365 Days Around Florence

Senior Life Expo - Day 65

2012-03-05T07:25:00.001-08:00

It's time for the 17th annual Senior Life Expo this Friday and Saturday at the Florence Civic Center. This 2-day event will be jammed packed with entertainment for the baby boomers and retirees. Bingo, vendor exhibits and live performances are just part of the lineup. WPDE news anchor Allyson Floyd will be your mistress of ceremonies, and you get all of this for just 2 bucks! The fun starts this Friday at 9am.

More info...
365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

'The Kitchen Witches' - Day 64

2012-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I can only imagine how entertaining this production is going to be. Here's the story: two "mature" cable-access cooking show hosts that have hated each other for 30 years will be on the same TV show at once! Ever since one's ex-boyfriend married the other, there has been tension between these two culinary gals. The show becomes a competition between the ladies and ends up being a wild cross between Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer. The production is running at the Florence Little Theater March 2-10th and will give you a good laugh.

More Info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Happy Birthday She Magazine! - Day 63

2012-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Join the party at the Art Trail Gallery today as She Magazine celebrates her tenth birthday! All readers and advertisers are welcome to attend. Local bakers will compete for the title of 'Best She Magazine Birthday Cake.' Hopefully they'll be looking for taste-testers!

Look here for more info, and we'll see you there.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Elephants, and tigers, and clowns..oh my! - Day 62

2012-03-02T08:21:00.002-08:00

Don't miss your chance to see silly clowns, balancing elephants, and motorcycle daredevils this weekend! The Picadilly Circus is in town at the Florence Fairgrounds Arena tonight for a two-day circus extravaganza. There are five show times today and tomorrow with adult tickets buy-one-get-one free. The Picadilly Circus will be fun for the entire family featuring white tigers, cirque artists and more.

More info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Get your garden ready for spring! - Day 61

2012-03-01T07:50:00.002-08:00

The 13th Annual Pee Dee Home and Garden Workshops will take place on Saturday, March 10th, at the Clemson Research and Education Center in Florence. The workshop will offer 8 different breakout sessions with a wide variety of topics. You will have the opportunity to learn about combining bulbs with perennials, annuals, citrus plants, vegetables and much more. There will also be a plant sale throughout the day.Spring is definitely in the air so get your green thumb ready!
More info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Skirmish at Gamble's Hotel - Day 60

2012-02-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

Anyone interested in South Carolina's history will truly enjoy the Skirmish at Gamble's Hotel. This Civil War reenactment held at the Columns plantation depicts the encounter that occurred on March 5,1865. 500 federal soldiers marched into the Florence area to destroy the railroad depot, but were met by a group of Confederate soldiers.

The war reenactment will take place on March 10-11 at the beautiful Harwell House at Rankin Plantation.
More info...

Blockbuster Showdown - Day 59

2012-02-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy a lively concert, then you won't want to miss the Blockbuster Showdown Gold Cup Awards. The Gospel concert kicks off Friday night and continues all day Saturday, March 8th and 9th, at the Florence Civic Center. The celebration will include renowned contemporary artists and legendary quartets.

More info...

Binding Treasures from Childhood - Day 58

2012-02-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

There are always lots of interesting classes being held at the Lynda English Studio and Gallery, but one scheduled to begin on March 1st by Phyllis Cunningham really caught my eye - it's a series of workshops for kids to make their own painted books. I can just envision a child lovingly painting a book and giving it to a grandparent to enjoy and keep as the child grows up, returning the book to the grandchild as something they have treasured through the years.
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Making Naval History - Day 57

2012-02-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Central United Methodist Church has the greatest programs each Wednesday for "Live at Central". On February 29th, Civil War historian Randy Burbage will provide a presentation about the H. L. Hunley, regarded as the first submarine to sink an enemy ship.

more info...

There are some great stories to hear about the Hunley, including this one borrowed from the Friends of the Hunley website:

To keep her sweetheart safe from harm, Queenie gave George Dixon a gold coin, as a good luck charm. Again, according to the legend, George kept the coin with him always, in his pocket, rubbing it with his thumb while he dreamed of the day when he and Queenie would be reunited.

During the Battle of Shiloh, George was shot point blank. A bullet ripped into the pocket of his trousers and struck the center of the gold coin. The impact was said to have left the gold piece bent, with the bullet embedded in it. Queenie's good luck gift had saved his life.

Many such legends were created during the war. Was this one true? For 137 years, no one knew whether the story was true or merely a romantic tale from long ago.
During the excavation of the H.L. Hunley, the gold coin was discovered next to the remains of Lt. George Dixon. It was deeply indented from the impact of a bullet and traces of lead were discovered on the coin. The coin, a $20 dollar gold piece, was minted in 1860. One side bears an image of Lady Liberty. The other side, which has a federal shield-and-eagle symbol, had been sanded and inscribed by hand. It clearly bears four lines of cursive script with the following words:
Shiloh
April 6, 1862
My life Preserver
G. E. D.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Stamped in Black History - Day 56

2012-02-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

We were excited to find out about the William H. Johnson forever stamp, and now we have a chance to see a great collection of stamps at the Hartsville Museum through the end of March. The late W. Reaves McCall provided the museum with Black Heritage Series stamps beginning in 1978.

Also included in the museum collection is a very rare 1940 stamp of Booker T Washington.
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Myrtle Beach Bike Week West Preview - Day 55

2012-02-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

Florence will get a family friendly taste of the Myrtle Beach Bike Week with the Motorcycle Expo! Myrtle Beach Bike Week West will present live music, vendors, stunt shows, custom builders and more at the Florence Civic Center on March 2-3. The Motorcycle Expo is expecting over 100 vendors and will surely leave you excited for Myrtle Beach Bike Week.

