Commercial/Paid Events: We offer opportunities for promoters of paid ticket events to advertise in GO! listings and display advertising. GO! calendar entry for paid events is $20 for the first 20 words and 25¢ a word above that.

Deadline is Friday before Publication. Send items two weeks before your event by fax 803-359-2936 or email: lexingtonchronicle@gmail.com

Christmas

HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER: Dec. 20-Dec. 31, 6-10 pm. Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia. Drive-through more than one million holiday lights and 400 animated displays. $20 per car, $40 for 15-passenger vans, $60 for buses. Free laser light show. Ride the train, $2; hayride $3; Wonder Ride Tube Slide $2 per slide or $10 unlimited.

Sandy Run Christmas Parade: Dec. 22, 10 am. On Old Sandy Run Road (Highway 31) in Sandy Run, SC. This year’s theme is “The 12 Days of Christmas”. If you have questions or would like to participate, call 803-928-6111 or email sandyrunparade@gmail.com .

events

Family Storytime: Jan. 5, 11-11:30 am at Lexington Main Library. Join us for story-time. This family program allows all ages to experience the best in children’s literature, songs and rhymes. For more information, call (803) 785-2630. The event is open to grades 2 and under.

Seed Swap: Jan. 26, 10 am. Lexington Main Library will host an event for gardeners to network. Come together and share your extra seeds and experiences. For more information, call 803-785-2680.

food and fun

Lexington County Chili Cook Off: Jan. 27, 12 pm. Join the Old Mill Brew Pub and the Lexington County Blowfish for the Lexington County Chili Cook Off. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are $10, $5 for 12 and under. Taking the stage during the event will be Freeway Music School. For team entry information please email john@oldmillbrewpub.net .

Love Letters from the Past: Feb. 16, 6-10 pm. At Lexington Municipal Complex 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington. Fundraiser event will honor our veterans. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing while raising funds for the Friends of the Lexington County Museum. Call 359-8369 or email museum@lex-co.com for more event info.

Lunch & Learn: Jan. 8, 12-1 pm at Shiloh United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 1000 Springhill Rd, Gilbert. The subject is a look back at 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s of Lexington County. Cost is $10 for catered lunch, RSVP by Jan 3 to 359-7586.

Lessons/Seminars

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH: Thursdays, 7-8 pm, Family Life Center, Zion Lutheran Church, 226 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. Beginners & intermediate. Free and open to public. Info: Bridget Ridgell, 803-413-9534.

Garment Sewing: Jan. 8, 2-4 pm at Lexington Main Library. Ever wanted to get started sewing your own clothes? Join us for a monthly garment sewing class where students will learn how to make simple clothing projects. Registration required. For more information, call 803-785-2680.

Grow Succulents: Learn how to grow and care for succulent plants Presented by Lexington County Master Gardeners. Succulent plants are always in style. Registration required. Lexington Main Library event Jan. 14, 10 am. Call 803-785-2680 to register or for more info. Pelion Branch Library event Feb. 2, 10 am. Call 803-785-3272 to register or for more info.

Home archiving: Jan. 16, 6 pm. Do you have family heirlooms, pictures, film or documents that you want to preserve for years to come? Visit the Lexington Main Library for this informative workshop on preserving the past/home archiving. For more information, call 803-785-2680.

PICKLEBALL: Free event every Thursday morning, 10 am – noon, rain or shine, and $2 Saturday mornings,10 am – noon at the Lexington County Tennis Complex, 425 Oak Drive, Lexington. In the event of inclement weather, the Oak Grove Civic Center at 584 Oak Drive will be used. All levels welcome. Come learn the game and/or share your pickleball expertise with new players. Paddles and balls provided by LCTC.

Resume Workshop: Jan. 5, 10-11 am at Lexington Main Library. If it’s time for you to dust off the ol’ resume, you’ll want to stop by this career building resume workshop. This hands-on workshop focuses on how to create a fresh, effective resume. For more information, call (803) 785-2680

SQUARE DANCE LESSONS: Sundays 1:30 pm, The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. First lesson free, then $5 per lesson. Info: 772-0546.

