rock Natural Area, a 1,425-acre

natural area 15 miles southeast of Lancaster on Conservancy Road, is a designated Na tional Natural Landmark.

The geological wonder features a 14-acre flat granite rock, with runoffs that sometimes allow for 30-foot waterfalls.

The area brims with a diverse array of wild plants, including at least 20 national and state endangered species. It is one of five worldwide habitats of the wild plant amphianthus picul lus. The rare pool sprite grows on the granite.

l Landsford Canal State Park

Visitors to the area may also want to visit Landsford Canal State Park on U.S. 21, about 15 miles west of the city of Lancaster. The park spans Lancaster and Chester counties on both sides of the Catawba River.

The 448-acre park features 19th-century river canals, designed by the state’s own Rob ert Mills. Some of the canals, culverts, stone bridges, locks and a mill site from the 1820s remain. A lock-keeper’s residence features ex hibits about the canal system.

Landsford is the site of Tivoli, the home site of American Revolution Gen. William R. Da vie, which is being excavated.

LilyFest, a festival showcasing the park’s rare rocky shoals spider lilies, is held in the park each May. The park is home to one of the largest populations of the rare plant, which blooms from mid-May to mid-June. Guided canoe trips are available during LilyFest.

Park amenities include a nature trail, canoe trail, picnic shelter and meeting facility.

Admission is $6 per adult, $3.75 for S.C. residents over 65, $3.50 for ages 5-15, and children under 5 get in free.

The park is open from official sunrise to sunset every day. Its office is open from 11 a.m. to noon. For details, call 803-789-5800.

Small parks can offer big fun

Buford

l Bear Creek Park, 1672 S. Potter Road, 4.5 acres, picnic shelter, nature area, fishing lake

l Buford Battleground, 262 Rocky River Road, 1 acre, historical site with picnic area

l Buford Soccer Field and Tennis Courts, 1812 N. Rocky River Road, 7 acres, lighted soccer/multipurpose field, two tennis courts

l Buford Youth Ballfield and Practice Field, 4240 Taber nacle Road, 4 acres adjacent to Buford High School, lighted youth ballfield and multipurpose practice ballfield

l Tradesville Community Ballfield, lighted ballfield

Flat Creek

l Flat Creek Park, 3500 Gold Mine Highway, 6 acres, lighted adult softball field, two lighted tennis courts, rest rooms/concession building, playground, nature areas, .2-mile rubberized walking track

l Tripp Faulkenberry Field, 3404 Lee Deese Road, 2 acres, youth ballfield

Heath Springs

l David McIsaac Park (Heath Springs Ballfields), 107 S. College St., 4 acres, lighted adult baseball/softball field and youth baseball/softball field

l Hanging Rock State Historic Site, south of Heath Springs on S.C. 58, site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle, 803-285-3344 (Andrew Jackson State Park)

l Heath Springs Picnic and Walking Track, 221 Spring St. (5384 Kershaw Camden Highway), 5 acres, enclosed picnic shelter with lights and grill, lighted .2-mile asphalt walking track, historic site with boardwalk and nature areas, 803-273-2066

l Heath Springs Soccer Complex, 200 Boyd Faile Road, 2 lighted, collegiate-size artificial turf soccer/multipurpose fields. Playground, concessions, restrooms and picnic/shelter area.

l Heath Springs Soccer Field, 162 Solar Road, 3 acres, multipurpose field

l Heath Springs Town Park, 102 Duncan St., 2 acres, two lighted tennis courts, playground and picnic area

l L.T. Reeves Park, 100 Reeves St., 1 acre, basketball court

Indian Land

l Bailes Ridge Nature Trail, S.C. 160 and Old Bailes Road, 3 acres, natural walking trail

l Deputy Roy Hardin Park, 8341 Shelley Mullis Road, 2 acres, picnic shelter and grill, two playgrounds, .25-mile asphalt walking track, dog area, 803-802-7529

l Harrisburg Athletic Complex, 10167 Harrisburg Road, 2 lighted, collegiate-size artificial turf soccer/multipurpose fields. Playground and community plaza

l Indian Land Fields, 8286 U.S. 521, adjacent to Indian Land Recreation Center, 12.5 acres, multi-use field and lighted youth baseball field

l Van Wyck Community Park, 1215 W. Rebound Road, 4.5 acres. picnic shelter, playground and ballfield

l Walnut Creek Park, 10521 Walnut Creek Parkway, 60 acres, baseball, softball, soccer and multipurpose fields, two playgrounds, walking trails, tennis courts, basketball court, pa

vilion, office/meeting area, maintenance building, restrooms and concessions, plans for pickle ball facilities

Kershaw

l Kershaw Community Park, 502 S. Matson St., Kershaw, 803-475-9664

l Richards Park (Kershaw Softball Field), 605 N. Matson St., 2 acres, softball field

l Kershaw Tennis Court, 640 Woodland Drive, 1 acre, two lighted tennis courts

l Marion Boan Youth Ballfields, 219 Little Dude Ave., 5 acres, two youth baseball/softball fields, one with lights

l Marion Street Park, 425 W. Marion St., 8.5 acres, baseball/softball field, basketball court, playground, picnic area

l Mullinax Park, 635 E. Church St., 4.5 acres, two light ed soccer fields, restroom/concession building, playground

l Steve Williams Picnic Shelter, 305 Club House Drive, 2 acres, enclosed/screened picnic shelter with lights and grill, 803-285-5545

l Stevens Park, 200 Close Circle, 19.5 acres, includes Marion O. Boan Community Center with a six-lane bowling alley, pool, Haile Gold Mine Playground, another playground, skate park, 803-475-2142

Lancaster (city)

l Buckelew Park, 405 Chester St., 11 acres, lighted youth baseball field, adult softball field, two tennis courts, playground, two picnic shelters, nature areas and restroom/ concessions building, 803-285-5545

l Constitution Park, 300 Woodland Drive, 2.5 acres, picnic and nature areas

l Gay Street Courts, 309 E. Gay St., .5 acre, two unlighted basketball courts

l Hughes Street Park, 100 S. Hughes St., .5 acre, playground and picnic shelter

l Independence Park, 200 Woodland Drive, 3.75 acres, rose garden, picnic and nature areas

l Lancaster County Pool and Tennis Courts, 106 S. Wylie

Heath Springs Mayor Eddie Moore kicks a soccer ball on the artifical turf at the new Heath Springs Soccer Complex. The $5.5 million complex opened Aug. 31. It features two collegiate-sized fields, playground, conces sions, restrooms and picnic/shelter area. The mayor said the soccer facility has already been a boost for the town. The county also opened a similar facility, the Harrisburg Athletic Complex, in Indian Land the same month.