More info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Are you smarter than a middle schooler? - Day 54

2012-02-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

Stop by Francis Marion University for the Pee Dee Spelling Bee to find out if you're as smart as the middle school students vying for top place in the annual competition. The fun starts at 5pm on Feb 27th. You'll be holding your breath at their every word!
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Jump in the limelight - Day 53

2012-02-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

There's always an opportunity to hop on stage in Florence - with Florence Little Theatre, Lake City Community Theatre, and the community choirs like Masterworks and Florence Men's Choral Society... but if you're dreaming of being a pro, head to the civic center on Wed., Feb 29th.
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Wreath Laying for Swamp Fox - Day 52

2012-02-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

Feb 27th is General Francis Marion Memorial Day. Marion County has built the day into their school curriculum, and every third grader receives a storybook about Francis Marion, and all third and eighth-graders are invited to the wreath laying.

When you attend the wreath laying, you'll see Loyalist and Patriot reenactors, watch candle and soap making, tombstone caving, and yarn spinning. Don't miss the Swamp Fox chili cookoff! more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Collected for the community - Day 51

2012-02-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

How wonderful it is when a collector from the community is willing to share their treasures with the community! The Attanasios of Florence have done just that - stop by the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library to view some of their collection. This collection will be part of the permanent exhibit which will hang when other temporary exhibits are not in the gallery. For right now, you can see it until April 30th.

Carol Mulholland Attanasio is a talented local artist whose creativity inspires her to create a variety of multimedia pieces from painting to three-dimensional sculpture. Her subject matter is just as varietal as the mediums she uses to create her art. She received a prestigious art degree studying at schools such as the Art Institute of Chicago and State University of New York, has received training in watercolor and metal sculpture from experts in their fields, and has traveled the world collecting and creating works of art.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Sports on Stage - Day 50

2012-02-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

Every weekend in Florence we have a great choice in sports to watch or join in. The Florence Tennis Complex, Freedom Florence, Legion Field, the Civic Center all have tournaments going on a regular basis, like the lower state high school basketball tournament Feb 24-25 (civic center), and Pepsi Invitational baseball tournament on Feb 24-26 (Legion Field). You can find a full list of sports events at playflorence.com.

What could be better, though, than an off-camera view from the locker room of the competitive world of professional baseball? FMU Theatre is performing "Back Back Back" on Feb 20-24 at the Performing Arts Center. More info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Shutterbugs - Day 49

2012-02-18T09:57:00.004-08:00

There are tons of places around Florence to get great natural, architectural, and social images. Once you've caught those images on your SD card, workshops held at Lynda English Art Gallery, Black Creek Arts, and Railroad Junction show you how to perfect those great shots. Black Creek Arts even gives photography lessons for beginners and advanced students.

Once you get the hang of it, be sure to join in competitions and exhibits - the Art Trail Gallery is pulling together the Photofabulous exhibit now, and the city of Hartsville is looking for images, too:

Calling all photographers! Don't forget to submit your photos for the City of Hartsville's new website. The City is currently looking for pictures of life in Hartsville, specifically sights and scenery. See the guidelines for submissions here - Submission Requirements. The deadline to submit your work is February 28th at 4:30pm. Inquiries and photos should be sent to info@hartsville.org.

Epic Asian Elephants? Sounds awesome! - Day 48

2012-02-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Its a great weekend to be a kid, or in my case a kid at heart! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus present 'Barnum Bash' at the Florence Civic Center, starting tonight at 7pm. The show includes a pre-show party on the arena floor with music, dancing and costumes. The fun continues with an exotic animal menagerie and some amazing international acts, including Dimitri the Strong Man, Motorcycle Mania and the Epic Asian Elephants.

Barnum Bash is in town through February 20th. For showtimes and ticket pricing, visit www.florenceciviccenter.com or call 843.679.9417.

Joe Stukes History Series - Day 47

2012-02-16T11:12:00.002-08:00

We absolutely love the programs offered at the Doctors Bruce & Lee Foundation Library. One of our favorites is the Joe Stukes History Series, featuring local historian Dr. Joe Stukes who portrays a historic figure or presents a program highlighting a significant event in history.

Today you can see him in action as he presents a program entitled '1812: War, Songs & Roses.' Dr. Stukes will celebrate a nationwide observance of the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner. The program will include a consideration of causes and results of the War of 1812 as well as a brief summary of the wartime activity.

This program is offered today at 3pm and again at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Blue Moon Jazz - Day 46

2012-02-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

What could be better than Bizzell's Food with jazz music playing in the background at scenic Lawton Park in Hartsville? Only the fact that it's a fundraiser for Harvest Hope Food Bank!

More info on how to build a wonderful Tuesday evening...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Mom says it's a great time to look for alligators - Day 45

2012-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've been sharing my blog topics with my mother in Pennsylvania ever so often, and today when I talked to her she said, I've been thinking about that 365 day thing you do - it's a great time to go looking for alligators before the mosquitoes start coming out. She remembers a trip to SC when she went on an excursion to Woods Bay State Park, and she had been surprised to spot alligators so easily. A little bit too easily for her comfort!

It is a great time to go to Woods Bay State Park. With the Carolina Bay that is always wet, there is a wide variety of migrating birds that stop in on their annual flights, and a long list of those who make the park their year-round home.

On top of that, Woods Bay is a participant in the SC State Parks Geocache Challenge.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Leonardo in Florence - Day 44

2012-02-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

This Thursday night,at 7pm, the Swamp Fox Theatre will be showing the collection of Leonardo Da Vinci's work as it was exhibited at the National Gallery in London until Feb 5, 2012. This exhibit drew world-wide attention and on Thursday night, the world will be invited to view the exhibit in select theaters for one night only.

