Christmas in Aiken County Magazine

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Embracing

INSIDE LOOK

Christmas Spirit • Craft shows • Family fun • Parades

40 YEARS OF FUN AND CRAFTS AT THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW

Aiken Civic Ballet’s

Nutcracker

December 20 & 21 Performing locally since 1970.

BRINGING SMILES TO CHILDREN THROUGH TOYS FOR TOTS EVENT

History of

Hopelands 10 acres of more than 100,00 lights

SEE SOME UPCOMING CHRISTMAS EVENTS AROUND AIKEN COUNTY

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Introduction

BY Linden Hammett

Downtown Aiken becomes bright with holiday spirit during Night of 1,000 Lights.

Holiday celebrations and gatherings abound, featuring music and performances, From the white buds of the pear trees in toy drives and craft shows. Children perspring to the brilliant reds and oranges of form in choirs and dance troupes, lifting falling leaves, every season is beautiful in their voices together. Residents meet for caAiken. But it is at the beginning of winter, sual get-togethers and large, formal holiday when the days are short and skies are a clear, parties. Businesses and charities work in chilly blue, that the true beauty of the city is tandem to raise funds and gifts for the less revealed. Aiken’s holiday season showcases fortunate. The area’s sense of community is not only lovely Christmas decorations, but enhanced with each meeting and event, as also the generous hearts and jolly spirits of we all enjoy the festivities together. the local community.

Midland Valley

by Anne Fulcher Generations of children wait, excitedly, every year for the Christmas parades in the Midland Valley area of Aiken County.

This area has held the Midland Valley and Graniteville parades for well over thirty years each and has become a loving tradition with many families. Hundreds of children and adults participate by riding on a float or marching with their local church, school or civic organization. . One of the continued

traditions is the tossing of candy to the masses of children in attendance. The sparkle in the eyes of the little ones as they gaze up at the shower of sweets brings joy to every parent’s heart. The sugar rush along with the anticipation of the arrival of Santa makes it such a special time of year for all of those involved.

The Graniteville parade is sponsored by the Graniteville Vaucluse Warrenville(GVW) Fire Fighters and stretches one and a half miles with over 100 entries and thousands of

viewers. Graniteville makes a day of special events by ending the evening with the “Love Our Town Tree” tree lighting ceremony. The tree lighting is held at 7:00pm on Main Street at the large Graniteville entrance sign. For more information regarding the Graniteville Christmas special events, contact Tina Bevington at 803-349-6143.

The Midland Valley Area Chamber of Commerce has been the sponsor of the Midland Valley parade for the past 18 years. This parade is approximately 3 miles in length,

with over 90 entrants and more than 6000 people lining the sidewalks to get a peak of the Jolley Old Fella himself. The Grand Marshall of this parade is always the Midland Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. This years’ Grand Marshall is Rep. Roland Smith. Please feel free to contact Robert Workman, parade chairman, at 803-593-4907. This year the town of Burnettown will hold an Open House for the new Burnettown Municipal Building on parade day from 9:00am until 5:00pm.

Midland Valley Parade Schedule GVW Ladies Auxiliary FD Christmas Parade...........December 6, 2014, 3:00pm Graniteville “Love Our Tree” Tree Lighting ..............December 6, 2014, 7:00pm (Contact Tina Bevington at 803-349-6143) Burnettown Municipal Building Open House.................... December 13, 2014, 9:00am-5:00pm (Contact the Municipal Building at 803-593-2676) Midland Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.............December 13, 2014, 3:00 pm Christmas in the Valley Parade (Contact Robert Workman at 803-593-4907)

326 Rutland Drive, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 648-2311 | aikenstandard.com President & Publisher Ellen C. Priest

Executive Editor Melissa Hanna

Advertising Director Dee Taylor

Design & Layout Shana Donahue, Lauren Haley, & Mary Watson

Staff photo by Melanie Herbold

The Southern Thunder Cloggers dance in the Midland Valley parade Saturday.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Lights on South Dixie

By Jennifer Green The Lights on South Dixie starts out on sunny, 88 degrees October afternoons, where Robin Whittle is working in a field installing Christmas lights. While Christmas may seem so far away for some of us, Robin can tell you the number of days until opening night for The Lights on South Dixie, a Wagener attraction ready for its second season of operation. Robin and her family are the owners of The Lights on South Dixie, an event that began as a family activity that has grown into what many residents hope will become an annual tradition.

