Welcome to November, one of the final months of 2011, which we usually classify as "family months," to celebrate with family and friends and gives thanks for everything we have.
We remember those courageous voyagers who left home, traversing ocean waves in search of a new land; whose landing at Plymouth laid the foundation of our nation. But we also give thanks to the many veterans of our great armed forces, who have fought and protected. Locally, we owe so much to the men and women of the 3rd ID and we are so grateful to have them home. We support you now and always.
So grab a sweater and take advantage of the events and history of coastal Georgia.
Nov. 1-5 – Savannah Film Festival, Tickets & venues vary, 912-525-5050, www.savannahboxoffice.com
Nov. 1-6 – 62nd Annual Coastal Empire Fair, Savannah, $5 and up, www.coastalempirefair.com
Nov. 1-8 – Homeless & Hunger Awareness Week, Hinesville, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., drop nonperishable food items off at city hall, benefits Manna House, 912-876-6573
Nov. 1 – Goldenheirs monthly meeting, Hinesville Baptist Church on Memorial Drive, noon, free, bring a covered dish and enjoy a program, this month Liberty County Tax Assessors Office, 912-876-2687
Nov. 1 – Homeless & Hunger Town Hall meeting hosted by Mayor Thomas, Hinesville City Hall, 6:30-8 p.m., please bring two cans of nonperishable food, benefits Manna House, 912-876-6573
Nov. 3 – Ginger Cucolo Book Signing, Hayes Library Fort Stewart, noon-1:30 p.m.,
Nov. 3 – Ginger Cucolo Book Reading/Signing presented by Hinesville Area Arts Council, 102 Commerce St Hinesville, 5-7 p.m., free and open to the public, www.hinesvillearts.com
Nov. 3-5 – The Drowsy Chaperone, Savannah Armstrong Jenkins Hall Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10, disc available, 912-344-2801
Nov. 4 – Hinesville Masonic Lodge Toys for Tots Spaghetti Dinner, Hinesville VFW, 933 EG Miles Pkwy., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $5 per meal, call 912-977-8455 for tickets
Nov. 4 – Ginger Cucolo Book Signing, Savannah Shaver’s Bookstore, 326 Bull Street, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Open to the public
Nov. 4 – Bonaventure Cemetery Tour, Savannah, 5-8 p.m., $30, 912-816-4460, must make reservations
Nov. 4 – Mike Epps Concert, Savannah, Johnny Mercer Theater, 7 p.m., $38-$46, 912-651-6556
Nov. 4 – Operation Magic, Club Stewart Fort Stewart, 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show, dinner & show $25, show only $15. Adult content, 18 and older only, 912-368-2212, weekend magic and comedy special $35
Nov. 4 – Savannah Comedy Revue, Bay Street Theatre, 8 p.m., $9, www.savannahcomedyrevue.com
Nov. 4 – First Friday Fireworks, Savannah River Street, 9:30 p.m. http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com
Nov. 5 – Fall Festival, Hinesville St Stephens Catholic Church, Gen. Stewart Way, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nov. 5 – Rock‘n' Roll Marathon, downtown Savannah, 7:30 a.m., http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/savannah 23,000 runners converge, come cheer them on
Nov. 5 – First Saturday on the River, Savannah River Street, http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com
Nov. 5 – Darien Fall Festival, www.darienfallfest.com 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 912-617-7299
Nov. 5 – 6th Annual Liberty County Harvest Fall Festival, Hinesville YMCA, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 912-368-9622
Nov. 5 – Zona Rosa Women’s Writers Group, Savannah. Hosted by award winning author Rosemary Daniell, noon - 5p.m., email rosemary@myzonarosa.com. Bring your writings and a dessert, meet and learn from the best local writers. Daniell has a new book out, "Sugar in My Bowl"
Nov. 5 – 5th Annual Chili Cook Off, Hinesville First Presbyterian Christian Academy, 3-8 p.m., 912-876-0441
Nov. 5 – Laugh Out Loud Comedy Tour, Club Stewart Thunder Run, Fort Stewart, 8 p.m., $15, adult content 18 and older only, 912-368-2212, weekend magic and comedy special $35
Nov. 6 – Time changes at 2 a.m., fall back
Nov. 6 – Brandon Heath Concert, Savannah, Johnny Mercer Theater, 6:30 p.m., $15, 866-440-7880, www.hisradio.com
Nov. 7 – Zona Rosa Writers Group, Savannah, 6-10 p.m., email rosemary@myzonarosa.com for information, this meeting is for men and women
Nov. 9 – Audra McDonald Concert, Savannah Trustees Theater, 6:30 p.m., $25 - $72, www.savannahboxoffice.com
Nov. 10 – 3rd Grade Music Concert, Hinesville Jordye Bacon School Gym, 1 p.m., free, open to the public
Nov. 10 – Barney Live in Concert, Savannah Johnny Mercer Theater, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., $10-$50, 912-651-6556
Nov. 10 – 4th Annual Dancing with Savannah Stars, Savannah Lucas Theater, 8 p.m., $42 - $111, 12 local celebrities dance to raise funds for CASA, www.savannahboxoffice.com
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day Holiday, http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
Nov. 11 – 5K Run for Peace, J.F. Gregory Park, Richmond Hill, 8-11 a.m., $25-$30, register at www.active.com or www.freemanproject.org, benefits the Matthew Freeman Project
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day Parade through downtown Hinesville, 3 p.m., come out and show your support
Nov. 11 – John Mellencamp Concert, Savannah Johnny Mercer Theater, 7 p.m., $40-$125, 912-651-6556
