The Episcopal Church of the Mediator's annual luncheon and bazaar will be held Saturday, December 6, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

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Raytown Baptist Church will present a Christmas musical December 13, 6 p.m.

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The December meeting of the Hospital Authority has been changed to December 17.

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The Flint Hill Baptist Church will be having a 100 Women in Red program on Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m. All women in the CSRA are invited to help with the program. Evangelist Kathy Butler will be bringing the message.

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The Optimi st Washington is sponsoring an ATV raffle. Tickets are available for $5.00 each or five for $20 from any Optimist Club member, or at the main office and downtown office of Farmers and Merchants Bank, Farmers State Bank, and at The Company Store.

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Booker's Chapel Baptist Church will celebrate the 18th anniversary of the pastor, Rev. Dante Smith, Sunday, December 7, at 12 noon. Rev. Demetrius Porter will be the speaker and members of his church, New Hope Baptist Church of Crawfordville, and the choir will be special guests. Dinner will be served. All other churches are invited.

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Wilkes County parents whose child's birth announcement appeared in The News-Reporter during 2008 have received letters with information about having their child's picture included on the Christmas Baby Page in December. Although The News- Reporter does not send letters to grandparents, grandchildren whose announcement appeared are eligible for sign-up by calling The News-Reporter at 706-678- 2636.

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The Episcopal Church of the Mediator Bazaar and Christmas Luncheon will be held Saturday, December 6, with the Bazaar opening at 10:30 a.m. and lunch service beginning at 11:30. The Country Kitchen will be open offering candy, pies, jellies, pickles, and other delicacies.

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The Iris Garden Club Holiday Brunch will be Tuesday, December 9, at 10 a.m., at Southern Elegance. Contact Cathy Stackhouse at 706- 285-2363.

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Wills Memorial Hospital Tea and Learn will be Thursday, December 11, at 2:30 p.m., in the hospital cafe. Sissy Murray will present a program on holiday treats. Call 706-67 8-9272 for reservations and more information.

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The Tignall Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 7, 3 p.m.

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The Rocky Mount Baptist Church Choir will present a program on Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m.

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Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Rayle, will have family and friends day Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m., with Rev. Eugene Bryant of Decatur as the guest speaker.

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Gibson Grove Baptist Church, 986 Thomson Road, Washington, will celebrate the tenth anniversary of musician Dianne Dubose on Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m.

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Pole Branch Missionary Baptist Church, Tignall, will have pastor appreciation day Sunday, December 14, 3 p.m. Rev. James McIver will be the guest speaker. Rev. Joe Glaze is the pastor.

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Mulberry Baptist Church will have its annual Christmas program Saturday, December 13, 6 p.m. All area praise and dance teams, choirs, etc., are invited to attend and be on the program. Refreshments will be served following the program.

ƒ It's not too late to remember a loved one with a memorial or honorarium to the Tree of Love sponsored by the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Donations of $5 or more may be sent to the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary at 120 Gordon Street, Washington, attention of Pat Niemann, coordinator. For more information call 706-678-9272.

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The Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Sunday School will present its annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 21, 4 p.m.

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The Christian Community Choir will present the Christmas musical, "Light of the World," at the South Liberty Presbyterian Church , Sharon, on Sunday, December 7, 6 p.m. A social hour will follow in the annex.

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There will be a book-signing for "Heroes of Kettle Creek, 1779- 1782" by Christine R. Swager at the Mary Willis Library Monday, December 15, 3-5 p.m. The signing is sponsored by the Friends of the Mary Willis Library.

Heard's Chapel Baptist Church will have a watch night service Wednesday, December 31, 10 p.m.

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Pompey's Chapel Baptist Church will have a watch night service along with Booker's Chapel and New Saints CME Church on Wednesday, December 31, 10 p.m. Pastor Dante Smith of Booker's Chapel will be the speaker. Breakfast will be served.

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The next meeting of the Washington-Wilkes Toastmasters Club will be held December 8, 6-7 p.m., at the Mary Willis Library. Anyone 18 years of age or older is invited to attend.

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New Springhill Baptist Church, Philomath, will honor two of its deacons, Ervin D. Smith and Willie O. Dunn, for 50 years of service Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m. Rev. R.L. White, pastor of the Mount Ephraim Baptist Church, Atlanta, will be the guest speaker.

The First Assembly of God, Thomson Highway, Lincolnton, will present a Christmas cantata titled "The Name . . . Jesus" Sunday, December 14, 6 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 7 p.m. The program will feature the adult sanctuary choir, a children's choir, and drama. A nursery will be provided.

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Mulberry Baptist Church will have its annual Christmas program Saturday, December 13, 6 p.m. All area praise and dance teams, choirs, etc., are invited to attend and be on the program. Refreshments will be served following the program.

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The Deceber 25 issue of The News-Reporter will be printed early because of the holiday. Early deadlines for news and advertisements for this issue are as follows: all classified and legal advertisements, and social news should be submitted by Wednesday, December 17, at 5 p.m. All other news, retail advertising, and community news should be in by Thursday, December 18, at 12 noon. The newspaper office and Radio Shack will be closed the week of December 22-26.

ƒ Pompey's Chapel Baptist Church will have a pastor appreciation service Sunday, December 28, 11:30 a.m. Dinner will be served following the service.

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New Saints CME Church, 515 Baltimore Road, Washington, will hold December SNAP meetings on Saturday, December 13 and 20, 10 a.m.