NOTE: Some of these events may have been canceled or postponed. Please check with the organizers. Call 843-873-9424 ext. 220 or email broberts@journalscene.com to add an event to this free calendar.  

Square dancing: The Belles and Beaus Square Dance Club is having a free open house fun night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Holy Spirit Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3075 Bees Ferry Road in Charleston's West Ashley area. This is an opportunity to learn square dancing under the guidance of an experienced square dance caller and instructor. Call 843-556-3578 or 843-801-0998 if interested and for more information.

Lecture series: The Summerville Museum and Research Center presents historian Robert Scarlett from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Seating is limited. Email historicsdmuseum@gmail.com or call 843-875-9666 to reserve a seat.

Christian Unity Week: This year marks the 42nd consecutive year the Summerville Area Ministerial Association has sponsored the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year, the week of services begins at noon, Monday, Jan. 15, off Bacon’s Bridge Road and concludes with a noon service Friday, Jan. 19, in Knightsville. The weekday services begin at noon, run for about 45 minutes and conclude with a free lunch to enable attendees to interact. This year’s schedule of host churches in the community is Monday, Jan. 15, at New Ashley Baptist Church, 110 New Ashley Boulevard, Summerville; Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 407 S. Main St., Summerville; Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Cannan U.M.C., 171 Hwy. 61, Ridgeville; Thursday, Jan. 18, at Summerville Presbyterian Church, 407 S. Laurel St., Summerville; and Friday, Jan. 19, at Knightsville U.M.C., 1505 Central Ave., Summerville. Call the Rev. John Scott at 843-224-4454 for more information.

Concerned Citizens for Education: Guest speaker Mike Turner will discuss school safety issues at the Concerned Citizens for Education meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the American Legion Post, 105 Sumter Ave. in Summerville. Turner has been involved in education safety for many years, having served as director of safety security and emergency management for Dorchester School District Two, and is currently the director of public safety/chief of police at The Citadel. Concerned Citizens for Education are South Carolinians who are concerned about our state’s education system. The group believes the current system has failed children, and drastic action is needed to improve it. The group's mission is to educate citizens, parents, teachers and policymakers about the problems with the education system and how to fix them. The CC4E meetings are at the American Legion Post the first and third Thursday of every month.

SAR: The South Carolina Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is having a second meeting for establishing a new chapter in the greater Summerville-Goose Creek-Ladson area. Current SAR members and those interested in membership should attend from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, in the meeting room of the Summerville Library, 76 Old Trolley Road in Summerville. Call Edd Richburg at 843-693-5561 or email eddrichburg@protonmail.com for additional information and if unable to attend.

Presentation: A presentation titled "Finding fossils all around you" by Horry County paleontologist Donald Kirkpatrick about marine fossils is 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Dorchester County Seago Library. How do fossils get their names? Why are the geology and fossils of the Myrtle Beach and Charleston areas so different? His talk will sweep from an introduction to Earth’s geologic periods to an overview of late cretaceous geography. Included will be an introduction to the ethics and laws of fossil collecting in South Carolina. On display will be a few of the fossils recovered from Kirkpatrick’s vertebrates research projects. Attendees are welcome to bring their own discoveries for show and tell. Call 843-442-7774 for more information. The library is located at 76 Old Trolley Road in Summerville. An exhibit of local fossils will be on display for the month of January.

NARFE: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at the Faith Sellers Senior Center, 312 N. Laurel St. in Summerville. The guest speaker is Diana Barth from Life Long Learning Center. Invite a friend to attend even if they are not a NARFE member. All active and retired federal employees, spouses, surviving spouses and guests are welcome. Call Patricia Whitely at 843-408-3509 or email PWhitely@sc.rr.com or Joseph Kohut at 216-548-0481 or email jrk2767@gmail.com for more information. 

Happy Hearts: The Bethany United Methodist Church Happy Hearts meeting is at noon Friday, Jan. 26, at the church, 118 W. 3rd South St. in Summerville. Reservations for lunch are due by Sunday, Jan. 21. The speaker is retired Lt. Col. Joe Tallon, who served nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army and has written the book “100 Days in Vietnam: A Memoir of Love, War and Survival” that tells of the day-to-day life of a first lieutenant in combat. The meal, served at non, is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, assorted desserts and tea for $8. Register online at happyhearts@bethany-umc.com or call 843-771-3979. All ages are welcome.

