Needed: African Americans with sugar diabetes to participate in a research focus group conducted by Dr.Ida Spruill from the Medical University of South Carolina. The focus group will last 90 minutes and be conducted in your local community. You will receive lunch and compensation. If interested, call 1-866-551-3010.

Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Johnston Farmers’ and Artists’ Market is held from 4-6 p.m. each Thursday. If interested in being a vendor call 275-4097

The Edgefield County Republican Party is pleased to announce that it’s headquarters is now open at116 Courthouse Square, Edgefield between Crouch Hardware and The Edgefield Advertiser.  The hours are Tues. through Fri. 11:00am till 1:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am till 2:00pm.  Further updates will be in next week’s paper.  Thank you for your support.  Rodney Ashcraft, Edgefield County GOP Chair 

The 95th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s Miracle of the Sun and of giving us the rosary, is Saturday Oct. 13, at noon.  Everyone is welcome to join us at the grotto at St. Mary’s Church in Edgefield.  Please come and join us to pray for peace in the world and for our wonderful USA.  For more info, call Patti Williams at 803-278-1974.

Fall Festival: Wardlaw Academy  Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, from 5-8 p.m. Food, fun and games for all ages including a Haunted House, Country Store, Dunking Booth, Bingo, Cake Walk. Unlimited game arm bands will be sold in advance for $12 or $15 at the door.

Chili Cook-Off: All Chili Chefs are invited to participate, Sat., Oct. 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in downtown Batesburg during the Fall Festival. All proceeds go to community projects with cash prizes and trophies awarded. Registration at 8 a.m. with judging at 11:30, sampling at noon, and awards at 1:30 p.m. Call Lois Black at 803-413-2437 or loisblack@sc.rr.com for more info and an application.

Career Center: The Strom Thurmond Cosmetology Salon will be open on October 13, 20,& 27 from 8am till 12:00noon. Walk -ins are welcome. We are also open every B-Day from 12:30 till 3:00. For more information please contact Jackie Kennion @ 275-1767 Ext 525.

Annual Service: Barrs Chapel, a Methodist church on the west side of the county, will be the site of an annual service which will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 14.  The public is invited; refreshments will follow the service.

Church Anniversary: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Johnston is having their 142nd Church Anniversary the 2nd Sunday Oct. 14 @ 2:00 p.m. Guest speaker is Rev. Billy Smith, Pastor of Mars Tabernacle FBH Church Clover S.C.The public is invited. Rev. Lewis Burt is Pastor.

Reunion: The annual Lanham Family Reunion ( descendants of Thomas Walter Lanham and Mary Glover Lanham) will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 at Republican Baptist Church at 12:30 P.M.  Please bring covered dish food.

GED Testing: Johnston Learning Center will host GED Testing, Saturday, Oct. 20. To register: www.ed.sc.gov For more information call 803-275-1788.

Free Workshops: Edgefield/SC Works Center, 400 Church Street, Rm 306, Edgefield, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012 10:00 AM – Networkers Group Meeting – topic- “Skills That Pay Bills” Find out the skills you need to get a job and the importance of knowing your skills; 11:00 AM-12:00 noon & 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM “Job Search Lab” Come and get help with making your job search using SCWOS. For further information call 803-637-4029.

12th Annual Blessing of the Animals:  The Episcopal Church of the Ridge will host this event, Sunday, Oct. 21st at 3 p.m. in the churchyard of Our Savior in Trenton (off of Hwy 121 on Church St.) Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier.  Refreshments will be served to the congregation and their pets. The offering will be donated to our local food bank for help purchasing pet food. Rain or shine.

Pink Sunday Service: Shaws Creek Baptist Church “Pink Sunday Service” for Breast Cancer Awareness will be held Sunday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.

Harvest Carnival: Wyman King Academy Harvest Carnival will be Thurs., October 25, 6 -9 p.m., (Highway 178 between Saluda and Batesburg) There will be activities for the entire family including Bounce Houses, Adult & Children’s Bingo, Raffle, Football Throw, Children’s Games, Canteen, Sweet Shop and Hayrides. Come and enjoy a fun filled family night out!

ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE:  Republican Grove Baptist Church (276 Gary Hill Road, Edgefield) will hold their Annual Women Conference Sat., Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.  The public is invited.  Rev. Willie Patten, Jr. pastor.

Food Ministry: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Food Bank Ministry is sponsoring its annual Thanksgiving Holiday Food Drive. Please donate canned goods and non-perishable food to the following locations: Fairprice Food Center, Edgefield Senior Citizens Council and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. For more info call 637-1287 or 637- 6473.

The 12^th ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Ridge, will be Sunday afternoon, October 21st at 3 p.m. at Our Savior Episcopal Church, Trenton, S.C.  The blessing gives us a chance to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and to express our gratitude both to the animals in our care and to God for the gift of animals.

Your pets must be on leashes, or in crates and you can come on horseback!  This meaningful event is open to everyone and each year our attendance has increased.   Bring a lawn chair and expect barking, howling, hissing…in all, great fun for the animals who bring us so much enjoyment.  In past years, we have had dogs, cats, birds, burros, goats, honey bees and, of course, horses participate. Please spread the word to all of your pet loving friends! Treats will be served for the creatures and owners. The year’s plate offering will be donated for pet food at our local Harvest Food Bank.

Please join us at Our Savior Episcopal Church which is located off of Highway 121 on Church Street in Trenton.  Rain or shine!