Whig ham Christmas celebration Thursday 

A new tradition called Christmas in Whigham kicks off this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in downtown Whigham. The band will start the celebration with their annual Christmas concert at 6 p.m. and Santa will be on hand to go over children’s wish lists as families shop and dine locally. Everyone is invited to come and discover the wonderful atmosphere of downtown Whigham Thursday night.

Registration underway for youth basketball 

Grady County recreation is conducting registration for the winter youth basketball Instructional League teams. The registration deadline is Dec. 23 and the entry fee is $15 per player. All registration must be done at the Recreation Department Office located at 1819 N. Broad St. in Cairo. For more information, call 377-8821.

Chamber to hold gun raffle

The Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce will conduct their 20 Guns in 20 Days Raffle again this year as a fundraiser for the chamber. The raffle will award a different gun every day for 20 days to ticket holders who have 20 chances to win. Only 1,000 tickets are being sold for the raffle so the odds of winning are very good for those interested in participating. Tickets are on sale now at Center Drugs, United National Bank, Scarbrough State Farm, Southern Insurance, Capital City Bank, The Cairo Messenger, South Georgia Outdoors, Southern Promotions and Apparel, Stash and the chamber of commerce.

Outreach to hold fundraiser Friday

The Fresh Start Global Outreach Ministries will host a fundraiser Friday from 11 a.m. to  1 p.m. at 400 First Street N.E. in Cairo, next to Davis Park. The dinners will include grilled half chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and dessert. Tickets are on sale now by calling Elder Annette Higdon at 221-1212 or Carolyn Robinson at 221-5516.

Auxiliary to hold jewelry sale at hospital

The Grady General Hospital’s Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a Masquerade Jewelry Sale on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15-16. This is the group’s semi-annual jewelry sale and will feature a vast selection of rings, necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses and hand bags. The sale will be conducted in the hospital’s conference room on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

RML joins the coloring craze

The current craze for coloring helps us reclaim qualities we all had as children: enjoying color and design, happily losing track of time and having fun. Join other adults (no children, please) for an adult coloring meet-up, where you can color inside or outside the lines, as you like. Coloring pages and pencils will be provided, or bring your own. The Coloring Circle will meet on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Tuesdays at 1 p.m. The meet up is free and open to the public.

Cairo High Band Christmas concert Thursday night

The Cairo High School Band will break with the tradition of having their annual Christmas Concert on a Sunday afternoon this year and holding their musical celebration instead on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Cairo High School Auditorium. The Cairo High Symphonic and Symphony Bands will perform a variety of holiday music and the concert is open and free to the public.

Sports Hall of Fame accepting applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Grady County Sports Hall of Fame inductees who will join the ninth group to be inducted into the hall in March. To be eligible for recognition, inductees must be at least 40 years of age, a current or past participant in sports in Grady County, including athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, or citizens who have made exceptional contribution to sports in Grady County and have shown a positive role model to the community. Nominations forms are available at the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce and Cairo High School.

Book lovers calendar on sale at library

The Friends of the Library are selling The Book Lover’s 2017 Calendar. This would be a wonderful Christmas present for the book lovers on your list. Stop by the library today to get yours for only $12. The proceeds will go to The Friends who help support the library by purchasing materials, supporting library programs and by advocating for the library in the community.

Health department offers flu shots

The Grady County Health Department reminds everyone that is the time to get your flu vaccination for flu season, which lasts from October through January. The local health department is offering “walk-in” flu shots with no appointment necessary for $30 per dose for self-pay patients. Only the flu vaccinations by injections are being offered by health professionals this year because the inhaled vaccine has been determined to be ineffective. For more information, contact the Grady County Health Department.

To submit an item to Cairo Newsbeat, call Jeff Lovett at 377-3116.