Annual meeting: The Summerville Museum's annual Members Meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the museum, 100 E. Doty St. in Summerville. At this time, any person holding a museum membership is invited to attend. Additionally, anyone wishing to purchase membership for 2024 is invited to do so by visiting the Summerville Museum and Research Center between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Call 843-875-9666 or email historicsdmuseum@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

Al-Anon: Summerville AFG meets in person at 8 p.m. every Wednesday at The Step Up Club, 171 Old Parsonage Road in Summerville. A Zoom option is also available. To find the meeting room, when entering up the ramp side of the building from the parking lot, it is the first door on the left. Call 843-762-6999 for other meeting schedules and locations.

Guardian ad Litem: The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is offering free online training to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Dorchester County. The next training begins Jan. 9, and the deadline for applications is Dec. 20. Volunteers should be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history and be able to contribute four to five hours a month for a child. Visit gal.sc.gov for more information and to download an application. Call David McAlhaney at 843-277-5849 or email David.McAlhaney@childadvocate.sc.gov for more information.

Weight-loss group: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 8:30 a.m. every Thursday for weigh in. The meeting is from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at Stallsville Methodist Church, 255 Stallsville Loop in Summerville. Call Linda Johnson at 843-330-4062 with any questions. The first meeting is free.

Grandparents at Prayer: Meetings of Grandparents at Prayer are 10 a.m. the second Monday of each month at the Old St. Paul’s Church building, 316 W. Carolina Avenue in Summerville. Join other grandparents as they gather for guided prayer and fellowship. Call Cathy Jacobs at 843-437-0442 for more information.

Third Thursday: Summerville DREAM's Third Thursday is 5:30-8:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at Hutchinson Square, 102 S. Main St. in Summerville. This event transforms Historic Downtown Summerville into a marketplace featuring local entertainment, craft vendors and artisans, and local shops and restaurants have extended hours. Events are subject to change or cancel without notice.

Farmers market: The Jedburg Junction Farmers Market is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at 850 E. Butternut Road in Summerville. The farmers market features local farms and artisan vendors. Email jedburgjunction@gmail.com or call 843-302-5676 for more information.

Sewing project: The Magdalene House Sewing Project sessions are 6:30-9:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at People, Places and Quilts, 129 W. Richardson Ave. in Summerville. Join in the fun by making handbags and fabric items that make a difference. All fabrics are supplied, just bring your sewing machine and talent. This project benefits Magdalene House of Charleston, a recovery home for women in Summerville. Contact Susan Jones at susanj.magdalene@gmail.com or call 843-300-5921 with questions or for more information. Call Liz Milligan at 843-864-5008 with questions about Magdalene House.

Sewing machine maintenance: Sewing machine maintenance sessions are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday at People, Places & Quilts, 129 W. Richardson Ave. in Summerville by appointment only. Call 843-871-8872 to reserve a spot. Melanie, sewing machine repair technician, will be available to answer maintenance and quick repair questions. Bring a sewing machine, cord and foot control. There is no charge for this service.

Open sewing: Open sewing is 1:15-4:15 p.m. every Thursday at People, Places & Quilts, 129 W. Richardson Ave. in Summerville. The cost is $5 per person. If you are a machine or hand sewist, come and enjoy a community sewing day on available Thursdays. Call PPQ at 843-871-8872 to register and pay. Class size is limited to eight machines and four hand sewists.

Sewing sessions: PSF sewing sessions are 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. every Friday at People, Places & Quilts, 129 W. Richardson Ave. in Summerville. The cost is $25 per person for four hours of help, instruction and encouragement. Class size is limited to six people. Call 843-871-8872 to register.

Head injury support group: The Trident Head Injury Support Group meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at 701 E. Bay St., Suite 121 in Charleston. Monthly support group meetings are for survivors, caregivers and friends who have acquired the life-changing effects of traumatic brain injury. Contact Robert Durland Sr. at 843-822-1967 or visit thisg.net for more information.

