The Community Kitchen of Bennettsville held its ribbon cutting Monday morning.  Volunteers, local officials and Chamber of Commerce representatives watched as Anne and Roger Griggs officially opened the “soup kitchen” which provides free lunches five days a week for those in need.  “The response has been amazing, both from the number of folks who have helped get this ministry up and running and the number of people that we have already served,” said Roger Griggs.  The kitchen started serving meals May 1 and has been averaging 85 “customers” each day for the last two weeks.  “From Mayor Heath Harpe, who donated the building, to all our dear friends who did the renovation work, to the groups and organizations who are helping serve the meals, this has been a true community effort,” he said.
Photo by Dan McNiel

BLENHEIM — More than 500 people came out to see some of the top grill masters in Marlboro County and the surrounding area show off their skills at the fourth annual Marlboro County Country Cookoff on June 16.
The winners were Team Unity BBQ, "Grill Master Supreme"; Team Julius Canty, "People's Choice" Award; Charleton Fennell wins "Best Brisket"; and Israel and Drayton Dease win "Best Sauce".
Five students received scholarships. They were Aleecia Brown, Leron Evans, Danielle Hepburn, Serena Parrott, and Careka Townsend.
Levone Evans was one of the judges for the Best Brisket. Evans, who owns Vons and Sons near Clio and a 2018 People Choice winner, said various briskets she tried were good.

Bennettsville police officer S. Davis gave five-year-old Daniel Warren a chance to see inside her police cruiser Tuesday at the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library's Summer Reading program. Warren's grandfather was a police officer and he also wants to be one. Davis talked with youth attending the program about safety. Later, a thank you sign was made for Davis. Next week's program on June 25 will feature members from the Bennettsville Fire Department.
Photos by Jacqueline Hough

The McColl Health and Wellness Center opened in McColl on Monday. The 28,992 square-foot CareSouth Carolina facility will have a state-of-the-art cardiac rehab with a therapy pool and whirlpool, a gym with exercise equipment, coffee bar and a teaching kitchen. The center has a helipad on its property along with additional primary care providers, behavioral health counseling, lab services, family support services and senior support services. A grand opening will be held in the upcoming months.
Photo by Jacqueline Hough

An Antiques Appraisal event will be held at the Marlboro County Historical Museum on Sunday.  The "Antiques Roadshow" type event will be from 2-5:30 p.m.
Lynn McQueen, museum and cultural affairs director at the Marlboro County Museums, said Charlie Maurer and John Turner of Quality First Antiques on Broad Street in Bennettsville will do the appraisals.
Maurer and Turner have years of experience buying, selling and appraising antiques.
The cost is $5 for up to five items. Each item will be assigned a number and appraisals will occur in the order of arrival.
McQueen said all proceeds will go to the Historical Society to support the museum.