The lighted hayrides take visitors through acres of brilliant light displays, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Nativity scene. The focus of the Lights on South Dixie is keeping Christ in Christmas and many of the unique light displays are Christian based.

The 28-passenger hayride trailer is pulled by a John Deere tractor and is accessible to everyone. A fire pit for toasting marshmallows, making s’mores and hot chocolate, along with classic Christmas movies will provide extra entertainment for all visitors.

Robin’s 2 youngest children, Hailey and Bailey, 10, say that greeting customers and making new friends is their favorite part of hosting visitors. Robin enjoys being able to celebrate Jesus’s Birthday and keeping the Christ in Christmas.

The Lights on South Dixie is located at 637 South Dixie Road in Wagener, SC.,a short drive from Aiken, Orangeburg, Barnwell, Pelion and Lexington. Hours of operation are Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 6 until 10pm. This family friendly activity officially opens on Friday, November 28 and runs through Christmas Eve. Admission is $6 for 13-up, and $3 for kids 3-12.

Children 2 and under are free.

For more information, check out their Facebook page at on.fb.me/1GTyB8m, or call 803-564-7091.

This are some of the displays at the first Lights on South Dixie.

Submitted Photo

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Hopelands

BY Linden Hammett For many years in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Aiken was a Winter Colony, serving as a playground for wealthy northerners.

One lasting legacy of that era was bequeathed to the City of Aiken by Hope Iselin. The beautiful 10-acre tract is now known as Hopelands Gardens and is home to one of the city's most beloved Christmas traditions.

Christmas at Hopelands, the city's largest Christmas attraction, is held at night and features more than 100,000 lights sparkling along the pathways of the gardens.

Participants can wander the more than 1.5 miles of illuminated pathways and enjoy a

multitude of bright holiday displays.

Hot chocolate and apple cider warm visitors as they meander through the festive garden walkways. Each year more than 15,000 people enjoy the glowing holiday celebration.

The lights are placed each year by volunteers who are dedicated to bringing the magical holiday wonder to Aiken. In all, the workers will screw in more than 40,000 bulbs and string more than 100,000 lights.

This year visitors will be required to take a shuttle to the gardens. The shuttle will depart from Citizens Park, 1060 Banks Mill Road.

Christmas at Hopelands will be held Dec. 1215, 18-23, 26 and 27 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Shuttle rides and admission are free, but donations are accepted to help continue this wonderful holiday tradition.

Submitted photo by Mark Hudson

Submitted photo by Mark Hudson

Aiken standard file photo

Aiken standard file photo

Trey Ryan and his grandmother, Cathy Griffis, are bundled up and prepared for the chilly weather on the opening night of 2013’s Christmas at Hopelands.

Swift Devoti, David Devoti and Kyle Devoti took a break to listen to a musical performance on the opening night of the 2013 Christmas at Hopelands.

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Christmas at the Lake

BY Linden Hammett

Aiken standard file photo

Aiken standard file photo

John Blair decided to dress up as Santa for Ryan Westberry, center, conducts the Aiken High School marching band at a previous Christmas at the Lake. The band is now led by Greg Priest. a previous Christmas at the Lake event.

Aiken Regional Medical Centers hosts Christmas at the Lake each year in mid-December, bringing Aikenites together for an evening filled with beautiful lights, music, carols and fun.

Revelers can enjoy hot apple cider, hot chocolate, cookies and other light refreshments in a special gathering next to the lake on the hospital campus.

The evening is hosted by WJBF News Channel 6 Anchorman Brad Means. This year, the Aiken High School marching band will perform, as well as local children’s choirs. The cheerful selection of holiday music and a special visit from Santa Claus draw a large crowd each year.

The annual holiday celebration is in its 23rd year, and has grown exponentially. The gathering is also a collection for the hospital’s support of the Aiken Salvation Army Toy drive. Last year more than 300 toys were donated by hospital staff and local residents who attended the Christmas at the Lake event.

This year, Christmas at the Lake will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted, and all toys will be given to local Aiken children in need.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Upcoming events Each year the small communities located within Aiken County celebrate the holidays in their own specific style. From tractors and parades to tree lighting ceremonies and musical performances, the towns and cities here love to continue long-held holiday traditions.