Of the thousands of pieces on exhibit, the portrait of Cecilia Gallerani - The Lady with Ermine - will catch your attention - this is a piece that Alex Palkovich recently used in challenging himself to creating a relief. (Leonardo's work is above to the left, Alex's to the right.) More info about Leonardo LIVE.

While you're going online to purchase tickets, check out this youtube video of the long "queues" of people waiting to buy tickets to the National Gallery - it's great to be in Florence!

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Frogz and BigLittleThings - Day 43

2012-02-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

Human-sized realistic-looking frogs acting as mimes, 6-ft tall dragonflies doing acrobatics...Tell me, what could be more fun for the kids and their parents to go see on a cold February eve?

Zoo Zoo, all the way from Portland Oregon, will be featured in the Marlboro Civic Center on Thursday, Feb. 16th at 7pm. While you're in the building, imagine old-time Vaudeville shows on stage - that is what the Marlboro Civic Center offered in its early years.
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Follow the Drinking Gourd - Day 42

2012-02-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

When the sun comes back,

and the first quail calls,

Follow the drinking gourd

The old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom

If you follow the drinking gourd.

During the times of the Underground Railroad, a popular song among the slaves was "Follow the Drinking Gourd" which gave specific instructions on how to follow the path to freedom. The Drinking Gourd was another name given to the Big Dipper constellation, and following it led the slaves to the North. There is further explanation of the lyrics here.

On Sunday, February 12th, the Dooley Planetarium at FMU will provide a program about following the drinking gourd. More info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Drink Small Boogie - Day 41

2012-02-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Marion Opera House is getting ready for its Thursday Night Live, beginning March 1st. On March 8th, they will have one of my favorites - The Blues Doctor, Drink Small.. Drink Small (that's his real name, by the way) is from Bishopville, and you can watch his video of the song "Bishopville is my home town" onYoutube.

He first played music on an old pump organ when he was eleven years old, then he switched up to a single-string guitar. His "Drink Small Boogie" is the most requested song when he's in the room.

I hear the Opera House only has 250 seats. You better get your ticket way in advance for this one. Here is some more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Romeo=horn, Juliet = flute - Day 40

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

This coming Valentine's day concert will feature Romeo and Juliet Overture Fantasy by Petor Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Love Music from "Boris Godunow"by Modeste Moussorgsky, Danse Bacchanale from "Samson and Delilah" by Camille Saint-Saens, and this romantic evening will end with Suite from Carmen by George Bizet. for more event info...

Now, I have to say I love wikipedia, especially on Valentine's Day searches. Here's a brief wikipedia description of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet -

The love theme signifies the couple first meeting and the scene at Juliet's balcony. The English horn represents Romeo, while the flutes represent Juliet. Then the battling strand returns, this time with more intensity and build-up, with the Friar Laurence Theme heard with agitation. The strings enter with a lush, hovering melody over which the flute and oboe eventually soar with the love theme once again, this time loud and in D major, signaling the development section and their consummated marriage, and finally heard in E major, and two large orchestra hits with cymbal crashes signal the suicide of the two lovers. A final battle theme is played, then a soft, slow dirge in B major ensues, with timpani playing a repeated triplet pattern, and tuba holding a B natural for 16 bars. The woodwinds play a sweet homage to the lovers, and a final allusion to the love theme brings in the climax, beginning with a huge crescendo B natural roll of the timpani, and the orchestra plays homophonic shouts of a B major chord before the final bar, with full orchestra belting out a powerful B natural to close the overture.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

You'll find them in New York, London, Berlin, Florence... - Day 39

2012-02-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Every time I turn around, Florence becomes more cool. Hip. Trendy. In fact, just to prove the point, I borrowed the image above from the Facebook profile of the London Singer / Songwriter Circle. Florence is among a large group of cities that hold songwriter circles. You'll find ours at Railroad Junction on the second Saturday of each month.

****

More info about Second Saturday Songwriter Circle:

Local independent record label, Yonder Music, and the Florence based Americana radio show, Country Fried Rock, are proud tocontinue their monthly singer-songwriter showcase hosted by Railroad Junction. The thirdinstallment of the series, called SecondSaturdays Songwriters Circle, will take place on February 11, 2012 from 4:00PM – 6:00 PM, and will reoccur every second Saturday on a monthly basis. Thisunique concert event is open to the general public. Admission is free, butdonations are encouraged, and go directly to pay for the performers’transportation costs.

Each event will feature three singer-songwriters who will perform theirfavorite original compositions, as well as share the stories behind the songsthey wrote in a unique, collaborative atmosphere. Missy Jones, owner of YonderMusic, and Sloane Spencer, owner of Country Fried Rock wanted to create a newkind of music outlet in Florencethat would highlight talented songwriters and allow them to showcase theiroriginal works. Both Missy and Sloane are Railroad Junction Art Collectiveconsigners, and wished to contribute a music based program to the cooperative’srobust menu of arts offerings.

The Februaryinstallment will feature three bluegrass singer-songwriters:

Johnny Tanner – Florence singer-songwriter Johnny Tanner iswell known as a member of The Borrowed Time Band. His original composition“Wake Up John” was the 2011 winner of the prestigious Chris Austin songwritingcontest, which is hosted by MerleFest music festival.

Kevin Wykoff – West Virginia native Kevin Wykoff is a vocalist,guitarist, and songwriter for the popular Florenceinsurgent bluegrass group Slug’s Revenge. Kevin is widely celebrated for hislightning fast finger picking style and punk rock ethos.

Desiree Shaffer – Quinby native, Desiree Shaffer, ismuch admired around Florencefor her depression era babydoll fashion sense, and sweet traditional vocalstyle. It is less known that Slug’s Revenge stylish bassist, also shines as talentedsongwriter and a gifted lyricist in her own right.

