With Thanksgiving behind us, the Christmas season is getting a jumpstart this year. Make sure you check out our compilation of Christmas parades and festivals elsewhere on the CCN webpage.
• Celebrate the Holidays Downtown Whiteville invites everyone to shop on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27 from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. You could win grand prizes like a $500 shopping spree, or one of four $250 shopping sprees at one of the stores you visit. The Real Whiteville Santa will also be at Vineland Station at noon for free photos taken by Tim Hilbourn Photography. Bring the kids out and make some memories for the holidays.
Jolly Ole St. Nick will return via fire truck to Vineland Station Depot at 6 p.m. to help light up the town at Whiteville’s annual tree and decoration lighting ceremony. There will be food, fun, and hot chocolate. The Columbus County Community Band will strike up a tune at 5:30 p.m. next to the depot. Look for the band near Santa’s sleigh and listen to the sounds of the season.
Otto Mckenzie, the owner of Occasions Carriage, is offering folks the opportunity to see the Christmas lights downtown the old-fashioned way: by horse and carriage. The free carriage rides will begin at 6:15 p.m. Come out and ride in style for some holiday cheer and help kick off the Christmas holidays in downtown Whiteville.
• Buckhead Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is taking brand new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. You may drop the toys off at the fire department.
Buckhead will also be having a Lights Out Turkey Shoot on Saturday, Nov. 27 starting at 6:30 p.m. Candy, hot chocolate, coffee, and drinks will be available for purchase. There will be a lights out round for a chance to win half the pot. The fire department is located at 6810 Old Lake Road in Bolton.
• The Whiteville City Schools Board of Education is hosting the 2021 Angel Tree. Folks in the community are asked to sponsor a less fortunate child by calling 910.642.3546, extension 4223. Gifts can include bikes, toys, clothes, winter coats, shoes, and other items. Angel gifts are due by Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. and can be dropped off at the board of education located at 107 West Walter Street in Whiteville.
• Whiteville firefighters went above and beyond the call of duty at a fire Thanksgiving morning. No one was injured in the kitchen fire on Britton Street, but the entire Thanksgiving meal and stove were destroyed. After extinguishing the fire, WFD members collected and delivered a Thanksgiving dinner for the family.
• Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene and Lt. Justin Worley presented a check for $2,600 to Pastor Dave Heller for the Columbus Baptist Toy Store this past week. This money was donated by the sheriff’s office by deputies and detention officers who participated in No Shave November. It will go towards buying toys for low-income families to purchase for just pennies on the dollar at the Columbus Baptist Association’s annual toy store. The store begins Dec. 6 at 9 a.m.
• Speaking of the Toy Store – volunteers are needed to carry the toys out to clients’ vehicles on Wednesday, December 8 from 1-4 p.m. and on Friday, Dec. 10 from 1-6 p.m. Call 910.642.2155 for more information.
• Families First needs sponsors for families in need this holiday season. Call 910.642.5996. Families First is an organization committed to serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Columbus and Bladen counties.
• Girl Scout Troop 51 made a sizable donation to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services this week. The facility was thrilled to receive the items for the cats and pups at the shelter.
• Cedar Grove Baptist Church will be having their annual Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. The church is located at 2372 Cedar Grove Church Road in Cerro Gordo.
• Southeastern Community College will be hosting Christmas with The Embers on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the SCC Auditorium. Tickets for the concert are available for purchase at www.sccnc.edu/performing-arts, or you can call 910.788.6320.
• Tabor City will be having their 26th Annual Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The town’s tree lighting ceremony will take place following the parade. If you would like to participate, please contact the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce office at 910.377.3012. There is a $10 entry fee that will be taken up the night of the parade.
• The Dueling Pianos Rocking Christmas Show will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3- Dec. 4 at 202 North Brown Street in Chadbourn. The show will feature Tim Buie, the Guinness Book world record holder for the longest nonstop piano bar performance, and piano legend Johnny Stone. Tickets are $15 per person, and $20 for VIP tickets. There will be a $5 discount for anyone who brings a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, and concessions will be available for purchase at the event.
• The Town of Lake Waccamaw is officially gearing up for the holiday season, and nothing could be merrier or brighter than the town’s tree lighting ceremony and 30th annual Christmas parade. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The tree got a makeover this year with new lights and connectors.
The parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. Floats, golf carts, antique cars, marching bands, and walking groups are welcome to join in on the fun as folks ring in the Christmas spirit lakeside. There is no entry fee, but participants are asked to submit an application no later than Thursday, Dec. 2 by 5 p.m. to Lake Waccamaw Town Hall. If you need any additional information, please call the office at 910.646.3700.
• The Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Department will also be having a cornhole tournament Dec. 4 at 12 p.m. at the station. The entry fee is $25 per team. Prizes include $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $30 for third place. There will be hot chocolate and concessions for sale. To register, call 910.646.4441.
• The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at columbuscountynews.com. Email crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news with your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.