Join your friends and neighbors in celebrating the joys of the season with any number of special gatherings and celebrations.

The Aiken Community Playhouse will perform “It’s A Wonderful Life” at the URS Center for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St. S.W., Nov. 28 and 29, and Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.aikenplayhouse.us.

The University of South Carolina Aiken will hold its Holiday Fest on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. in the Student Activities Center.

Aiken’s annual Christmas tree lighting will be held Friday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the center of Laurens Street and Richland Avenue.

Wagener will hold its annual Hometown Holiday Celebration, including the annual Christmas Parade, the first weekend in December. Friday, Dec. 5, evening events will feature performances from the WSHS JROTC, Busbee Corbett Elementary Middle School Chorus, the WSHS Band and the group Crossover. After the musical entertain- Riders aboard festive horses were among the participants in the Aiken Jaycees Christmas Parade last year. ment, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony tist Church, 625 Georgia Ave., North Augusand fireworks display.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 8 a.m., a ta. Tour tickets can be purchased in advance Community Yard and Craft Sale will be held for $20 through 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Jim Bush beside the Petal Shop. Visitors are encourFlowers and Gifts, Communigraphics and aged to stay for the annual Wagener ChristParks Pharmacy in North Augusta, and at mas Parade, beginning at 11 a.m., as well as Designed for Change in Martinez, Georgia. the Car and Tractor Show taking place from Brunch tickets, which must be purchased in noon to 2 p.m. Carriage rides will also be advance, are $10 and may be purchased at the available, as well as access to the Wagener same four locations until 3 p.m. Dec. 1.

Museum.

Christmas for the Birds will be held at The Christmas Craft Show will be held the Living History Park in North Augusta on Friday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. AdSaturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at mission is free, and attendees will learn how the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 the colonists celebrated Christmas. There Whiskey Road. For more information, call will be a visit from Father Christmas, who 803-642-7631. will be available for pictures with children.

Beta Sigma Phi will hold its 2014 North Augusta Christmas Tour of Homes on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour will feature homes in The Village, the River Club, Hammond’s Ferry and Hammond Hills. Refreshments will be offered at the Arts and Heritage Center. A brunch and fashion show will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of First Bap-

Bound to Sing will perform its fall concert at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 125 Pendleton St. S.W., on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m.

Aiken Standard file photo

Aiken Standard file photo

Jamie Eckmyre rings up customer Jackie Lefebvre at Re-Fresh last year during the Night of 1,000 Lights.

The Aiken Civic Ballet will hold its Nutcracker Tea on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. in the Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Atomic City Christmas Parade on Saturping Center past Risher Ave. Newberry St. S.W. This is a free event. day, Dec. 6, at noon. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland.” The parade route will The GVW Volunteer Fire Department The City of New Ellenton will host the follow Main St. from Ellenton Village Shop- Christmas Parade will be held Saturday,

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Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. Participants should report to the school by 2:30 p.m. The parade will begin in the parking lot of Leavelle McCampbell Middle School and proceed through Graniteville on Highway 101. Trophies will be awarded for the beset religious and commercial floats, and the best non-musical group.

The Edgefield Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. on Courthouse Square. The celebration will include the parade, a visit from Santa and seasonal music.

Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, 400 Kershaw St., will hold its Christmas tree lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. in rooms 6 and 7 of the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road. Children 8 and younger are invited to hear a story read by Mrs. Claus and enjoy cookies and juice. This is a free event.

For more information, call 803-642-7631.

Aiken Standard file photo

This puppy gets in the holiday spirit at last year’s Christmas parade in Aiken.

Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Serenity Charity Club will host a Christmas dance for mature adults Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Recreation Center, 917 Jefferson DaThe Aiken Choral Society will host A Mad- vis Highway, Graniteville. For more informarigal Dinner: A Renaissance Yuletide Feast tion, call Tandra Cooks at 803-663-6142. on Sunday, Dec. 9, and Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. at the Aiken County Historical Society, PFLAG Aiken will hold its holiday social 433 Newberry St. Tickets are $70. from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church, 115 Gregg The Night of 1,000 Lights will be celebrat- Ave. ed in downtown Aiken on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. The downtown streets will Breakfast with Santa will be held Saturbe lined with luminaries and sponsoring busi- day, Dec. 13, at 8:30 a.m. in rooms 6 and 7 of nesses will stay open late. Visitors will enjoy the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 shopping, eating, and spending time with Whiskey Road. The cost is $3, and the event Santa and his elf. is open to children 12 and younger accompanied by an adults. Pre-registration is required.

