You better watch out because Santa Claus will be visiting with children in White River next week! Santa will be in Mellette County on Saturday, December 10th from 2-4pm at the Mellette County Museum. In case the sleigh breaks down, Santa would be in White River the following Saturday, December 17th from 2-4pm. Come tell Santa what you want for Christmas!

Coming up next Monday, December 5th, the Burke Community Club will host it’s annual Appreciation Supper from 5-7pm at the Burke Civic Center. Also on Monday, the Gregory High School and Middle School will hold their Holiday Concert starting at 7pm at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium. Get in the holiday spirit by checking it out next week in Gregory!

The Toys for Tots Program is in it’s 25th year! Shopko in Winner is once again helping to spread the holiday cheer by collecting toy donations to benefit local children. Customers may donate new and unwrapped toys at any Shopko in South Dakota through next Friday, December 9th.

The South Dakota Department of Revenue will host office hours in Gregory to assist taxpayers. The office is located at the Gregory City Hall. Taxpayers may visit the remote office for assistance with completing tax returns, obtaining a sales tax license and general questions. Office hours will be from 10:30 to 2:30 on December 13th. If you want to make an appointment you can call 605-668-2939.

The Salvation Army Winner Unit’s Bell Ringing Campaign is going on at Shopko in Winner! If your business, organization, church, family or youth group would like to participate call Bill Matousek at 842-9040. The Salvation Army Winner Unit is a project of the Winner Ministerial Association and the Winner Resource Center for families. Monetary donations can be made directly to the Salvation Army Unit 381, Box 585 in Winner.

A Caring Coats Project is taking place in Chamberlain-Oacoma! The community is collecting gently used and new coats of all sizes, vests, gloves, scarves, mittens, hats and blankets right now. You can drop off those items at Hair Expressions. If you have a coat to give then please leave a coat. If you need a coat, then you are encouraged to take a coat. For more information you can call 605- 234-6884.

The Tripp County Commissioners invite everyone to put up a Christmas tree in the courthouse halls for the holiday season! Trees need to be put up between November 28th and December 8th. There will be an open house on December 9th that features singing and treats! The open house will run from 5-7:30pm. Trees will need to be removed by January 2nd. To signup to put a tree up in the hallway you can call the Tripp County Extension Office at 605-842-2858.

This is the final week for you to donate to the Gregory County Holiday Food Drive ! If you would like to donate to the Gregory County Food Pantry, items can be dropped off at the Burke High School DDN Room, the Gregory Catholic Church or at the South Central High School Office in Bonesteel. The food drive is taking place all month long in Gregory County!

We have another weekend filled with numerous activities in central South Dakota! Here are just some of the many things that will be happening: The Chamberlain-Oacoma Parade of Lights will take place tonight at 7pm beginning at the Avenue of Flags. The annual Mid Winter Fair will be held on Saturday from 9am to 4pm at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium. It is your chance to shop locally for the holidays and checkout numerous vendors. The Gorilla mascot and Santa will be making appearances too! Saturday, Winner’s Parade of Lights will happen on Main Street starting at 6:30. The second annual Parade of Lights in Valentine will be held on Saturday beginning at 6pm.

Don’t forget that a blood drive is coming up at the end of this month in Winner! A drive will happen on Wednesday, November 30th from 11:45am-5:30pm at the former Middle School Library on Monroe Street. If you would like to make an appointment and you want to give the gift of life you can call Abbie at 605-996-3688.