AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

Fall officially arrived Sept. 23, but summer weather remains as temperatures rise 10 to 12 degrees above normal with humidity mixed in. As we have said before, when the State Fair arrives, the weather should call for a jacket.

Many folks attended the final Art in the Garden last week at Wingard’s Nursery. Proceeds went to Mission Lexington. Guests wandered through the gardens and enjoyed the fare of local food vendors.

Local artists participating were Margie Bach, Carly Carr, Gretchen Parker, Karen Petta and Margaret Vetter.

Wingard’s Nursery owners Delores and Wally Steinhouser greeted guests, who included Angela and Randy Halfacre, Jane and Ralph Mayer, JoDee Douda, Robin Bowers, Randal and Jeanette Ford, Gail and Harry Deith, Nandalyn Heaitley, Mary Lynn Sox, Amanda Heaitley, Brad Matthews, Kay and Mike Crapps, Catherine and Ron Williams, Cindy and Bert Dooley, Jewette and Rob Dooley, Suzanne and Kent Flowers, Rose Wilkins, Val and Larry Baker, Billy Dugan, Baxter Donaldson, Lauren Palkowski, Sandra Parker, Addie and Keith Dooley, Lori and John Moroz, Marika and Heath Bartlett, Ted Bartlett, Mary Beth Hill, Cathy Mathias, Julian Sharpe, Brenda and Ross Snell, and Lee Snell.

Anne Bull reports that Rick Cunningham, who leads the Snack Sack Program at Lexington United Methodist Church, is the latest Community Builder. The winner receives $1,000 to help with the nonprofit program of his choice.

When Cunningham took over the Snack Sack Program, volunteers say he changed the menu to more nutitious meals and the program grew rapidly. Today the ministry provides six meals each weekend of the school year for 500 participating elementary and middle school students in 10 schools in Lexington School districts One and Two.

The Snack Sack program is run by volunteers funded by community donations. To donate, visit www.lexumcsc.com/snack-sack .

Today, Sept. 26, is the first day of The Shepherd’s Center fall Adventures in Learning. For information on this program, call 359-6838, ext. 110.

Sept. 30 is the last day to pre-order a beautiful, 24-inch, live wreath to support Village Square Theatre. Call the box office, 803-359-1436. The wreath comes with a red bow to decorate your home for Christmas.

October starts off busy. The Holiday Market at Lexington United Methodist Church is Oct. 5, 9 am-2 pm.

St. Alban’s annual Oktoberfest is Oct. 5, 6-9 pm, to benefit its ministries and Estill Elementary School. It offers an authentic German menu to eat-in or take out. Tickets range from $11 to $16. It all happens at 403 Park Rd., Lexington.

The annual Fur Ball sponsored by Pawmetto Lifeline is also Oct. 5 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Call 803-465-9191 for information.

Sheri Kimball says Oct. 5, 7-11 am, is the communitywide yard sale at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Dr., Lexington. You can rent space to sell your own junk, or just shop for things you need. Call 803-359-9421 for space reservations.

Happy birthday to Chris Farley, Jonathan Acosta, Anna Smith, Darrell Roland, DAvid Elliott, JoAnne Whitehead, Don Tin-man, Woody Woodlief, Sabre Denny, B.M. Cave, Molly Sharpe, my daughter Sally Plowden, Kelley Mintz, Joe Peay, Aiyana Redd, Lee Shealy, Maureen Garis, Jerri Wingard, Blane Byant, James Connelly, David Swygert, Brent Caughman, Hope Creasman, Thomas Flitter, Catherine Jeffcoat, Gregg Mills, Glenn Roberson, Charles Scircle, Heather Weaver, Sandra Brandt, Michael Lybrand, Charles Rice II, Jason Antley, Michele Bonetto, Madilyn Burgess, Grayson Carter, John Flitter, Gracen Geary, Anne Jenkins, Karen Spilker, Aimee Lowery, Martin Taylor, Anna Mooney, Karen O’Shea, Brenda Bruner, Bert Davis, Evelyn Rickenbaker, Cheryl Cobb, Patty Giancola, Pat Faverio, George and Holley Pontoon, Becky Hipp, and Patty Monts.