Joshua Messick will present Hammered The registration deadline is Sunday, Dec. 7.

Dulcimer Christmas at 7 p.m. Wednesday, For more information or to register, call 803Dec. 10, at the URS Center for the Perform- 642-7631. ing Arts, 126 Newberry St. S.W. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door for adults, The Goodwill Hire Grounds Cafe, 1379 $12 for students and $5 for children 5 and Washington Road, Augusta, will hold a ginyounger. For more information or to purchase gerbread house workshop Saturday, Dec. tickets, call 803-648-1438 or visit www.aiken- 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a free event. playhouse.us.

For more information or RSVP, call Nancy Browning at 706-650-5760 or email nbrownChristmas at the Lake will be held at 6 ing@goodwillworks.org. p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the lake on the campus of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, The North Augusta Lions Christmas Pa302 University Parkway. Celebrate the holirade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from day season with songs performed by local 2 to 5 p.m. on Georgia Ave. children’s choirs and the Aiken High School marching band, and enjoy hot apple cider, hot The Aiken Jaycees will hold its 2014 chocolate and cookies. Even Santa Claus will Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 14, at 2 make an appearance. Bring a new, unwrapped p.m. in downtown Aiken. The theme for this toy for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy year is A Star-Spangled Christmas. The cost Drive. to register is $25, and the deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 1. For more information or to Christmas in Hopelands will be held Dec. register, visit www.aikenjaycees.com.

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, and Dec. 26 and 27 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. This The Aiken Choral Society will hold a Madwalk-thru exhibit features more than 1.5 miles rigal Concert at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at of lighted holiday displays and pathways. Re- Cornerstone Baptist Church, 100 Cornerstone freshments will be offered each evening. This Drive. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for stuis event is free but donations are appreciated. dents and military, and free for children ages For more information, call 803-642-7631.

12 and younger.

Aiken Standard file photo

Pictured are Andrew Siders as the jester, Catherine Jackson and Lilianne Ross at the Aiken Choral Society’s Madrigal Dinner last year.

The Aiken Performing Arts Group presents The Continuo Collective of the South on Thursday, Dec. 18. This performance will be held at the URS Center for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St., at 7:30 p.m., and is black-tie optional. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, Christmas sweets and wine will be served before the performance. Tickets are $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.apagonline.org.

day, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, 406 Park Ave. S.E. Admission is free. For more information, call 888-AIKEN-SC.

The Aiken Civic Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the USC Aiken Etherredge Center, 471 University Parkway. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students and children. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Christmas at the Depot will be held Satur- www.aikencivicballet.com.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Christmas Craft Show

BY Linden Hammett Gathering for fun and crafts at the City of Aiken's Annual Christmas Craft Show has been a holiday tradition here for more than 40 years. Friends and families can visit the booths of more than 100 vendors chosen by the show jury each year. Crafters from all over the South offer a wide variety of handmade items.

Held the first weekend in December at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, the Christmas Craft Show is the perfect place to start checking off items on your Christmas list. Choose from a multitude of holiday items, including wreaths, ornaments, floral arrangements, Christmas clothing, ceramic dishes and figurines and wooden yard decorations. Crafters also make Santa figurines in every shape, size and material imaginable!

If you're interested in other gift items, the selection also includes baked goods, confections, soaps,

lotions, quilts, jewelry and wooden furniture.

Visitors will be tempted by the wonderful smells emanating from the food trucks and vendor carts located outside the Weeks Center.

Tastebuds will delight with fresh funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, kettle corn and popcorn, as well as hot chocolate and apple cider. This year's festivities will include holiday tunes performed by Roger and Barb Rollins.

The family-friendly atmosphere of the show usually attracts around 5,000 people who take advantage of the free parking and free admission. Santa Claus will be accepting gift requests from children of all ages on Saturday. There will also be a professional photographer offering pictures with the jolly old soul.

