The 2009 Johnston Country Agricultural Banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Agricultural Building, 2736 N.C. 210, Smithfield. Dr. Henry Wayne Poore, an author and entertainer, will speak. The cost of the meal is $10 per person. To reserve a seat, call the Cooperative Extension Service at 989-5380.

Pet pics with Santa

Pet photographs with Santa Claus will be available from 6:30 till 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Cider House Studios, 436 E. Main St., Clayton. The cost is $5 per photo, with proceeds going to the Johnston County Animal Protection League.

Bingo in Selma

Bingo play for older adults is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at McDonald's on U.S. 70 in Selma. Play is free, with prizes awarded. For more information, call the Selma Parks and Recreation Department at 919-975-1411.

Holiday party

The fifth annual Johnston County holiday celebration for children and adults with disabilities will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, at Beulah Hill Christian Church on Keen Road near Four Oaks. For children 10 and younger, the party will begin at 4 p.m. with crafts and a visit from Santa Claus. Older children and adults may visit with Santa at 4:45. In addition to crafts for children, the party will include Bingo and gift-giving. Southland Harmony will perform from 5 till 6. Dinner will follow. Those attending are asked to bring a dessert and drink to share. To attend, call Lynne Martin at 919-553-7940 or Jill Carpenter at 919-553-4031.

Bake sale Saturday

A bake sale to benefit the Backpack Buddy program will get under way at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Town Market, 1700 U.S. 70-A, Pine Level. The program supplies food to needy children.

MOMS to meet

The MOMS Club of Clayton will meet at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Everett Chapel Free Will Baptist Church on Everett Avenue behind Burger King in Clayton. Those attending are asked to bring a potluck dish to share. For more information, send an e-mail to Abby Rosendahl at momsclayton@gmail.com.

Retirees to party

The Johnston County Chapter of the National Association of Retired and Active Federal Employees will hold its annual Christmas party at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Golden Corral on North Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield.

Vision van

The Lions Club Vision Van will offer free vision screenings from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Edwards IGA on North Bright Leaf Boulelvard in Smithfield. The screenings scan for visual acuity, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. For details, call 919-934-4386.

Operation Santa

Operation Santa Claus is seeking donations to buy Christmas gifts for Johnston County people with mental illness. Send donations to the Mental Health Association in Johnston County, 26 Noble St., Smithfield, N.C. 27577.

Drugs uncovered

The Poe Center's "Drugs Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know" is coming to Johnston County. The program is scheduled from 5:30 till 8 p.m. Dec. 8.

"Drugs Uncovered" challenges parents to identify any of the 70 references to drugs and alcohol hidden in a "lifelike" teenager's bedroom.

Parents will learn about current drug trends, teen culture, signs of substance abuse.This program is free to parents and adults, but has limited seating. Reserve a spot by Dec. 1. Call Deborah Bolin at 919-934-6820. Because of the nature of the presentation, children and teens cannot attend.

Food drive

Junior Girl Scout Troop 684 and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce are joining forces for a unique food drive. During the town's Christmas parade on Dec. 12, troop members will accept food donations in wagons they will pull alongside their float. The parade will step off at 3 p.m. Donations will go to a local food pantry. For more information, call troop leader Lisa Sacca at 333-5461.

DivorceCare

"Surviving the Holidays," a DivorceCare seminar, is scheduled from 10 a.m. till noon Saturday, Dec. 5, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2920 N.C. 42 West, Clayton. The seminar will repeat from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Hocutt Memorial Baptist Church, 215 S. Robertson St., Clayton. To register for either session, call 919-369-8424 or send an e-mail to rebeccaball@bellsouth.net.

New 4-H club

A new 4-H club is seeking members ages 9-18. The 4-H Beauties and Beast Dog Club focuses on dog ownership, including grooming, training, showing and agility. The club meets on the first Saturday of every month at Beauties and Beasts pet grooming, which is behind Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q at N.C. 42 and Interstate 40 in the Cleveland community. Meetings are at 4:30 p.m. To learn more, call Jana Hart at 919-896-7251.

Calls from Santa

On Dec. 7, Santa Claus will call Selma children to hear Christmas wishes. Hours are 6 till 8 p.m. To receive a call from Santa, call the Selma Parks and Recreation Department at 919-975-1411 by Dec. 4.

Lunch in Four Oaks A covered-dish lunch for older adults is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church, 403 N. Main St., Four Oaks.

Chicken pastry Plates of chicken and pastry will be on sale from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the cafeteria at Four Oaks Elementary School, 180 W. Hatcher St., Four Oaks. The cost is $6 per plate, with proceeds helping fifth-graders take a field trip to Washington, D.C.