Nov. 11 – 5th Annual Museum in the Moonlight, Savannah Ships of the Sea, 41 MLK Blvd, 7-9 p.m., Free, 912-232-1511
Nov. 12 – 16th Annual Cruisin in the Country Bike Ride, Claxton, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., $25-$65 Military Discount, 18- to 100-mile routes, www.active.com, www.claxtonevanschamber.com or call 912-739-1391, T-shirt and meal included
Nov. 12 – Mighty Eighth 5K Run, Mighty Eighth Museum, Pooler, 8:30 a.m., $25 - $30, www.active.com
Nov. 12 – 35th Annual Old South Day Festival, 5020 Spence St Ochlocknee, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free, 229-574-5375
Nov. 12 – Ricefest 2011, Riceboro, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free, parade, festival, rice cook off, www.riceboro-ricefest.com
Nov. 12 – Autumn Land Encampment, Fort King George, Darien, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $3.75-$6.50, 912-437-4770
Nov. 12 – 2nd Annual Chick’n Pick’n Festival, Claxton, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $5 military discount, 912-739-1391
Nov. 12-13 – 17th Annual Telfair Art Fair, Savannah Telfair Square, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 12-4 p.m., free, 912-790-8800
Nov. 12 – Comedian Billy Gardell from TV Mike & Molly, Savannah, Johnny Mercer Theater, 7 p.m., $20-$60, 912-651-6556
Nov. 12 – James Rogers Concert, Savannah, Armstrong Fine Arts Auditorium, 7 p.m., $15, proceeds benefit Wounded Warriors Project, wounded warriors and families admitted free, 912-344-1258 or 912-232-7018
Nov. 13 – Toys for Tots Bike Ride & Auction, Hinesville Recreation Dept., Hwy. 84, registration 11 a.m., ride begins noon, $10 or 1 new toy, contest for best Santa, auction to follow and open to public, 912-408-3040
Nov. 13 – 20th Annual J. Harris Persse Memorial Concert, Savannah Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1707 Bull Street, 3 p.m. free and open to the public
Nov. 14 – Hunter Spouses Club Fashion Show & Silent Auction, Richmond Hill City Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $15, must RSVP & prepay at www.hunterspousesclub.org, open to public
Nov. 15 – Armstrong Jazz Ensemble, Savannah, Armstrong Fine Arts Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., $6, 912-344-2556
Nov. 17 – Liberty Chamber Progress Through People Luncheon, noon, $15-$20, 912-368-4445, RSVP by Nov 14
Nov. 18 - Holiday Open House/Art Auction, Downtown Hinesville, shopping, carolers, until 7 p.m., auction 5:30-9 p.m. at Old Jail, 912-877-4332
Nov. 18-20 – 23rd Annual Christmas Made in the South, Savannah Trade Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $7
Nov. 19 – 8th Annual Children’s Book Festival, Savannah, Forsyth Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free, http://www.liveoakpl.org/scbf
Nov. 19 – “Come and Take It” Revolutionary War Encampment, Fort Morris, Midway,11 a.m.-4 p.m., free, 912-884-5999
Nov. 19 – Pig and Oyster Roast, Midway Museum, Midway, 5-8 p.m., $25, reservation required, call 912-884-5837 or email rsvpmidwaymuseum@gmail.com enjoy good food and friends under the oaks of history
Nov. 19 – Tchaikovsky & Beethoven, Savannah, Lucas Theater, 7:30 p.m., $16 - $65, www.savannahboxoffice.com
Nov. 20 – Hinesville Mayor Thanksgiving Celebration, location TBD, 6 p.m., www.cityofhinesville.org
Nov. 22 – National American Indian Heritage Month Observance, Fort Stewart, Club Stewart, 11:30 a.m., free
Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Holiday, www.history.com/content/thanksgiving
Nov. 24 –Thanksgiving Cruise, Savannah Riverboat Cruise, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., $34-$54, 800-786-6404
Nov. 24-26 – 42nd Annual SC Bluegrass Festival, Myrtle Beach, 11 a.m. until, $20-$95, 706-864-7203
Nov. 26-30 – 11th Annual Trees of Life, Savannah Westin Resort Lobby, free, dozens of decorated trees on display
Nov. 26 – Holiday Festival of Lights & Music, Dunham Farms, Midway, 2-9 p.m., $6-$10, military discount, spectacular start to the season with a day and night of food, music, lights and Santa, www.dunhamfarms.com
Nov. 26 – The Nutcracker in Savannah, Lucas Theater, 2 and 7:30 p.m., $27-$50, 912-525-5050, 912-897-2102
Nov. 26 – Jekyll Island Tree Lighting Festival, 4:30-7:30 p.m., free, food, Santa, fireworks
Nov. 26 – Boat Parade of Lights, Savannah River Street, 5-10 p.m., free, see the many boats decorated with lights
Nov. 26 – Parade of Lights Cruise, Savannah Riverboat Cruise, 5-8 p.m., $25-$43, 800-786-6404
Nov. 27 – Lady Antebellum Concert, Savannah Civic Center, 7:30 p.m., $38-$65, 912-651-6556
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 – Arts on the Coast Fall Exhibit, Richmond Hill City Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, free, artist reception on Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m., meet the artists and discuss their works
Occasionally, an event I've listed is canceled or the date is changed. I am sorry but I have no control over that. That is why I try to supply you with all of the information to include web links and phone numbers, if available. If you ever have a community event of interest, please send me the details and I will try to include in the appropriate month. If you ever have anyone who would like to be added to the distribution, send me their name and email address. I always BCC all events so that your personal email address is not in the clear. I hope you appreciate that fact.
Bruce G. Muncher: Bgm31313@yahoo.com