Talk of the Town for July 28
Stuff the bus for a good cause
The Hope Mills Walmart SuperCenter is one of the sites for Operation Homefront and Cumberland County schools' annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive scheduled for Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
School supplies can also be dropped off at any of the other local Walmart locations, on Ramsey Street, Skibo Road, Raeford Road, and at 670 Lillington Highway in Spring Lake.
Buster the Safety Bus will make a guest appearance at the Spring Lake location to talk with children about school bus safety.
The drive helps students in need begin the school year with basic classroom necessities such as pencils and binders.
All school supplies should be newly purchased. This year's goal is to fill five school buses with backpacks, school supplies and new or gently used school uniforms for Cumberland County and Fort Bragg students in need.
For more information, contact the schools' Social Work Services at 678-2621. Military families should contact Operation Homefront of N.C. at (919) 362-6602.
Dees enters hall of fame
Mayor Eddie Dees, former softball coach at South View High School, was inducted into the N.C. Softball Hall of Fame last week.
Dees' was honored during the N.C. Coaches Association annual clinic in Greensboro. Dees retired as softball coach at South View after the 2007 season.
At the time of his retirement, Dees had the most wins among active softball coaches in the state, a 25-year record of 538-144. His teams made the state playoffs 23 of 25 seasons and won 18 conference championships.
Camp boosts kindergartners
B. Melvin Honeycutt Elementary School is one of the sites for Cumberland County schools' Kindergarten Summer Camp 2010 scheduled Monday through Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Other sites are Cliffdale, Ferguson-Easley, Glendale Acres and Lake Rim elementary schools
The camp is designed to provide an opportunity for rising kindergartners to ease the transition from home to school.
The program gives teachers the chance to assess each student's ability and plan for his/her arrival on the first day of school, which is Aug. 25.
The camp encourages parents to complete the kindergarten health assessment and immunizations prior to entering school.
For more information, call Shirley Johnson at 678-2406.
Cooler library prevails
The Hope Mills Branch Library, at 3411 Golfview Rd., reopened Tuesday after having completed repairs to the air-conditioning system. The library was closed while waiting for a part after the system failed Friday.
Town changes collection days
Beginning next week, the following schedule for garbage collection will be in effect:
For the Monday and Thursday route: Garbage will be collected on Monday only; household garbage only.
For the Tuesday and Friday route: Garbage will be collected on Tuesday only; household garbage only
Wednesday will continue to be the day leaves and limbs are picked up. Leaves must be bagged and placed at the curb.
Wednesday is scheduled for recyclable collection by Waste Management.
Cardboard is a recyclable item and must be placed in the recycling cart. The cardboard must be broken down and placed inside the cart for collection. For more information, contact the Sanitation Department at 424-4555.
Commercial pickup changes
Beginning next week, the following schedule for commercial and nonresidential customers' garbage collection will be in effect:
The Tuesday and Thursday route will be changed to Thursday only.
Cardboard boxes must be broken down and bundled for collection.
Garbage carts are available for $25 per cart per month. The town does not provide Dumpsters.
For more information, contact the Sanitation Department at 424-4555.
Fall sports deadline nears
Hope Mills Parks & Recreation's Fall Youth Sports registration is coming to an end. Registration for fall baseball, football and soccer ends Saturday.
The recreation department is offering fall baseball for ages 7-12, football for ages 7-12 and soccer for ages 5-14.
League boundaries are now determined by street address. Registration for fall sports is $30 and birth certificates must be provided. For more information, call 426-4109.
Hope Mills Parks & Recreation adult men's and coed softball registration is currently under way. Registration will end Aug. 21. The men's division will play on Monday and Wednesday evenings with the coed division playing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There is a 14-team limit in each division. The league is set to begin Sept. 7. The cost per team is $500. For more information, call 426-4109.
Programs for children offered
The Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department is taking registration for the following programs:
Wee Bits is a structured program for children ages 3-4 in which they learn to interact with other children and to follow simple instructions. They will also learn colors, shapes, the alphabet, songs, and listening skills. Children must be toilet trained to attend this program. The program follows the same schedule as the public schools. Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The registration fee is $25, and the program fee is $50 a month. Space is limited to 15 children. Prior to the beginning of the program, there will be a mandatory parents' meeting. For more information, call 426-4107 or 426-4109.
The 2010-2011 After School Program is for children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The schedule will be the same as the regular public school schedule. The times are Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. The registration fee is $25 and the program fee is $50 weekly. For more information, call 426-4107 or 426-4109.
Movie night at Big T's
Big T's will have be having family movie night Saturday. A DJ will be playing family music starting at 6 p.m. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy a free movie at Big T's located at Hope Mills Lake Park.