To submit events, the absolute deadline is Friday before publication. However, it is best to send items at least 2 weeks before your event date by email to lexingtonchronicle@gmail.com. You may also fax your event to 803-359-2936. Please also send events that have been cancelled or rescheduled due to covid-19.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BURNING DEBRIS: Burn permit required for burning debris in unincorporated areas of Lexington County. Call the SC Forestry Commission at 1-800-705-8613.

LEXINGTON CO. COLLECTION/RECYCLING STATION HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7 am until 7 pm; Sundays 3 pm until 7 pm; Tuesday and Thursday closed. Closed New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Inclement weather or other emergency situations may result in temporary closings of some or all collection and recycling centers on a per incident basis. Every effort will be made to notify the public if such closings are required.

E-lEARNING & TOURS

AMERICA’S BATTLEFIELDS: Get lots of information and see great videos at American Battlefield Trusts website: www.battlefields.org/

CARLSBAD CAVERNS: You can visit places most tourists never get to see when you visit www.360parks.com/carlsbad_caverns_virtual_tour.shtml.

E-LEARNING AT THE MUSEUM: The SC State Museum offers opportunities for learning online with virtual programs for the whole family. To learn more, visit www.scstatemuseum.org

GARDEN TOURS: Take a tour of the world’s most beautiful gardens right from your own computer. Visit www.bing.com/search?q=garden%20virtual%20 form

GRAND CANYON: Hike the trails virtually when you visit www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm

HISTORIC COLUMBIA ONLINE TOURS: Tour Columbia and Richland County neighborhoods and districts from the comfort of home. Visit https://www.historiccolumbia.org/tours/online-tours .

LEXINGTON COUNTY STORY MAPS: Story maps tell a narrative story related to features, places and landmarks including historic tours, a tour of the Lexington County Museum, and Lexington County Heritage. See all available tours any time at https://maps-lexco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/.

LONDON TOURS: See some of the most famous places in the world when you tour London at www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/london-virtualtours-attractions-landmarkscoronavirus-lockdowna4401481.html

USC TOURS: Virtual tours at www.sc.edu/visit/virtual_tour/index.php

WASHINGTON DC: Explore the nation’s capital while you self-isolate. Online tours are found here: www.scholasticatravel.com/2014/02/24/washington-dc-virtual-tour/

EVENTS

CAROLINA WILDLIFE BABY SHOWER: A virtual fundraiser for the animal rescue group March 27-28. Also drop off points for contributions of supplies and food for rescued animals. Info: https://carolinawildlife.org/

THE GREEN BOOK: April 20 virtual lecture on the original African American travel guide to safe harbors & welcoming establishments across the US, printed until the mid-1960s and the first mobile travel guide to African American cultural sites across SC. Created by the S.C. African American Heritage Commission, it provides a user-friendly guide to discovering cultural experiences across SC. $5 per program for nonmembers of SC Archives & History. Register at https://scarchivesandhistoryfoundation.org/2021/01/25/virtual-springspeaker-series-2021/

IT’S ALL ABOUT HERBS FESTIVAL: April 10, 9 am-3 pm, Lexington County Museum, 231 Fox Street, Lexington. Free to attend. Activities include a plant sale with many varieties of herbs, herb and plant related vendors, food vendors, free herb mini-demonstrations, seminars, and a silent auction. Mask-wearing and social distancing will be enforced. Info: Beverly Kleckley at 803-238-7597.

MAD HATTER’S ART PARTY: May 2, 11 am-5 pm, Robert Mills House, 1616 Blanding St., Columbia. Specialty treats, wine tasting, and opportunity to buy original painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, and more. Call to artists open April 1. Hosted by SouthCarolinaArtists. com

MEETING STREET ARTISAN MARKET: Now open every Saturday 9 am-1 pm, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Artisans under the pavilion selling original art, crafts, foods and produce. Social distancing guidelines in effect. Handwashing station and hand sanitizer available.

