By CAT ROBERTSON
Staff Writer

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. That means it’s just about time to enjoy great food with family and friends and kick off the season with holiday cheer. Let the Thanksgiving feasting, Black Friday shopping and Christmas tree lighting begin!

Many will spend the holiday at home enjoying time with family and friends while others will be spending time with members of the community serving others. The folks at the Running Springs Golden Oaks Senior Citizens Club are a very busy bunch. They are hosting a Thanksgiving feast on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Hootman Community Center in Running Springs.

Bring your appetite and enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving fare. Everyone is invited to this annual event. The Hootman Community Center is located at 2929 Running Springs School Road.

Members of the Green Valley Lake Church will also be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is invited to the event and those who are attending are asked to please RSVP by Nov. 23. If you would like, feel free to bring a side dish, salad or dessert.

Donations for the event are welcomed, but not necessary for attendance. For those who want to make donations, they can be dropped off at the Green Valley Lake General Store or mailed to the church. Please address them to Pastor Steve, GVL Church, P.O. Box 8355, Green Valley Lake, CA 92341 no later than Nov. 22. RSVP to Alex at (760) 574-5511 or email Alex at [email protected].

Once you’ve enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving meal, it’s time to rest up and prepare for a weekend full of shopping at the annual Thanksgiving weekend Artisan Tour. More than a dozen of Green Valley Lake’s talented artists will be opening up their homes and studios to the public so you can get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping.

Thirteen artists will open their homes to display their artistic creations. Items for sale will include one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, deliciously scented and unscented candles, wildlife photographs, a slew of knitted and crocheted blankets, scarves, hats and other items and beautiful paintings. Maps can be found at all Green Valley Lake businesses and on the sandwich boards in front of the post office and the community garden. More information about the featured artists will be in next week’s paper.

Thanksgiving weekend wouldn’t be the same without the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and party in downtown Green Valley Lake. The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30. The evening will include a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who will bring gifts for the boys and girls, a raffle and the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Stop by to mingle with family and friends and enjoy complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, cider and tea. Win great prizes and help support future community events. All funds support the Green Valley Lake Community Center Lilleberg Museum, a 501 (c)(3) organization.