Mardi Gras Madness 
Celebrate Mardi Gras by decorating your own Mardi Gras mask Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Barnwell County Museum.
Register by Feb. 10 at Barnwell City Hall. The cost is $8.

Photo Block Class
On Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Barnwell City Hall youth will decorate their own photo blocks and box to display pictures of their family and friends. 
Register by Feb. 10 at Barnwell City Hall. The cost is $8.

First Aid, CPR & AED Course
People of all ages can learn valuable lifesaving skills for emergency situations and become certified for two years through Emergency Care and Safety Institute in first aid, CPR and AED during this course. Sessions will be held at Barnwell City Hall on March 5 and 7; and April 10 and 12 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
A course handbook and certification card is included in the $30 fee.
Pre-registration is required at Barnwell City Hall.

Technical Assistance Institute
Blackville-Hilda High School will host a free Technical Assistance Institute March 10 in their Media Center, (76 Atkins Circle).
The purpose of the workshop is to reinforce this principle and to emphasize the unique relationship between environmental protection, human health, environmental justice and economic development as an essential part of community development.
Pre-register by March 2.
For more information, contact Dr. David Rivers at (843) 792-5546 or riversd@musc.edu.

Free Financial Aid Workshop
Tabernacle Baptist Church in Blackville will host a free financial aid workshop on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall to help students preparing to go to college in Fall 2012 fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Students should bring tax forms if their parents have filed taxes, social security number, driver’s license, 2011 untaxed income records, alienation registration card (if not a U.S. citizen) and PIN for FAFSA if filing online.
For more information, contact site coordinators Albert and Rose Raysor at (803) 284-4007 or al29817@hotmail.com or bigalswife@hotmail.com.

Wissman Concert
The Wissman family of 13 children and 15 instruments will perform a free concert Saturday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Blackville Community Center.
For more information, call Ray Miller at (803) 284-3117.

Blood Drive
Shepeard Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive Friday, Feb. 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. at The People-Sentinel’s parking lot.
For more information, visit www.shepeardblood.org.

Pick of the Litter
The following items are half price this week: Christmas decorations, denim clothing and select items from their boutique and linen departments.

Arts Council Membership Drive
The Barnwell County Arts Council is proud to present “The Honky Tonk Angels” Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Barnwell Primary School auditorium. This is their annual membership drive fundraiser.
Hear the classic tunes of Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn as they were meant to be sung in this Country Music tale of three girls, a guitar and a dream.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from Evelyn’s Jewelry in Barnwell, Willie’s Hardware in Blackville, Meeting on Main in Williston or any Arts Council board member. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Warhorse Dance/Auction
The Barnwell Warhorse Club will host their 27th Annual Warhorse Dance and Auction Friday, March 23 at the Sweetwater Country Club in Barnwell at 7 p.m. to help raise money for the Barnwell High student athletes.
There will be a silent and live auction, raffle items and merchandise, heavy Hors D’oeuvres and music by DJ Gary Brantley. Admission is $35 per couple or $25 for singles.

Warhorse
Golf Classic
The Barnwell Warhorse Club will host their 27th Annual Warhorse Golf Classic Saturday, March 24 at the Sweetwater Country Club in Barnwell at 9 a.m. to raise money for Barnwell High School’s student athletes.
The format will be a 3-person Captain’s Choice; $50 per player which includes green fees, cart and lunch (excludes mulligans, tee busters, etc.). There will be a $10,000 Hole-in-One shot and a $5,000 – 50’ putt.
To sign up individually or as a team, call Sweetwater Country Club at (803) 259-5004.

Jakeria Jamison Fundraiser
The Community Uplift Program (CUP) will hold an informal drop-in fundraiser, “Benefit for Jakeria’s Heart,” Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Culbert Branch Missionary Baptist Church’s fellowship hall (647 E. Elko St., Williston).
Dinners of grilled chicken, green beans, seasoned rice and macaroni salad will be available for a $6 donation.
For more information, call Cassandra Donaldson at (803) 671-2697 or Etoya Myrick at (803) 671-3425.

Bridal Showcase
The Blackville Community Development Corporation is calling all caterers, photographers, DJs, videographers, seamstress, bakers, florists and other wedding industry professionals for its first Bridal Showcase Feb. 26.
The Blackville CDC is looking for wedding industry small business in Barnwell, Bamberg, Hampton or Orangeburg counties who are interested in having a booth at the Bridal Showcase. The booth fee is $30.
For more information or to reserve a booth, call the Blackville CDC at (803) 284-0735.

Valentine Gala
The Salkehatchie Arts will have their 2nd Annual Valentine Gala fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the USC-Salkehatchie Conference Center, Hwy. 301, Allendale. The event will raise funds for the Salkehatchie Arts Center.
Enjoy a “Taste of the Salkehatchie Region” buffet, free bar, live auction, silent auction, live band and dancing for $30 for one person, $50 per couple or $200 for a corporate table (eight people).  Tickets can be purchased from Evelyn’s in Barnwell or from any SA board member.
For more information, visit SAC Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call (803) 584-8084.

