AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

The rains came, but so did loyal Lexington County Museum supporters, who came out Sunday on a cold, wet day for the Open House.

Visitors warmed up-with former Director Horace Harmon’s spiced cider, served in the Hazelius House along with gingerbread and German stollen. The Christmas tree was decorated with strings of popcorn, dried hydrangeas and nandina berries.

Many natural greens of magnolia, cedar and pine were placed on the mantels and throughout the house. Nandina berries and duck decoys, supplied by Stan Rikard, added to the period decorations.

Mike Spears welcomed guests to the Fox House, where Della Robia decorated the gate posts and smilax entwined the railings. The traditional gum drop tree was the table centerpiece, flanked by fragrant orange pomanders.

Constance Flemming provided Christmas music on her keyboard to the enjoyment of all. The cooking demonstration in the outside kitchen was very popular.

In the large fireplace, chicken was fried in a lack iron skillet over hot coals, and hoecakes were cooked and topped with sweet molasses.

Museum board members attending were Sylvia Clyburn, Naria Shull, Edie Harmon, Gay Clark, Joann Clark, Mandy Derrick, Bobbi Sox, Caroline Bryson, Carol Metts, Karen Parrish, Dan Koon, Stan Rikard and, overseeing the entire event, Director JR Fennel.

American Legion Post 7 Commander David Griffith and Linda held a Christmas drop-in at the Legion Hut Sunday. In spite of earlier flooding from heavy rains, it cleared in time for the event.

Delicious refreshments were enjoyed by guests, including Linda and Bob Roemer, Mary Hazelton, Doris Frye, Marge Carter, Barbara Leaphart, Brenda and Wayne Caughman, Doug Shreiber, Evelyn Moss, Amy and Sidney Griffith, Patsy and Don Horton, Ted Podewil, Doris Reynolds, Dot Tunstall, Cindy and Mike Harvey, and Michael Blackmon.

Donations were received to purchase Christmas gift cards for veterans in need of a brighter holiday. It was announced that Hoda Abdalla, president of Girls’ Nation and a student at LHS, will be featured in the upcoming Rose Bowl Parade.

Our daughter Sally Plowden’s creative writing class at Heathwood Hall has written a book about our state amphibian, the spotted salamander. Geared toward third grade readers, Sally Salamander – the Adventure Begins was launched last Saturday in downtown Columbia.

This adorable state amphibian takes you on an historic tour and sites are marked with a bronze salamander. The book is dedicated to the great state of South Carolina. It is available to $9.95 at Mast General Store, one of the generous sponsors, along with Lou and Bill Kennedy of Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

Here are a couple of things to make you season merry and bright.

Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park is a journey through colorful lights and over 400 animated light displays. This event continues through December 31.

You may visit the animals at Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens and see the Lights Before Christmas. You will marvel at one million twinking lights, meet costumed characters and hear festive tunes. It is open 5-9 pm through December 30, but closed Christmas Day.

Happy birthday to Landon Berry, Jackson Jeffcoat, Debbie Whiteside, Mike Burgess, Katie Carroll, Claudia Lee Schneider, Karla C. Bays, Elaine Bennett, Amanda Crumpton, Lucas Reynolds, Dianne Taylor, Steve Fowler, Jason Foy, Christine Hendrix, Austin Mintz, Michael Weaver, Leslie West-berry, Gregory Wilkins, David Cribb, John Fechtel, Wyatt Bingham, Amy Headerick, Ethel Shamblin, Wayne Caughman, Pat Tin-man, Chris Maynard, and Dwayne Britt.

Don’t forget to help your neighbor in need, especially this Christmas season.