Community News for York, Chester, Lancaster counties: Nov. 29, 2015

York County libraries will be collecting “Food for Fines” Tuesday through Dec. 31 to encourage the return of overdue library materials while giving back to the community at the same time.

Library users can pay off fines for overdue materials with nonperishable food and personal hygiene items. For each donated item, $1 will be credited to outstanding fines, but will not cover the cost of lost or damaged materials. All types of nonperishable food items, toiletries and disposable diapers will be collected. Items will be donated to York County food banks.

Patrons are encouraged to participate even if they have no outstanding fines. Donations also will be accepted on the Bookmobile. For information, call your local library or go to yclibrary.org.

Special events

▪ “A Story with Santa in the Garden” will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Glencairn Garden at the Vernon Grant Performance stage. Santa will read “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” After the story, children are invited to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and parents can take photographs. There will be hot chocolate and cookies as well as children’s activities provided by the Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. This free event will be held rain or shine.

▪ The York County Coroner’s Office staff and the CARE Team will be hosting an open house to light the fifth Annual Remembrance Tree, 3-5 p.m. Tuesday at the coroner’s office, Heckle Boulevard, Rock Hill. Families who have lost a loved one are invited to bring an ornament to place on the tree in their memory. Families also can take ornaments to the office weekdays during office hours. For information, call 803-909-8400.

▪ Home Instead Senior Care is sponsoring “Be a Santa to a Senior,” a program the collects, wraps and delivers gifts to seniors in York, Chester and Lancaster counties. The business has partnered with the Catawba Area Agency on Aging and Golden Corral. A tree with seniors names and gift requests is on display at Golden Corral, Anderson Road, Rock Hill through Dec. 14. For information, go to beasantatoasenior.com

▪ Sister-to-Sister will celebrate Christmas with the musical “Lead Me Back to Bethlehem,” 4 p.m. Saturday at Rawlinson Road Middle School. Tickets are $10. For tickets, call Dorothy Archie at 803-448-1180 or Rhonda Berry at 803-322-4211. The group also is collecting shoes to donate to Renew Our Community (ROC). To make donations, call 803-524-9502.

▪ The Clover Woman’s Club Christmas in Historic Clover tour will be 2-5 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and feature 19th century homes, the landmark Jackson’s Kitchen, Red Boot Ranch and Gate Horse Farm. A two-day pass is $10 and available from members, Good Things Consignment and More, Palmetto House and the Great Clover Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds to the scholarship fund.

▪ The Central City Optimist Club will host its 31st annual Senior Citizens Banquet, 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Rock Hill Elks Lodge 344 E. Main St. Free to seniors age 60 and older. For information, contact Larry Burnside at 803-327-0540 or Charlie M. Robinson at 803-327-4547.

▪ Selecting and Caring for Christmas Trees is the topic for First Friday In the Garden, 11 a.m. Friday at the Glencairn Garden Learning Center, 825 Edgemont Ave., Rock Hill. Clemson horticulture agent Paul Thompson will present the program. Free and open to the public.

▪ The Fort Mill High School dance team will host Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10 a.m. or 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at the high school on Harris Street. Tickets: $8, adults; $5, children. To reserve tickets, email fmdtbreakfastwithsanta@yahoo.com.

▪ Historic Brattonsville will host its Christmas Candlelight Tours, 3-9 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 12 at the site in McConnells. Tickets: $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, ages 4-17 and free, ages 3 and younger and Culture and Heritage Museum members.

▪ Keystone will host an open house, 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at the center, 199 S. Herlong Ave., Rock Hill. Open to the public. For information, call 8030-324-1800.

The Woman’s Club of Rock Hill is taking reservations for its Victorian Teas, which are ChristmasVille events. Teas will be at noon Friday and 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the historic Armstrong-Mauldin House, 607 Aiken Ave. Traditional English savories, scones and a variety of sweet treats will be served. Cost is $20. The event includes carolers and servers in Victorian attire and musical interludes. The Sugar Plum Boutique will feature some new vendors showing Christmas gifts, decorations and homemade holiday treats. The club’s cookbook, “Traditional Tea Time Favorites,” will be available. A Children’s Tea with Mrs. Claus will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Cost is $15. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For reservations call Betty at 803-415-7278 or the clubhouse at 803-328-8888 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.

Holiday help

Applications for toys for Christmas are being accepted by Drummer Boy Ministries 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at Bargain Safari Thrift and Gift, 1122 India Hook Road, Rock Hill. For information, call 8030-328-1611.

Fundraiser

▪ Clover Optimist Club will host a barbecue, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Dec. 5 next to Killian’s Service Center, S.C. 55, Clover. Plates are $8 with barbecue, slaw, chips, bun and a cookie; sandwiches, $4, 5-pound buckets, $30; drinks, $1. A portion of the proceeds will go to Lee Killian’s medical fund.

Entertainment

▪ Allison Creek Bluegrass will host its final bluegrass show of 2015 at 7 p.m. Thursday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church on S.C. 274, near Lake Wylie. Doors open at 6 p.m. and food service begins at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment provided by J. Max McKee and Bluegrass Travelers. Admission is two cans of food, which will be donated to PATH in York.

