The Santa Express in historic downtown Dillwyn will have departures at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Climb aboard real vintage rail cars and ride off into amazing memories. Trips last 45 minutes and Santa comes to meet young passengers. Hurry as these tickets always sell out. Purchase tickets online at www.odcnrhs. org/excursions.

The next meeting of the Curdsville Community Center will be held on Monday at 6:30 p.m. A generous benefactor will be providing turkey, dressing, and ham. Just bring a side dish or dessert. The choir from the First Baptist Church will be singing carols to ring in the Christmas season. Members are requested to bring unwrapped gifts for Heritage Hall Nursing Home, to include socks, tissues, toothbrushes, combs, and various sundry items. The Curdsville Community Center is located at 122 School Road just off U.S. Route. 15. Everyone in the area is welcome. Do come. The food is delicious.

The Buckingham Library, located at 1140 Main St. in Dillwyn, will be hosting Christmas events. On Saturday, Dec. 8 come create a special homemade gift item. “Polar Express” will be featured on Saturday, Dec. 15 where there will be activities during the day. The main event will be by reservations only. Both are being held from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Don’t miss out on the Christmas joy that comes with these fun activities. Stop in the library for details.

The Buckingham Dillwyn Garden Club will be selling Christmas gifts/decorations at the Village Christmas Market on Dec. 8 and 9. Club members will be available to make bows. A bus trip to the 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show and Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania is planned by Travel In Style Agency for March 3-5, leaving from the Dillwyn Food Lion. For details or additional information, contact Barbara Wheeler at (434) 547-8997.

The Boy Scouts Cub Pack 6535 is having a Chili Fundraiser Saturday at the former Gold Hill Elementary School site and Advance Auto in Dillwyn from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. while supplies last. Come support a worthy cause.

The 25th Annual Community Tree Lighting will be held Friday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Buckingham Courthouse Lawn. Bring in the holiday season with this event featuring Jordan Miles as master of ceremonies, Buckingham County JROTC Color Guard, a performance by the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

The Valley Mission and Buckingham Branch Railroad will be collecting cold weather items to distribute on Saturday, Dec. 8. These items will benefit those in need of the gift of warmth this holiday season. The Santa Express will be visiting locations throughout the valley and will be collecting sweaters, mittens, scarves, blankets and coats. The train will stop in Millboro, Goshen, Craigsville and Staunton.

SHERRI WISE can be reached at wise.buckingham @gmail.com.