St., 4.5 acres, outdoor swimming pool, six lighted tennis courts, restrooms, 803-285-1006

l Laurie Brice Park, 1140 Elliott St., 5.5 acres, multipur pose field, storage building

l Melvin Steele Park, 120 Springdale Road, 10 acres, two lighted multi-use fields and nature area along creek

l Pardue Street Park, 101-A Pardue Circle, 1 acre, two basketball courts, playground and picnic shelter

l Preston Blackmon Park, (formerly Connor Street Park or Southside Park), 500 Conner St., 7 acres, softball field, two basketball courts, playground, two picnic shelters, restrooms

l Shady Lane Park, 1030 Shady Lane, 2 acres, playground, picnic area and nature area along creek

l Stafford Belk Park, 190 Brooklyn Ave., 1 acre, playground and picnic area

l Wayne Fields All-Children’s Park, East Arch Street, beside Municipal Justice Center, playground, picnic shelter and walking area, 803-286-8414

l Westmoreland Park, 1300 Churchill Drive, 3 acres, playground, picnic and nature areas

l Wylie Ballfields (Dixie Youth fields), 13 acres, six lighted youth baseball fields, restroom/concessions buildings

Greater Lancaster

l Camp Clyburn, 3662 Taxahaw Road, Moriah Baptist Association recreation facility, three softball fields, playground, picnic shelter, tent camping area, 803-286-9957

l Country Club Park, 2227 Morningside Drive, 1.5 acres, basketball half-court and picnic area

l South Softball Complex, 1555 Billings Drive, 7.5 acres, two softball fields (one lighted) and restroom/conces sions building

l Springs Park Access Area, 18 acres, off S.C. 200 at the end of Springs Park Road on Fishing Creek Lake, two boat ramps, courtesy dock, paved parking and lights

l Woodland Hills Tennis Courts, 1158 Suttle Road, 1.5 acres, two lighted tennis courts

Civic

l Heath Springs Lions Club, Frank Steen, 803-273-3529

l Indian Land Rotary Club Lunch, Angelica Figueroa, 803-547-0280

l Kershaw Lions Club, Sam Portman, 803-475-9862

l Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club, Erick Crawford, 803285-3261, or Amber Owens, 803-246-8211

l Lancaster Civitan Club, Laura Caskey, 803-287-8675

l Lancaster Lions Club, Charlie Jordan, 803-285-4765

l Lancaster Rotary Club, Regina Maxfield, 704-231-5108 or 803-287-7907

l Lancaster Sertoma Club, Brent Guthrie, (717) 2030828

l NAACP, the Rev. Wayne Murray, 803-416-7910, or Elvira Faulkner-McIlwain, 803-286-4070

Cultural

l Community Playhouse of Lancaster County, Catherine

Wallace, www.lancasterplayhouse.com, 803-285-7451

l Lancaster Art League, Shirley Hunter, 803-285-1820 or 803-285-7451

l Lancaster County Council of the Arts, Debbie Jaillette, 803-285-7451, www.lccarts.net

l Lancaster Music Study Club, Shirley Hunter, 803-2851820 or 803-285-7451

l Lancaster Study Club, Rhonda Fortune, 803-287-1958

Educational

l First Steps to School Readiness, Leann Malone, 803286-8000

l Lancaster Literacy Council, Kim Linton, 803-285-7660

l Lancaster County Retired Teachers Association, Barbara Lynn, 803-287-4931

l Palmetto State Teachers Association, Venise Grier, 803-283-2001

l Palmetto Homeschool Association, Dee Hollinger, 803-327-2344

l Parents for Public Schools, Susan DeVenny, 803-2868108

l Steele Hill Community Partners, Fred Witherspoon, 704-488-5008

Fraternal

l Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Iota Theta Omega Chapter, Arlene Lathan, 803-762-9501

l Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Psi Chapter, Linda Blalock, 803-285-1020

l Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Lancaster Alumnae Chapter, Bertha Smith, 803-287-7139

l Fort Mill Elks Lodge No. 2859, Sal Incorvaia, 803984-5144

l Indian Land Masonic Lodge No. 414, 803-547-4933

l Jackson Lodge No. 53 AFM, Billy Goodnow, 803-8045513 or Mark McDonald, 704-621-7922

Lancaster Rotary Club donated funds raised during its annual Football Pool to four local nonprofits – Horse ‘N’ Around Therapeutic Riding Center, Lancaster Children’s Home, Lancaster County Council of the Arts and Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault – on Give Local day to maximize their impact and get matching donations.

l Lancaster Women of the Moose, 803-283-3978

l Lancaster Woman’s Club, Brittany Ellis, 803-246-4130

l Loyal Order of the Moose, Eric Cauthen, 803-283-3978

l Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International, Jerry Wither spoon, 803-286-4209

l Order of the Eastern Star, Lancaster Chapter 146, Ricki Phipps, 803-283-2440

l Order of the Eastern Star, Indian Land Chapter, Ed Cook, 803-548-7646

l Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Lambda Epsilon Zeta Chapter, Arnetha Perkins, 803-286-9738, or Stephene Johnson, 803-289-8614

