Violin Giveaway
If you or someone you know would like a free violin for Christmas, please submit a 300 word essay or less explaining why you or another person should receive a handmade violin. All contestants must be between the ages of 9 and 17. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 15. Send your essay to: fiddlemakermike@gmail.com.

Chamber Christmas parade in Louisburg postponed until Dec. 15
The 2013 Franklin County Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, due to the prediction of inclement weather.

Fun Day
The Perry’s School Alumni Association is having Fun Day on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 12 to 3 p.m. in the school gymtorium. There will be games and activities for persons of all ages. Included will be a bean bag toss, musical chairs, basketball shoot, cakewalk, and other activities. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring their children.

Scam Jam
A Scam Jam, sponsored by Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments and Franklin County Department of Aging, will be offered at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension building, 103 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, on Dec. 6 from 1-4 p.m. Learn about Investment Fraud, Charity Fraud, Identity Theft, Social Security scams, Medicare scams and more. To register, call Sheila Brown at (252) 436-2040 ext. 6026 or the Louisburg Senior Center, (919) 496-1131.

Bunn Bobcats 4-H
The Bunn Bobcats 4-H Club will be changing their meeting dates to the first Thursday of the month due to a scheduling conflict. For more information, contact Glenda Moore at threesheeps2thewind@ymail.com.
The Bunn Bobcats will have a float in the Bunn Christmas Parade Dec. 14.

Hops and Holly
The Franklin County Boys and Girls Club will be the beneficiary of a Hops and Holly Beer and Food Pairing holiday event this year. It is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the A. H. Vann House in historic downtown Franklinton. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and the first pairing will be presented at 7 p.m. Five beer tastings will be provided by local brewers with heavy hors d’ouerves and dessert prepared by professional chefs. Only 50 tickets will be sold. Tickets will not be sold at the door. To purchase a ticket or learn more, contact Nathan Kreel at 614-266-3995.

Rabies Clinic
A Rabies Clinic will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Franklin County Animal Shelter in Louisburg. For more information, call Tar River Veterinary Hospital at (919) 494-5500 or email tarrivervet@gmail.com.

Trap Shooting
A Trap Shooting Tournament will be held on Dec. 7 (rain date, Dec. 14) at 200 Julie McKnight Road, Kittrell. Breakfast and registration to begin at 7:30 a.m. Classes include male, female, youth 12-15, and teen 16-18. To register,  call (919) 340-0364. Guest tickets include breakfast and lunch. Raffle tickets will be sold for a Remington 887. Also included will be an auction, 50/50 drawings, lunch and awards ceremony.  Proceeds will benefit Franklin County Volunteers in Medicine Clinic. For more information, call (919) 340-0364.

Bunn celebration
The Bunn Garden Club and other donors will be presenting a “Welcome Sign” to the Town of Bunn to help celebrate the 100th birthday of its establishment. The ceremony will be Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. at 361 NC Hwy 98 West. The sign is located between the Bunn Garden Club and Bunn Rescue Building. Youth choirs from New Hope Christian Church and Poplar Springs Baptist Church will sing Christmas carols.  Refreshments will be provided by  Bunn Garden Club members.

Free Photographs
Help Portrait of Franklin County will be taking professional photographs at the Louisburg High School gymnasium, beginning at 9 a.m. on Dec. 7. Help Portrait gives portraits free of charge to those who may otherwise not be able to afford them. The photos are taken that day, and clients leave with prints. Families, individuals, school children, clubs, veterans and community groups are encouraged to schedule an appointment during the day, any time through 5 p.m. Drop-ins are welcomed; however, appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, call (919) 496-0937. There is no application; no charge.

Alert parade
The Alert Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. Line-up will start around 1 p.m. There is no entry fee. Anyone interested in participating or needing more information can contact Larry Ayscue at (252)343-9275 or Melanie Bobbitt at (919)853-6638, (919)497-6081 or email at AlertParade@aol.com.

Christmas coats
The annual “Coats for  Christmas“ drive is underway. You may drop off new or good used coats at the Youngsville Library, Franklin County Farm Bureau Insurance office,   496 Redwood Lane in Louisburg, or the Wendell Cleaners of Louisburg (formerly  the Village Cleaners), 608 N.  Bickett Blvd. The coats will be given to those in need, Safe Space, Senior Citizens Center, Care ‘n Share and various churches. To help with this event or if you have questions, call  Wayne Champion, (919) 496- 2051.
 
FC Farm Market
The following is available at the Franklin County Farmer’s Market: Sweet potatoes, turnips, mustard, kale and turnip greens, cabbage, broccoli, collards, bell peppers, tomatoes, beets, eggplant, dried apples and crushed pepper, breads, jams, jellies and preserves, pickles and chow-chow, knitted hats and afghans. The market is in Shannon Village Shopping Center in Louisburg and opens Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. Closes when sold out.

Christmas Care
The Annual YABA (Youngsville Area Business Association) Christmas Care project will support families in the Franklin County area again this year. YABA will work with the Coats for Christmas and Food Drive to  help the families. Anyone can “adopt” children by purchasing a shirt, pants, and shoes as well as the three or four reasonable Christmas “Wish List”  gifts. Or, you can donate money to the Christmas Care fund and local “elves” will buy for the kids! E-mail yabanc@embarqmail.com if you would like to participate.

NC Boys Choir
The North Carolina Boys Choir and Chamber Choir will present an annual Christmas Concert at Duke University Chapel on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door one hour before.. Call (919) 489-0291 or visit www.ncboyschoir.org for further information.

Toy Drive
Dirty South Diesel Performance, located at 1009 Hwy 39 S., Louisburg NC is accepting donations for the Toys for Tots program. They will accept donations Mondays - Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Deadline is Dec. 12. For more information call 919-729-1354.