George Wendt, who played beloved barfly Norm on 'Cheers' and found another home onstage, dies at 76

Actor George Wendt posing for a portrait in New York, Oct. 20, 2009.

NEW YORK (AP) — George Wendt, an actor with an Everyman charm who played the affable, beer-loving barfly Norm on the hit 1980s TV comedy "Cheers" and later crafted a stage career that took him …

Annual Iris Festival puts boots on the ground, smiles on faces

There were boots on the ground and smiles on faces throughout Saturday's festivities at the annual Sumter Iris Festival. Hundreds ebbed and flowed throughout Swan Lake Iris Gardens, the only public park in the United States to feature all eight swan …

Black Cowboy Festival returns for 28th year this weekend; get tickets now for Air Force quintet concert on June 2

A rider participates in the 2024 Black Cowboy Festival. This year's festival begins Thursday, May 22.

To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject line. SUMTER COUNTY Don't miss all the horse shows, delicious food, line dancing and much more at the 28th-annual Black Cowboy Festival, which …

'Sesame Street' moves in with Netflix, but will stay on PBS

Bert, left, and Ernie, from the children's program "Sesame Street"

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has thrown "Sesame Street" a safety net with a new streaming deal that offers the popular children's staple a broad reach while keeping it on its long-standing home, …

'Final Destination: Bloodlines' tops box office while The Weeknd's movie falters

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from "Final Destination Bloodlines."

Death is not looming for the "Final Destination" franchise at the box office. Its sixth installment, "Final Destination: Bloodlines," drew big crowds to movie theaters this weekend and easily topped …

Food

Serve Easy Pasta Salad as side or main light course

Try this creamy potato salad for your next barbecue

Romaine and Radicchio Salad with Olives, Eggs and Pomegranate Vinaigrette is ready in 20 minutes.

This crisp, colorful romaine and radicchio salad eats like a meal

Cool down this summer with a slushie

Fried chicken and funeral homes are the Southern tradition no one talks about

Milk Street via AP This image released by Milk Street shows a recipe for baked beans and smoked sausages, with paprika, onions and sweet peppers.

This rustic dish of baked beans and smoked sausages is packed with deep, aromatic flavors

Arts & Entertainment

The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band will perform at Weldon Auditorium on Memorial Day.

USAF Heritage of America Band to perform free concert at Weldon on Memorial Day

MANNING - The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band will celebrate Memorial Day in Manning when the 11-piece brass ensemble takes Weldon's stage at 7 p.m. The free concert provides "a meaningful way to observe Memorial Day." The …

Horror film 'Sinners' is full of adrenaline, a crowning achievement

Set in 1932 Jim Crow-era Mississippi arrives a tale combining two favorites of mine from a literary and …
Sumter Museum to host bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe and historian, author Tom Elmore

Sumter Museum will host two exciting authors in May. Bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe's Talk and Book …
Iris Festival is back in Sumter with 4 days of events, food and fun, or travel a bit for music fest or food truck and craft beer event

To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject …
Neon, nostalgia and cheers: Downtown Sumter Microbrew Festival a totally tubular success

SUBMITTED Downtown Sumter came alive in electric neon and leg warmers as several hundred guests …
Michael Jordan is joining NBC as a special contributor for its NBA coverage

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Jordan is joining NBC Sports as a special contributor to its NBA coverage …

What to Stream: 'Paddington in Peru,' Prince Royce, 'Mormon Wives' and Doom: The Dark Ages

NEW YORK (AP) — Paddington bear going on an Indiana Jones-style adventure in "Paddington in …
Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here's what's coming to theaters and streaming from May to August

Ethan Hunt's last mission? A new Superman? Happy Gilmore as a dad? Three genre-spanning Pedro …
Lainey Wilson rules the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards once again, Alan Jackson is honored

NEW YORK (AP) — It was her night once again. Lainey Wilson took home the top prize at the …
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards are here. Newcomer Ella Langley leads the nominees

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards celebrate their 60th anniversary …

Engagements

Celebrations

Sumterite celebrates 100 years of life, love A local woman celebrated her 100th birthday in April as well as the legacy of love her life has been filled with. Elizabeth Burns, of Sumter, celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, April 23, surrounded by family and friends. The wife of …

Weddings

Faith

Church news: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

To update your listing or add a listing, please email pressrelease@theitem.com and include Church News in the subject line. New Start Church of the Nazarene, 4686 J W Rhames Road, Manning, welcomes everyone to a Youth Rally on Saturday, May 31, …

Living on Purpose: Genuine Christian or just religious?

When we talk about eternal life, it brings up one of two emotions and attitudes. Those who believe in the …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Inventory....

We lived off the ranch for 10 years. My stepfather managed the S.H. Kress store in downtown St. …
'Vengeance' to grace Weldon stage on June 7

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Romans 12:19 NRJV "Vengeance, Turn It Over to …
Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the "stable union …
Give thanks for relationships and take time to nuture them more

Last weekend I got together with eight of my closest friends from high school. Most of us started going …

Living on Purpose: Remain steadfast, your best life is ahead

The topic of the afterlife is interesting, and I appreciate the comments. I want to remind myself …
Church News: May 14, 2025

LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, will hold its Family and Friends Day Celebration at 3 p.m. …
Conservatives are cautiously hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will restore rigor to the papacy

VATICAN CITY (AP) — They went into last week's conclave vastly outnumbered and smarting after …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: The next pope...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was written before Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was chosen as the …

Yesteryear

Living on Purpose: Genuine Christian or just religious?

When we talk about eternal life, it brings up one of two emotions and attitudes. Those who believe in the …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Inventory....

We lived off the ranch for 10 years. My stepfather managed the S.H. Kress store in downtown St. …
'Vengeance' to grace Weldon stage on June 7

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Romans 12:19 NRJV "Vengeance, Turn It Over to …
Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the "stable union …
Give thanks for relationships and take time to nuture them more

Last weekend I got together with eight of my closest friends from high school. Most of us started going …

Living on Purpose: Remain steadfast, your best life is ahead

The topic of the afterlife is interesting, and I appreciate the comments. I want to remind myself …
Church News: May 14, 2025

LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, will hold its Family and Friends Day Celebration at 3 p.m. …
Conservatives are cautiously hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will restore rigor to the papacy

VATICAN CITY (AP) — They went into last week's conclave vastly outnumbered and smarting after …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: The next pope...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was written before Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was chosen as the …

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