Garden/Literary/Social

l Au Courant Book Club, Mary Riner, 803-286-6311

l Green Gardeners, Martha Connor, 803-320-1214

l King Alfred Garden Club, Rose Marie Baker, 803-4752002

l Lancaster Garden Club, Carolyn Tolson, 803-283-9521

l Leaf and Petal Garden Club, Elaine Atkins, 803-2852857

l Literary Review Club, Sara Johnson, 803-283-9847

l Lower Providence Community House, 704-905-8334 or Joann Palka 803-802-8889

l Perennial Optimist Garden Club of Indian Land, Janice B. Manning, 803-802-3813

l Red Rose Book Club, Cathy Ardrey, 803-286-5194

l Rev’s Book Club, Katherine Stevens, 803-288-0872

l Van Wyck Women’s Club, Kelly Bishop, 803-416-7874

Historical

l City of Lancaster Landmark History Commission, Teresa Meeks, 803-289-1455

l Daughters of the American Revolution, Catawba chapter, Janie Matson, (803)980-2357

l Daughters of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson Chapter (Indian Land), Mira Smith, 803-547-7205

l Lancaster County Historical Commission, Joe Grier, 803-285-1565

l Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation, John Craig, 347-604-2179

l Lancaster United Daughters of the Confederacy, Donna Sowell, 803-283-8528

l Land of the Waxhaws Colonial Dames XVII Century, Jane Massey, 803-285-6444

l Martha Bratton Society of the Children of the American Revolution, marthabrattoncar@gmail.com

l Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Barbara DeRiemacker, 803-802-3343

l Sons of Confederate Veterans, Witherspoon Barnes Camp No. 1445, George Bragdon, 803-287-2095, Todd Hartley, 803-669-9809, Leland Summers, 803-235-8322, or Dennis Bradshaw, 803-286-5759

l Sons of the American Revolution, Col. William Bratton Chapter, Murray White, 803-548-4135

l Sons of the American Revolution, Maj. Robert Crawford Chapter (Indian Land), Jim Taylor, 803-493-4361

l Town of Kershaw Historical Society, Sonya Poole, 803-475-7495

Political

l Indian Land Action Council, Evan Freeman, 201- 3174811

l Indian Land Democratic Club, Ralph Renninghoff, 415902-3164

l Indian Land Republican Club, Donnie Jones, 803-2075450

l Indian Land Republican Women, Joie Bier, IndianLand RepublicanWomen@gmail.com

l Lancaster County Democratic Party, Keith Grey Sr., 803-233-1820 or 803-283-2799

l Lancaster County Republican Party, Jose Luis, jmluis10@yahoo.com

l Lancaster County Republican Women, Pat Troutman, 803-283-4656

l Sun City Democratic Club, Mike Diamond, mikesccl@ yahoo.com, 732-995-3705

l Sun City Republican Club, Bob Ziembicki, 203-7339698

l Young Republicans, Chandler Norville, (804) 804-0271

Professional/Trade

l Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce, Mike Neese, 803-820-9925

l Lancaster County Bar Association, Ned Gregory, 803283-3324

l Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, John McCain, 803-283-4105

l Lancaster County Homebuilders Association, Donna Fox, 803-285-2600

l Lancaster County Medical Society, Dr. Kashyap Patel, 803-286-9696 or 803-329-7772

l Lancaster Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Mae Barber, 803-286-8355

Red Hat groups

l Carolina Lakes Red Hatters, Ann McCullough, 803-8025888

l Classy Lassies of Lancaster, Dianne McManus, 803-2838640 or 803-416-6490

l Feels Like a Woman Red Hatters, Sandra Morgan, 803-273-6593

l Magic Hats of South Carolina, Evalena Catoe, 803283-2773

l Ramblin’ Red Hatters, Dorothy Fairconeture, 803-2854885

l Red Hat Hens & Chicks, Linda Stover, 803-273-9277

Religious

l Christian Women’s Connection, Pat Johnson, 803285-8205

l Moriah Baptist Association, Bryant Fersner, 803-2838409

Service/Charitable

l A Father’s Way, Tyrom Faulkner, 803-283-3444

l American Cancer Society/Relay for Life of Lancaster, Kaleb Keefe, 843-601-2123

l American Red Cross, Lancaster Chapter, Stephanie DeLorenzo, 803-283-4072 or 803-329-6575

l Carolina Community Actions Inc., Artimisha Foster, 803-285-2034

l Christian Services, Eric Kramer, 803-285-9327, pantry, 803-285-4444, www.christianserviceslsc.com

l Columbiettes Women’s Auxiliary No. 14765, Judy Koch, 803-547-3549

l Community Long Term Care, Virginia Crisp, 803-3279061

l Counseling Services of Lancaster, Walter Quinn, 803285-6911

l Dream Team Foundation, Julie Barton, 803-416-6539

l Habitat for Humanity, Maskins Knox, 803-283-1203

l Home Health Services, Deann Cook, 803-541-1190

l HOPE (Helping Other People Effectively) in Lancaster Inc., Grace Lewis, 803-286-4673, www.hopeinlancaster.org

l KARE (Kershaw Area Resource Exchange), Angie Neal, 803-475-4173

l Knights of Columbus No. 14765, Vincent Rosacco, 704-649-2806

l Lancaster Children’s Home, Annette Deese, 803-2865277

l Lancaster County Council on Aging, Kylie Craig, 803285-6956, ext. 3

l Lancaster County Health and Wellness Commission, 803-313-9355

l Lancaster County Health Department, 803-286-9948

l Lancaster (Catawba) Mental Health Center, 803-2857456

l Lancaster County Outreach Project, 803-289-4438

l Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs Board, Sheila McWaters, 803-285-4368

l March of Dimes, Adriene Tyler, 803-252-5200

l Matt Blackwell Foundation, Larry Blackwell, 803-2856488

l Mental Health America, Matt Williamson, 803-3137126

l MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center Auxiliary, Pam Blackmon, 803-286-1474

l MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center chaplain’s staff, Lori Johnson, 803-416-5459

l National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Betsey O’Brien, 803-610-8174

l National Federation of the Blind, Lancaster Chapter, Tomecki Williams, 803-804-1223

l Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault, Charlene McGriff, 803-286-5232

l Partners for Youth, Sharon Novinger, 803-286-1465

l Plexus Health, 803-285-2273

l Safe Passage, Jada Charley, 803-329-3336

l Salvation Army, Maj. Bret McElroy, 803-324-5141

l S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation, Lancaster office, Tina Stuber, 803-285-6909

l The Children’s Council, Heather Mueller, 803-2834995

l United Way of Lancaster County, Holly Furr, 803-2838923

l Veterans Affairs, Robin Ghent, 803-283-2469

l Women’s Enrichment Center (formerly Pregnancy Care Center), Julie Walters, 803-286-5900, www.womensenrich mentcenter.com

l Youth Volunteer Services at MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center, Lori Johnson, 803-416-5459