Expect somemagic to happen when these three talented artists come together on one intimatestage inside downtown Florence'snewest art collective.

The next Second Saturdays Songwriters Circle isscheduled for March 10^th,2012from 4-6PM, with performers to be announced.

Previous eventshave featured notable local singer-songwriters such as Melanie McMillan, JamesScott Bullard, Stephanie Fagan, Allen Johnson, and Dylan Sneed.

For information aboutSecond Saturdays Songwriters Circle andYonder Music, please contact:
Missy Davis Jones, missy@yonder-music.com
For information about Country FriedRock, please contact: Sloane Spencer, sloanerocks@gmail.com
For information about Railroad Junction,please contact: railroadjunctionart@gmail.com

Who am I - Day 38

2012-02-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

A couple of quick facts about who they are:

Casting Crowns is one of the fastest selling, platinum-reaching Christian artists in history. Casting Crowns also won a Grammy for Lifesong.

Casting Crowns are one of the ONLY American bands in the U.S. that North Korea invited to play some concerts at an international festival held there. (Crowns has played in the festival twice so far.) The only other band invited is also a Contemporary Christian band named the Annie Moses Band.

Casting Crowns will be returning to Florence Civic Center on Thursday, February 9th. Check www.florenceciviccenter.com for ticket info.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Are you getting fresh with me? - Day 37

2012-02-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend Valentine's Day, and the days leading up to it, than with the freshest local foods around? Check out the special menu from Foodscapes in Lake City - and if you're looking for a real "wow" factor, you can charter a plane to fly you right up to the restaurant's entrance. How's that for a special night she's sure to remember?

Foodscapes Valentines Dinner for 2

Served Friday, February 10^th,Saturday, February 11^th and Tuesday, February 14^thFor Reservations Call843-374-9866

Sharean Appetizer:

French Onion Brie Creamy French Brie Cheese and sweet and savorycaramelized onions with grilled baguette crostini.

AhiTuna Poke A tradition on the Hawaiian Islands combines cubes ofsushi grade ahi tuna, dressed with scallions, dark sesame oil and ginger andtoasted sesame seeds.

Crab AvocadoMango Stack Lump blue crab tossed with house made remoulade stackedwith mango salsa and avocados.

Each Choose a Salad or Soup:

Cranberry Salad Mixed baby greens, cranberries, toasted pecans and bleucheese crumbles tossed with house made cranberry vinaigrette.

Stolen Honey Salad Baby greens, Granny Smith apples tossed with Honeyvinaigrette topped with toasted pecan crusted goat cheese medallion.

Classic Caesar Salad Crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with creamy Caesar dressingtopped with shaved parmesan cheese and roasted corn-cheddar grit crouton.

She Crab Soup Tender lump blue crab in light cream broth.

Each Choose a Entrée:

Seafood Mornay Grouper,scallops, shrimp in rich cheese mornay topped with panko bread crumbs and bakedin individual casserole to a bubbling goodness. Served with Island rice and seasonalvegetable.

Filet Mignon 8oz Certified Angus beef filet grilled to your choice of temperature with bakedpotato and seasonal vegetables. (Add $10)

Braised Pork Osso Bucco Bonein pork shank slow braised to fork tender over white bean puree, garliccrushed potatoes in demi-glace jus.

$50per couple. Pricedoes not include beverage, alcoholic beverage, tax or gratuity.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

What's the temp? - Day 36

2012-02-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

It's been a little warm for February, even for South Carolina. Makes me think of spring, and all the agricultural events that are scheduled. Here are a few coming up -

March

Good Living Marketplace - Hartsville

Market on Darlington Square

Spring Planting & Easter Egg Hunt at Williams Muscadine Vineard and Farm - Nesmith

Spring Planting Event at L.W. Paul Living History Farm - Conway

April

Southern Plant & Flower Festival at Pee Dee State Farmers Market - Florence

Good Living Marketplace - Hartsville

Daffodil Festival: A Garden Party at Moore Farms Botanical Garden - Lake City

Market on Darlington Square

Rural Heritage Celebration at Clemson University Pee Dee Research - Florence

Heart of the Carolinas at Southern Eighths Farm - Chesterfield

We'll have all of the events listed at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ within the next week.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Super Bowl of video games - Day 35

2012-02-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

Play in the super bowl of video games - the Madden Challenge. Saturday, Feb 4th, at Magnolia Mall - register at 10am, the tournament starts at noon. The winner takes home a $1000 Magnolia Mall gift certificate - that's just perfect for a flat screen and surround sound system for the big game on Sunday! Oh - and don't forget to stop by around 2:00 to meet Sir Purr and the TopCats, making a special appearance from Charlotte. more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Who's got Soul? - Day 34

2012-02-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite brochures here at the Florence CVB is "Soul of the Pee Dee". In addition to African-American events, historic sites and heritage, it lists local African-American musicians, storytellers, authors, and artists. We were thrilled when the Art Trail Gallery decided to do a live version of Soul of the Pee Dee as an exhibit for Black History Month.

What's even greater? The Art Trail Gallery has unearthed even more artists that are worthy of being listed in "Soul". We can't wait to add them in the next printing.

more info about the exhibit...
to download Soul of the Pee Dee...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

William H. Johnson Forever - Day 33

2012-02-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

How exciting to see that the artwork of William H. Johnson is being featured on a Forever stamp in honor of Black History Month! I'll be sure to pick up enough stamps to last a good long while.

