Not only that, but individuals donating to the project will receive a ticket for the special two-hour Toys for Tots cruise on Lake Norman aboard Lady of the Lake at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19.
Securing a place on this special festive cruise is simple. All that is required is a donation of an unwrapped toy valued at $25 or more delivered to the team at Queens Landing by 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.
While any toy is well received, the Queens Landing sponsors are placing a special emphasis on gifts designed for children ages 12 or older. The goal of the Toys for Tots program is to to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters.
Queens Landing is on Lake Norman off N.C. 150 just west of I-77 near Mooresville. For more information about the event, call 704-664-6996 or visit www.queenslanding.com.
Go First Footin' at Rural Hill
You can walk or you can run, but either way Historic Rural Hill will be the place to step into the new year.
The historic grounds, off Neck Road in Huntersville, will continue a centuries-old Scottish tradition and play host to an inaugural race all on New Year's Day 2012.
First Footin', the annual hike \and celebration of the Scottish New Year rite of Hogmanay, which includes a walking of the property line, will be joined this year by the first-ever First Footin' Five Miler sponsored by the McIntosh Law Firm. Both events will begin at 11 a.m. at Rural Hill, followed by food and fellowship at 12:30 p.m.
No reservations are required for First Footin' and the group festivities, but registration is required for the five-mile run. The race participation fee is $30 and details are available at www.ruralhill.net/FirstFootinFive.asp.
The race will cover a relatively simple, five-mile course through the Rural Hill grounds and is designed to ease runners of all talent and dedication levels back into the running habit after the Christmas and New Year's seasons.
The First Footin' event is more of a celebration than a competition. Hogmanay is an age-old ritual handed down from Scottish villagers who, on each New Year's Day, walked the town limits to reclaim or restate the boundaries of the town. The hike will cover a fairly rigorous route, and proper footwear and attire suitable for a cold-weather trek are advised.
All participants, whether planning to walk or run, are encouraged to bring items for the luncheon and fellowship that will follow the activities. A "Stone Soup" re-enactment will be included, so items such as fresh or canned vegetables for the soup, or bread and desserts to accompany the main dish, will be needed. Drinks, bowls, plates, napkins and utensils will also be required but, most importantly, don't show up empty handed.
Those who don't want to walk or run in the events are still urged to attend and take part in the meal and camaraderie.
For additional information about all Rural Hill activities, visit www.RuralHill.net.
Eagles will land at Williamson's UMC
Eagles will be far from an endangered species at a special Scouting program this weekend in Mooresville.
On Sunday, Dec. 18, Boy Scout Troop 171 will host an Eagle Scout ceremony honoring six troop members who have earned Scouting's highest honor.
The program will begin at 6 p.m. in the old chapel at Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church at the intersection of Williamson and Brawley School roads in Mooresville.
The scouts to be recognized include Ryan Darge, Edward DeSaussure, Bobby Arland, Kyle Scruggs, Josh Babich and Curtis Needham.
Troop 171, headquartered in Mooresville, is sponsored by Williamson's Chapel UMC.
— Staff