Special Interests

l 4-H Clubs of Lancaster County, Steve Hucks, 803-2833302, ext. 111

l American Heritage Girls, 803-285-1578

l Boy Scouts (Indian Land), Taylor Thomas, 803-5198262

l Boy Scouts (Lancaster), Jonathan Platt, (864) 5854391, ext. 21

l Boy Scouts Troop 720 (Lancaster), Peter Schmal, (407) 928-7565

l Bruins Booster Club, Mark Strickland, 803-283-2323

l Civil Air Patrol, Lt. Col. Joe Tirado, 803-804-1480

l Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park, Jill Marshall, 803-285-2671 or 803-804-7504

l Friends of the Buford Massacre Battlefield, Ken Obriot, 803-548-7871

l Friends of Del Webb Library at Indian Land, Lee Layton, 803-431-7079

l Friends of Lancaster County Library, April Williams, 803-285-1502

l Girl Scouts, Beth Holmes, 803-374-9994

l Hope on the Hill, the Rev. Wayne Murray, 803-4167910

l Humane Society of Lancaster SC, Mary Reimers, 803-289-9820

l Katawba Valley Land Trust, Michelle Evans, 803-2855801

l Lancaster Conservation District, Amanda Roberts, 803286-4455, ext. 3

l Lancaster County Beekeepers Association, Don Carrier, 803-246-8932

l Lancaster Shag Club, Danny Starnes, 704-219-0657

l Lancaster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Diana Knight, 803-287-7636

l Leroy Springs Senior Citizens, 803-283-8330

l Magic Needle Quilters, Brenda Labbee, 404-345-2855

l Paws in the Panhandle (animal rescue and adoption), Gloria Davey, 803-371-0897

l Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Donna Sawyer, 803-273-3834

l Scrap Happy Quilters, Loree Wolfe, 803-285-3719

l Untouchables Motrocycle Club, Joe McGriff, 803-4163516

l Van Wyck Community Development Club, Dennis Wiese, 803-287-2420

Support groups

l 12 Steps to Spiritual Recovery Through Jesus Christ, 803-285-1273

l A Father’s Way, 803-283-3444

l AJ’s Allstars, Kanesha Montez Haile, (323) 606-3019

l AL-ANON Family Groups, 803-285-4131

l Alcoholics Anonymous, 803-285-4131 or www.area62. org

l ALS Support Group, Lucas Coe, 704-567-2912

l Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group, Sun City Carolina Lakes residents only, 803548-6766

l Alzheimer’s Support Group, 803-289-7001

l Chainbreakers (addiction outreach ministry), 803-2859805

l Dementia Support Group, 803-432-1195

l Gamblers Anonymous, 803-285-6911

l Greater Agape Parenting Single (GAPS), 803-804-9022 or 803-320-2660

l Hospice of Lancaster Grief Support Group, Alice Robson, 803-286-1472

l Lancaster Al-Anon, 803-283-8386

l NAMI Connection Support Group, www.namipiedmont. org

l Narcotics Anonymous New Hope Group, 803-287-0021

l Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Janice Broach 803-285-2014, Joan Long, 803-804-5474

l Safe Passage (domestic violence support), 803-3293336 or 24-hour hotline, 803-329-2800

l Survivors of Sexual Assault, Rape and Incest, 803286-5232

l TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter No. 0314, (Springdell Baptist Church) Sandy Allen, 803-288-1334

l TOPS Chapter No. 0181, Lisa Newton, 803-2462295

Veterans

l American Legion Indian Land Post 250, Larry Hande land, 843-685-1126

l Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14, Mike Brazzell, 803-246-1454

l Fort Lawn Veteran Service Group, Jim Gladden, 803320-3537

l Fort Mill Veterans of Foreign Wars, 803-547-5480

l Capt. John P. Monahan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12136 (Indian Land), Robert Suzansky, 803-835-0572

l Capt. John P. Monahan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12136 Auxiliary (Indian Land), SuzAnne Taylor, 803-4934647

l Jack and Harold Bailey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5936, Wayne Eubanks, 803-235-8667

l Lancaster Commandery No. 19, Grady Usher Jr., 803-285-3167

l Lancaster County Veterans Council, Jerry Holt, 973897-9251

l Marine Corps League No. 1169, Jerry Holt, 973-8979251

l Ray Dunsmore Veterans Coffee Club (Indian Land), Bill Betit, 302-897-6030

l Stafford Graham American Legion Post 31, Arthur Ruge, 803-804-4177

l Veterans Coffee Club (Lancaster), Randy Collins, 803-286-5085

l Veterans Union Coffee (Indian Land), Bill Betit, 302897-6030

l Walter Johnson American Legion Post 63, Paul Faul lenberry, 803-475-6718

Sports

Local athletes win big titles

The Andrew Jackson High School Volun teers baseball team made history last spring, winning the Lancaster County Class AA school’s first-ever state diamond crown.

The Vols, ranked No. 1 all season in the Class AA state poll by the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association, did so in convincing fashion.

AJ captured the best-of-three state title series with a 9-0 win over Class AA Upper State champion Gray Collegiate Academy of West Columbia at Francis Marion University in Florence.

The season before, AJ was the state runnerup, but the Vols’ encore finished the job with a brilliant team effort.

AJ, the Class AA Lower State champion for the second straight season, capped an un beaten home season with an 8-4 win over the GCA War Eagles.

Gray evened the series with a 6-4 home win over AJ in game 2 to set the stage for the series finale when the Vols finished the job with a convincing shutout win.

Senior pitcher Kyle Percival, a University of North Carolina signee, hurled the win, fan ning nine and drilling two hits. Landon Peavy

and Ashton Phillips each added two hits.

The 32-2 Vols’ banner season included winning the Comporium Preseason tourney, the Southeastern Classic in Hartsville over spring break, the region crown, the district title and second straight Class AA Lower State championship.

AJ coach Mike Lucas, capping his 13th season leading the Vols, was honored as the Class AA Coach of the Year by the S.C. Base ball Coaches Association.