I just viewed some of WH Johnson's artwork at the Florence Museum this weekend, and the museum will have a large collection of his work on loan from the Smithsonian once the new building is complete. It's so heartwarming to have William H. Johnson Forever in Florence!

more information about WH Johnson from the Florence Museum...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

My Nappy ROOTS : A Journey through Black Hair-itage - Day 32

2012-02-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

With a title like that, who wouldn't want to see the movie? And how about "Why do White People have Black Spots?"

These short films, and seven others will be featured at Florence's Short Film Showcase, held the first time this year. The Showcase will be held February 3rd to honor Black History Month by screening Black-themed short films in a concentrated setting to bring awareness to the art of short films and creative content by and about Blacks from the African Diaspora.

Show it some Love - Day 31

2012-01-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

Time for me to bust out that old Wilson tennis racquet that my dad gave me when I was a kid, and show the new Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center some love.

Boasting 24 Hard Courts and 6 Hydro Clay courts, the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center is one of South Carolina's Premier Tennis facilities. And we're so happy that it's located right here in Florence! The best part about the Tennis Center is that everyone in the community can take advantage of the regular courts for FREE. It's something the whole family can do together.

The Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center is located at 1060 N. Cashua Dr. in Florence, and is open Mon-Fri, 8:30am to 9:30pm; Saturday, 8:30am to 6pm; and Sunday 12 noon to 8pm. Call 843.665.3106 for more info.

Back when I was in school... - Day 30

2012-01-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

How any times have we heard our "elders" talking about how different life was when they were in school? Having to walk 3 miles to get there, having to share one pencil between three other students... Stop by Timrod Park to see the one-room schoolhouse to gain a better perspective. Henry Timrod, the Poet Laureate of the Confederacy taught school in the little house that is now located at the park.

While he wasn't busy with his students he wrote our State Song "Carolina." You can find the lyrics here.

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Find more things to do at www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar/ ... and enjoy!

Enlightenment via the resident artist - Day 29

2012-01-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

In a quick stop in the downtown this weekend, it became clear to me - Florence's downtown will be flourishing within the next few years. We all know about the big keystones to rebuilding the area - the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundatdion Library, Florence Little Theatre, FMU Performing Arts Center, and the upcoming Florence Museum. Here are some of the smaller clues that we are well on our way:

Hapi Balance started from a pop-up shop and has become a permanent storefront, offering yoga and other invigorating soul-seeking activities.
Railroad Junction, also starting from a pop-up shop, has developed into a strong artist co-op which offers the newest in arts / craft classes, activities for kids, live music, artist lock-ins, and reasonably priced original artwork.
Ella's Boutique is nestled between these two, and her storefront looks fabulous with the newest styles in business, church, and formal wear.
Harvest Moon Soapworks has relocated across the street from these three shops. Harvest Moon offers a wide range of hand-crafted soaps and aromatherapy herbs.
Peggy Brown will be opening her pottery shop and eatery on Dargan Street.
Alchemy has built up its base of "regulars" with lots of new faces on promotional evenings. Seeing how cool the place is, these new faces soon become regulars, introducing Alchemy to their friends.
A boutique hotel is in the works, with a high-end restaurant.

But most impressive of all, the Art Trail Gallery which started out as a temporary exhibit of art in storefront windows has become a permanent fixture of the downtown. Jane Madden keeps the momentum going with new exhibits each month, while Alex Palkovich continues to enthrall passers-by with his sculptures.

Can you name another downtown that has a resident Russian sculptor to settle in after retiring from designing and manufacturing MRI machines? One that has found his niche in making monumental pieces focused on Revolutionary War figures and commemorating our veterans? The best part is, Alex is in the downtown, welcoming visitors to his studio as he creates a new artistic heritage for Florence and the Pee Dee.

more info about Alex Palkovich... and about the Art Trail Gallery...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Enjoy!

Mad Scientist on site - Day 28

2012-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

For days now, we've been watching cool things move in to prepare for Kids Jamboree - bright displays, rainforest-y looking trees, carnival rides, and even big snakes and lizards. Everything looked fun and exciting, and recognizable... until ScienceSouth showed up to unload. Their stuff also looked fun and exciting, but not like anything we'd seen before! Those contraptions made from PVC pipe and styrofoam balls make me want to head to their booth first to see what they're up to. I wonder if the Mad Scientist will be there, too...

Kids Jamboree will be entertaining thousands of kids this weekend at the Florence Civic Center. Kids play with magicians and stiltwalkers and reptiles and inflatables and friends - all day for just $6. more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Enjoy!

I wish you bluebirds in the spring - Day 27

2012-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

Expecting spring? Make sure you're ready for the harbinger of the season - those cute, fluffy bluebirds! Lynches River County Park will be doing a workshop to build bluebird houses (the natural Habitat House) on the first weekend in February.

While you're at Lynches River Park, be sure to take your smartphone out to the far end of the boardwalk to record birds in the canopy. Those people at the Environmental Discovery Center are so acquainted with the natural surroundings, they may even be able to interpret the birds' messages for you. more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Enjoy!

Hey, that's mime! - Day 26

2012-01-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Feb 2-4... Savannah Grove Baptist Church has a great weekend in store for Florence - from genealogy research techniques, to gospel singer Norris Turner, to a quilting workshop with Marlene O'Bryant Seabrook of Charleston and artistic metalworking by Bruce Graves.

One of the many highlights will be TDK Mime group performing late Friday evening.
more info...

365 Days Around Florence is a blog written by the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Visitor Center near the Florence Civic Center, we spend a great deal of our time in letting guests know how much is happening in Florence. We decided to share (blog-style) 365 days' worth of things to do. Enjoy!

Marion in Marion - Day 25

2012-01-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

What better place to discover more about Francis Marion than in Marion? The Documentary Premiere & Round Table Discussion of General Francis Marion's Exploits in Marion will be held on the evening of January 31st. Location? The newly renovated Opera House on W. Court Street in Marion. 843-423-3561 or for more info...

