It's the most wonderful time of the year, time to deck the halls, haul out the holly and get ready to light up this year's county Christmas tree downtown which now tops 52 feet. Belton, Honea Path and Pendleton have already had tree lightings and other events, and more county civic celebrations of the holidays including Christmas parades, tree lightings and other events on the horizon.

Citizens got a preview of the Anderson County Christmas tree on the square this week, but it will go dark at midnight until the official tree lighting ceremonies Friday.

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Record crowds and North Pole winds were on hand Friday night for the Town of Pendleton’s annual Christmas tree lighting and kickoff for the fifth annual Christkindlmarkt.

Long lines for visits with Santa and for hot chocolate and coffee did little to cool the enthusiast crowd which began filling the Village Green as the market opened at 4:30 p.m.

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But in the digital age, mechanical clocks have all but disappeared, along with those who know how to keep the vintage timepieces running. In 1920, there were 50,000 independent watchmakers in the United States. Today, there are fewer than 5,000. 

Anderson’s Chris Campbell is among those keeping the flame of horology – clock repair – burning. A third-generation maker and repairer of clocks and watches, Campbell is one of the few remaining practitioners in the region.

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The Town of Pendleton will light up the Village Green Friday night with the tree lighting and the annual Christkindlmarkt, with holiday gifts from local vendors and a jolly dose of Christmas spirit.

The market opens at 4:30 and the tree lighting is set for 6:30 p.m.

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It can take effort in the holiday rush is our sense of gratitude - a gift that needs no wrapping paper, ribbon or space under the Christmas tree. Research is conclusive that those who approach life with a sense of gratitude have fewer mental and physical problems, live longer, exhibit less stress, have a stronger immune system, and even handle loss far better than those who live without the recognition that they do indeed have a lot for which to be grateful.

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The new 27-acre Anderson School District Five Cross Country facility just completed its first season of competitions and area coaches are excited about its future.

The cross-country facility is part of a larger 87-acre YMCA Sports Complex which opened earlier this year and which includes not only new fields for sports, but the state-of-the-art cross-country area aimed at attracting regional meets for high schools and colleges/universities. The technoloty allows parents to track their children throughout the races.

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Black Friday is almost here, but let the buyer beware, all that glitters is not a good deal.

A recent study by WalletHub found that some retailers actually raise prices on the day after Thanksgiving as a Scrooge-like price gouging measure thinking holiday shoppers won’t compare the cost of gifts on that day.

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Racial data gleaned from the census is important because local, state, tribal and federal governments use it to guide certain civil rights policies and “in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for specific groups,” according to the Census Bureau.

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TD Club names top players, coach in Anderson County high schools at final meeting for 2024.

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T.L. Hanna 57, Catawba Ridge 34

Westside 49, A.C. Flora 9

BHP 42, Palmetto 14

Powdersville 21, Woodruff 14

Crescent 45, Christ Church Episcopal 6

Camden 43, Wren 42

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The City of Belton kicked off the holiday season with the county’s first Christmas Tree Lighting event on Thurday.

The weather was frightfully cold, but a faithful crowd was on hand for the event which included not only the lighting of the tree, but the induction of three new members to the Belton Hall of Fame. See video for details.

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Now, they want the public to help them take the next step: choosing a design for the housing that is best suited for Anderson County. Citizens are asked to review the universal guidelines and choose the three best suited for Anderson.

Register here to see the designs and vote: https://ahhasc.org/design-competition-registration/

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Feeding the community is nothing new for this organization. The Kitchen, which reopened this week at former Roy’s Diner location on South Main Street in September of 2023, offers a free, hot lunch, no questions asked, with on-site dining in a restaurant-style settlng Monday-Friday from 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Meals to go are also available.

Leaders of the group said the need continues to grow in Anderson.

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Creative volunteers from across the community have decorated trees to make them available for auction in plenty of time for hall decking this holiday season. Wednesday offerd a sneak peak of the trees and music by local children, a luncheon is set for Thursday, followed by a "Tree-Mendous Party" event Friday and "Goodies with the Grinch" Saturday.

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Observer Reports

It's the most wonderful time of the year, time to deck the halls, haul out the holly and get ready to light up this year's county Christmas tree downtown which now tops 52 feet. Piedmont and Williamston have already held events, and more county civic celebrations of the holidays with Christmas parades, tree lightings and other events on the horizon.

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Anderson County Council amended, on second vote, a resolution to require all future subdivisions built in the county to include a 100-foot buffer around the development.

The amendments to the proposal, which is expected to see additional revisions before the final vote in December, included reducing the buffer to 50-feet for developments of 50 or fewer houses.

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The holidays can be an especially challenging time for those who are survivors of sexual assault, child abuse and their families. First Light, who serves this community year around, is working to raise funds and awareness this time of year.

From special shopping trips for children, to fund raising to a New Year’s Eve gala to increase support, First Light is asking the community to join in the efforts this year.

Through collaboration, education, advocacy, and treatment services in Anderson and Oconee Counties, First Light is a nonprofit agency that encompasses three programs: Sexual Trauma Center, Child Advocacy Center, and Prevent Child Abuse.

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“We must talk about poverty, because people insulated by their own comfort lose sight of it.” - Dorothy Day

As we enter the holiday season and are offered a chance to reflect on gratitude for those around us who are making a difference, the Anderson Observer is highlighting a few of our neighbors whose lights shine brightly (even when no one seems to notice).

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The new fire truck is part of an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement  of $4.2 million for the fire truck and equipment, two garbage trucks, one aerial platform life truck, one utility CCTV camera and van, one midsize Dozer (crawler) with enclosed cab, and other miscellaneous equipment needs in the city’s Public Works and the Utilities divisions.

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Anderson County Council will vote on a proposal to require a 100-foot “undisturbed area” around the boundary of any new subdivision built in the county as part of Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting in the historic courthouse.

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