Hello everyone, welcome to the world of small town friendliness according to Whitmirians. Local news on the way, but lots of birthdays according to “Gottrocks The Birthday Fairy.”

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Grace Bradley and her sister Willie Miller, Kyle Owens, Bruce McMurtury, Fran G. Rogers, Tiffany Gossett, Darlene “JC” Styles, Robbie Duckett, Whit Suber, Elbert Epps, John McCarley, Steve Lane, Harley Taylor, John Champion, Lomas Tyrek Davis, Nadean “Sissy” Johnson, Derek Epps, and Wilhelmenia Rice.

We send our Special 80th Birthday wishes to a sweet and fun lady — Mrs. Betty Worthy. I just know her son Charles and her husband William, gave her a family treat-Whitmire style: A delicious meal was served and a good time was had by all.

Sympathy

On a sad note, we send our best wishes and sympathies to the families of Mr. Bob Tunstall. And Harold “Bubba” Johnson. Mr. Tunstall was married to the former Evonne Cudd of Whitmire.

Upcoming Community News And Events

Local churches are participating in the Lenten Services. The midweek services are held on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in Whitmire area churches.

The Whitmire Jaycees will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. in The Heritage Park on Glenn and Park streets. The event was moved from the library grounds due to on-going construction. There will be various age groups and a prize egg in each group. Parents and volunteers are welcome.

The Jaycees will host their 2nd Annual Golf In The Pines fundraiser tourney April 20 at The Whitmire Golf Course. Entry fees and details in the next week’s edition.

Did you know that Whitmire Community School has added an archery team? This is spectacular news to share, especially to those of us who enjoy living in Sumter National Forest, and to the students who prefer one on one sports as opposed to team sports.

We say congratulations to the members of the high school team as well as the middle school team. Noah McCarley, Sydney Wilbanks, and Kimberly Jenkins have been invited to the SC State Archery Tournament on March 21 and 22 at the Sportsman’s Classic at the SC State Fairgrounds. Even more spectacular, this is the first year for the archery team.

The high school team finished 16th in the state in the qualifying tournament. Members of the high school team are Caleb Pressley, Mark Stevenson, Nathan Baxley, Alex Little, Jacob Morris, Darian Gilliam, Charles Whitner, Kyle Biddle, Amy Andrews, Teresa Patterson, Thelma Cathcart, Austin Prather, Cole Whitmire, Angela Cody, Lomas Davis, Brandon Smith, DJ Norton, Daniel McClanahan, Shandi Lindler and Tifini Renwick. I am looking forward to seeing the Block W jackets with the archery icon. Won’t these students and their parents be proud of the flagship teams from Whitmire ?

The Glenn Bledsoe Fundraiser Golf Tournament will be April 15 at The Country Club Of Newberry. The yearly tournament is a continuing effort after a tragic auto accident took the life of a beloved former Whitmire resident, Glenn Bledsoe. Glenn loved his life’s work of caring and helping individuals with special needs and disabilities at Whitten Center. Glenn’s wife Annette and The Friends Of Whitten Center wanted to continue on with the tourney in accordance with Glenn’s wishes. The proceeds from this tournament will go to Whitten Center residents. Contact Daniel Boozer on his Facebook page or mail check or money order to: The Parents Club of Whitten Center, Marlene Woods, 304 Dixon St., Clinton, S.C. 29325.

Allrighty readers, lets get ready to plant flowers, watch the Braves and talk about town events. Feel free to send your newsbits, photos, group events to: news2cassie@yahoo.com