The painting above was done by Peggy McGill and prints are available through the Francis Marion Trail Commission.

Masterpiece Delivery - Day 24

2012-01-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

"Nature and the Grand American Vision: Masterpieces of the Hudson River School Painters"

Amazing artwork, like the Thomas Hill piece above, are on display in Columbia through April 1, 2012. What's even greater, Columbia Museum of Art is bringing some of the pieces for us Florentines to enjoy at the Florence Library on January 26th at 5:30pm -

The Columbia Museum of Art will be presenting highlights from their newest visiting exhibition, "Nature and the Grand American Vision: Masterpieces of the Hudson River School Painters" on January 26, 2012 at 5:30PM. The lecture will combine art, history, and literature and will be presented by the Columbia Museum of Art's Executive Director, Karen Brosius. The lecture will be held in the Joe Stukes Meeting Room at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library on Dargan Street and admission is FREE.

This is the first time the paintings have ever left New York as a collection and they will only travel to four venues nationwide. The Columbia Museum of Art is the only stop in the Southeast on this exhibition's grand tour. The paintings are from 19th Century American artists who created the pieces as views of the American Landscape. These works give visitors a rare look into the nature, culture, and history of the 19th Century New York art movement.

More info -

Kreative Kids - Day 23

2012-01-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts about Railroad Junction's being in the downtown is that they're offering kids' art classes every Tuesday at 6:30. The classes are affordable (only $10), in a laid-back artsy co-op atmosphere, hosted by some great artists.

I have a feeling that this experience will have a long-lasting effect on the students.

More info -

Camelot in Lake City - Day 22

2012-01-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

Lake City Community Theatre always does the greatest productions. Starting March 1st, King Arthur and Lancelot will be hitting the stage. A few of my favorite lines -

King Arthur: We must arrange for your knighthood.
Lancelot Du Lac: No, sire! Invest me because of deeds, not words! Give me an order!
King Arthur: Now?
Lancelot Du Lac: This moment! Is there some wrong I can right, some peril I can face, some quest I can undertake?
King Arthur: Well... actually... there's not much going on today. The Queen and some of her court have gone a-maying.
Lancelot Du Lac: Gone... a-maying?
King Arthur: Well, it's a sort of... um... picnic? They pick flowers and chase young...
Lancelot Du Lac: Picnic?
King Arthur: It's a custom we have here. This is England, you know. And this is the season for gathering flowers.
Lancelot Du Lac: Knights? Gathering FLOWERS?
King Arthur: Well, SOMEONE has to do it!

Chances are Julie Andrews won't be playing Guinevere, but with Lake City's quality performances, you never know! (One time, we were quietly eating lunch and Julie Andrews came diving in Peter-Pan style and landed on our neighbor's table. We'd been wondering why their table had been missing a centerpiece... but that's another story, in another town...)

Contact Lake City Chamber of Commerce for more info on Camelot - 843.374.8611

Naturally High Tech - Day 21

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

The number of geocaches in the region has been growing tremendously. What had been 600 sites that we were so proud of in 2010, has become 7100 sites. Let's do the math - if we geocached every day for a year, we'd need to find at least 20 per day - and that's only if there are no new sites added.

What is geocaching? Here is an explanation from www.geocaching.com: Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

Our favorite place to geocache? Lynches River County Park. The Environmental Discovery Center even provides loaner gps units if your group doesn't have one.

Palmetto Hands - Day 20

2012-01-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Florence Museum will be the presenting venue for the 2011 - 2012 Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibition, January 10 through March 4, 2012. "Palmetto Hands" is offered by the SC State Museum's Traveling Exhibits Program. It's truly inspiring - seeing what hands from our state have shaped, carved, woven, welded, and created.

Works in wood, fiber, glass, metal, clay and 3D mixed media are represented. More info

Mr. Okra - Day 19

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

From the Bee Keeper's Daughter to the funeral band to the drive-in movie operator, Mary Whyte has a way of bringing ordinary working people to life. Looking at her paintings, you can almost sense what the subjects would say about how their day went, what they like (and don't like so much) about the work they do, and how they learned their skills. Mary Whyte met Mr. Okra in Louisiana, but I feel like I've met him before...

Mary Whyte will be having a book signing of her artbook Working South at the Florence library on Sunday, January 29th. More info...

Kids Jam - Day 18

2012-01-18T05:30:00.000-08:00

If have kids, you probably already know that the Kids Jamboree is greatest, fun-filled $6 event around. On January 28-29th, the Florence Civic Center will be filled with clowns, 100-ft slide, snakes, Wipe-Out style inflatables, puppy dogs, popcorn, carnival rides, karaoke, stilt walkers, video games, craft activities, and laughter. Lots of laughter.

More info

Happy "Paw"metto Dogs - Day 17

2012-01-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

I like it when dogs are happy. It just makes me feel good. And I have a secret - I've found the exact place and time that dogs in Florence are happiest. February 18th - 19th at the Eastern Carolina Fairgrounds. That's when the Pawmetto Pack Flyball Team will be hosting the Cool Runnings Tournament.

It's a relay race - 4 dogs to each team, jumping hurdles, hitting a box that throws out a tennis ball for them to catch and race back over the hurdles to their teammates... but that's only half of the entertainment - the best part is watching the dogs on the sidelines that are anxious to have their turn.

More info

Come Together - Day 16

2012-01-16T05:30:00.001-08:00

The Return will be performing at Cheraw's Theatre on the Green on January 20th. These guys headlined the 40th anniversary celebration of the Beatles visit to Tokyo, and they've performed in Abbey Road Studios in London and the Cavern in Liverpool.