COVID VACCINES: SC residents 65 or older can schedule an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine by calling the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432. You may also get them now at Walgreens, CVS and Kroger.

MEETINGS

ADHD SUPPORT GROUP OF LEXINGTON: Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30 pm by Zoom. Open to anyone with ADHD or who want to support and assist ADHD individuals. For login information email attention deficithelp@gmail.com

COMMUNICATIONS & LEADERSHIP:The Lexington County Toastmasters communications and leadership club meets online at 7:15 am each Thursday. For details, email Mary Thompson at maryemyers95@gmail.com

FAMILY/CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: for those who have loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimers/Dementia. First Thursday of each month 6–7 pm. Sponsored by Oakleaf Village of Lexington. Currently using a “Virtual” format. Call 803-808-3477 for connection information.

FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY: American Legion Congaree Post 90 & the AL Auxiliary Congaree Unit 90 host a free ceremony April 24, 6 pm, South Congaree Rodeo Arena. 395 Oak Street, West Columbia. Bring your worn and tattered flags for ceremonial burn. The Sandy Run Post #156 American Legion Riders will assist.

MUSEUMS & ZOO

12,000 YEAR HISTORY PARK: 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce. Accessible 24/7. Police monitored from Sunrise-8 pm. Virtual history tours available. Get schedule at www.cayce12000years.com or call John Jameson at 850-322-5636.

LEXINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM: Now open with precautions. Tours by appointment only with face masks and social distancing. Call 803-359-8369 for tours 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1 pm to 4 pm on Sundays at 231 Fox Street, Lexington.

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDENS: Timed tickets required. Face masks also required. Visit www.Riverbanks.org for information, times and tickets.

SC STATE MUSEUM: 301 Gervais St, Columbia. Ages 3 and up must wear masks and adhere to social distancing. Adult $8.95, Senior (Ages 62 +) $7.95, Children (ages 3-12) $6.95. Buy advance tickets online at www.scmuseum.org

MUSIC & DANCE

CINDERELLA BALLET: Presented by Columbia City Ballet March 27,7:30 pm, and March 28, 3 pm, Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia. Tickets $25 to $52 each at www.kogercenterforthearts.com/upcoming.php or by calling the Koger Center Box office at 803-251-2222.

GOSPEL SINGING: April 3, 6 pm, Midland Gospel Singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Rd., Gilbert. Guests are Kingsway and the Heritage Quartet. Admission is free. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. A love offering will be accepted and light refreshments will be served.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1306: Robert the Bruce crowned Robert I, King of Scots, having killed his rival John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch

1609: Henry Hudson embarks on an exploration for Dutch East India Company to find a passage to Asia

1634: Under charter granted to Lord Baltimore and led by his brother Leonard Calvert first settlers found Catholic colony of Maryland

1668: 1st horse race in America takes place

1669: Mount Etna in Sicily erupts, destroying Nicolosi, killing 20,000

1776: Continental Congress authorized a medal for George Washington

1807: First fare-paying, passenger railway service in the world established on the Oystermouth Railway in Swansea, Wales

1807: British Parliament abolishes slave trade throughout the British Empire; penalty of £120 per slave introduced for ship captains

1811: Percy Bysshe Shelley expelled from Qxford University for his publication of the pamphlet The Necessity of Atheism

1813: 1st US flag flown in battle on the Pacific, frigate Essex

1851: Yosemite Valley discovered in California

1863: 1st US Army Medal of Honor awarded

1876: Glasgow 1st soccer match Scotland-Wales (4-0)

1882: 1st demonstration of pancake making, held at a department store in NYC

1894: Coxey’s Army of the unemployed sets out from Massillon, Ohio, for Washington, D.C.

1898: Writer O. Henry sentenced to 5 years in prison for embezzling $854 from a bank reportedly to pay for his sick wife’s medical bills. Goes on to write many classics while in jail including “Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking”.