Quilt 'n Friends: Quilt 'n Friends meets from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Wednesday at Stallsville United Methodist Church, 255 Stallsville Loop in Summerville between Trolley Road and Bacon Bridge Road. All former members, new-to-the-area quilters and beginning quilters are welcome. Proof of COVID vaccination is required to join. Call Kathie Higbee at 603-398-3633 for more information.

Stories on the Square: Stories on the Square is 9:30-10 a.m. every Wednesday at Main Street Reads, 115 S. Main St. in Summerville. It is a free event for children of all ages. Join Ashley Bohinc for outdoor story time adventures. The event is outside to ensure proper social distancing. Chairs are available for younger listeners, and juice boxes and snacks are provided. Student discounts available for all attendees. In case of inclement weather, story time moves inside with social distancing. Call 843-875-5171 for more information.

Main Street Writes: Main Street Writes is 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday at Main Street Reads, 115 S. Main St. in Summerville. Virtual meetings take place every Monday and an in-person meeting is the first Monday of each month. Anyone wanting to join in via Zoom may use https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83115591753 pwd=bGwyNlJITDZvNUcxdU9kckNDSE1Zdz09. Meeting ID: 831 1559 1753. Passcode: 29483. To send pages in advance (no more than two single-spaced or four double spaced), email them to mainstreetreads@gmail.com. Pages will be shared with the group.

Board of Architectural Review: The Summerville Board of Architectural Review meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the training room on the second floor of the municipal annex building, 200 S. Main St. in Summerville.

Tree Protection Board: The Summerville Tree Protection Board meets at 9 a.m. second Monday of every month in the town of Summerville training room, 200 S. Main St. in Summerville.

Standing Committee: The Summerville Standing Committee meeting is at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month in the town of Summerville council chambers on the third floor of the municipal annex building, 200 S. Main St. in Summerville.

Board of Zoning Appeals: The town of Summerville Board of Zoning Appeals meets at 5 p.m. second Tuesday of every month in the training room on the second floor of the municipal annex, 200 S. Main St., Summerville.

Design Review Board: The Summerville Design Review Board meets at 4 p.m. third Thursday of every month in the training room on the second floor of the municipal annex building, 200 S. Main St. in Summerville.

Fleet Reserve Association: The Fleet Reserve Association meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at 99 Wisteria Road in Goose Creek. The U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard conducts the Branch 269 monthly meeting. Any member of the sea-going services is welcome to attend. Contact John Tharp at 843-709-8520 for more information.

Summerville Town Council: The Summerville Town Council meets at 6 p.m. second Thursday of each month in the council chambers on the third floor of the municipal annex building, 200 S. Main St. in Summerville.

Dorchester Democrats: The Dorchester County Democratic Party general membership meeting is 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at at Knightsville United Methodist Church, 1505 Central Ave. Email DorDems@gmail.com or visit www.dorchesterdemocrats.com for more information.

Food Truck Friday: Food Truck Friday, hosted by the Carnes Crossroads Property Owners Association, is 5-8 p.m. every Friday at Green Barn in Carnes Crossroads, 207 First Ave. in Summerville. There will be different food trucks each week.

The Azalea Society: The Azalea Society meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at Magnolia Plantation. There is a potluck dinner with a meeting and plant discussion at 7 p.m. Newcomers are welcome. Call 843-442-7774 for more information.

Parkinson's Support Group: The Summerville Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets at 2:30 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at Wildcat Senior Living, 2101 Cane Bay Boulevard in Summerville. This group will begin meeting the fourth Sunday of each month in 2024. 

Southern Harmony Chorus: The Southern Harmony Chorus ladies barbershop a cappella chorus is looking for ladies that love to sing. The group is learning Christmas music for its upcoming show. Call 843-571-8946 or email wurthmannm@aol.com for more information. 

MS support group: The Summerville MS support group meets at 11 a.m. every third Friday at Bethany United Methodist Church, 118 W. 3rd S. St. in Summerville. The group does not have regular meetings in December, June, July or August. Call Frank Tozier at 843-670-3313 for more information.