Richmond to hold Christmas parade

RICHMOND — Richmond’s third-annual Christmas parade will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Parade participants are encouraged to line up for the event by 4:30 p.m. at Hardy Field near Richmond Park.

Those who will be driving large vehicles, including trucks and fire and rescue participants, can line up at the truck stop as opposed to the field, officials stated.

Everyone is welcome to participate, according to organizer Donna Corder.

Representatives of the Richmond Methodist Church will be at the gazebo area serving free cocoa and treats.

Festival in the Woods will help Santa make his way to Richmond, and ultimately, to Richmond Park where Christmas Magic, a drive-through light display, will continue from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The display will be available for viewing during these hours on Dec. 20-21, as well.

The holiday light display is being spearheaded by the Richmond-based Festival in the Woods Committee, a nonprofit charity organization whose members are dedicated to improving their community for the present and the future. Screwy Louie’s Party Rentals is also spearheading the display, officials noted.

The park’s newest shelter house will continue to be home to vendors who will be selling a variety of items during the evenings of the light display.

Visitors will have an opportunity to browse, shop and enjoy food and hot chocolate throughout the evenings.

For information, contact Corder at (740) 275-1948.

Quinn Memorial to hold program

STEUBENVILLE — The Melinda Guy Women’s Missionary Society of Quinn Memorial AME Church in Steubenville will hold its Rolling of the Scroll program at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, located at 515 North St.

As the scroll is rolled, the names of loved ones in memory or in honor of will be read.

Deacon James Donaldson from Mount Zion Baptist Church in Triadelphia will serve as narrator.

Lisa Mason will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Others participating in the ceremony will be co-chairs Ilana Chester and Women’s Missionary Society President Marge Monaco.

The Rev. Jeff Stanford of Second Baptist Church in Steubenville will give the prayer, and the Rev. Melody Essex of Shaffer Chapel AME Church in McIntyre will read the scripture.

Charlene Dawkins from Greater Zion Temple Family Worship Center will be the guest pianist and will render musical selections.

Soloists will be Solomon Huffman and Melinda Iverson, as well as other musical guests.

The community is invited to attend the program and have the opportunity to meet Quinn Memorial Church’s new pastor, the Rev. Anthony D. Moore Jr.

Church to present the Christmas story

WEIRTON — Morning Star Baptist Church will present a special production of “The Birth of Jesus,” at 1 p.m. Dec. 21.

The church, led under the direction of the Rev. James E. Brown, is located at 3124 Weir Ave. in Weirton.

The community is invited to attend this original production of the Christmas story, which is free of charge, according to officials.

Local author pens holiday book

STEUBENVILLE — Former Steubenville resident Brandie Petras has written a children’s Christmas book entitled “The Night Santa Fell for the Pasta Trap,” a 28-page work of fiction for those between the ages of 1 and 12.

The book, available on bookbaby.com, is a tale of how four young children capture Santa Claus one Christmas Eve.

The story’s synopsis: Bella, Bianca, Brielle and Bobby hatch a plan to capture Santa Claus by using cookies and milk. Little did they know, however, that their Nonna’s Italian food would ultimately do the trick.

Petras was born in Steubenville and graduated from Steubenville High School prior to attending and graduating from Kent State University.

She, her husband Bobby and four children live in Fort Wayne, Ind. The couple began their business, Priority Life Care, to help children.

Library to show movie

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Public Library will show the PG-rated drama “It Ends With Us,” at noon on Friday. The film is based on a novel of the same name.

Popcorn and water will be provided to those attending.

Guests are welcome to bring a lunch.

Admission is free. Seats should be reserved by calling (304) 737-1551 or online at brookecountylibs.org/events.

Railroaders breakfast planned

CHESTER — All area railroaders are invited to attend a breakfast meeting at 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Family Kitchen and Smokehouse restaurant in Chester. For information, call (330) 853-3045.

Letters to Santa still available

The Friends of the Brooke County Libraries are assisting Santa Claus this year in helping him send letters to children throughout the area.

The help will run through Dec. 17, library officials commented.

The letters will be addressed specifically to each child. The cost is $2.50 each.

Orders to receive a letter from Santa can be placed by calling (304) 737-1551, (304) 527-0860 or online at brookecountylibs.org/sl.