Three state wrestling titles

The prep wrestling season was highlighted by three state individual titles in late February.

Indian Land High’s David Floyd (220) and

Dylan Layton (145) and Buford High’s Jus tin Pardue (285) earned mat gold with indi vidual state crowns in their state tourneys.

IL, in the Class AAAA field, had state runners-up in Drew Endres (126) and Max Yegge (138), while Buford’s Tanner Sellers was the Class A-AA state runner-up at 182.

State runners-up

The Andrew Jackson High girls basketball team produced a strong run in the Class AA hoops playoffs, earning a bid to the Class AA state title game at USC Aiken before falling to Christ Church for the state championship.

The 23-4 Lady Vols earned their state title shot by winning the Class AA Lower State crown with a 45-40 comeback win over Silver Bluff High School.

In youth sports, the Lancaster Dixie Base ball AA stars, ages 7-8, were the state runnerup in Orangeburg. Lancaster earned the state tourney bid, winning the District II crown at Wylie Park in Lancaster.

Lancaster County Parks and Recreation didn’t have a repeat state champion in youth softball, but did host the Dixie Softball state tournament for the first time in mid-July.

Andrew Jackson High School senior picher Kyle Percival hoists the Class AA state championship trophy after the top-rated Volunteers defeated Gray Collegiate Academy, 9-0, on May 28, at Francis Marion University in Florence for the title.

Layton Pardue

Floyd

Get your kid in the game here

Lancaster County features a variety of sports programs and recreation activities for youngsters of all ages during the year. Here’s a sport-by-sport guide:

Baseball

l Fort Mill American Legion baseball, Post 43 athletics officer Mac Banks, 803-984-4711

l Lancaster American Legion baseball, Post 31 athletics officer Scott Cato, 803-804-1409

l Lancaster Dixie Baseball, Dale Laney, 704-695-5730

l Lancaster County Parks and Recreation (LCPR) baseball, 803-285-5545

l LCPR spring T-ball for boys (ages 4-5) and swing leagues (ages 5-6) Tyler Wozniak, 803-285-5545

Basketball

l Carolina Elite Panthers AAU youth basketball, carolinael ite panther.com

l Indian Land Waves AAU basketball, Daryl Givner, 704-778-6230

l LCPR basketball (ages 10U-15U), John Muller, 803285-5545 or 803-577-4850

l LCPR basketball (ages 6U, 8U), Pat Colson, 803-2855545

l Moriah Baptist Association, Sammy Macy, 803-2853665 or 803-283-8409

Bowling

l Kershaw Recreation Department, Randy Jordan, 803475-2142

l Lancaster Bowling Center, 803-286-0711

Cheerleading

l Carolina Elite Panthers AAU cheer, carolinaelitepanther. com

l LCPR youth football cheering, John Muller, 803-2855545

Football

l Carolina Elite Panthers AAU youth football, carolinaelite panther.com

l LCPR youth flag and tackle football, Ryan Geraghty, 803-285-5545

Skateboarding

l Kershaw Recreation Department, Randy Jordan, 803475-2142

Soccer

l Carolina United Soccer Academy, Martin Cantu, 832656-0529

l Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, 803-548-7677 or 704-899-4680 or www.independencesoccer.club

l LCPR fall and spring soccer leagues for boys and girls (Lancaster, Buford, Heath Springs), Michael Slayton, 803285-5545

l LCPR fall soccer (Indian Land), Linden Peasley, 803285-5545

Softball

l Lancaster Dixie Softball, Darlings (ages 7-8), Angels (9-10) and Ponytails (11-12), 803-285-5545

l Lancaster Dixie Sweetees (ages 4-6, girls only) 803-

285-5545

l Lancaster Southern Belles and Lancaster Debs, 803285-5545

Swimming

l Carolina Rays, Anne H. Small, 803-313-7016

l LCPR Piranhas, 803-285-5545

Track

l Columbus Parker Track Club, CPTC.SC@gmail.com

Volleyball

l Youth volleyball (ages 8-13), John Muller, 803-2855545

Lancaster Dream Team

l The Lancaster Dream Team offers disabled youth the opportunity to play a variety of team sports, including basketball, bowling, cheerleading and T-ball, Julie Barton, 803-416-6539

Coach J shares some advice with 12U Carolina Elite Panthers players during a game.

Indian Land High

School

keeper Carrigan McCloud focuses on the ball as she makes the final stop in the ILHS girls’ 3-2 shootout win over A.C. Flora High School on May 7. The win advanced The LAdy Warriors to the Class AAAA girls soccer Upper State championship match against Eastside High School.

Plenty of high school options

The county’s four public high schools pro vide a host of opportunities for student ath letes in grades nine through 12. Andrew Jack son, Buford, Indian Land and Lancaster high schools all field varsity and junior varsity-level sports teams.

A few sports teams are open to students in three of the four high schools, such as the LHS tennis squad.

Since Lancaster and Indian Land are now in the same region and classification, ILHS students can’t participate on Lancaster teams as they have in seasons past. Indian Land now fields its own swim team and tennis squads.

ILHS and LHS, with the 2022-23 school term, are competing in Region III-AAAA, which now includes Northwestern High School in Rock Hill.

Andrew Jackson and Buford play in Class AA, but the Volunteers and Jackets will com pete in Class AA Lower State Region V-AA.

Some high school teams, if they are con sidered a non-contact sport as set by the S.C. High School League, are also open to county middle school students.

