AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

Have you seen downtown Lexington? It is truly a fairyland of trees bearing rain-dripping icicle lights, poles wrapped with lighted wreaths, and store fronts lighted and decorated for the season.

The town Christmas tree with numerous strands of white lights and blue ornaments stands in front of the Judicial Center.

Take a ride downtown and look around. There are so many decorations on Meetze Avenue, including the house with all the lighted, inflatable Christmas characters. It is a delight.

The season is still with us even though presents are dispersed and unwrapped.

Our family had a special Christmas because we were celebrating the the engagements of two grandchildren, Caroline Plowden and Sam Stormer. They both came from out of town and were welcomed along with their fiancées.

Most families still have the traditional menu of turkey, ham dressing and all the favorite sides. Wonderful homemade desserts complete the filling and enjoyable holiday meal. Upcoming will be the collards and black-eyed peas for the New Year.

A memorable holiday event for Paula Rawl Calhoon was the oath ceremony held on Dec. 20 at the Mark J. Westbrook Judicial Center. Paula was sworn into the South Carolina House of Representatives for District 87.

The invocation was given by the Rev. Dr. Patrick Riddle of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. Remarks were made by Dr. Charles Gatch, the Honorable Barbara R. Morgan and Barbara Willm. Following the oath of office, Rep. Paula Rawl Calhoon gave a response. A lovely reception was held in her honor. Present were her husband Donnie Myers, and her mother Ann R. Jodie, who held Paula’s childhood Bible for the oath, her siblings Odis, Cindy Candy, Debbie and spouses, and her grandhildren.

Sheri Kimble and

Sue Wharton report the Lexington Woman’s Club Yard of the Month:

The Lexington Woman’s Club’s Season of Lights Christmas Yard award went to Robert and Leasa Brandi, 212 Secret Cove Drive. Decorating the home with hundreds of lights expresses Bob’s seasonal wishes for his family and his community.

The Lexington Senior Center, under the direction of Annie Mack, had a Christmas party for seniors on Dec. 21. The seniors enjoyed an array of sweets while sitting at tables decorated with poinsettias, berries, and miniature Christmas trees. Many folks were dressed in seasonal red.

Norma Swartz, voice instructor, brought the most talented vocalists to sing Christmas carols. They brought the Christmas spirit to everyone.

Happy birthday to Cooper Sharpe, Donna Peeler, Lynn Murray, Wes Sears, Wesley Bleakley, Jerry Dameron, Paul Ifkovits, Michael Kleinfelder, Ashley Watson, Beau Brothers, Patricia Typhain, Joseph Elgin, Mark Fitzmaurice, Angie Viney, Lori Holm-green, Jonathan Sawyer, Hershal Carroll, Catherine Compton, Faye Hightower, Drew Welch, Elain Mayfield, Chase Rabern, Dylan Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Frank Troglauer Sr. Dawn Corley, Laura Cox, Taylor Keel, Tyler Keel, Katy Clark Lever, Tommy Mathias, Jen Smith, Bernice Steele, Virginia Gates, Virginia Bingenheimer, Macauley Morrison, Ann Purcell, William Turner, and Weston Shealy.

Happy New Year everyone!