I want to welcome you to this little corner of The Sun News, where I hope to shed light on the persons, places and happenings within our county that can get lost amid the shuffle of daily news.
It's not just the people, but also the images. As anyone who drives past the swing bridge in Socastee, takes a boat down the Intracoastal Waterway or walks hand-in-hand with that special someone along the Riverwalk in Conway can attest, there are endless views within Horry County that can take one's breath away.
Both myself and our photographers want this space to offer you, the readers, a much broader picture of what's happening and what can be seen in Horry County. They may not always fit together, but in the end, they're working to create a better appreciation for our little piece of the Grand Strand.
A love of history
Florence Vaught said her favorite eras of history to study are the Civil War and World War II.
As a child, the 84-year-old Horry County resident listened as her great-grandmother recounted stories about the four years the war between the states raged on.
But the World War II era is more personal, because Vaught came of age during that time. Her late first husband served in the Army, as did her second husband, Gen. James Vaught.
Florence and James, or Jim as she calls him, knew each other because both their families were close. Even though it would be over 50 years before they saw each other again, relatives always kept the other side informed of what each of them were doing.
Fourteen years ago, Florence married the Horry County general.
"I tell people he was slow to ask me," she said.
After more than 30 years of running a private psychology practice in Charlotte, N.C., Florence was coming home. She was still working at 70, but had no ambition to start a new practice from scratch.
She needed a project, a way to get involved with the community and learn more about its inner workings.
So what could be better for an avid history buff? How about serving on the local museum board?
And that's what Vaught started doing nine years ago. This wasn't her first rodeo. In Charlotte, she helped the city's nature museum get up and running, not to mention worked with the children who loved coming by to see the live animals.
"They loved for me to pick up the boa constrictor," Vaught said. "I had to make like I liked it."
Vaught was honored Tuesday night at the Horry County Council meeting for serving as a member of the Horry County Museum Board of Directors for nine years, including three as chairman. During her tenure, she was instrumental in getting the old Burroughs School designated as the future location of the Horry County Museum.
Right now, the opening of the new museum is still up in the air. Foundation problems at the school have pushed back the relocation. The hope is for all renovation work to be finished in November, followed by an opening in early 2012.
Vaught had hoped to have her 80th birthday party at the museum's new location. Now, with the work continuing to move slowly, that wish has become an inside joke.
She reveled in that joke Tuesday before the County Council when she said her hope was to now have her 100th birthday party at the Burroughs School.
Furry four-legged friends seeking loving owners
In commemoration of Petfinder.com's 15th anniversary, the Horry County Animal Care Center and other area shelters are hosting an adopt-a-thon Saturday at the Carolina Forest Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On its homepage, Petfinder.com says that 17 million pets have been adopted in its 15 years of existence. The website allows users to search for pets by breed, find local shelters and get information on services and supplies.
Brittney Sherman, with the Horry County Animal Shelter, said a number of their adoptions come after people spot that adorable puppy or kitten on Petfinder.com.
Sherman said their goal is to adopt out at least 100 pets during Saturday's event.
So, if you've considered adding that four-legged friend to your family, Saturday's the day to do it. And for those on the fence, the smart money is those adorable faces will be just the kick you need to take one home.
But always remember to do your part to control Horry County's ever-growing pet population and have your animals spayed or neutered.
E-Mail
Print
The Sun News Terms & Conditions and Commenting Policies can be reviewed here.