Here are the sports offered at each county high school:

l Andrew Jackson High School

The Andrew Jackson High School Volun

teers offer football, volleyball, cross-country (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), wrestling, softball, baseball, track (boys and girls), golf (boys), soccer (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls) and cheerleading. Jimbo Barton is Andrew Jackson High’s ath letics director. He can be reached at 803-4752381 or 803-283-1958.

l Buford High School

The Buford High School Yellow Jackets offer football, volleyball, cross-country (girls and boys), basketball (boys and girls), wrestling, baseball, softball, track (boys and girls), golf (boys), soccer (girls and boys) and cheerlead ing. Eric Funderburk is Buford High School’s athletics director. He can be reached at 803286-7068 or 803-577-9037.

l Indian Land High School

The Indian Land High School Warriors of fer football, volleyball, cross -country (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls), tennis (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), wrestling, baseball, softball, track (boys and girls), golf (boys) and cheerleading. Vernon Hunter is Indian Land High’s athletics director. He can be reached at 803-547-7571 or 803-577-9061.

l Lancaster High School

The Lancaster High School Bruins offer football, volleyball, tennis (boys and girls), cross-country (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), wrestling, baseball, softball, track (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls) and cheerleading. Karl Fritz is Lancaster High’s athletics director. He can be reached at 803-283-2323 or 803-283-2001.

l Carolina Christian Academy

The Carolina Christian Academy Cougars offer volleyball (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls) and golf (boys and girls). CCA also has a cheer squad and a pee wee basketball team. Call athletics director Huey Mills at CCA at 803-285-5565.

Want to be a coach or booster?

Lancaster County’s four high schools also work with volunteer coaches in various sports throughout the school year. To get involved as a coach on the varsity or junior varsity level, call the respective athletics director at one of the county high schools.

Fans in each area of the county can also get involved with the school’s booster clubs. School athletics directors can provide infor mation on booster club opportunities.

USCL offers 4 sports teams

The University of South Carolina Lancast er fields four athletic teams to help provide a complete college experience at the two-year regional campus.

The USCL Lancers are members of the Na tional Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Div. I and Region X. The NJCAA allows its members to offer scholarships.

USCL’s 2022-23 athletics feature volleyball and baseball teams and men’s and women’s soccer squads.

The USCL volleyball and soccer teams compete in the fall.

The baseball squad plays its regular sea son in the spring. The Lancers also have fall baseball practice, which includes scrimmage games.

Baseball

The USCL baseball team, in its 15th sea son, plays a 20-game fall schedule and a 56-game spring schedule. The Lancers play home games at the Lancaster High School baseball field, Doomsday Corner.

The USCL baseball team is led by Nick Calhoun, entering his sixth season. The Lancers’ 2022 spring season saw the team go 15-32.

Calhoun followed longtime USCL coach Steve Williams, who guided the USCL pro gram for nine seasons, compiling a 250-197 record before retiring in 2017.

Soccer

The USCL soccer program is coached by Kenny Halas, who guides the Lancers men’s and women’s squads.

Each team has shown marked improve ment over the last two seasons.

Halas, in his second season, led the Lanc ers to a 12-2-1 finish, including a 10-1-1 re gion record. The team played for the region title, but fell in a tough match.

The USCL women’s team posted a 7-51 mark, including a 5-3 region record. The

11.

women’s team advanced to the region title match before falling.

USCL plays its home matches at the soccer field adjacent to the USCL Carole Ray Dowl ing Center on Hubbard Drive.

The USCL women’s team is in its 16th sea son, while the Lancers men’s squad is in its 11th. Halas can be reached at 803-984-9051 or halas@mailbox.sc.edu.

Volleyball

The Lancers volleyball program, in its eighth season, is led by third-year coach Mike Van Lieu, who previously coached at

Indian Land High School.

At Indian Land High, he compiled a 4617-2 record, including an 18-0 region mark over two seasons, and two Class AAA playoff bids.

The 2020-21 Lancers went 14-18, includ ing 7-4 in region play.

USCL debuted with a 1-9 record in 2015, when it played a limited schedule, but the team has played a full schedule in the past seven seasons.

Van Lieu can be reached at 225-772-6857.

For more information on USCL sports, visit www.usclathletics.com.

Andrew Jackson High School volleyball standout Olivia Gandy signs to play volleyball at the University of South Carolina Lancaster as her parents, Melissa and Todd Gandy, witness in the AJHS media center with back, from left, Volunteers athletics director Jimbo Barton, AJ volleyball coach Hannah Kirkley and Principal Shuntay Miller on May

4 links options for golfers

Lancaster County has four public golf courses – Carolina Lakes Golf Club, Edge water Golf Club, Lancaster Golf Club and the Kershaw Golf Club.

l Kershaw Golf Course

The town of Kershaw has upgraded Ker shaw Golf Club’s 18-hole course, about 15 miles south of Lancaster.

In the past six years, town leaders have made substantial improvements at the 6,000-plus-yard course, spending $40,000 in 2017 to refurbish sand traps, rework greens on the back nine holes and make irrigation repairs. The clubhouse restrooms, pro shop and kitchen have also been upgraded.

The Kershaw Golf Club upgraded its greens in the summer of 2019.

When built in 1933, the course had nine holes. It was expanded to 18 holes in 2004. The greens grass varied between the original nine holes and the additional nine.

The course re-opened with the Kershaw Open in August 2019. Former Andrew Jack son High golfer Logan Sowell won the event with a 124, 59-65, setting a course record.

The Kershaw course was built by the De pression-era Works Progress Administration on land donated by the Kershaw Cotton Oil Co., operated by the J.T. Stevens family. The Stevens Foundation gave the course to the town in 1973, when the family-owned oil mill was sold to ADM.

Kershaw’s signature hole is No. 16, a par 3. The hole plays 185 yards (blue tees), 160 yards (white tees), 124 yards (gold tees, seniors) and 110 yards (red tees, ladies).

The course has a fully stocked snack bar and pro shop, as well as the upgraded club house.

The KGC, 301 Kershaw Country Club Drive, is open every day except Christmas. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. In fall and winter, hours are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. For details, call 803-475-2104.

l Edgewater Golf Club

Edgewater Golf Club, in southern Lancast er County, has earned recognition from Golf Advisor Magazine.

Edgewater earned five top 25 awards for United States courses from Golf Advisor in 2016, as well as the No. 2 ranking among South Carolina courses. Edgewater was No. 6 for the friendliest courses, No. 7 for value courses, No. 12 for pace of play and No. 22 for course layout. Edgewater was also ranked No. 38 in the Best of Golf Advisor.

Edgewater has also been voted one of the toughest courses in the Charlotte area by the Charlotte Business Journal.

The par-72 championship course is 7,103 yards.

