Thursday, December 1, 2011 —
“Christmas is a’coming, The goose is getting fat…” begins an old English rhyme that we’ll finish at the end of this article. We don’t know about fat geese, but judging by the activity in Stanly County this weekend, Christmas is very definitely on its way. From a Christmas candle-light tour in the daytime to a Christmas tour of homes, and from a Santa Social to Christmas parades, there are plenty of fun events to get you in the Christmas spirit. And there’s also shopping, music and a Christmas play.
Let’s begin our weekend with a visit to the Falling Rivers Gallery on West Main Street in downtown Albemarle. The Saggy Frog Holiday Craft Show continues here through December 24, 2011. This is the place to find one-of-a-kind locally made crafts for that unique Christmas gift. The Gallery is also filled with paintings, sculpture, pottery and jewelry, all by local artists and all for sale at reasonable prices.
On Thursday night, ride out to Oakboro for their annual Christmas Parade. This event draws families from throughout the surrounding area for the special rides, entertainment and, of course, Santa Claus.
On Friday, it’s the weekly Pickin’ on the Porch night at the Badin Inn. Every week the Inn presents live music on its porch, winterized for your comfort, from 7 pm to 10 pm. This Friday enjoy the music of Brad Harwood while you wine and dine in this beautiful venue.
Back in Albemarle, the Uwharrie Players present Robert Inman’s A High Country Christmas. The play, about the transformation of a miserly curmudgeon reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ Scrooge, takes place during the Depression in a rural mountain community. The play is performed in the new Central School Auditorium on Third Street on December 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 pm and on Sundays, December 4 and 11 at 2:30 pm.
On Saturday, ride out to Reed Gold Mine for the only Christmas candle-light tour you can take in the daytime. From 10 am until 4 pm the underground mine tunnels will be decorated for the holidays, and special holiday-themed tours will tell how Christmas was celebrated over the years at Reed Gold Mine by John Reed and other miners and their families. The Stamp Mill, circa 1895, will also be open for tours. The celebration continues in the Visitors Center with crafts, historical demonstrations, musical performances and free refreshments.
From 10 am until 8 pm the American Legion Post 76 presents a Santa Social and Craft Fair at the Walter B. Hill American Legion Grounds on Highway 52 Business South. Warm up the fellowship of the season with homemade desserts and hot coffee, cocoa and tea. Santa will be there for pictures. The cost is $2 plus a canned food item to feed veterans for the holidays.
Ready for a little more fun this Saturday? The Badin Inn presents a Goofball Golf Tournament on the Badin golf course starting at 2 pm. Open to members and non-members, this is not your standard golf tournament. Remember why golf is FUN? Badin Inn promises you will after this. It is designed to allow entrants to have fun whether they are scratch golfers or brand new to the game. No one has the advantage on this front 9 level playing field. Entry fee includes dinner, two drinks and a cart fee.
On Sunday, from 2 pm to 4 pm check out the People’s Parade in Palestine. It will begin at the railroad tracks on Airport Road and finish on Mountain View Church Road. Don’t miss this truly local fun parade.
In Norwood, the Community Service League presents the Sunday afternoon Norwood Tour of Homes from 2 pm to 5 pm. It begins at Edwards Flowers and Gifts shop and includes the homes of Kenny and May Horne, Barry and Cathy Page, Meredith S. Hatley, the Fork Farm Bed and Breakfast and the Edgewater Clubhouse. Refreshments will be served at the Edgewater Clubhouse.
And in closing, here’s that old English rhyme we began with:
Christmas is a’coming,
The goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny
In the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny,
A halfpenny will do.
If you haven’t got a halfpenny…
God bless YOU.
Entertainment
This Weekend in Stanly County December 1
- Entertainment
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Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson returns to Badin Saturday
One of Badin’s favorite sons and a legend from the famous Blue Note recording label returns for a show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Badin Elementary School.
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Wingate University’s Wind Ensemble performs concert featuring composer Jack Stamp
Wingate, N.C. – Wingate University’s Wind Ensemble will present a free concert featuring the music of famed composer Jack Stamp on Monday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in McGee Theater of the Batte Center on campus.
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Farmhouse preserves memory of a Southern writer
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The legacy of Southern writer Flannery O'Connor survives not only in her fiction but also in some of the buildings that featured prominently in the last years of her life. O'Connor enthusiasts this week celebrated the restoration of the latest structure - a two-story cottage that housed farmers on her family's Andalusia estate.
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Websites go dark in protest of anti-piracy bill (VIDEO, POLL)
Dozens of internet websites – from web resources like Wikipedia to online communities like Reddit – went dark Wednesday in protest of a bill in Congress that aims to stop online piracy.
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Viral video: Announcer goes nuts after full-court shot wins game
One college basketball play-by-play radio host likely needed some throat lozenges when he woke up Sunday morning, a day after his shocked, screaming reaction to a game-winning basket.
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Viral video: Groom surprises bride with Justin Bieber dance
The choreographed wedding dance is a staple of a healthy viral video diet, right up there with cute kittens and babies laughing at everyday sounds. Still, it's hard not to smile when you watch one as well-executed as this groom's Justin Bieber tribute to his new bride.
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Cartoon techniques with Marcus Hamilton
Come learn cartooning techniques from a professional illustrator, Marcus Hamilton, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 21. He has been the cartoonist for the daily panels of “Dennis the Menace” since about 1996. The cost is $25 for adults. The workshop is appropriate for all ages and children can attend with a paying adult for an additional $10.
Pre-registration and pre-paid, non-refundable tuition is required to reserve a seat.
Make checks payable to Marcus Hamilton and mail to Falling Rivers Gallery. To register or for more information, contact Falling Rivers Gallery at (704) 983-4278, email Marcus Hamilton at dtmsouth@carolina.rr.com or e-mail fallingrivers gallery@yahoo.com -
Viral video: Top recruit picks Alabama; mom rolls eyes
A top recruit made his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama during a live television announcement Thursday night, but it’s his mother’s reaction to the news that’s getting attention.
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Viral video: Marriage proposal rejected at basketball game
Having your marriage proposal rejected is heartbreaking. Having your marriage proposal rejected on camera in front of thousands of people at a sporting event? Well, that’s a viral video on YouTube.
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Viral video: Anchor has Ron Burgundy moment on live TV
A morning meteorologist at a TV station in Green Bay, Wis., had a real-life Ron Burgundy moment this week thanks to a prank by one of his co-workers.
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