This year's Christmas Craft Aiken Standard file photo Show will be held at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center in Aiken Aiken residents and visitors visited local food vendors and more than 100 artisans, while enjoying the weather during a previous Christmas Craft Show at H. Odell Weeks Center. This year’s Christmas Craft Show will take on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, place Dec. 5 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Aiken Gives

BY Linden Hammett Staff photo by Maayan Schechter

Mrs. Claus and Santa, otherwise known as Spooky and Debbie Spradley, led the Dixie Thunder Run ABATE of South Carolina into Helping Hands Saturday as they donated toys to children for Christmas during their annual Toy Run.

Anyone can celebrate the holidays with lovely music, dance and beautiful decorations. It takes a special combination of compassion and a desire to serve to bring the people of a community together to give to the most needy among them. The people of Aiken County work tirelessly during the holidays to provide the less fortunate with gifts, supplies, and toys to give everyone joy during the holiday season.

The South Aiken Presbyterian Church will

sponsor its 28th annual Secret Santa of Aiken County program this year. Reaching out to help children of low-income families, the Secret Santa program provides parents with up to three toys for children ages one to 12. Needy families fill out applications in early November, and local volunteers sign on to sponsor a family.

The program often helps hundreds of children receive the gifts they most desire.

Applications to sponsor a family can be found at the church’s website, southaiken.org.

Each December, shoppers recognize the

STAFF PHOTO BY DEDE BILES

Sam Johnson, left, and Gary Tucker carry bags of toys that are about to be distributed through South Aiken Presbyterian Church’s Secret Santa of Aiken County program.

STAFF PHOTO BY AMY BANTON

Operation Christmas Child volunteer Jennifer Williams with her daughter, Julia and a box of supplies that they will send to a child in need somewhere across the globe.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Town and Country Club continues its yearly tradition of bell ringing at WalMart for the Salvation Army. Pictured from left: Kay Hummert and Sue Gibson.

familiar ringing of bells to signal the kickoff of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle program. The charity’s annual holiday fundraiser depends on hundreds of volunteers to man the bright red kettles located outside of popular area businesses. The money raised each year goes to fund the local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, social services office, boys and girls club and Christmas programs. The money provides the most needy in our area with hope during times of desperation. Donations are accepted at any red kettle throughout the holidays.

Many local businesses and individuals also participate in toy collections for local charities.

The Dixie Thunder of Aiken County ABATE of South Carolina holds a Motorcycle Toy Run each year to benefit Helping Hands, a local charity that runs an emergency shelter and residential group home. The toy run provides gifts to needy children, and raises much needed money for the charity’s various advocacy programs.

From filling an Operation Christmas Child Box for a local church, to dropping coins in a red kettle, there are myriad ways that the people of Aiken come together each Christmas to ensure that the people in need receive gifts of love and assistance in the true spirit of the holidays.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

‘The Nutcracker’

BY Linden Hammett Each year, the Aiken Civic Ballet presents the community with one of the season’s most beloved holiday performances – the Nutcracker. Featuring the familiar strains of Tchaikovsky’s brilliant music, the local Nutcracker was first performed by the Aiken Civic Ballet under the direction of Carl Crosby in 1970.

In the years since, the ballet company performed the Nutcracker sporadically, working in conjunction with other dance companies.

Over the past six years, however, the production has become a yearly tradition.

Aiken dancers perform under the tutelage of Diane Toole Miller, artistic director of the Civic Ballet and former professional ballerina.

This year’s performance will feature more than 100 dancers of all ages. It takes a multitude of performers and volunteers to engineer a production of this size, but everyone pulls together brilliantly for the annual performance.

Rehearsals for the dancers began in September, and the production team has planned everything from costumes to props, backdrops and special effects.

“We try to change things up from year to year,” said Miller.

“We change costumes and dancers, and revise some of the choreography.” She said that this year she has added a pas de deux pairing for the classic Arabian dance. “The Arabian is traditionally a female solo, but I thought it would be neat to showcase the talent of our male company member, Samuel.”

The Nutcracker is extremely popular, and both

Aiken Standard file photo

Alyssa Raynor, 6, and Katie Raynor, 4, take a moment to enjoy their tea and cookies during the fifth Annual Nutcracker Tea. shows last year were sold out. We encourage everyone to buy tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat,” said Miller. This year the troupe will also perform select divertissements from the second act for Aiken County public school children on Friday, Dec. 19.

