November 2021 Council Highlights
- Swan Lake Iris Gardens has been awarded the 2021 Heritage Tree Award. Annually, the Heritage Tree Award, which is sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts, identifies, celebrates, and recognizes remarkable trees in South Carolina.
- The tree is also part of the Arboretum’s Talking Tree Trail which provides patrons a self-guided education tour of the trees in the gardens. The tree also has signage identifying its location, complete with a QR code that links patrons to the trees information page on the PlantsMap.com for more details. You can also check out our video on the China Fir on SwanLakeIrisGardens.com.
- The University of South Carolina Sumter FireAnts and the Palmetto Tennis Center would like to invite you to come play some tennis with them and help Sumter’s community at the same time -- November 18 at 6PM. Help “Fill The Pantry” and play in this annual doubles event. All levels and will pair up if a single player. Sign up today! Call 803-774-3969 or email: [email protected]. Entry fee to play is one or more non-perishable items.
- The City wants to recognize residents in the City of Sumter who bring a little extra cheer to the community this year! Residents living in the city limits who have decorated their homes this Christmas season will be admitted into a Christmas Cheer Challenge. While the Mayor's committee will be observing lights on their own, residents may also submit their home to be eligible to win a prize package — $100 gift card, 2021 Sumter Keepsake Christmas Ornament, and bragging rights in their neighborhood.
- Lights and decorations must be on from 5-9PM to be judged. Judging will take place Monday, December 13, 2021 and will be based on best lights, creativity and design. Winners will be notified by Friday, December 17, 2021. Decorations must be visible from the street and lights must be on from 5-9PM. If you would like your house to be considered, please contact the Swan Lake Visitors Center at 803-436-2640 or online at LoveSumter.com.
- The Sumter Opera House Main Stage Shows are selling out fast, including Deana Carter this Friday, November 19 with only a couple of single tickets left. Other upcoming shows with tickets now on sale include:
- December 11 - Charleston Symphony Holiday Brass Quintet
- December 18 – Christmas with The Celts
- January 29 – Smokey & Me: A Celebration of Smokey Robinson
- February 18 – Legendary Recording Artists The 5th Dimension
- March 5 – Comedian Henry Cho
- March 19 – Tokyo Joe Performs Rocketman
- April 23 – The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Other shows will be announced soon. For more info visit www.sumteroperahouse.com
- Sumter’s first vaccination site for ages 5 and up will take place Saturday, November 20 from 9am – 12 pm at the Liberty STEAM Charter School, located at 15 School Street in Sumter.
- If available, please bring a photo ID and insurance card.
- Walk-ins are welcome; however, appointments are encouraged.
- Schedule at MUSChealth.org/get-vaccine or call 843-876-7227
- Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens will be opening December 1. We invite the public to help countdown and bring in the Christmas season with us during the opening ceremony at 6PM on December 1!
The light display will be open nightly December 1-31.
- Sunday-Thursday until 9pm
- Fridays-Saturdays until 10pm
All are welcome! Free admission. This is the largest FREE holiday light display in the state of South Carolina!
- The next Community Clean Up Day is scheduled for December 18, we want to encourage everyone to join in to help… Neighborhood Associations, churches, youth groups, businesses and more… we need your help to help keep Sumter litter free.
- The 2022 Community Clean Up Days have been announced. We want to challenge everyone to commit to at least one clean up event next year. The dates are:
- February 19
- April 6
- June 18
- August 20
- October 15
- December 17
- This program is a partnership with the City of Sumter, South Carolina, Sumter County, the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, and Palmetto Pride. Signup to volunteer on our website sumtersc.gov/litter or by calling our Litter Prevention Office at 803-305-5266.
- The 2022 Community Clean Up Days have been announced. We want to challenge everyone to commit to at least one clean up event next year. The dates are:
- City Council meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 1 PM and on the third Tuesday at 5:30 PM on the 4th floor of the Sumter Opera House (enter through the back entrance off the parking lot). Public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city citizens can contact the Mayor or their Councilmember any time prior to any meeting to discuss a concern or idea you may have for the City. For our regularly scheduled meetings, agendas are announced the Friday before each meeting on our website and include links to detailed agenda items as well as location, and more.
- Next month our regularly scheduled meetings are on December 9 (this date varies due to a meeting conflict) at 1 PM and December 21 at 5:30 PM.