Taxes Legal Clinic: Jan. 28, 6 pm. The Batesburg-Leesville Branch of the Lexington County Library will host this legal clinic. Get free legal advice about federal and state taxes as well as dealing with the IRS and S.C. Department of Revenue. Presented in partnership with the South Carolina Bar Association. For more information, call (803) 532-9223.

Vision Boards 101: Jan. 5, 2-4 pm at the Irmo Branch of the Lexington County Library system. Dream It. See it. Plan It. Do It. Vision boards are a creative tool to visually express your mental thoughts and ideas for your business or personal life. Learn how to unpack your thoughts, ideas and desires with this three-series workshop. Create beautiful boards that can help you achieve your best. Registration required. For more information, call (803) 798-7880, ext. 111.

Winter Adventures in Learning: Jan. 9-Mar. 6, 9 am-2:15 pm at 3401 Trenholm Road at Trenholm UMC in Columbia. The Shepherd Center of Columbia Winter Adventures in Learning Program launches Jan. 9 and runs until Mar. 6. Hourly sessions begin at 9 am with the last occuring at 2:15 pm. New programs include The Muppets as An American Cultural Institution; Just Google It; The Real History of Fake News; Spanish II and much more. Many popular programs are returning for the winter 2019 season. For a complete list of programs and more info call 803-779-4449 or visit https://shepherdscentercolumbia.wordpress.com/ .

Meetings

BIBLES AND BREW: St. John’s Lutheran Church offers a weekly bible study at Krafty Draft Brewpub in Lexington. Faith Uncorked offers a chance to discuss life and meet new friends over a beverage and meal. The group meets Wednesdays at 6 pm at 269 Charter Oak Rd., Lexington.

Communications & Leadership: Lexington County Toastmasters offers a way to learn and grow. 7:15 am on the 1st-3rd Thursday except holidays, 2nd floor conference room, Lexington Medical Center, 811 West Main Street, Lexington. For details, contact Jerry Bellune at jerrybellune@yahoo.com or 803-331-6695. Richland 2500 Toastmasters International meets 1st & 3rd Thursday each month except holidays, 6:45-8:45 pm at Irmo Medical Park building - 7033 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212 in room 302. Contact: Donald Dills, 803-917-7726, Kalenna Ginyard, 803-873-5433.

music/theater

GOSPEL SINGING: Jan. 5, 6 pm, Midland Gospel Singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Rd., Gilbert, featuring Oasis and the Centurions.  Free, but a love offering will be accepted. Refreshments. Volunteers needed to provide finger foods.

“Let’s Reconnect” Piano Concert: Dec. 30, 4 pm at Gilbert United Methodist Church at 510 Main St., Gilbert, SC. See Jim Hendricks perform. Attendees will be invited to purchase music and/or piano scores, contribute to a love-gift, and attend a post-concert “Meet & Greet”.

outdoor fun

Murders and Mysteries Walking Tour: Feb. 9, 8 pm. Tour begins at the Icehouse Amphitheater 107 West Main St, Lexington. Free to the public. Attendees will learn about some of the spookier and more gruesome aspects of Lexington’s history as we will discuss murders, lynchings, and mysteries that occurred in downtown Lexington. Because of the mature subject matter, we ask that attendees be 18 or over or have parental permission. Call 359-8369 or email museum@lex-co.com for more event info.

Reunions

Swygert: Jan. 19, 4-9 pm. The descendants of Christian and John Swygert, sons of the immigrant Martin Swygert, will be having their first annual reunion at the Batesburg-Leesville Leisure Center. A dinner of Bar-B-Que chicken is being offered. Dinner request must be in advance so we can prepare for the correct number of guests. For information call Fred Swygert at 803-532-6493.