Bill Bengtson

Downtown Aiken played host to some extremely slow-moving traffic Dec. 8 with the annual Christmas parade and its traditional mixture representing business, schools, clubs, churches and other organizations.

Langley Pond Park played host Dec. 7 at noon to a Polar Plunge. Ten teachers from around Aiken County spent at least a few seconds in the water, taking part in

The annual cooperative effort between the Marine Corps League (Toys for Tots) and the Salvation Army (Angel Tree) is under way, with tons of toys having been donated and processing

The pieces are almost in place for a major seasonal facet of Hopelands Gardens. Members of the Aiken Council of Garden Clubs are decorating the Doll House along a theme of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," continuing a council tradition that reportedly dates back to the early 1990s.

The Marine Corps League (through its Toys for Tots program) and the Salvation Army (through its Angel Tree program) work together around Aiken County in an ongoing successful effort to solicit, gather and distribute donations of toys and new clothing for kids who might otherwise go without Christmas goodies.

Hundreds of visitors accepted the opportunity Dec. 12 for some extra shopping hours and the chance to enjoy a little Christmas cheer in downtown Aiken, with the annual Night of 1,000 Lights taking place.

One of Aiken County's options for locally grown Christmas trees is Tom Sawyer's Christmas Trees, near Monetta. Running the show is the husband-and-wife team of Tom and Debbie Sawyer, on property that dates back in the Sawyer family to the 1830s.

Downtown Aiken had an abundance of afternoon visitors Dec. 8, with the annual Christmas parade taking place along Park Avenue and Laurens Street, drawing thousands of spectators for some seasonal

Wagener's Christmas parade was held Dec. 14, with hundreds of spectators along Main Street with churches, businesses, schools and other local organizations.

Michael and Malaika Good, as captains in the Salvation Army, arrived at their current post in late June, and in late September, found themselves helping guide the Aiken-area response to Tropical Storm Helene, looking to help provide food, shelter and encouragement for thousands of local families and individuals who suffered from the deadly wind-and-rain combination from the morning of Sept. 27.