But the British Invasion has already hit Cheraw - the Burr Gallery has a collection of Beatles memorabilia on exhibit through January 27th. And to top it all off, the Oyster Bar Restaurant will have Beatles Trivia Night on January 17th. Your team of up to 6 people can register for $10.

More info

Techno Art - Day 15

2012-01-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite quotes:

"Once a technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road." - Stewart Brand

Jackie Wukela is not one to be rolled over. Her work is so diverse, and ranges from watercolor to pastel to oil, each capturing attention through the style and emotion emanating from the piece. THEN, she says, add some techno... use your iPad, projectors, cameras, laptop, whatever you have at your disposal, to add another dimension to your work...

Jackie will offer a workshop in Techno Art on January 18th. More info

By the way, the Jammin' oil image above was done without techno art - imagine it with.

Railroad Crossing - Day 14

2012-01-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

Into a city built around and dependent upon the rails system comes the Underground Railroad. The performance which will be held on January 31st at the FMU Performing Arts Center is suitable for students grade 3-12.

Harriet Tubman, aka Grandma Moses, ran 13 missions by way of the Underground Railroad to save 70 slaves. This exciting play tells her story, and the story of those she saved. More info.

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

I'm hungry. Let's try something new! - Day 13

2012-01-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

The best time of the year to try some new dining experiences - SC Restaurant Week will be held January 12-22, 2012. Restaurants across the state will be featuring special menus and great promo prices, meant to bring in the regulars and entice guests to try something new.
Here are the menus from three participating restaurants in Florence - Red Bone Alley, Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn, and Victor's Bistro and Garden Room -

Red Bone Alley

$20 per person

Starters (Choose One)

Wedge of Iceberg Lettuce, Crisp Pancetta Bacon, Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese, Grape Tomatoes
and Buttermilk Bleu Cheese Dressing
or

Smoked Ham, Garden Bean Gumbo

Main Course (Choose One)

Braised Beef Short Ribs, Mepkin Abbey Mushroom Risotto, Local Succotash and Pan Drippins'
or

16 Spice Spit Roasted Chicken, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Crisp Fried Long Beans and Good Juice

Dessert (Choose One)

Heirloom Pound Cake Panini
or

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn

$19.95 per person

Appetizer

Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta
basil, dusted with Parmesan

Or
Parmesan Potato Chips Served with a spicy Aioli sauce

Entree

Grilled Double-Cut Pork Chop
with Glazed Baby Carrots and apples and Apple Cider Reduction

Or
Rosemary Grilled Jumbo Shrimp
Spicy Pineapple Salsa, creamy polenta, lemon broth

Dessert

Warm Bread Pudding
Ice Cream, Caramel, Toasted Pepitas
Or
Crème Brûlée with a Blueberry Reduction sauce and Whipped Cream

Victor's Bistro and Garden Room

$20 per person

1st Course

House salad

2nd Course

Chicken Moutarde

-Grilled Breast of Chicken with garlic whipped potatoes, sauteed vegetables and

a creamy whole grain mustard and caper sauce.

3rd Course

Chocolate Brownie with ganache and vanilla ice cream

Don't Hide the Cookie Jar - Day 12

2012-01-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

On January 21st, at the Florence County library, we'll have a chance to meet Chris Rock's mamma. Yes, really - Chris Rock's mamma. She'll be sharing with us all of Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Houseful of Successful Children - one of them being, "Don't hide the cookie jar."

Mamma Rock will be one of the seventeen local authors featured on that day from 2-4pm. Admission is free, so get on out there to meet mamma and the other talented writers of the Pee Dee!

For more info, check the events calendar.

Who's afraid of Bigfoot? - Day 11

2012-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up, I was terrified that I'd meet Bigfoot while I was out walking with my beagle, Jitters, on our family's wooded property. I eventually grew out of that, I'd thought. But then I read that Bigfoot is coming to the Florence Civic Center January 20-21. My heart stopped for a moment... then I realized that Bigfoot was only just a motor-screaming, ground-shaking Monster Truck. Besides, Vorian the 30-feet tall, rocket-firing, jet-powered robot will be there to protect us all.

For more information, check out the online calendar listing.

You WISH you could hit like a girl - Day 10

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the Winter Bump Volleyball Tournament at the Florence Civic Center where 56 teams of 13-15 year old girls will be showing what it really means to hit like a girl! The top junior volleyball teams are coming from SC, NC, GA, MD, VA, and WV January 14th - 16th to compete for the tournament title.

Check out The Florence CVB event calendar on visitflo.com for more info.

Living in a log cabin - Day 9

2012-01-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Sounds so romantic, doesn't it? Living in a log cabin on a big piece of land, returning home from work each day to spend time with your family and tend to your organic garden...

Stop by the hand-hewn log cabins at Francis Marion University on January 10th at 2:30 for Karl McAlister's more realistic description of life for the families that called these cabins home in the 1800s. Built and occupied by enslaved African Americans and later housing emancipated slaves as they worked the area farms, these cabins have stories to tell. After you've had a chance to peek inside, you'll be able to visualize Ms. Tena pasting newspaper to the interior walls to stop drafts, and Ms. Catherine using a handmade broom to sweep the yards free of grass and leaves.

There are nine African-American Sites at Mars Bluff that make up the self-guided tour developed by Amelia Vernon Wallace. You can pick up a copy of the brochure at the Florence CVB or download it. The full book is also available for purchase at the CVB.

For more info about the tour of the cabins, visit our events calendar.

Every Job I've Ever Had - Day 8

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

The FMU Performing Arts Center has pulled together an incredible mix of performances to be held this spring - from "The Color Purple" and "Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad" to "100 Years of Broadway" and Barry Smith's comedy routine "Every Job I've Ever Had". The PAC is quickly becoming the spot to gather up friends and family to enjoy quality entertainment at an extraordinary venue.

