Myrtle Beach-area political meetings

Democrats

• The Democratic Women’s Council of Horry County is holding it annual scholarship contest, and entries are now being accepted.

The essay contest is open to high school seniors and undergraduate college students, and this year’s theme is “The far-reaching effects of the 2012 election, and why electing Democrats matters more than ever.”

The top two essay writers will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. With this year’s awards, the Democratic Women’s Council will have provided more than $20,000 in scholarships since the program began in 2007, according to a press release from the organization.

Essays must be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. All entrants must be registered voters of Horry County or scheduled for high school graduation by June.

The deadline for essay submissions is March 30.

For a complete list of rules and criteria, or for other details, contact Essay Committee Chairwoman Milly Vaughn by email at mvaughn3@sc.rr.com.

As in past years, the group will publish a booklet with all winning essays.

For more information about the Democratic Women’s Council of Horry County or contributing to the scholarship fund, contact Sally Howard at 455-1936 or by email at SallyPHoward@aol.com.

• The North Strand Democratic Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mick & Mike’s Sports Bar, 1008 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach.

For information, call Brian or Roberta at 272-6454.

• The Democratic Women’s Council of Horry County meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Martin’s Restaurant, 7200 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

This month’s meeting features guest speaker Sloane Whelan from Planned Parenthood.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 455-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.

• The Horry Grand Strand Dems will meet at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Friendly’s Restaurant at 47th Avenue North and Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.

For more information email Bea Catalano at bealap@frontier.com

• The Horry County Democratic Party has announced that a fundraiser planned for Feb. 25 is being replaced by a Black History Month Commemoration meet-and-greet social.

The guest speaker is “Mother” Laura Grate, who is 104 years old.

People are asked to bring samples of the recipes they’ve submitted for the HCDP cookbook to share, and people with others. If you do not have a recipe in the cookbook, please bring your favorite dish to share, and submit the recipe if you wish to have it included in the HCDP Cookbook addendum.

The event takes place at 6 p.m. at the Masonic Temple C.O.G.I.C. Banquet Hall, 1501 Seventh Ave., Conway.

For more information, call the party office at 488-4237.

Republicans

• The Myrtle Beach Republican Women’s Club will hear from District 7 candidates Randal Wallace and Dick Withington when it meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach.

Optional lunch buffet is $20 per person.

• GOP candidate for state House District 108 Stephen Goldfinch is holding a meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Land’s End Restaurant, 444 Marina Drive, Georgetown.

For more information, call James Jerow, chairman of the Georgetown County Republican Party, at 527-3209 or visit www.georgetowngop.org.

• The Waccamaw Neck Republican Club offers Coffee with the Candidates from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Applewood’s House of Pancakes, 14361 U.S. 17 next to the Bi Lo in the Litchfield Commons Exchange Center.

Speakers this month are Lane Cribb, candidate for Georgetown County sheriff; Waldo Maring, candidate for probate judge; and Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice, candidate for congressional District 7

For more information, call President Jerry Rovner at 235-0463, email WaccamawNeckRepublicanClub@gmail.com or visit www.GeorgetownGOP.org.

•  Conservatives for Responsible Government meets the last Thursday of each month at T-Bonz Gill & Grill on Seaboard Street in Seaboard Commons, Myrtle Beach.

Social hour begins at 11:15, while lunch and guest speaker begin at noon.

For more information, call Carol Kinsman at 281-4522.

Tea Party

• The Myrtle Beach Tea Party meets several times this month, including Monday and Feb. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rotelli’s restaurant, 201 Graduate Road, Suite 109, Conway, across U.S. 501 from the entrance to Coastal Carolina University.

For more information, email the group at infombtp@gmail.com.