Museum's Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast to be held tonight

The American Red Cross is urging donors of all blood types to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for patients in need. Schedule your donation appointment by using the free Blood Donor App, by visiting www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Help save a life by participating in one of the following American Red Cross blood donation opportunities: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 428 Shaw Drive, Building 806, Shaw Air Force Base; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, Component Maintenance Squadron Shaw Air Force Base, 558 Killian Ave., 20 CMS Squadron Building; and 2-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, Grace Baptist Church, 219 W. Calhoun St.

Clarendon School District One will conduct free vision, hearing, speech and developmental screenings as part of a child find effort to identify students ages 3-5, who may need special education services and are not enrolled in a public school. Screenings will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon at the Summerton Early Childhood Center, 8 South St., Summerton, on the following Tuesdays: Dec. 11; Jan. 8, 2019; Feb. 12, 2019; March 12, 2019; April 9, 2019; and May 14, 2019. Call Robert Collar at (803) 574-2117.

The Sumter County Museum's 21st Annual Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast will be held 6-9 p.m. today at 122 N. Washington St. Tickets: $40 for members; $50 for non-members; and $55 at the door (if available). Enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, barbecue, chili, collards, beer, wine and soft drinks. Call (803) 775-0908 or visit www.sumtercountymuseum.org.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the headquarters building, 529 N. Wise Drive. All area veterans are invited.

Scotts Branch Alumni Association will meet at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Eagles Nest, 1 Larry King Highway, Summerton.

The Daffodils & Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show will be held 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at 30 S. Artillery Drive. Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support United Ministries. Event will also help support Kat's Special Kneads Small Animal Shelter. Santa will visit on Sunday noon-3 p.m. with photos with G&W Photo Art.

Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross stitch or any other sewing hobby? Join the Knit and Stitch Sewing Group from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Wesmark Branch of the Sumter County Library, 180 W. Wesmark Blvd.

The Carolina Coin Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Parks and Recreation Department building, 155 Haynsworth St. The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month and visitors are always welcome. Call (803) 775-8840 for information.

Green Elementary School will hold its sixth reunion from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, at Canty Memorial COGI, 873 Woodcrest Road. Cost is $30 per person. Call Shirley at (803) 481-0587 or Linwood at (803) 883-5349.

The Town of Pinewood will hold its annual tree lighting service at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, corner of Clark Street and East Avenue, Pinewood. There will be caroling and light refreshments will be served. Call (803) 452-5878 for information.

The ninth annual Town of Pinewood Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1. Departing from Manchester Elementary School, 220 W. Clark St., Pinewood, at 10 a.m. sharp, the parade will feature bands, emergency response vehicles, specialty cars and trucks, motorcycles, community entries, church organizations, beauty queens, food vendors, craft sales and much more. The "fire red" antique fire truck will escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to the portrait and gift giving location at Town Hall so be sure to bring your camera.

A Pottery, Glazing and Candlestick making class will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, for ages 8-17, at the Sumter County Museum, 122 N. Washington St. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for all others. Costumed interpreters will teach students how to create period candlestick holders from clay and hand-dipped candles during this Christmas-themed living history craft class. Contact Amanda Cox at (803) 775-0908 or acox@sumtercountymuseum.org.

The Evening Optimist Club's annual Sumter Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, on Main Street. This year's theme is "Joy to the World." The parade will begin at the corner of North Main and Dubose streets and proceed southward on Main Street to Barlette Street. The parade will feature colorful floats, dance teams, beauty queens, marching bands and more. Spectators are reminded to arrive early to select a viewing location, as all streets that intersect with Main between Dubose and Bartlette will begin closing at 1:30 p.m. The leading units of the parade will arrive at the courthouse around 2:15 p.m. with the end of the parade passing the courthouse around 3:25 p.m. and the reaching Bartlette Street at approximately 3:40 p.m.

The Town of Mayesville will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 8. Line-up will begin at 10 a.m. with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. Call Nancy Williams at (803) 453-5037 or Jeanie Jefferson at (803) 495-8181 for information.

Connect: Special Needs Support Group will offer Christmas pictures with Santa and Christmas cookie decorating 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St. If visiting Santa is difficult for your special needs family, this is the perfect opportunity because our Santa is a special needs professional who will be patient and loving with your little one. Pictures are complimentary. Leave your email address or Facebook information and you will receive a free digital copy of your photo. Stick around after the photos and decorate a cookie to take home. If you would like to donate sugar cookies or cookie decorating materials, contact Autumn Parnell at (803) 316-4627 or adparnell@yahoo.com.

The Sumter County Museum's annual Carolina Backcountry Christmas will be held 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 122 N. Washington St. Experience Christmas in the year 1800 as costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, and other traditional skills of the early 19th century. This free event will feature chestnuts roasting over an open fire and cider and cookies in the log cabin.