EGC held its grand opening tournament, the Can Opener, in September 2008. Design er Bruce Brodsky and former County Council Chairman Rudy Carter, an avid golfer, hit the first shots.

Located 10 miles from Lancaster at 2380 Catawba Ridge Blvd., Edgewater has several scenic holes bordering Fishing Creek Lake.

Edgewater is open to the public with fees that include cart, range balls and bottled wa ter. The 18-hole course has a $52 weekend

rate, with a $43 rate during the week, and $32 for seniors. The course also has twilight rates, junior rates and nine-hole rates. Call 803-2839800 for details.

l Lancaster Golf Club

The Lancaster Golf Club, an 18-hole cham pionship course, had a major renovation with a greens upgrade in 2012.

Bent grass, a cool-weather grass, was re placed by a mini-verde variety, tolerant of hot, humid conditions. Bunkers and cart paths were also upgraded.

The course was established in 1935, when what is now the front nine was designed by Donald Ross. The back nine was added in the mid-1960s, with golf course architect Russell Breeden handling the upgrade.

Lancaster’s No. 7 is the featured hole – a 140-yard par 3.

The 6,099-yard course accommodates se niors and ladies with special gold and red tees. Experienced golfers can play the blue tees.

The clubhouse features a patio and pro shop with golf equipment and apparel as well as drinks and snacks.

The course, at 1821 Springs Club Road, is open seven days a week, except Christmas.

For details, call 803-416-4500, or visit www.playlancaster.com.

l Carolina Lakes Golf Club

Carolina Lakes Golf Club’s course, in the Sun City Carolina Lakes subdivision in In dian Land, opened in December 2006.

The 18-hole, par-72 course, which mea sures 7,124 yards, has been called “the best

A golfer gets ready to tee off as part of a foursome at the KARE golf tourney Aug. 20 at the Kershaw Golf Course. They were one of 30 teams that played in the fourth annual KARE Charity Golf Tournament. Thirty teams of golfers played this year.

Area Public Golf Courses

l Ballantyne Golf Club, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, 704-248-4383

l Chester Golf Course, 770 Old Richburg Road, Chester, 803-581-5733

l Fort Mill Golf Club, 101 Country Club Drive, Fort Mill, 803-547-2044

l Pinetuck Golf Club, 2578 Tuckaway Road, Rock Hill, 803-327-1141

l Republic Golf Course, 536 Evans Vaughn Drive, Great Falls, 803-482-3300

l Springfield Golf Club, 639 Hambly House Lane, Fort Mill, 803-548-3318

l Tega Cay Golf Club, 15083 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay, 803-548-3500

l Waterford Golf Club, 1900 Clubhouse Road, Rock Hill, 803-324-0300

l Winthrop University, 220 Garnet Drive, Rock Hill, 803-323-2112.

course open to the public in the Charlotte area.”

Designed by Tim Freeland, each hole features six tees, along with a family tee and a par-3 course within the course. Its signature hole is No. 16, a par-3 hole with a carry over water and a large bunker.

The pro shop, completed in 2007, has golf apparel and equipment, and the golf club houses a restaurant, Tavern at the Lakes.

Carolina Lakes, 23012 Kingfisher Drive, Indian Land, is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the spring and summer.

For details, call 803-547-9688.

l Crow’s Nest driving range

Golfers can hone their skills at The Crow’s Nest at Arrowood, a driv ing range at 2081 Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521), north of Lancaster.

Raymon Chisom operates the driving range, offering snacks and a fully stocked pro shop. For details, call 803-283-4653, 803-283-GOLF or 803-804-7787.

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302 E. Arch St. | Lancaster, SC 29720

South Carolina License | (803) 286-6181

Hours: 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday

Adult teams Spectator sports

If spectator sports are more your speed, check out these nearby venues for armchair athletes:

l Carolina Panthers, NFL football in Charlotte, 704358-7000

l Charlotte Hornets, NBA basketball in Charlotte, 704-HOR-NETS (467-6387)

l Charlotte Checkers, minor league hockey in Charlotte, 704-342-4423

l Charlotte Knights, minor league AAA baseball in Charlotte, 704-274-8282

l Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., NASCAR racing, 704-455-3200

l Clemson University Tigers baseball, basketball, soccer, cross country, football, golf, rowing, softball, swim ming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball in Clemson, 800-CLEMSON (253-6766

l Darlington Raceway, NASCAR racing, 866-4597223

l University of South Carolina Gamecocks baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and beach volleyball in Columbia, 803777-4274 or 800-4SC-FANS (472-3267)

l Winthrop University Eagles baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and volleyball in Rock Hill, 803-323-2129

Lancaster County features team sports for adults, too, including baseball, flag football, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Check out these:

l Camp Clyburn – Summer and fall softball leagues, Moriah Baptist Association, 803-2838409

l Carolina Sports Association – Summer and fall men’s and coed flag football leagues and basketball, 704-644-5627 or visit www.csaathlet ics.com

l Christian Services Bowling Center – Bowling for all ages, 803-286-0711 or theLancasterBowl ingCenter@gmail.com

l Lancaster County Parks and Recreation – Fall volleyball, basketball and summer softball, fall and spring kickball, 803-285-5545 or 803-285-8486

l Lancaster Cubs – Community All-Star Base ball League, Marcus Adamson at 803-235-2198 or marcus.adamson76@yahoo.com. All home games are at Post 31’s Eggleton Field.

l Marion O. Boan Community Center – Bowling leagues for men and women, 803-475-8825

l U.S. Tennis Association – Men’s and women’s team tennis , Rick Porter, 803-287-2500, or Donna Fox, 803-285-2600

Plenty of local racing action

Lancaster Motor Speedway hosted its 68th season of dirt-track racing in 2022.

Each LMS racing season opens in midMarch with the annual car show and open practice at the half-mile oval.

The 2022 campaign marked the fifth season with veteran driver Brandy Baker as owner. The track’s co-promoters are Shannon Munn and Eric Caskey, who handle the speedway’s day-to-day operations.

The 2022 season featured eight regular divisions – Limited Late Models, Renegade, Crate Sportsman, Thunder Bomber, Pure Stock V8, Vintage, Young Guns FWD and SEHA Hornets.

