LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS: ‘Tis the season for fall delights, Halloween frights

Go and see: Our neighborhoods and town are being dressed for the fall season!

Pumpkins are popping up on porches along with colorful mums, skeletons are “hanging out” and spiders are weaving webs. ‘Tis the frightful season!

Lexington’s annual Scarecrow Stroll on Main, sponsored by the town and the Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center, will be held from Oct. 12-29. There will be 43 scarecrows lined all the way to the Old Mill Walking Trail to entertain and amuse you and your family! There is lots of creativity on display that you don’t want to miss! This is the fifth year our town and chamber have sponsored this event.

Also, events and programs continue to happen all around us.

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Mission Lexington held its Behind-the-Scenes Business Breakfast from 8-9 a.m. Guests enjoyed a hot breakfast with local business professionals and a personal guided tour of Mission Lexington to see the impact you help create. Special thanks were expressed to the coffee sponsor, Canal Coffee Co. Breakfast was catered by O’Hara’s Bakery.

Members of the invaluable Mission Lexington staff, including CEO Amy Reeves and Director of Operations Ron Williams, greeted and welcomed guests. A rendering of the nonprofit’s new building — which will hopefully be complete by next October — was presented to the group. Amy is thrilled over the new children’s room provided for families consulting with a counselor.

Mission Lexington’s thrift store is offering 25% off all green-tagged clothing and merchandise (adult $4.50, children $3) from Oct. 1-10. The sale isn’t applicable on Wednesday for Senior Day.

This is such a vital ministry that helps many people and families in our community. The organization welcomes and is grateful for any volunteers or donations. Contact Mission Lexington at 803-785-6930.

Shiloh United Methodist Church held its monthly Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Oct. 1. Organizers were honored to have featured speaker Bishop Ken Carder, a retired United Methodist bishop who shared his personal experience as a caregiver of someone with dementia and provided his insight into the spiritual aspect. The theme was “Beyond Loss: Seeing Dementia Through the Lens of Grace.’ Please contact Donna at 803-206-3400 to reserve your seat for any of the luncheons.

November’s Lunch and Learn on Nov. 5 will feature Jonathan Brodowski, exercise physiologist. Jonathan will speak on “Strong for Life: Staying Active, Independent and Confident as We Age.” He will share practical, approachable ways that people of every age and fitness level can build and maintain strength to support better balance, mobility, energy and independence. Reserve your seat by Nov. 2.

Mark your calendar for Shiloh’s annual church bazaar and garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 7.

Thanks to Mary and Gary Baker and Donna Griffin for heading up this delightful program.

Our Shepherd’s Center of Lexington held its Oct. 1 Adventures in Learning classes and lunch program at Lexington Methodist Church. Lunch sponsor was Right at Home and OC Kinetix. The program “Alzheimer’s Journey” was presented by Missy Callahan. The center’s contact information is 803-756-4207 and shepherd@lexumcsc.com, and Jo Dee Douda serves as chair.

The organization’s community service activities include collecting plastic, paper and cloth bags for Mission Lexington, collecting aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House and supporting the Lexington Recreation & Aging Commission’s Project Warmth.

Support our local Village Square Theater:

Get your tickets today for “Beetlejuice Jr.” and “Magic Tree House Kids,” running Oct. 16-18. Join the theater for two shows presented by its fall performance classes.

In “Magic Tree House Kids,” siblings Jack and Annie return to visit the magic tree house. As they read a book about knights and the Middle Ages, Annie is intrigued by the Black Knight and the mysterious quest one must successfully complete before becoming a knight. When she wishes to visit the castle in the book, the siblings are whisked away to medieval times.

The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in “Beetlejuice Jr.,” the frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture-turned Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager. Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life.

Show runs about 2 hours. There will be a 20-minute intermission between the two shows.

Contact Village Square at 803-359-1436.

There are many season-related events coming up!

The Lexington County Museum will host the 19th annual Haunted History Halloween program at 231 Fox St. in Lexington this year. Guests will hear amazing stories and meet memorable specters along the way. Tours will last around 45 minutes each and will take place on the evenings of Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23 at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. This event frequently fills up, so reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Lexington County Museum at 803-359-8369 or email the museum at jfennell@lexingtoncounty.sc.gov.

Witches Night Out in downtown Lexington will be held Oct. 22, the Lexington Police Department Fall Festival is Oct. 27 and Ladies Night hosted by Wingard’s Market is scheduled for Nov. 20.

From Wingard’s Market:

“Late October is going to be peak fall color season here in the Midlands. Among our native tree selection, we have the best plants to give you the edge over your neighbor’s house for that fall color. For reds, look for blackgum or dogwood, while your oranges come from ‘October Glory’ Red Maple, Sassafras or Serviceberry, and lastly, the yellows are produced by River Birch & Tulip Poplar.”

Fall has arrived! Temps have moderated, decor depicts the season and football is up in the air!

“Happiness is a crackling fire, a cozy book, a cup of hot cocoa and an autumnal nook.” —Angie Weiland-Crosby