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.

Voting Machine Available:  The voting machine will be available at the Community Center next to Macedonia Baptist Church for the 2012 presidential election from 12 to 3 p.m. for citizens of Edgefield County. For more information call Norman Dorn at 637-3545.

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

Republican Party Meeting: The Edgefield County Republican Party is having its last meeting before Election Day on October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Merriwether Fire Station. Rep. Bill Hixon and Sen. Shane Massey will speak and answer questions.  The Edgefield County Republican Party’s headquarters are now open at116 Courthouse Square, Edgefield. The hours are Tues. – Fri. 11:00am till 1:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am till 2:00pm.  For more info call Rodney Ashcraft at 803-215-9000.

Career Center: The Strom Thurmond Cosmetology Salon will be open on October 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.

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.

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.

Merriwether Coalition Meeting: The Merriwether Community Coalition will host a panel discussion at their next meeting. Monday October 22, at 6:30 pm at the Merriwether Elementary School – cafeteria. The purpose of this meeting is to inform citizens about issues that affect our community. For further information, please  call at (803)279-4138. or e-mail: Linda Anderson at: johnnyfanderson@bellsouth.net

Free Workshops: at the Edgefield SC Works Center, 400 Church St, Rm 306, Edgefield, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 10:00 AM Networkers Group Meeting – topic – “Pre-Employment Personality Tests” Learn the reasons employers give personality tests and how they can effect employability; 11:00 AM “Job Search Lab” Individualized job search help; 1:30 PM “Job Search 2012” Examine the differences between yesterday and today’s job search techniques; 3:00 PM “Resume Clinic/WIN Lab” Bring a completed resume to be critiqued or bring a completed resume worksheet and get help in creating a resume. For further info 803-637-4029.

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!

Fall Festival: Johnston Elementary School, Friday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m., Tickets (50 cents each) are required for games and snacks. Come join us for fun games, yummy snacks and family time. Parental supervision required.

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.

Trick or Treat on Edgefield Town Square with Mayor Durham on Wed., Oct. 31 from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Courtesy of the Town of Edgefield.