Hammering Iron Into Art
By Mike Cox | December 25, 2025
Jason Jaco is among several local craftsmen and organizations keeping the art of blacksmithing alive and well. Around 3,000 years ago, the Iron Age was ushered in by the Hittites,...
The Columbia Star’s own Arlene Marturano publishes second book
By Anita Baker | December 25, 2025
For over 20 years, Arlene Marturano, has entertained and educated The Columbia Star readers by sharing her lifelong love of gardening in her column, “Stopping to Smell the Flowers.” Marturano...
VAGAL SC delivers stockings to vulnerable adults
Contributed by Connie D. Munn, director, State of South Carolina, Department on Aging | December 25, 2025
The Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Program of SC ( VAGAL SC), a division of the South Carolina Department on...
Local organizations come together to help 200 Midlands families
December 25, 2025
The Forge Companies and the Goings Law Firm partnered with Families Helping Families to provide 200 turkeys to families across...
Cayce mayor receives 2025 National Leadership Award
Contributed by Ashley Hunter | December 18, 2025
Women in Municipal Government (WIMG), a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC), is proud to honor Mayor...
Not Enough Germs
Mike Cox
[email protected] | December 25, 2025
The Landlord and I were sitting on the ground at Linn Park in Birmingham waiting on the next act to...
That diem won’t carpe itself!
Julia Rogers Hook
[email protected] | December 25, 2025
Christmas is over for another year, the New Year is about to arrive in full swing, and it’s kind of...
BUSINESS BRIEFS
December 25, 2025
Lexington Health has officially opened Blythewood Medical Park, bringing primary care services to one of the Midlands’ fastest-growing communities. Located...
FOLKS ABOUT TOWN
December 25, 2025
Rosalynda Nakasone has joined the accounting department at Colliers South Carolina as billing and collections coordinator. Amber Scharp has been...
Real Estate
December 25, 2025
Colliers South Carolina has secured a new tenant for Crossroads Commons Shopping Center, bringing Brick Box Toys to the prominent...

Original play The Seeing Place inspired by Historic USC Theatre’s haunted reputation
Contributed by Kevin Bush | September 11, 2025
The University of S.C. Department of Theatre and Dance will begin its 2025-2026 season with the ghostly new play The...
Transitions to host 14th annual Reconstructing Home
Contributed by Gavin Brown | September 11, 2025
Transitions Homeless Center will host its 14th annual Reconstructing Home event Wednesday, October 1, at the Columbia Museum of Art....

Columbia Children’s Theatre presents Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience!
Contributed by William Mitchell | February 6, 2025
Experience the whimsical fun and heartfelt lessons of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience with Columbia Children’s Theatre...
Alice Marie Siebert
December 25, 2025
Alice Marie Siebert Philp, age 94, died on Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born on August 30, 1931, in...
The South Carolina Debutante Ball presents four daughters and one granddaughter
December 25, 2025
The South Carolina Debutante Ball presented four daughters and one granddaughter on Thursday, December 18, at Forest Lake Club. Debutantes,...
When did the debutante balls begin and why?
Compiled by Warren Hughes, December 2, 2016 | December 25, 2025
A debutante (from the French word “debutante” for female beginner) is a young woman from an aristocratic or upper class...
Richland School District Two students demonstrate leadership through community service
Contributed by Dr. Theresa Riley | December 25, 2025
Richland School District Two continues to prioritize the development of empathetic, civic-minded leaders through its student-led service-learning programs. This year,...
School News Briefs
December 25, 2025
A total of 29 Irmo High School students from the Advanced Placement (AP) Government course taught by Eric Coleman, the...
Lower Richland Army JROTC Drill Team places first overall in Palmetto State Drill Championship for fourth consecutive year
Contributed by Ilyssa Weiner | December 18, 2025
For the fourth year in a row, Lower Richland High School’s Army JROTC drill team placed first overall in the...
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 25, 2025
•ART Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult...
Columbia UMC to host New Year Prayer Walk
Contributed by Rev. Ashley McCoy-Bruce | December 25, 2025
Columbia United Methodist Church located at 1830 Main Street, will...
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 18, 2025
•ART Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult...
Belks gift wrap a Cavalier win over Vikings
December 18, 2025
Find these pictures and more here! The Richland Northeast Cavaliers outscored the Spring Valley Vikings 33-14 over the course of the second and third quarters en route to a 57-44...
Davis and McClenic slam home a Spring Valley win over RNE
December 18, 2025
Find this picture and many more here! The Spring Valley Vikings went on a 13-0 run at the end of the first half to knock off the Richland Northeast Cavaliers...
A.C. Flora senior named Richland County Football Player of the Year
December 18, 2025
A.C. Flora High School senior Azel Banag has been named the 2025 Richland County High School Football Player of the Year by the Richland County Recreation Commission. Azel was selected...

Shred On! Meeting your dog’s need to shred and dissect
By Jenna Pellerito, Owner and Head Trainer Columbia K9 Training & Behavior www.thefutureisforcefree.com | December 4, 2025
Has your dog ever ripped up a stuffed toy? Carefully dissected it bit by bit as if it is performing “Operation Remove Squeaker?” Even worse, has your dog ever ripped...

Antecedent Arrangement—a life-changing behavior modification strategy
By Jenna Pellerito,
Owner and Head Trainer Columbia K9 Training & Behavior
www.thefutureisforcefree.com | October 30, 2025
Antecedent arrangement is one of the first steps, as well as one of the most important steps, to a behavior modification protocol in dogs. Proper implementation of antecedent arrangement can...

Bringing home a new puppy
September 25, 2025
I am so excited to announce that at the end of this month I will be bringing home a new puppy, an obnoxiously adorable nine-week old Groenendael. As a professional...
To Lake Wobegon via Atlanta
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | December 25, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. Our...
To Lake Wobegon via Atlanta
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | December 18, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. Linda...
Black River Pilgrimage Brown’ s Landing to Debordieu
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | December 11, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. “I’ve...
Cool-Season Culinary Herbs for the Winter Garden
By Arlene Marturano
South Carolina Garden-based Learning Network on Facebook | December 25, 2025
As fall transitions into winter so, too, the garden changes. The summer heat-loving vegetables like beans, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes are gone. Winter is time to grow flavor and fragrance...
Star Chefs
Contributed by allrecipes.com | December 25, 2025
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese 24 pitted dates 4 ounces honey-flavored goat cheese, softened 1/2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary 8 slices bacon, cut into thirds crosswise 24 toothpicks 1/4 cup...
Green Gifts for Gardeners
By Arlene Marturano
South Carolina Garden-based Learning Network on Facebook | December 18, 2025
It’s the final countdown to Christmas and the pressure is on to find the perfect presents for the gardeners on your list. Fear not, for below is a list of...
Master’s Sales
December 25, 2025
MASTER'S SALE C/A No.2025CP4005765 BY VIRTUE of a decree heretofore granted in the case of: Renasant Bank vs. Allyssa M. Mercer; I, the undersigned Master for Richland County, will sell...
Public Notices
December 25, 2025
COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED...


