Santa Claus will officially arrive at Magnolia Mall on Saturday, November 21, at 11:00 a.m. during a fun-filled family event featuring Santa’s hilarious elves Wally & Victor - Those Funny Little People.

This year the Foundation Board is sponsoring a “Light-A-Tree” fundraiser to help support the consumers served by Marion-Dillon County DSN Board.

Pee Dee Regional Center’s Volunteer Service Board unveiled the 2009 Christmas in Florence Ornament on Tuesday. The ornament was again designed by Stephen Guyton, a Florence artist whose work is exhibited in collections nation wide.

Merchants are getting ready for the Annual Christmas Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in downtown Hartsville. Sponsored by Hartsville Downtown Development Association (HDDA), the open house encourages downtown businesses to remain open after regular business hours for an evening of shopping, entertainment and holiday spirit.

The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority bringing back the Reindeer Shuttles again this holiday season.

The Florence County Disabilities Foundation is in need of sponsors for this year’s “Making a Difference at Christmas” project.

The Senior Citizens Association of Florence County is celebrating its third Thanksgiving Blessing project with events planned across the county.

A member of the West Florence High School Marching Knights will be among high school band all-stars from across the country marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

‘Tis the season for giving. Each year the women of First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville provide the community an opportunity to give a gift during the Christmas season that keeps on giving.

My fingers kept hitting the wrong keys last week and that was the case when I wrote that the Christmas Parade is Dec. 3, but it is actually Dec. 5. I’ve had it penciled in on my calendar for two months. I want to thank Sharman Poplava at the chamber for calling my attention to this blunder of mine.

For the second year in a row, Hartsville City Council has passed a resolution temporarily suspending part of the blue laws against Sunday morning shopping.

Even before Halloween costumes, candy and decorations could fly off the shelves and out the front door of stores, Christmas merchandise was sneaking in the backdoor and making its way on to store shelves.

McLeod Regional Medical Center is gearing up for it’s Fourth Annual Festival of Trees.

Immerse yourself in a world of colors, textures, aromas, flavors and sounds. Items for sale include woven baskets, jewelry, ornaments, pottery, textiles, toys and more at the Alternative Christmas Market at First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Fellowship Hall in Hartsville on Nov. 14.

Immerse yourself in a world of colors, textures, aromas, flavors and sounds. Items for sale include woven baskets, jewelry, ornaments, pottery, textiles, toys and more at the Alternative Christmas Market at First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Fellowship Hall in Hartsville on Nov. 14.