The Mills Chapel Church of God is hosting a Christmas Story Hayride on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. The night begins in the church sanctuary with a children’s angel choir in performance. A hayride will follow, an &uot;adventure down a dirt road&uot; with different characters along the way singing and narrating the story of Christmas. A living nativity scene will complete the ride. Hot chocolate and treats will be served at the church following the event. Admission is free and all are welcome. Anyone interested in being a character in the story is also welcome to come and join in the evening.

For more information, contact Laura at 382-6773.

The Christian Education Department of the Greenville District will present the Saint Paul Baptist Church Choir in concert at the Butler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church on Saturday, Dec. 18. at 6 p.m.

Dec. 19

Union Baptist Church at Honoraville will present an Adult Christmas Cantata entitled &uot;Hark! The Angels Sing&uot; at 6 p.m. Dec. 19. For more information contact Cathy at 335-6579.

Damascus Baptist Church will hold its Christmas Cantata under the direction of Meg Stringer at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19.

There will be a time of fellowship and refreshment following the cantata. The public is invited to attend this celebration.

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church will present its Worm Hole holiday program, &uot;Christmas Around the World&uot; on Sunday morning, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Jill at 382-9597.

Dec. 20

Winter holidays will be observed on the Butler County School System from Dec. 20 through Dec. 31. All School system operations will be closed during the period. Students will attend school for a full day on Friday, Dec. 17 and return on Monday, Jan. 3.

Dec. 31

Any taxpayer over 65 after Sept. 30, 2004 needs to claim exemption; also if you have already been getting "over 65" exemption you need to reclaim. If you file federal and state tax returns for 2003 you will need to bring returns with you. Other taxpayers who have built a new home, aquired a modular home or purchased a home need to claim regular homestead. The deadline for exemption is Dec. 31.

Jan. 4

The Women's Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Greenville invites all ladies to participate in a bible study written by Beth Moore entitled "Jesus, the One and Only." The 11-week study will meet on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the lower auditorium beginning Jan. 4, 2005. There will also be a night group which will meet on Mondays, 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 3. The cost of the book is $14.95 and books are available in the church office. For more information call the church at 382-5892 to register.

Jan. 20

The next regular meeting of the Butler County Board of Education will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Central Office Boardroom on Administrative Drive. The public is invited.

Ongoing Announcements

Windwood Drive will have its &uot;tunnel of lights&uot; again this year.

The lights will be on every night until after Christmas.

Santa Claus will be stopping by on December 22nd from 6 PM until 8 PM and will have a small gift for all the kids.

FIW Volunteer Fire Dept. is sponsoring a Big Buck Contest until Jan. 31st. The entry fee is $20. First place wins a Benelli Nova Shotgun 3&1/2" Magnum 12 gauge.Register at Friendship Corner Stop at the intersection of Hwy. 106 and Co. Rd 45.

The Butler County Board of Education will offer a free Substitute Teacher Training session on Monday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 12:30-2:30 pm at the Butler County Board of Education Office. All persons interested in becoming a substitute teacher for the school system should attend. For more information, call Amy Bryan at 382-2665 ext. 1213.

Calendar items are published free of charge as a service to our community. Fax to 382-7104 or email to editor@ greenvilleadvocate.com or mail to P.O. Box 507, Greenville, AL 36037.