(Editor’s Note: At a special called meeting on Nov. 19, Marlboro County Council members were updated on the initiatives in their Strategic Plan.   Over the next few weeks, we will review the progress made on each of these items. This week, the Herald-Advocate is focusing on Broadband and Citizen Communications initiatives.)

Marlboro County Council had several strategies in 2020 to improve broadband. 
They were to lobby state regulatory agencies, internet providers, and others to address issues regarding access to high-speed internet in our community and seek grants or other funding to address specific infrastructure needs.
County Administrator Ron Munnerlyn said improving broadband was a win for the county. The goal was to have a plan and go after funding from the agency. 
“We were the worst in the state with regards to broadband access,” he said. “And when COVID hit, all of a sudden it became a big problem.”
The county worked with Sandhill Telephone Cooperative to come up with a plan. 
"We didn't have any money but we had a plan," he said.
Then they learned there would be Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and were able to get some of the money. 
Munnerlyn noted it made things a lot easier because they had done their homework. It allowed them to provide some of the areas that needed broadband. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Shortly after the election, Blenheim mayor Bobby Brock was contacted by the Blenheim newspaper for a story about voting in the community.
That is the Marlborough Express newspaper in Blenheim, New Zealand.  
"I didn't even realize there was a Blenheim in New Zealand," said Brock.
He was interviewed by reporter Jennifer Eder for the Express's website stuff.co.nz.
Worldwide, the U.S. election was a fascination and subject to some sensationalism in regards to nationwide violence.
The following is the article, reprinted with the Express' permission.

Protests, violence and a bomb threat have marred the United States elections but at least one small southern town has managed to keep the peace.
Blenheim is a “crossroads” community of 157 people in Marlboro County, with an elementary school, a town hall, a gas station and four churches, on a main highway crossing South Carolina to Myrtle Beach, which is a two hours’ drive from Blenheim to the southeastern coast.

Gladys Bridges had simple plans for celebrating her 100th birthday on Monday — cake and thanking God for being able to make it to the milestone.
Bridges, who was born on Dec. 7, 1920, turned 100.
Her family held a drive-by birthday celebration for her on Dec. 5. Family and friends lined up at Eastside School and drove over to Wallace Road where Bridges sat wearing a crown and waving at the cars.
"Living right," Bridges said to how she has lived for so long. "God has been good to me."
Bridges and her daughter Maggie Bridges Peterkin celebrated her big day together by having cake and ice cream.
"And I might ride her around for a little while," Peterkin said.
Peterkin added she felt good about her mother turning 100.

No Contact Pictures with Santa will be from 2-4 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11)  at the Bennettsville Visitor Center, 304 W. Main Street, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 12) in front of Marian Wright Edelman Public Library.

Love Beyond Bars and the Marlboro County Coordinating Council will have a Christmas Drive-Thru on Friday, Dec. 11.