Mark Brian

I read about Christmas at Astabula and thought there might be many others interested in seeing what an early 19th century Christmas at Ashtabula Historic House in Pendleton was like. If you are not familiar with the Ashtabula please be sure to visit the website for the Pendleton Historic Foundation and learn about this home and the fine organization that is working to preserve this historic and beautiful home.

Re-enactors will portray the early families and household servants who lived at Ashtabula Plantation bringing Christmas to life in eight mini-plays staged in the Big House, plantation kitchen/outbuilding and outside by fireside. Reservations are required for a specific tour time - 864-646-3782.

HOURS

• Event Hours: F & Sa 5pm - 8pm; Su 2pm-4:30pm

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

• Admission Fee: Yes
• Fee: $7 Adults, Children $3 (ages 5-10), children under 5 free

SCHEDULE

• December 4, 2009, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• December 5, 2009, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• December 6, 2009, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
• December 11, 2009, 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• December 12, 2009, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• December 13, 2009, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• December 18, 2009, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• December 19, 2009, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• December 19, 2009, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• December 20, 2009, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• December 3, 2010 - December 5, 2010

Directions to the Ashtabula Historic House

2725 Old Greenville Hwy - Central, SC

From I-85, Exit 19B to US76 N (towards Clemson & Pendleton). Continue north on US76 for about 8 miles, turn right onto Business SC 28 (Mechanic Street) at traffic light, towards downtown Pendleton. There is a green roadside sign directing travelers to Ashtabula at this intersection. Continue to the Pendleton town square. Turn right onto E. Queen St. (SC 88) at the traffic light at the Pendleton town square and follow signs for SC 88 (turns into Old Greenville Hwy). Continue for approx. 3 miles on SC 88. The gate to Ashtabula is on the left.

For more information about the Astabula Historic House please contact:

Pendleton Historic Foundation

Pendleton, SC 29670

Phone:  864-646-7249

If you have not been to Oconee Station State Historic Site then it might be time to mark your calendar because on November 14th there is going to be a Frontier Encampment at the site! It will be taking place from 10AM to 3PM.

This will be an excellent chance to see what life was like in the years immediately following the American Revolution when Oconee Station was a frontier outpost. Learn what life was like for the frontiersmen of this bygone era. This program will include a variety of period-related activities such as rope making, cooking and black powder demonstrations.

There are also some really beautiful water falls that you may want to check out while you are there. It will take about an hour to hike from the parking lot at the Oconee Station Historic site or there is a parking lot just down the road from the entrance to the Historic Site that will cut your hike in about half. It is a fairly easy, and it is worth the time to see some of the wonderful unspoiled natural beauty of Oconee county.

Contact Information

From I-85, take exit 1 at the GA/SC state line onto Hwy 11. Drive about 26 miles and then turn left onto Oconee Station Rd. Drive about 2 miles and look for park entrance.

If after your visit to Oconee Station State Historic Site, you would like to know about real estate for sale in Oconee county, please contact me!

Well by now you may have put the Halloween decorations up and hopefully eaten the last remnants of the candy. I am sure you have seen some of the retailers putting their holiday displays out as soon as the Halloween display was taken down. It bother me to see retailers because they are doing this just to make money.

But one local Anderson tradition that is about not making money but raising money is only weeks away. I hope if you have never seen the Anderson Lights of Hope that you will take the time one evening to check them out.

Some of the great organizations that will benefit from the donations at the gate this year are:

• Anderson/Oconee Speech & Hearing
• Cancer Association of Anderson
• Hope Ministries of Oconee County
• Living Without Limits
• The Free Clinic-DCEC Circle of Friends
• Habitat for Humanity-Anderson/Clemson
• Toys for Tots
• Awareness for Inclusion-Womens Shelter
• Clemson Food Bank
• Anderson Interfaith Ministries

The event is located really close to I-85 and super easy to find. It is at Darwin Wright Park, which is off Liberty Highway at exit 21. Just get off I-85 at exit 21 and head towards Anderson. You will turn left at the redlight before you cross over Hartwell Lake. The Lights of Hope will be opening on Thanksgiving Day 2009 at 530pm.

This fantastic charity event is run by an all volunteer staff and your donations at the gate are going to many great local causes. Please do yourself a favor and drive down!

To find out more or if you have any questions please visit their website at Anderson Lights of Hope

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following:

1. Check for and correct any errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. Transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t order items for your new home on credit — such as appliances and furniture — until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Too much available credit can lower your score.

7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, Knowing and Understanding Your Credit, visit www.homebuyingguide.org.

I hope you will all plan to start your Christmas shopping early with 27 local and regional artisans at the Mistletoe Market at the Anderson County Museum. The Friday's "Sip and Shop" is from 4-8 p.m. Get an early start on Saturday at 9 a.m. and shop until 5 p.m. All the vendors look forward to seeing you this weekend. While you're at Anderson County Museum, check out the new exhibit Trade Street while shopping at the Mistletoe Market. Admission is free, but artisans hope you find lots of treasures to take home.

Also I read that Tom Craig, author of Upcountry SC Goes to War will be signing his book on Sat the 7th from 1-3pm.

You can also help someone in need when you come by bringing non -perishable food items. The Museum will deliver all the donations to the Good Neighbor Cupboard. There will be free admission, free parking and plenty of wonderful items to help you get a head start on your holiday shopping!

For more information call the Anderson County Museum at 864-260-4737