AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

The anticipation and preparation for Christmas will culminate next week as the world celebrates this most joyous and blessed holiday.

With shopping done, presents wrapped and baking done, we settle in for Christmas and the meaning of the season.

Lots of love and joy are spread through giving and receiving, unity with family and friends, and making and keeping memories.

Jane Fusco, director at Chris Myers Children’s Place reports how the Lexington Rotary Club brings joy and love to the residents:

“The Lexington Rotary Club comes to Chris Myers Children’s place the second Monday of every month. Members bring a wonderful dinner and then play games and read to the children. While the children are entertained, the mothers attend a parenting class. At Christmas, the members have an Angel Tree and give a gift to every resident. The Rotary provides for many needs. Members originally purchased all the beds in the home and furnished cooking utensils and other household items. They sponsor educational programs and are a wonderful suporter of our efforts.”

The Lexington Rotary brought joy to Margie Hutchins last week at its meeting, held at Tom Boozer’s place. Margie was presented the Paul Harris Fellow Award “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given to the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world.”

Margie’s late husband Frank was a faithful Rotarian of long standing. A blue ribbon was presented to Margie in remembrance of his love and support of the Rotary-sponsored horse shows.

Donna Griffin, leader of the Lunch & Learn series at Shiloh United Methodist Church reports that Travel Agent Mark Baker gave an excellent presentation at the December meeting. Next month, Lexington County Museum Director JR Fennell will present a “Look Back at the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s in Lexington County.” A catered lunch for $10 will be served. Call 803-359-7586 to RSVP.

The merger of Dominion Electric and SCANA was discussed by speaker Jason Waters at the December Lexington Chamber of Commerce meeting. A Lexington resident, he said Dominion will increase the amount of money SCANA donated back to the communities, about $5 million annually, by $1 million each year for at least five years.

Joel Merrill of Fast Signs was named the chamber’s Ambassador of the month.

Wesley Rhoten held a Christmas Open House at his country store on Sunday afternoon., Wes, known for making his family’s special country sausage, claims it is the best in the state.

Wellmore held a Christmas party for residents Sunday afternoon. Carillon Carolina strolled through the crowd while singing favorite carols. Many familiar faces were there enjoying punch and appetizers.

Happy birthday to Hannah Hicks, Thomas Knight, Irene Ballington, Allie Clemens, Debra McAlister, Jackson Keiper, Brenda Patton, Richard Own, Amber Surerus, Betty Austin, Neil Brown, Chris Hervey, Bob Pittman, Cynthia Smith, Vonetta Ar-rents, Brenda Barwick, Jillian Hojnaki, Brian Lackore, Robin Osborne, Stacey Strock, Bill Payne, Lara Peck, Leon Sawyer, Greg Jenkins, Clint Lowery, Debbie Trexler, Kristen Antley, Jim Brittingham, Noah Brock, James Compton, Ernie Coskrey, Jeanette Ford, Carl Shealy, Sarah Sherman, Parker Smith, Myrtle Billings, Abigail Coskrey, Christopher Coskrey, Rosemary Coskrey, Cynthia Douglas, Vickie Ettenger, David Loney, James Wack, Kelley Evans, Miles Gessner, Vickie Quattlebaum, Heather Troglauer, Becky Addy, Zane Redd, Monica Schmitz, Nicholas Schneider, Richard Sprowls, Christopher Moran, George Rentz, Alana Schaeffer, Amanda Lee Van, Sen. Katrina Shealy, Cheryl Kyzer, John Sease, Chrissy Blanton, Trey Davis, Bryan Heran, Matt Thompson and Matt Cunningham.

Merry Christmas to all!