"This Week around Walkers Woods" is a weekly community column written for Walkers Woods, but pertains to the entire Carolina Forest community.
Hello, neighbors. I want to start out by commending Horry County officials on a job well done with preparations for Hurricane Irene last week. I have heard complaints that it was all “much ado about nothing”, but I completely disagree. They knew it would be a close call, and nothing was left to chance. There are likely to be other close calls, if not a direct hit, in the next seven or eight weeks, and we now know what kind of response to expect from our local officials.
Horry County’s official website, www.horrycounty.org, is continuously updated during hurricane season, and is loaded with crucial information. Click on “Hurricane Information” on the right side of the home page, and from there you will find NOAA updates and weather maps, tracking charts and local advisories. The site also contains a comprehensive “Planning” section with great tips for emergency supply kits, evacuation routes and directions, important phone numbers, shelter locations, etc.
Parents, if you are on Facebook, be sure to “like” Horry County Schools’ official page. That’s a quick way to keep up with potential school closings and rescheduled student activities. Horry County Emergency Management has an official Facebook page as well.
I also want to thank Waccamaw Management for all their hard work and for the informational email blast they sent out to residents. Their Community Specialist, Donna McAllister, was busy coordinating with Walkers Woods’ subcontractors to assure that all necessary preparations were made concerning our retention ponds, swimming pool, amenities center, streets and landscaping.
Also included in the email alert was a hurricane preparedness checklist compiled by the Carolina Forest Civic Association’s public safety committee. I want to thank committee chair Bob Gagne for his hard work in putting that comprehensive list together.
If you would like to learn how to take care of your family and help your community in the event of an emergency or disaster, Horry County is offering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) on October 4 & 5. The two-day CERT training will provide citizens and businesses the basic skills they need to take care of themselves, and to safely assist their friends, neighbors, and customers in the event a disaster strikes. Individuals will learn disaster preparedness, Sky Warn Storm Spotter training, fire suppression and safety, basic medical training, and a final field exercise to test your skills. For more information, call Alicia Sanders at 915-6922.
It’s hard to believe we’re in September now, the Labor Day weekend is about to start, and the summer is winding down fast. The POA board asked me to remind everybody that the Walkers Woods pool will close at 10pm beginning next Tuesday, Sept. 6.
It’s also football season again, my favorite time of year. Good luck to Carolina Forest High this Friday in their home opener against St. James – Go Panthers! The Civic Association is planning to host a pre-game dinner for the team later this fall. This will be a major undertaking as it will include the 56 football players and the coaching staff, plus the cheerleading squad. Volunteers are needed. Please shoot me an email if you would like to help us support our local high school.
Mark your calendars for 6pm Wednesday, September 21. The CFCA and Coast RTA are hosting a public forum to address public transportation needs in our community. The forum will take place at the monthly open meeting of the CFCA in the HTC building.
I think public transportation in The Forest is needed as a way for the elderly and disabled to get to their doctor’s appointments; for people without a car to get to the library to search for jobs online; for students who want to stay after school for sports or clubs but can’t get a ride home because late busses are not available, just to name a few reasons. What do you think? And where exactly should the bus stops be located? This meeting is a chance to have your voice heard on this important issue.
Log on to www.walkerswoodsatcarolinaforest.com frequently for POA information. If you are on Facebook, check out the Walkers Woods at Carolina Forest page to connect with your neighbors. And if you have any items you would like me to include in this column, please send them to me at walkerswoodsnews@gmail.com. Have a safe Labor Day weekend.
