Turkey Trot is fun start to Thanksgiving Day

It looked like the runners and walkers at the Hartsville YMCA Turkey Trot of 2009 were one of the largest crowds since the race began in 1992. It was foggy but fun. This is one of those "homecoming" events that is like a big reunion.

The YMCA staff and volunteers have been working this race on Thanksgiving and those of us who participate say THANKS to these volunteers and the Hartsville police who also provide on route protection. Thanks!

One of the runners in today[s race was Clyde Weaver. Clyde has been running for a long time, long before running became cool. And he has kept at it. He said the heart is ticking great but the legs are beginning to go -- maybe because he has been on the go for 86 years, many of them as an elementary school principal. He finished the 3.1 mile course in 64 minutes -- my running hero.

Classical Music in Hartsville

Quick Observation --

Last week in Hartsville, S.C. there was enough classical music to program an entire evening on National Public Radio. On Tuesday evening the Faculty Recital by Dr. Jun Matsuo and Professor Serena Hill; then a Community Concert piano recital on Thursday evening by Tian Ying and then on Sunday evening the Coker Singers, joined by professional soloists and a Chamber Orchestra performed REQUIEM by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart under the direction of Dr. Will Carswell, professor of music at Coker College.

Hartsville is a small city that we bill as Hartsville, The Art of Good Living where we suggest that you can always "expect pleasant surprises." On many fronts, we think there is a great deal of evidence that will show most people this is not hype or puffery, Hartsville has a great doing going on in many areas from arts to sports, to shopping, to just plain community.

It is small city America and those of us who have discovered this place, our place, remind ourselves to be Thankful in this season of Thanksgiving.

Talented Singers from Hartsville performing in Lake City

This morning I came across a Google Alert about Hartsville that announces the Hartsville Chamber Ensemble performing in Lake City. We know they will be in for a professional, enjoyable performance in Lake City.

New Mayor takes oath of office

Mayor Mel Pennington took the oath of office on Tuesday, November 10 following a glowing tribute to outgoing Mayor David McFarland, who took over as Mayor of Hartsville when Mayor Holt became Family Court Judge Michael Holt. There were a great many people at the early part of the City Council meeting this evening as a large group of family and friends also attended the meeting as Wanda James was sworn in as a new city council member.

Strong communities need leaders who can build strong coalitions that are required to navigate solutions to problems in our complex municipal/government environs.

The video in this blog is of City Attorney Marty Driggers giving the oath of office to Mel Pennington, new Mayor of Hartsville.

Congratulations Mayor Mel

Tuesday night, November 10, 2009, Mel Pennington will take the oath of office as Mayor of Hartsville. He has a vision and is formulating plans and approaches for his process of helping lead this small South Carolina city. The thinking he we need an active leader to take Hartsville to the next level. Congratulations Mr. Mayor.