Disaster Recovery Center hours change State/FEMA disaster recovery centers, including the one at the former Columbus County Board of Elections on Chadbourn Highway, will close one hour earlier, at 6 p.m., starting Monday, Oct. 29. The centers will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Days of operation are unchanged. Survivors can also get help online or by phone.

Individuals and businesses in counties included in the North Carolina federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Florence may register for assistance by: Calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) anytime from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

You can also update your contact information, ask questions about a letter from FEMA, get information about FEMA home inspections, or learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. n Going online to DisasterAssistance.gov or DisasterAssistance.gov/es for Spanish n Downloading the FEMA mobile app in English or Spanish. n Downloading the ReadyNC app. n Visiting any disaster recovery center.

To find center locations and current hours, download the FEMA mobile app, the ReadyNC app, or visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Center hours and operations are adjusted based on visitor demand.

Meet Me at the Museum: Saturday Explorations features “The Life and Legacy of Millie-Christine McKoy” on Saturday, November 17, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Learn the incredible true story of the world-renowned conjoined twins, Millie-Christine McKoy, born into slavery and sold into a life of entertainment. How they used their remarkable talent to persevere and how their generosity impacted others. This free program is for all ages. No registration required.

For more information about the museum or any upcoming events, please call: 910-914-4185 or email:whiteville@naturalsciences.org or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NCMNSWhiteville/

Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NCMNSWhiteville and

Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ncmnswhiteville/

Although the Columbus County Community Farmers Market primary facility in Whiteville is still serving as the home of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, local farmers and vendors are planning to re-open the farmers market on Saturday, November 17, just in time for the annual Collard and Cornbread Day special event.  In fact, the Board of Directors has decided to combine the Collard & Cornbread event – one of the market’s most popular events – with Sweet Potato Day.  The market has been closed since September 15, due to the impact of Hurricane Florence.

The mobile farmers market at Columbus Regional Healthcare System on Thursday afternoons will not re-open again until the 2019 season according to Farmers Market President Lindy Harold Shuman.  “We appreciate the loyal support of our Farmers Market patrons and their understanding that we are at the mercy of the weather,” Shuman said.

In addition, the first-ever Columbus County “Farm-to-Table” dinner that was postponed due to the storm has been rescheduled for Friday, November 30, at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 415 S Madison Street in Whiteville.  Tickets for the fundraiser event for the farmers market are $40.00 each.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the market manager, Susie Rockel at (252) 588-0300.

The Columbus County Farmers Community Market is located at 132 Government Complex Road in Whiteville, near the Department of Social Services.  Normal hours of operation are Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Thursdays from May through December.

For more information, visit www.columbuscountyfarmersmarket.com.

Science Cinema  features Disneynature’s “Bears” on Saturday, November 24, Showtimes: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., & 2:00 p.m.

Follow the journey of a mother bear and her two young cubs as they travel through the breathtakingly beautiful Alaskan wilderness. This free 77-minute film is rated G. After each showing, we extend the learning experience in fun and engaging ways. Drop by our education table to learn more. Science Cinema programming is funded by a grant from the International Paper Foundation. No registration required.

For more information about the museum or any upcoming events, please call: 910-914-4185 or email:whiteville@naturalsciences.org or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NCMNSWhiteville/

Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NCMNSWhiteville and

Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ncmnswhiteville/

Join the SCC Foundation on Thursday, November 29 at Vineland Station in Whiteville, NC for the highly attended Christmas Luncheon. This is always a great event to kick-off the holiday season. Ticket includes opportunity to meet featured author, lunch and entertainment.
Book-signing starts at 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Luncheon event: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Purchase Tickets here

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career as an SVP for Bank of America and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm.

There will be books available for purchase at the event or you can bring your own copies to have signed.
*Proceeds from this event will go towards the SCC Success Scholarship.