▪ The York County Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” 8 p.m. Dec. 17-19 and 3 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at Johnson Hall Theater at Winthrop University, Rock Hill. Tickets are $15 and available at the Winthrop Bookstore and yorkcountyballet.org.

▪ The York County Choral Society will present Handel’s “Messiah” Part I at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1320 India Hook Road, Rock Hill. Tickets are $20, adults; $10, seniors; and $5, students.

Clubs

▪ The Ballroom Dance Club’s Holiday Dance will be 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Oak Room of the Fort Mill Golf Course, 101 Country Club Drive. Holiday attire. Guest admission is $15, couples; $7.50 singles. Bring finger food to share; beverages provided. All skill levels are welcome. For information, call Bob at 803-329-5764, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ The Newcomers Club of York County, a women’s social and civic-minded organization, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at Brakefield at Riverwalk, 1111 Brakefield Drive, Rock Hill. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for the silent auction that supports our charities of the year. Items, made and donated by members, include baked goods and craft items. Luncheon is $15. For reservations, contact Kris at ycnewcomers@yahoo.com or 954-821-9310 by 10 p.m. Friday. Toys can be donated for “Toys for Tots” at the meeting.

York County Library

▪ The York County Library in Rock Hill will offer the following free events in December:

Elves in the Shelves, 4-6 p.m. Thursday with music by Dale Brook, the Magikal Minstrel, children’s crafts provided by community partners and an appearance by the Elf on the Shelf. No registration required.

Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale, 3:30-5 p.m. Dec. 6 with gift-quality, gently used books, including holiday titles, children’s books, cookbooks and more, all at bargain prices.

Innovation Station: Holiday Gift-Making, 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 7 for ages 11-17 to create unique gifts with all materials provided. Call 803-981-5830 to register.

Affordable Care Act: Questions and Answers, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 8 to learn how to navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Affordable Care Act from a certified educator. No specific benefits or details will be discussed. Open enrollment ends Jan. 31.Call 803-981-5845 to register.

Meet Alan Gratz, young adult and children’s author, 6-7 p.m. Dec. 9. He is the author of “Prisoner B-3087,” a 2015-16 S.C. Junior Book Award nominee. His books will be for sale and signing after the program. Recommended for age 9 and older. Call 803-981-5888 to register.

Classes

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Piedmont Tri-County will host a Family to Family education program, noon-2:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at The Hut at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill. The free series of 11 classes will cover information about mental illness for family members and caregivers. Registration is limited to 20. To sign up, call 803-610-8147 or email namiptc@gmail.com.

Recreation

▪ US Soccer instructors will conduct instruction and certification for new soccer referees Jan. 10 at Manchester Meadows. Register at screferees.gameofficials.net. Cost is $80. For information, contact Bob Delaney at delaneys@comporium.net or 803-230-0582.

Health

▪ Sisters United As One, an organization to unite, encourage and embrace all women, will host its inaugural hygiene drive, 11 a.m. Saturday at the ROC, East White Street, Rock HIll. Those facing homelessness and low-income families will be given hygiene items and a hot meal. There also will be blood drive.

Volunteers

▪ The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program needs volunteers to help low-income, elderly and handicapped taxpayers prepare income tax returns. Volunteers will be trained by the Internal Revenue Service, N.C. and S.C. departments of revenue to prepare basic tax returns. Training is free and is offered to volunteers who are willing to learn to prepare 1040A, 1040EZ, and the basic 1040 forms with schedule A and B. Training will include filing on computers. Training will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 11-15 at Rock Hill City Hall in the wellness center on the first floor. Volunteers can choose hours and days they wish to work. For information, call Bill Perry, York County coordinator, at 803-322-4195.

▪ The nonprofit Friends of the York County Animal Shelter needs volunteers to help bathe, groom, exercise, socialize, train and provide adoption information for the animals, as well as assist in follow-ups, publicity, marketing and other jobs at the shelter. Time and mileage may be tax-deductible. Volunteers must be 18 or older; orientation and training required. For information, call 803-818-6485 or go to the shelter at 713 Justice Blvd., York.

Reunions

▪ The Emmett Scott High School class of 1967 will meet for its December birthday fellowship dinner at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at The LongHorn restaurant, Rock Hill.

▪ The Rock Hill High School class of 1954 will meet 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Golden Corral, Anderson Road. Members, family and friends are invited.

Support groups

▪ Alateen meets 8-9 p.m. Thursdays at Zoar Road Club, 14701 Thomas Road, Charlotte. Meetings are for two age groups: 6-12 and 13 and older. For information, call 803-547-2124 or 704-904-7834.

▪ Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Mondays at Serenity Club, 209 Grayson Road, Rock Hill; at noon Tuesdays upstairs at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill; at 8 p.m. Mondays at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2955 S.C. 160, Fort Mill; and at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the house beside First Baptist Church, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Community News for York, Chester, Lancaster counties: Nov. 29, 2015."