Things to do

Ornaments available

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The 14th annual Easter Seals Ornament of Hope is available, depicting the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta. For information, call (706) 667-9695.

Red Cross classes

The American Red Cross of Augusta will hold a disaster assessment training course from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5 at the chapter office, 1322 Ellis St., in Augusta. For information, call (706) 724-8481.

Movies needed

VFW Post 6445, in Harlem, is seeking donations of new or used DVDs to be sent to soldiers serving overseas. Donations may be brought to the post by Dec. 15. Donations of DVD players and cash also are welcome. For information, call (706) 556-9194, or (706) 597-3964.

World bazaar

Christ the King Lutheran Church, at 4232 Evans-to-Locks Road in Evans, will hold a "World Bazaar" shopping market with handcrafted items from Third World countries from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Hope Soap

Hope Soap, a private, non-profit agency that collects toiletries and packages and distributes them to area shelters, has collection sites in the community. Donations, particularly of personal-sized items from hotels, may be brought to The Columbia County News-Times, in the Publix shopping center on Washington Road, Evans, and Wild Birds Unlimited, West Town Shopping Center, Martinez. For information and other drop-off locations, call (706) 863-5863.

Ride for Hungry

The inaugural Holiday Hundred for the Hungry motorcycle ride, to benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank, will begin Saturday at Hooters Riders are asked to donate at least $10 or $10 worth of non-perishable food. For information, call Mark at (706) 627-3201.

Open house

Aquinas High School will hold an open house from noon-3 p.m. Sunday for all middle school students and parents. For information, call (706) 736-5516.

'Nutcracker'

Brookwood Elementary School will perform its 16th annual production of The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Tuesday and at 9 and 9:45 a.m. Dec. 6 at the school. For information, call Johnny Carr at (706) 855-7596, extension 217, or e-mail jcarr@ccboe.net.

Celtic Christmas

Broadstrokes Gallery will present a Celtic Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Meeting Center on North Belair Road, in Evans, featuring the music of guitarists Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock. Tickets cost $15 in advance, or $18 at the door. For information, call (706) 860-6055.

Farm service vote

Voters eligible to cast ballots for county committee elections in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency districts LAA1 and LAA4 who have not received a ballot should contact the McDuffie County FSA office, 226 Bob Kirk Road, in Thomson. Ballots will be counted Dec. 7. Call (706) 595-1339.

December Dash

The inaugural Phinizy Swamp 10k December Dash will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. For information, call (706) 828-2109, or go to www.active.com.

Lincoln festival

The Ninth Annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival, in Lincolnton, will be held from noon-6 p.m. Saturday, with the holiday parade at 3 p.m. The community breakfast with legislators will be held at 8 a.m. Dec. 7. For information, call (706) 359-7970, or e-mail lincolncham@nu-z.net.

Holiday tour

Guided candlelight tours of Hickory Hill, the historic home of Populist Sen. Thomas E. Watson, in Thomson, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and on Dec. 9. Tickets cost $3; reservations are required. For information, call (706) 595-7777, or e-mail hickorymuseum@bellsouth.net.

Thomson festival

Thomson's fourth annual Festival off Main will be held downtown, Friday and Saturday. For information, call (706) 597-1000, or go to www.festivaloffmain.org.