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.
• Join Horry County Democrats for Myrtle Beach Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday03/01 at Handley’s Pub and Grub, 3873 Renee Drive, Carolina Forest.
Handley’s is in the Kroger Shopping Center at the intersection of U.S. 501 and Carolina Forest Boulevard.
There will be happy hour specials for both food and drink.
For more information, contact Ian Guerin at Ian@IanGuerin.com
• The South Enders meet at 6 p.m. March 8 at The Borgata Restaurant, 813 Surfside Drive, Surfside Beach.
For more information, contact Steve Chand at beserchand@yahoo.com or visit the club’s website, www.southenders.org.
• The Beach Dems meet from 8 to 9 a.m. March 9 at Akels Restaurant, corner of 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.
Each month will feature a guest speaker, and this month’s is Parnell Diggs, candidate for the 7th District congressional seat.
For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 455-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.
• The South Carolina Democratic Party is holding its first Issues Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 at the Embassy Suites, 200 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia.
There will be panel discussions, breakout sessions and a keynote speaker at lunch, and discuss topics like immigration, education, voter ID, 2012 races, media training, social media training, candidate training, Democratic messaging and more.
Tickets are $10.
For more information, visit www.scdp.org/blog/2012-issues-conference or call (803) 799-7798.
• Horry County Democratic Clubs and the NAACP are holding a forum for 7th congressional district candidates as a kickoff for the Democratic primaries, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 11 in the Ocean Reef hotel ballroom, 7100 N. Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach.
There will be a reception following the forum, and dinner will be available.
Seating is limited and tickets are required, although they are free. Tickets can be obtained through local Democratic clubs or the NAACP.
For more information, contact Steve Chand at 424-1715 or beserchand@yahoo.com; Sally Howard at 455-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com; or Mickey James at 340-2018 or wgjames913@aol.com.
• The 2012 Galivants Ferry Stump, a Democratic event, is scheduled for May 7.
The biannual event has been held for more than 136 years. It takes place at Pee Dee Farms, the community’s century-old general store, along U.S. 501 where it crosses the Little Pee Dee River.
The Stump will follow the traditional festival format of bluegrass music and clogging starting at 4:30 p.m., and the stumping, or speaking, begins at 6 p.m. featuring local, state and national Democratic candidates.
Speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.
Nonpartisan
• The League of Women Voters of Horry County will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Ryan’s Restaurant, 2904 Church St., Conway.
For more information, call Anita Moran at 347-5228.
Republicans
• The Horry County Republican Party is holding a grand opening celebration for its headquarters with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday and a ribbon cutting from 6 to 8 p.m. March 5 at 2351 U.S. 501 E., Conway. The building is the former Fowler Motors showroom.
Everyone is invited to attend both events.
Volunteers are needed for the breakfast. If you’re interested in helping out, call Bren Gibson at 427-4176.
• The North Myrtle Beach Republican Club meets at 7 p.m. March 8 at Boulineau’s Banquet Room in North Myrtle Beach, to hear from guest speakers Randal Wallace, a candidate for the 7th District congressional seat and Elijah Johns, a candidate for chairman of the 7th District.
The meeting is open to the public, and people are invited to come early for social time.
For more information, call Cleo Steele at 907-3090.
• Conservatives for Responsible Government meets at 6 p.m. The last Thursday of each month at T-Bonz Gill Grill on Seaboard Street in Seaboard Commons, Myrtle Beach.
For more information, call Carol Kinsman at 281-4522.
Tea Party
• The Myrtle Beach Tea Party meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday 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.