"Every Job I've Ever Had" which started out as a portion of the Barry Smith Comedy Project Experiment Thing is a multimedia comedy routine that follows Barry's life from Mississippi to California to Colorado, entwined with bizarre employment experiences. You can catch Barry downtown on January 27th.

Check out the Florence CVB event listing for more info.

Time for an Epiphany - Day 7

2012-01-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Every year, St. John's Episcopal Church has a wonderful concert series at 6pm on Sundays during the period of the Epiphany - this year between January 6th and February 22nd.

The word epiphany means "manifestation" and is also used in describing innovation as insight from the divine, (think of Sir Isaac Newton chomping on his gravity-delivered apple.) What a perfect theme for a concert by Wilson High School senior William Douglas who studied piano from age 5 and organ since 2010 - not only will he be amazing the audience with his musical skills on January 8th, he'll be showcasing pieces of organ and vocal music he himself composed.

Check out our event calendar for the full list of concerts and for more background on William. Something tells me that much more will be manifested in him in the years to come.

Because he had dreams - Day 6

2012-01-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

Become a peaceful revolutionary in modern times. Two upcoming events celebrate the life and continuing progress made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The first is the annual MLK Celebration held at Francis Marion University. On January 12th at 6:30pm, Jesse Washington, Jr., Former Executive Director of the SC Human Affairs Commission will be speaking about "Celebrating the Legacy, Living the Dream". This celebration, sure to be very thought-provoking, is free and open to the public. (The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, FMU, and Hope Health make this possible.)

The second is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Interfaith Prayer Breakfast to be held at Savannah Grove Baptist Church at 7:30am on January 13th. It will be a time to reflect on the Dream of Dr. King and honor 15 local citizens with the “Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs Community Service Award” presented by The Community Times in their 25th anniversary year. Tickets for this award breakfast may be purchased through DBS Communications, with net proceeds benefiting two local shelters.

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
- MLK

For more info, check www.visitflo.com/regional_calendar.html

How well can you spell? - Day 5

2012-01-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

With a mix of wacky words, unstable spelling contestants, and a bit of music by Queen, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be hitting the Florence Little Theatre starting January 20th.

This is one of those "can't miss" productions that will have you roaring with laughter as you try to connect with each of the character's quirky backgrounds - from Barfee's (pronounced Bar-fay's) magic spelling foot to Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere's fear of disappointing her ultra-competitive gay dads. And just wait to hear what words the audience volunteers are asked to spell!

The show is never the same, so my bet is that you'll be singing in your head as you wait to buy tickets to the following night's performance, if there are any left to be had -

"I see a little silhouetto of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?"

For more info - visitflo.com's calendar

“Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?” - Day 4

2012-01-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

There is limited space available for the kids to join in the Star Wars Party at Burry Bookstore in Hartsville. The party which will be held on Friday, January 13th at 4pm will include making the folded flyers from the new book you see pictured, doing some Star Wars stenciling and drawing, Star Wars mad libs, learning and sharing Star Wars trivia, and enjoying some Star Wars snacks. To reserve a spot for your child aged 8-12, call 843.332.2511.

If the kids can't get enough of The Force, all the Star Wars merchandise will be on sale, too.

For more info, http://bit.ly/rvyAdI

Artistic Talent Captured - Day 3

2012-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best talent is yet undiscovered. Jane Madden with the Art Trail Gallery has made it her mission to discover the awakening artists in the Pee Dee and highlight the work they've recently completed. Coming in January, the Art Trail Gallery will host an exhibit of work by Francis Marion University art students. The exhibit opens on January 11th, and a reception will be held on January 13th (yes, Friday the 13th) from 5:30-8pm.

Exhibit dates and hours may be found on the visitflo.com event calendar here: http://bit.ly/vD18Pg

We've gotten a sneak peek of some of the work -

Adrianna Lovato

John Ainsworth

Symon Gibson

Tari Federer

Tiffany Thomas

Chance to win a Caribbean honeymoon while your guy hangs out in the man cave - Day 2

2012-01-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

Planning for your big day? You can do it all in one stop - at the Bravo! Bridal Expo at the Florence Civic Center on January 8th. The best part is, while the bride-to-be is making all the hard decisions, the groom can be hiding out in the man cave set up just for him and his new best friends!

Brides will have the opportunity to win a Caribbean cruise, a Wedding Dress valued at $1,000, and an artfully-designed Groom's Cake. The first 50 brides to preregister at www.bravobridalexpo.com get special treatment, too.

More information about this event - http://www.visitflo.com/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=9089

Swedish performer to perform in Hartsville, but where? - Day 1

2012-01-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

Is there a party planned in your neighbor's house?

Sofia Talvik is coming to Hartsville on January 6th to perform a house concert at 7pm, but where? You won't find out until you RSVP! There are limited seats available for the $15 donation to attend.

In talking to Dylan Sneed of Artsville House Concerts, we found out that houses are the coolest, preferred venues for artists - much better than a raucous bar where it's difficult to hear the music. The artists feel free to share thoughts and experiences, and the audience is drawn into their performance.

Here are more thoughts about house concerts from Sofia's blog - http://www.sofiatalvik.com/blog/concert-in-your-home/

And you can find out more about the event at http://www.visitflo.com/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=9116

We hear there is a Wild Carrot coming in March!

Coming Soon! 365 Days Around Florence

2011-12-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Starting with the new year, the Florence CVB will be blogging each day - with 365 things to keep you busy around Florence! Check out our blog every day for all the fun and excitement this area has to offer. And - feel free to drop us a comment about places you think we should mention.