Don’t forget the annual Community Tree Lighting on at 7 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn in Buckingham Court House.

Everyone is invited to visit the Housewright House Museum for the annual Christmas Open House. The Museum will be decorated for Christmas and open for visitors after the Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday and then again on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The theme of the Open House will be “Honoring World War II Veterans” with special displays of uniforms, paraphernalia and other memorabilia of the period. The museum is located across Route 60 from the courthouse. There is no admission charge.

Need some ideas for gifts this year? Visit the annual Village Christmas Market that takes place Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the Historic Village at Lee Wayside. There will be arts and crafts, jewelry, candy and baked goods, Christmas ornaments and all sorts of gift ideas.

The Beulah M. Wiley Fitness Center at the Central VA Community Health Center, 25892 N. James Madison Hwy., in New Canton, offers regular yoga classes Wednesdays at 5 p.m., but also free yoga classes this Saturday and on Dec. 17 at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 is a free gym use day, and there are new tai chi classes on this coming Tuesday and on Dec. 13 and 20 at 10 a.m. Call (434) 581-3271, extension 10601, for more information.

There will be two free “Estate Planning Essentials” workshops, Thursday, Dec. 8, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and at 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office in Prince Edward County at 100 Dominion Drive in Farmville. Refreshments will be served and seating is limited. Please register by Monday. For more information and to register for the workshop time of your choice, call (434) 392-4246.

Each year, thousands of people end up in emergency rooms with injuries related to holiday decorations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the following when using ladders: use a ladder that extends at least 3 feet above the working surface. Always center your body on the ladder; don’t lean too far to one side. Keep the ladder away from doors. Never stand on the top rung of a ladder. Have a helper hold the ladder at the bottom. Only allow one person on the ladder at a time. Enjoy decorating safely.

Janet Miller is a writer, painter and retired educator. Her email is janet.miller@farmvilleherald.com.