After 42 years of service to the Bennettsville Fire Department, Van Edwards retired on June 30.
“It’s a sad time in my life,” he said during his retirement dinner on Sept. 28. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t on the fire department. I can’t remember when I didn’t have a pager attached to my side everywhere I went.
In addition to Edwards and his family, various past and present firefighters were there along with District 2 Bennettsville City Council member Wilhelmina Pegues Gladden and County Council member Willie Gladden.
Edwards became interested in being a fireman in 1973 when the Hotel Powers burned and later when Gold Kist burned.
He knew when he graduated from high school that he was going to join the fire department as a volunteer.
He joined at the age of 20 in February of 1977. Months later, he became a volunteer lieutenant.

Various vintage aircraft will visit Marlboro County for Saturday’s Vintage Plane Fly-In at the H.E. Avent Jetport.
The Jetport is located at 1231 Airport Road.
The free event, which is from 9 a.m-2 p.m., will celebrate the history of World War II Primary Flight Training Facility Palmer Field and the history of aviation in Marlboro County.
Palmer Field was located west of Evans Correctional Institution on Hwy 9 West near Bennettsville.

Well, the Marlboro Players are at it again! They’re in Mineola County again, where the Community Theatre is producing Romeo and Juliet. Even though the cast members don’t have their lines memorized, the set isn’t finished, and a dog keeps barking offstage, they’re gonna give it a go! Go and see Faith County II: An Evening of Culture Oct. 10, 11, and 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Marlboro Civic Center. Adults are $12 and children (12 and under) are $6. Pictured l-r front: Pamela Grant, Hampton Hubbard; Back row- Sarah Crouch, Fred McDaniel, Katie Brune, Mary Boan, Jennifer Yeager, and Heather Midgley.

Very few coaches are big on moral victories.  Count Marlboro County High's Bobby Collins among those not high on celebrating anything about a defeat.
However, in last week's game against Dillon, Collins saw a great deal that his team can build upon, despite the loss.
"We had said that the first objective Friday was to get off the bus, get the ball and march down and score.  Then we wanted to get the ball back, march down and take control," said Collins.
The Bulldogs accomplished a good portion of that, driving for a touchdown with the opening possession then forcing a turnover.  They couldn't convert the turnover into points, however.
"That was a key.  If we get so much as a field goal after the interception, it is a different ballgame.  Still, in the first half, that was about the only negative," said Collins.
After intermission, the Bulldogs were not able to match Dillon's increased defensive intensity.

Celebrate fall with Cinema in the City on Friday evening.
Hosted by the Marlboro Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Bennettsville, it will feature a showing of A Dog’s Way Home.
The movie is about a female dog, who travels four hundred miles in search of her owner throughout a Colorado wilderness.
Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Judd, and Edward James Olmos, this film will delight all ages.
The movie is provided by Marian Wright Edelman Public Library.
Cinema in the City is a chance to bring blankets and lawn chairs for an evening outside. Admission is free and it will start at 6:30 p.m. The movie will start at dark.
 Enjoy local food trucks, and a kid zone with a bounce house, free popcorn, and free drinks.