Happening now: Operation Christmas Child, Behind the Mask, Bullington Gardens holiday sale set

Operation Christmas Child's collection week is this week

More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project during the project's National Collection Week, which runs from Nov. 13-20.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys — to children worldwide since 1993. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children, according to a news release.

There is still time to transform empty shoeboxes into gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver the shoeboxes to children in need. A step-by-step guide on how to fill a shoebox is available at the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Locations for drop-offs are listed below:

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St., Hendersonville

Nov. 13-14 Nov. 16-17, Nov. 20: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Nov. 15, Nov. 18: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Nov. 19: 12:30 p.m.–3 p.m.

French Broad Baptist Church, 182 Grandview Lane, Hendersonville

Nov. 13-17: 3-6 p.m.

Nov. 18: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Nov. 19: 1-5 p.m.

Nov. 20: 9-11:30 a.m.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 635 Gilliam Mountain Road, Hendersonville

Nov. 13-17: 3-6 p.m.

Nov. 18, Nov. 20: 9 a.m.–noon

Nov. 19: 5-8 p.m.

Little River Baptist Church, 51 Little River Church Road, Penrose

Nov. 14: 4-7 p.m.

Nov. 15, Nov. 17: 2-4 p.m.

Nov. 16, Nov. 18: 10 a.m.– noon

Nov. 19: 1:30-4 p.m.

Nov. 20: 9-11:30 a.m.

Brevard Wesleyan Church, 583 N. Broad St., Brevard

Nov. 14-17: 2-5 p.m.

Nov. 18-19: 2-4 p.m.

Nov. 20: 9 a.m.–noon

Behind the Mask to be presented in honor of Native American Heritage Month

On Nov. 18, exhibition curator Anna Fariello will offer two gallery walkthroughs of the exhibition "Behind the Mask" from 11 a.m.-noon, and from 1-2 p.m. at the Transylvania County Heritage Museum located at 189 W. Main St. in Brevard.

Between her speaking engagements, a food sampling will be provided by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Transylvania County, according to a news release. The food offered honors the indigenous story of the Three Sisters: corn, beans and squash. Take home seed packets of the Three Sisters are free and provided by the Blue Ridge College Seed Library.

Reservations are not necessary but are appreciated as space is limited. This event is open and free to the public. There are activities for children of all ages to engage with the educational exhibition. Additionally, on display is the Transylvania Heritage Museum’s collection of Cherokee artifacts found in Transylvania County.

Curator and writer, Fariello is the author of five books on Cherokee culture as well as exhibition catalogs. She has written numerous book chapters and articles, was section editor for the Encyclopedia of Appalachia, curator of over 40 exhibitions and speaker on topics related to the region's rich culture.

Fariello is a recipient of a 2010 Brown Hudson Award from the North Carolina Folklore Society, a 2013 Guardians of Culture award from the Association of Tribal Archives and Museums and a 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Highland Craft Guild. She lives in Cullowhee.

The exhibition will be through Nov. 30. Anyone wishing to schedule a school group or make an appointment for a different day, can send an email to tchsociety@yahoo.com.

Bullington Gardens sets Holiday Greenery and Craft Sale

Bullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public garden located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail in Hendersonville, will hold its 19th annual Holiday Greenery and Craft Sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1-2. Select greenery items are available for online purchase through Nov. 22.

According to a news release, the Holiday Greenery Sale features premium Fraser fir trees in three sizes. The native trees, grown in the Western North Carolina mountains, are wrapped for protection during transport. Also available are premium garlands in 25-foot lengths, plus unadorned 12-inch wreaths.

Holiday greenery must be ordered online or by phone by Nov. 22 for pickup during the Holiday Craft Sale. For more information go to www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104 to order.

A Christmas Memory returns for a fifth straight season

For a fifth straight season at St. John in the Wilderness, actor and theologian E.R. Haire Jr. will perform Truman Capote’s "A Christmas Memory"," as a one-man show.

Four performances are set: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The shows will be held in the Wilderness Room of the Parish House at 1905 Greenway Highway in Flat Rock. Dr. Haire has performed the story from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland with many stops in between during the last 20 years, this season being his 21st, according to a news release.

“I am delighted and humbled to once again perform this wonderful beloved story. I thank the people of St. John in the Wilderness and the greater Flat Rock community and people from other areas who have supported my effort. I hope everyone will enjoy the performances which have become something of a tradition for the community.” said Haire in the release.

The show is free to the public but seating is limited to 55 people per performance and RSVP is required. The direct link is bit.ly/christmasmem23 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.

Habitat for Humanity accepting homeowner applications through Nov. 30

Henderson County Habitat for Humanity will be building 35 affordable homes over the next 2 1/2 years at Dodd Meadows community in East Flat Rock, in addition to repairing many other homes throughout Henderson County.

According to a news release, Habitat for Humanity is accepting homeowner applications through Nov. 30. Application forms and more information are available at www.habitat-hvl.org or by calling Henderson County Habitat for Humanity at 828-694-0340, ext.115.

Homes for successful applicants will be constructed in sections 3 and 6. Dodd Meadows currently is home to 87 families in single and duplex dwellings. A total of 35 more families will reside at Dodd Meadows in phase 3 and 6, the release said.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Operation Christmas Child, Behind the Mask, Bullington Gardens holiday sale set