MES Events
The following events will be held at Macedonia Elementary:
Feb. 9: King and Queen of Hearts at 6 p.m. in the BHHS auditorium
Feb. 16: School Improvement Council Meeting at 5 p.m. and PTSO and Math/Science Night at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 17: Inservice Day (No School)
Feb. 20: Presidents’ Day (No School)
Feb. 24: Black History Month Program at 8:30 a.m.
Feb. 24: Mother/Daughter Banquet from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

BA Registration
Barnwell Academy is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year for students entering preschool through grade 6.
Barnwell Academy offers small class sizes, certified teachers with advanced degrees and a safe Christian environment.
Applications are available at www.barnwellacademy.org or from the school office by calling (803) 259-4465.

Retired Educator Meeting
There will be a Barnwell County Retired Educator Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Barnwell County Library (40 Burr St., Barnwell).
For more information, call Jerry Bell at (803) 300-1972.

Tobin Scholarship
In loving memory of L. Belton Tobin, a scholarship of $1,000 is offered annually to a qualified graduating senior at Blackville-Hilda High.
Interested students should submit a completed application packet which includes the scholarship application form, essay, letter of recommendation and counselor’s form to the Blackville-Hilda High School guidance office no later than March 1, 2012.
For more information, please call (803) 284-2890 or e-mail questions to tobinlb@bellsouth.net. Those wishing to contribute may mail donations to: L. Belton Tobin Memorial Scholarship, 142 Tobin Circle, Blackville, S.C. 29817.

BPS Kindergarten Registration
Barnwell Primary School will hold kindergarten registration for the 2012-12 school year for students who will be four or five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2012.
Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1:45 to 3:30 p.m. at BPS Office #2 on the following dates: Feb. 23-24 for 4 and 5-year-old Pre-K and Kindergarten, March 29-30 for 4 and 5-year-old and April 19-20 for 4 and 5-year-old.
The following records are required for registration: S.C. shot record (long white form from doctor or the health dept.), certified birth certificate, child’s Social Security card, current dated proof of residence in parent’s name and address (2 forms of proof are required) and $15 material fee due at registration (5K only).
For questions, call (803) 541-1343.

Barnwell Library
Preschool Story Time: Thursdays (through April 26) at 11 a.m.
Join for stories, songs and more for ages 3-5.
Friday Flicks: Every Friday at 3:30 p.m. with free popcorn and drink.
Feb. 10: WALL-E
Free Fitness Classes with Anytime Fitness: Thursday, Feb. 16 (Aerobics at 5:30 p.m. and Zumba at 6:15 p.m.)
Get fit for free at the library. All are welcome and no gym membership is required.
Death by Chocolate for teens: Friday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.
Ages 10-18 can over indulge in sweet stuff with games all involving chocolate.
It's in a Book! Afterschool program: Third Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
Grades K-5 can make magic! Hear a magical story, eat an enchanted snack and learn a trick to amaze your friends.
Krafty Kids: Second Mondays from 4-4:30 p.m.
Children (ages 5-12) can make a different themed craft each month. The program is free, but pre-registration is required through the Parks & Recreation Department at 259-3317.
LEGO donations needed: Donations of new or used LEGOs of any kind are needed to start a LEGO club. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk during library hours.
Art Sale: New “back porch” prints by local artist, Beverly Hebbard, are now available. All unframed prints are $15 each and half of all proceeds benefit the library.
Barnwell County Public Library hours are Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call (803) 259-3612.
 
Blackville Library
Preschool Story Time: The first and third Tuesdays of every month at 10:30 a.m.
The Blackville Library hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 6 p.m. (closed from 1 to 2 p.m. for lunch) and on Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Call Ruthie Hewitt at (803) 284-2295 for more information.

Williston Library
Preschool Story Time: The second and fourth Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.
The Williston Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed each day from 1 to 2 p.m.).  
Call Jo Crider at (803) 266-3027 for more information.

Barnwell County Museum Events
March (all month): S.C. Water media Society exhibit
March 31-April 1: Salkehatchie Stew Play (Circle Theatre)

Barnwell Museum Membership
The Barnwell County Museum is looking for members for 2012.
There are four levels: individual for $15, family for $30, friend for $50-$249, or benefactor for $250.
Checks can be made payable to P.O. Box 422, Barnwell, S.C. 29812 or given to Mary Griner, membership chairperson. Please include your name, address and phone number.

Heritage Museum Hours
The Agricultural Heritage Museum, located at the Edisto/Clemson Research Campus (127 Heritage Rd., Blackville) will be open on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. An AHC Board member will be available to conduct tours during these hours.
Admission is $2 per person with a 10 person minimum, though students K-12 are free. Group tours are offered weekdays by appointment.
For more information or to schedule a weekday appointment, call (803) 584-7315.

BBA Registration
The Barnwell Baseball Association will hold registration for baseball and softball for boys and girls (ages 5 to 13) at the Barnwell County Library on the following dates: Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon; Monday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.
No late registrations will be accepted.

BHS Soccer Alumni Game
The Barnwell High School Boys and Girls soccer teams will host their annual alumni game on Feb. 18 with the girls beginning at 1 p.m. and the boys at 3 p.m.
There is a $20 entry fee which must be paid with the registration form. All proceeds will go to the four Barnwell High School soccer teams. The deadline for entry is Feb. 11. The first 11 registration forms and money that we receive will be the starters for the alumni.
For more information, call Coach Dave Anastasia at the Barnwell High School and Eryn Gable, Varsity Girls Coach.