“It’s a wonderful way to expose children to the world of dance,” Miller said. “Many of the children coming in for a field trip will have never seen ballet performed live. It’s a great experience for them, and a way to encourage the growth of arts in our community.”

This year, the Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and are available at the Etherredge Center Box Office, 803-641-3305.

In addition to the performance in late DeAiken Standard file photo cember, visitors at the Nutcracker Tea, held on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Aiken County Aiken Civic Ballet Board Member Dot Poe, left, and Nutcracker Tea Host Sissie Brodie work on decorations for the last year’s event. Also pictured, from left, are Anna, SamuHistorical Museum, can enjoy meeting cast el and Isaac McNamee who are decorating the tree. members in costume.

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Wagener

BY Valerie Sliker Join Wagener for it’s annual Hometown Holiday Celebration and Christmas Parade, Dec. 5 and 6. There will be special events on Friday evening and Saturday morning, including the Christmas Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Notify Town Hall in advance if you will be placing an entry in the parade.

On Friday evening from 5 to 7:30 p.m., you can catch special performances at the Pavilion. Performances include the WSHS JROTC, Busbee Corbett Elementary Middle School Chorus, the WSHS Band, seen here

from another year’s celebration, and the group Crossover will perform. Fireworks will be displayed following the performances.

Before the performaces, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around town, the pick-up place is at the Gazebo across from Town Hall. Also, crafts will be displayed and for sale in the park starting at 5:30 p.m. Local businesses will have an open house for a greet and meet.

Around 7:30 p.m. there will be a Tree Lighting ceremony followed by a Fireworks Extravaganza.

Horse and Carriage rides will be available

from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday evening. You can ride around town and view the decorations and lights, as well as use the carriage to visit local businesses. You can board at the Gazebo.

Tthe Wagener Museum will be open for visits. The Museum is always open for Open House, and this is a great night to visit the Museum if you’ve never done so. The Museum is located behind Town Hall.  The Annual Christmas Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. If you’d like to enter a float in the parade, you must register in advance.

You can register online by clicking the Hometown Holiday Event register button at the top of this page or you can register in person at Town Hall. You can call the Town Hall at 803-564-3412. Groups participating in the parade need to be at the Busbee/Corbett School by 10 a.m. to line up.

Prior to the parade, there will be a Community Yard and Craft Sale beside the Petal Shop, starting at 8 a.m. Booths will be set up around the area with information on FOTAS, CPR Information and CWP. A Car and Tractor Show will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Toys for Tots

BY Linden Hammett Every child deserves a toy at Christmastime. The United States Marine Corps works hard to make sure that is the case for as many children as possible.

Its Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year.

The toys are then distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

The program, which the Secretary of Defense approved as an official activity

of the Marines in 1995, is for all children, including military kids.

The Toys for Tots objectives are as simple as they are honorable: • Help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas.

• Play an active role in the development of children.

• Unite all members of local communities in a common cause.

• Contribute to better communities in the future.

Activities

The principal Toys for Tots activity is the annual collection and distribution of toys, which is generally coordinated by the local reserve unit.

In communities without a reserve unit, the campaign can be conducted by a detachment or an authorized group of veteran Marines.

And Toys for Tots is not strictly focused on Christmastime. Campaign coordinators also conduct annual events including golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other voluntary events designed to garner support and donations for the program.

Achievements and How to Help

Submitted photo

McKayla Morris of North Augusta, 2013 Miss Southeast Preteen USA National, delivers toys to The Jeweler’s Loupe in Aiken for the Toys for Tots program.

To date, the organization has distributed nearly 500 million toys to more than 200 million less fortunate children. It has also been named the Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year by various high-profile federations and media organizations.

You can help this program by donating a toy at one of your local toy-drop locations or by hosting an event at your home.

Visit www.aikenmcl939.org/toys to locate local drop-off and volunteer locations in Aiken County.

Submitted Photo

Savannah River Remediation construction employees assist Santa Abe Dial as they load donated toys as part of SRR’s U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Two large trucks containing over 3,800 donated toys and bicycles were collected.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014