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Georgetown County offices and facilities will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

News Releases:

Public hearing set for March 15
Jan. 18, 2019

The Georgetown County Board of Voter Registration and Elections has postponed a public hearing to review a complaint issued against County Council Member Austin Beard concerning his residency. The group convened for the hearing on the morning of Jan. 18, but approved a postponement due to an emergency health situation Beard's attorney experienced that morning. The public hearing will now take place March 15. The attorney for the complainant was agreeable to the change.

The complaint concerning Beard's residency was issued by groups including the local branch of the NAACP and the West End Citizens Council. Representatives from these groups addressed County Council and the board this month with claims that Beard does not reside in the district he represents — Council District 5.

The March 15 meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers, located in the historic county courthouse at 129 Screven St., Georgetown. The board will hear from Beard's attorney, as well as the attorney for the complainant.

Waccamaw Library to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe birthday in grand style
Jan. 8, 2019

Wintertime got you feeling “dark and dreary?” Here’s a fix: Come toast Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) with the Friends of the Waccamaw Library on the occasion of the 214th anniversary of his birth. The Library will celebrate the occasion on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 2:30 p.m. in the Library’s DeBordieu Auditorium, located at 41 St. Paul Place, Pawleys Island.

The guest of honor will be Poe himself, in the form of professional actor Vincent Triana. In the role of Poe, Triana will intone passages from the gothic master’s most suspenseful works for the entertainment of all. Triana, who obtained his bachelor’s in theater from Francis Marion University, has previously played Poe with The Palmetto Players. A veteran of area stage productions who has also logged some film work, he is a skilled performer who has a penchant for enacting the melancholy scribe. He has even considered putting together a solo show just on Poe, he said. 

In addition to his dramatic renditions of some of Poe’s most dynamic and well-known works, Triana and a small cast will cap off the celebration with a one-act play version of the writer’s dark and fanciful story, “The Cask of Amontillado.”

Also expected on the scene is the “Poe Toaster,” an elusive, darkly clad figure who, from at least 1949 and onward for 70 years, appeared at Poe’s grave on his birthdate carrying three roses and a bottle of cognac, which he would pour and drink in toast to the memory of the renowned Poe.

The fame of Poe’s work has made him a household name in modern culture. The famous—and famously gothic—writer was obsessed with repetitions in his stories and poems, including “Annabel Lee,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Lenore,” and “The Raven.” As the victim of numerous personal tragedies in his tortured life, he endured many unhappy returns; truly, poor Poe suffered from “Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance.” He died in Baltimore on Oct. 7, 1849, at age 40 under still-disputed circumstances: some suspect Poe may have undergone a series of strokes, while others believe he may have been suffering from rabies. At his funeral, there were only seven people present. He was buried in an unmarked grave on his grandfather’s plot in Westminster Burying Grounds, Baltimore. It wasn’t until 26 years after his death that teachers and students raised money to pay for a proper monument, and Poe’s remains were moved next to the cemetery gate.

The event on Jan. 19 offers local fans a chance to remember and celebrate Poe’s brilliant contributions as an originator of both the horror and detective fiction genres, a memorable poet, and a pop culture icon. Come join “Mr. Poe” and hear him perform some of his greatest works, while raising a draught of cognac in his honor.

The celebration is free and open to the public.

Farewell Slideshow for Outgoing County Council Chairman Johnny Morant

Jan. 3, 12 p.m.

Whether you were or were not able to attend the Farewell Drop-In for outgoing Georgetown County Council Chairman Johnny Morant on Sunday, Dec. 30, we have uploaded the slideshow shown at the event to YouTube for your viewing pleasure.  Please click here to view the video. To read more about Mr. Morant's service, click the Newsletter link at the top of this section.

Rocky Point Community Forest re-opens for public access

Dec. 2. 2018

Rain clouds hung heavy over Rocky Point on the morning of Dec. 1, but the celebratory spirit of those gathered around couldn’t be dampened. It was a day many in the community had been waiting on for years — they day they regained access to what was once a hot spot for nature lovers.

Officials from Georgetown County government and its Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Winyah Rivers Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Open Space Institute gathered with onlookers to cut a ribbon, officially reopening the property — accessible off Choppee Road — which is now home to a new boat ramp and kayak launch.

Though owned privately, the property was made available to the public for nearly 70 years before changing hands in 2007. The new owner cut off that access and recreational opportunities provided through the property. Then, just under three years ago, a unique partnership allowed the land to be reclaimed for public use. Delays from weather and the spawning of a federally protected fish species held up reopening plans for months more. But all the waiting was worth it. The property is now the state’s first public use community forest, and the amenities currently available are just the beginning of what’s to come for the 462-acre property.

Future plans for Rocky Point include the eventual addition of hiking, biking and equine trails, as well as camping grounds.

“We are excited that the reality is finally here and the facility is open and is usable. We invite you to use it as often as possible,” said County Administrator Sel Hemingway, as he opened the ceremony. “We look forward to many, many years of enjoyment and expanding the offerings we have here in our community forest.”

Rocky Point was brought back into public hands when it was purchased through a partnership between The Winyah Rivers Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Open Space Institute and Georgetown County, which will manage recreational amenities on the property.

“We’re thrilled to be resurrecting such a valued community asset and grateful to The Nature Conservancy, Georgetown County and Open Space Institute for welcoming us into this landmark partnership,” said Emma Boyer of Winyah Rivers Foundation. “This gives us the opportunity to take a new approach in pursuing our mission in the Winyah Bay watershed. We’re looking forward to a new generation of fond memories made on the river at Rocky Point.”

Beth Goodale, director of Georgetown County Parks and Recreation, said she is delighted at the cooperation from so many different groups that has made reopening this property for the public a possibility.

“It really just makes me happy to see it. I think it really speaks to the importance of this property to the surrounding community, the county and beyond. This piece of land has immense value and potential for our area. It’s really a gem and something all these groups and our community as a whole should be proud of,” she said.

The new canoe and kayak launch was supported through a grant to the Open Space Institute through the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund which is made possible with funding from the Duke Energy Foundation. The Duke Energy Foundation is investing $10 million to fund programs benefiting waterways in the Carolinas or immediately downstream of operational facilities in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. The fund supports science-based, research supported projects and programs that provide direct benefits in water quality, fish and wildlife habitats, public use and access to waterways and public awareness about individuals’ roles in protecting water resources.

The $50,000 kayak launch is located adjacent to the new $150,000 boat landing, which was funded by the county. The new launch ramp has convenient access and a courtesy dock. While the parking area was improved for trailering, launch and traffic, it remains in a natural state with no paving, which is in keeping with the vision for the property.

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