Editor’s Note: Events listed in the calendar must be submitted in writing. Calendar items are not accepted over the telephone. Information may be e-mailed to mevans@thestokesnews.com or faxed to 591-4379. The deadline is 3 p.m. Monday prior to publication. The calendar is reserved for non-profit organizations, school and community events. Ongoing calendar items will publish the last week of each month if space allows. The complete calendar, including ongoing events, may be accessed on the website. Because of space limitations, some announcements only appear the week of the event. If you have a legal requirement to publish an announcement, you must purchase advertising space.

Sat., Nov. 24

Tree lighting — Sandy Ridge Community Holiday Bazaar will feature the fourth annual tree lighting and toy/food drive. Collecting new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food on Nov. 24 at Northeast Stokes Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept., Sandy Ridge. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be homemade crafts and commercial vendors, bake sale, door prizes, food, free childrens’ activities, etc. Santa will arrive and picture packages will be available for purchase. Sponsored by The Sandy Ridge Ruritan Club and hosted by The NE Stokes Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

Mon., Nov. 26-Fri., Dec. 21

Food drive — Come to the Tax Assessment/Collections and Register of Deeds Offices between Nov. 26 and Dec. 21 and enjoy holiday decorations. Help the departments reach their goal of a thousand pounds of food by donating cans or non-perishable items at any of these offices. All food will be donated to the East Stokes Outreach and King Outreach Ministry.

Mon., Nov. 26

Holiday contest sign-up — The King Chamber of Commerce is again sponsoring the Christmas Window Decorating Contest and encourages business owners to add a festive look to the town by decorating their windows for the Christmas season. The decorating will need to be done the week following Thanksgiving in order to be ready for the King Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. A Chamber selection committee will be judging the windows on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. in four categories. Winners will receive a framed certificate, a ribbon, free advertising and bragging rights! Please register through the Chamber by Monday, Nov. 26 if you are planning to participate in the Window Decorating Contest so that they can be sure to include you on the judges’ lists. A registration form can be found at the conclusion of Monday Minute at www.kingnc.com or contact the King Chamber of Commerce at 336-983-9308 for more information. Completed forms may be mailed, emailed, returned in person or faxed to 336-983-9526.

Thurs., Nov. 29

Ladies Night — Walnut Cove Public Library will host a ladies night at the movies from 6 to 8 p.m. Come join us for a wonderful movie starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer in a story where a salesman, while settling his recently deceased father’s estate, discovers he has a sister whom he never knew about, leading both siblings to re-examine their perceptions about family and life choices. Free admission and free popcorn. Bottled water can be purchased for $1. For more info, call the library at 336-591-7496.

Lunch and learn — A free lunch and learn session will be held regarding The Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney on Nov. 29 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walnut Cove Public Library, 308 Brook Street. Everyone will receive a copy of the Living Will and Power of Attorney documents. Staff from Hospice and Palliative CareCenter will go over these with you. Please register by calling 336-591-5442.

Friday, Nov. 30

Tree lighting — The City of King will hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at King Central Park on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The city will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by lighting the city Christmas tree. The West Stokes High School Band will begin playing Christmas music at 6:30 p.m. Santa will be at the Spainhour Cabin for children to visit and let parents take pictures. Light refreshments will be served free of charge.

Sat., Dec. 1

Christmas Fair — Walnut Cove Senior Center, located at 308 Brook Street, will hold a Christmas Fair on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come by and support your local senior center by purchasing craft items, as well as home baked goods. The senior center is now accepting craft items to sell as well as gently used items for the White Elephant Table, and all proceeds benefit the center. There will be craft items, home baked goods, Christmas items, crochet items, quilted items, etc. For more info, call 591-5442.

Craft bazaar — On Dec. 1, a Craft Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oma’s Chocolate Factory and Coffee Shop. Stained Glass Canoe will play at 6 p.m.

Toy drive — Scout Pack and Troop 409 will be conducting its annual toy drive during the King Christmas Parade on December 1st. As in years past, scouts will be collecting new, unwrapped toys throughout the parade route. All toys donated will be given to children in need in our community.

Christmas dinner — Community Christmas Dinner will be held Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department. Come join us for a time of getting to know your neighbors. Bring a covered dish of your choice: entree, side dishes, dessert.

Farmers market — The Stuart Farmers Market will be open again on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Mistletoe Market. This is a full market with homemade crafts, baked items, holiday decorations, fresh eggs, meats, and much more. Enjoy hometown Christmas in Stuart.

Parade — The Stokes County Arts Council will sponsor the 2012 King Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. on Dec. 1. The theme is “Let It Snow.” Applications are available online at stokesarts.org or by calling the Arts Council at 336-593-8159. Shannon Smith with Fox 8 News will be the grand marshal for this year’s parade.

Christmas show — The Winter Dessert Theatre Series will kick off Dec. 1 with “The Andrews Sisters Tribute Christmas Show” at 7 p.m. at Poplar Springs Elementary School, 223 Hobe Kiser Road, King. A 6:30 p.m. pre-show will be presented by the “Star Catchers.” For tickets or information, call 336-593-8159 or visit www.stokesarts.org.

Sun., Dec. 2

Exhibit — Lance Crumley will be the featured artist at the Apple Gallery, 500 N. Main Street, Danbury, from Nov. 28-Dec. 26. He will be the featured artist at “Christmas In Historic Danbury,” and an opening reception will be held at the gallery Dec. 2 from 2-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Danbury Christmas — “Christmas in Historic Danbury” will be held Dec. from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be tours of the Stokes County Museum, an exhibit opening, music, dance performances, a tree lighting and candlelight service. For more information, call 336-593-8159 or visit stokesarts.org.

Sun., Dec. 9

Tree ceremony — The Activity Department at Stokes Nursing Home will hold its annual honor tree ceremony on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church in King. Donations in honor or in memory of a loved one can be made to The Activity Dept. and mailed to Carol Tilley, Activity Director, P.O. Box 10, Danbury, NC 27016. Please include the name of who you are honoring or remembering. Ornaments from the honor tree will be given to those that make a minimum donation of $20. All funds will be used to enhance the lives of the residents that live in the facility. The ceremony will start at 3 p.m. with special singing and a guest speaker and will end with food and fellowship. For more info, contact Carol Tilley at 336-593-2831, ext. 242.