Nicole Kidman, who 'makes movies better,' gets AFI Life Achievement Award

Honoree Nicole Kidman accepts the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award during a gala tribute, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: " Nicole Kidman. She makes movies …

Hundreds attend 22nd-annual Shrimp Feast as Sumter Museum announces plans to expand

Nearly 500 Sumterites attend the 22nd-annual Shrimp Feast on April 25, indulging in six to eight different variations of shrimp and delicious barbecue on the Sumter Museum's lawn.

Good. You couldn't go a few minutes at the 22nd-annual Shrimp Feast without hearing the word refer to someone or something, and for good reason. At the 22nd-annual Shrimp Feast on Thursday, April 25, presented by Sumter Pest Management, nearly …

Summer Movie Guide: What's in theaters and streaming in May and June

This image released by Disney/Pixar shows Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, left, and Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, in a scene from "Inside Out 2."

LOS ANGELES - Are you ready for some movies this summer? There will be action-adventure, romance, horror, franchises and anniversary re-releases of some of your favorites in theaters and on streaming services from May through June. You just have to …

Sumter's Art in the Park came back better than ever with butterflies, art opportunities for all

Micah Vaughn, Liberty STEAM Charter School Elementary Academy academic counselor, reads a book to children at the 16th-annual Art in the Park, hosted in Memorial Park on Saturday.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day to embrace the beauty of Earth and art as the 16th-annual Art in the Park painted Memorial Park. Sunny with a splash of color could have been the forecast on Saturday, April 20, as thousands ventured out …

What to stream this week: A Bon Jovi documentary, Idris Elba in 'Knuckles' and 'Anyone But You'

This combination of images shows promotional art for the Paramount+ series "Knuckles," the Apple TV+ series "The Big Door Prize," and the Netflix series "Dead Boy Detectives.

The Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell romantic comedy "Anyone But You" hitting Netflix and an album by Brazil superstar Anitta are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device …

Food

Ramen noodles are so popular they have become one reason to visit Japan. But ramen can easily be cooked at home too, especially if you can find the ingredients at your neighborhood Asian grocery store.

Ramen recipe shows it is easy to make the Japanese noodle dish at home

Sausage, Potato and Sweet Pepper Traybake can be on your table in one hour.

Roast Italian sausages over potatoes and peppers for a flavorful 1-pan meal

Chocolate-covered caramel matzo, also known as Matzo Buttercrunch, has become a popular Passover dessert.

A word-of-mouth sensation, Matzo Buttercrunch earns a place on Passover dessert table

Chicken alla cacciatora doesn't need tomatoes

These sliders go well with March Madness entertaining

Cheesy Asparagus Tart is delicious spring dish

Arts & Entertainment

Pack your weekend with a nature walk, Art in the Park, Dorr Farms' Earth Day, a free jazz concert, band battle and more

To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject line. SUMTER COUNTY Sumter Farmers Market is up and running from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 22 at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Grab …

Fifth 'God's Not Dead' goes lights, camera, action at Sumter Opera House; film expected to release this fall

Whether it's in the cinema seats or from the comfort of your home, prepare to see your fellow Sumterites …
Long-lost first model of USS Enterprise from 'Star Trek' goes home after twisting voyage

DALLAS (AP) - The first model of the USS Enterprise - used in the opening credits of the original "Star …
Children of reality TV's Chrisleys hope court hearing is step toward bringing convicted parents home

ATLANTA (AP) — Lawyers for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who are in prison after being …
Inaugural Sumter Springfest deemed a success

Good times are hard to come by for some cities but not for Sumter. You can almost imagine it: The …
Trio of Sumter artists makes a splash at ArtFields in Lake City

It's as if you nestled your way into Crayola's 64-box of crayons. Everywhere you look, vibrant hues …

We've got it: A spring festival, shrimp feast, jukebox music and kite flying

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the fun has just begun. If you're in need of a good …
Kate Hudson had a lifetime to make a record. The result is 'Glorious,' out in May

NEW YORK (AP) — More than two decades ago, Kate Hudson took on the role of one of the most …
Optimist International president to volunteer at Reading in the Park

Tracy Huxley, the 2023-24 president of Optimist International, will visit Sumter and the Palmetto …
Sumter jazz bands to share soothing sounds with the town on Sunday

The Sumter Community Concert Band's Jazz Band and Sumter High School Jazz Band are ready to put on …

Sumter Scene

Previous Issues

Engagements

Welch-Barwick Allison Lynn Welch of Sumter and Stephen Daniel Barwick of Dalzell announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Welch and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tschorn Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. …

Townes-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mark Townes of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Elizabeth Townes of Charleston, to Walter Elliot Lewis of Charleston, son of Ms. Karen Lewis of Jackson, Georgia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter …

Celebrations

Weddings

Faith

The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Flies

The flies on my cows are bad right now. On my bull, they are a thick blanket. I've got to get some fly dope on them to kill those flies. Flies are bad for cattle. First, they annoy cattle. Annoyed cattle don't eat. Cattle that don't eat get …

Column: Control your thoughts or they will control you

We all know the feeling of having something on our minds that we have a difficult time letting go of. …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Spewing liver

I realize most of you grew up in tasteful families with genteel manners, where everyone was born knowing …
Column by First Presbyterian Church Pastor Stewart Rawson: We can build a better community if we try a little harder to be kind

My name is Stewart Rawson, and I am the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church here in Sumter. It is my …
Healing Guatemala through prayer, teamwork and intentionality

Missionary trips are more than just medical missions; these trips are transformative and focus on …
Church news: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: - Sunday, April 21 - The 28th pastoral anniversary of …

The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Holding on for dear life

When I was a little boy, rodeos had calf scrambles. To give the adult cowboys and cowgirls a break, …
Church news, April 10, 2024

Hearts United Women's Ministry (formerly Knitting Hearts), which meets at Bethesda Church of God, …
Vatican blasts gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy and gender theory as violations of human dignity

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican on Monday declared gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Should we add anything to the Bible?

I have a lot of Bibles. Occupational hazard. I have my "marrying" Bible, which was a gift from my …

Yesteryear

Rufe Watson of Sumter set a world record in the senior class division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 8, 1949.

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Horseshoe pitching tourney scheduled; Crime Stoppers telethon returns

75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 9 - 15 - Rufe Watson of Sumter set a new world record in the senior division at the National Skeet Shooting Association's tournament at Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. Watson copped the senior title in the all-gauge event by …

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Shaw hosts surplus sale; city's 1st Easter egg hunt a success

75 YEARS AGO - 1949 Aug. 2 - 8 - Rebel third baseman Hal Harrigan last night hit his 29th home run …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Train car is named for Sumter County; Lee builds new high school

75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 26 - Aug. 1 - Sumter County runs from New York City to Florida these days, …

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Company sponsors 4-H Electric Club; Celtic rock band visits Sumter

75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 19 - 25 - Playing heads-up ball behind the masterful pitching of …
Air Force introduces F-94; EMT wins award for saving woman's life

75 YEARS AGO - 1949 July 12 - 18 - The body of First Lt. Thomas L. Hutchings Jr., of Sumter, …

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