The track also hosts special races during the season with the Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Models, Carolina Clash Late Model Series, Ultimate Super Late Model Series and Mon ster Minis.

Three of the track’s major events are the annual Phillip Knight Memorial in August, which features the Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Models, the Buddy Crook Memorial with the Monster Minis on Father’s Day weekend and the annual Shrine Race, which was held in late July.

The track opened in 1954, when the late “Hump” Poovey and a host of local business men built the facility on Poovey’s property off Shiloh Road.

Cousins Ross and Charles “Snooks” Cau then bought the track in 1963 and ran it until 1969, when they sold it to Jim Mahaffey.

Coble Funderburk promoted races from 1969-73 for Mahaffey. After Funderburk had health issues, Mahaffey handled day-to-day operations, making major renovations and drawing major races.

He leased the track to the late Herbert Murray for three seasons, 1986-89, before Murray, a Fort Lawn businessman, bought it and operated it through 2002. A member of the LMS Hall of Fame, Mahaffey died in 2016. Murray died in 2019.

Doug McManus, who bought the track in 2003, stressed a family atmosphere.

The track, which draws all ages, from youngsters to seniors, also hosts youth bicycle races during the season.

Each Saturday, from early spring to midfall, pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 5 p.m. The drivers’ meeting is at 6:45 p.m. Racing, heat races and main events, follow at 7 p.m.

To learn more about LMS, visit the track’s website, www.lancastersuperspeedway.com, or its Facebook page at Lancaster Motor Speedway Caskey/Munn.

The track is 4 miles north of Lancaster off U.S. 521 at 223 Shiloh Unity Road. Its phone number is 803-285-1877, which can be reached 24/7.

James Kirk works on the Pure Street race car driven by Joseph “Pe-bo” Johnson Jr. at Lancaster Motor Speedway on Sept. 3. A former driver and now a car owner, Kirk started attending LMS races in 1970 at the age of 6, with Johnson’s dad, Joe Johnson.

Other area racetracks

If you want to get behind the wheel of a speedster your self, check out one of these options in Lancaster County.

Carolina Motorsports Park

Carolina Motorsports Park, about 4 miles south of Kershaw on U.S. 521 South, changed hands last year. Motorsports Capital, based in Georgia, bought the facility in October 2019 from a group of investors led by track founders Bob Humphreys and Joe Hooker.

“Carolina Motorsports Park’s ownership has done a great job building a first-class facility in addition to building a great organization and a loyal customer base,” said Motorsports Capital founder Michael J. Cummings. “We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to continue the development of Carolina Motorsports Park.”

The 290-acre motorsports complex was built in 1999 on the site of a World War II fighter pilot training base. The facility features a 2.27-mile, 14-turn road course designed by Alan Wilson for both amateur and professional racers, as well as a 0.7-mile, 16-turn go-kart track, completed in 2010, and a 200-foot skid pad. The road course, which features a 1,800-foot-long straightaway, was repaved this summer. The track can be split and operated as a 1-mile west course and a 1.25-mile east course.

“We developed the facility to have a purpose-built roadracing facility in the Carolinas, and we are very proud of

what Carolina Motorsports Park has become,” Hooker said.

Humphreys said the transition of the racetrack’s owner ship is “bittersweet” but he is looking forward to its future development under new management.

Carolina Motorsports Park was used for the filming of the 2020 Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Corvette for a Cure promotional video.

The owners plan to expand go-kart rental operations. Cummings said they also hope to add a driver’s club and potentially garages for regulars at the racetrack.

Carolina Motorsports Park is at 3662 Kershaw Highway. The phone is 803-475-2448 and website is www.carolina motorsportspark.com.

Hanging Rock Kartway

Hanging Rock Kartway, 1082 Horton Rollins Road, Ker shaw, offers go-kart racing year-round at the 0.2-mile dirt track. The track is now owned by Henry Moree.

Saturday is race day at the track. The track’s winter series begins in January. To reach a track official about the schedule, call 843-337-4826 or look for The All New HBM Hanging Rock Kartway on Facebook.

To get to the track from Lancaster, take U.S. 521 South to Heath Springs. Follow U.S. 521 South toward Kershaw and turn right on Horton Rollins Road and follow to the Hanging Rock Kartway.

Plenty of local worship options Churches

l Christian Life Center, 2551 Great Falls Highway (S.C. 200 South), Lancaster, 803-286-8343

l Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1841 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster, 803-286-8567

l Camp Creek Baptist Church, 998 Potter Road, Lancaster, 803-285-0645

l Covenant Baptist Church, 165 Craig Manor Road, Lancaster, 803-286-5683

l Crestview Baptist Church, 2228 Douglas Road, Lancaster, 803-283-9516

l Glenwood Heights Baptist Church, 600 Nichols Road, Lancaster, 803-285-5193

l Pleasant Dale Baptist Church, 133 S. Potter Road, Lancaster, 803-283-8377

l Rich Hill Baptist Church, 1557 E. Doc Garris Road, Lancaster, 803-283-8346

l Second Baptist Church, 1426 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster, 803-283-2015

l Second Baptist Church (Calvary Campus), 100 Barron Blvd, Lancaster, 803-283-2015

l Sherwood Baptist Church, 1030 Darlene Blvd, Lancaster, 803-286-9758

These are paid listings. To have your church included next year, call 803-339-6862.

Parents who have lost children light candles at a service last December at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lancaster. The can dlelight event was organized by Hope for Grieving Parents.

A

Allstate, Tracy Caldwell……………………….……47 Arras Foundation………………………… 23

B

Belair United Methodist Church……..................79

Blackmon Insurance Group……………………….18

Burbee Place Early Care………………...................16

Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory………….13

C

Carolina Christian Academy…… ……….3

Carolina Gateway 24

Carolina Heart Specialist, LLC………………48 49

Carolina Pharmacy………………………..................51

Carter Quality Plumbing LLC………… 75

Chandlers Collision Center………………………..20

Christ Episcopal Church………………... 79

Community Playhouse………………………………69

Comporium………………………………………………...2

Crawford Funeral Home……………….. 30

E

Enfingers and Associates………… …….75

L

Lancaster County………………………….…………..34

Lancaster County EMS………………….. 39