By Jo Ellis

Globe columnist

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and their associated events, seem to follow one another like a whiplash. No sooner is one over than the next curls around your neck and yanks you in another direction with lightning speed.

Many of you may already have started shopping for (or at least planning) Thanksgiving dinner. Several Carthage merchants hosted Christmas open houses this past weekend. More events this week prelude the holiday season.

McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital Auxiliary members will have their regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, with last-minute attention to the Pink Rose Gift Shop Christmas sale, which will open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. A large array of sale items will be set up in the gift shop and the hospital’s main entrance. The list includes scarves and gloves, candles, food gift packages, and holiday decorations.

On Friday only, auxiliary members will add their Quiche-to-You luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $6 for a slice of quiche, salad, soup and dessert.

Carryouts will be available. Live piano music will provide a festive atmosphere. The auxiliary sponsors these two major projects each year to raise money to fund its mission of service to the hospital.

Another traditional event this time of year is the chili luncheon and dinner for St. Ann’s Catholic School. On Thursday, chili or vegetable soup, pie and a beverage will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. at a cost of $5 per person. Carryouts will be available.

The chili/soup feed will be held in the school gymnasium in conjunction with a Scholastic book fair and bazaar. Drawings will be held for $200 in cash, an Andy Thomas print and handmade quilts.

Preparations are under way at the Salvation Army to deliver Thanksgiving boxes of food to in-need families that qualify. Turkeys and other holiday foods such as stuffing, potatoes, corn, green beans and cranberry sauce are being accepted at the Salvation Army building, 125 E. Fairview.

Bess Wilkes, director of the project, also is asking for contributions of homemade pies. Ninety-one families were served last year, and at least 35 more family applications will be granted this year.

Wilkes said one or two volunteers are needed to drive the food boxes to those who are homebound, and additional people are needed to pack perishables on Nov. 19, the day of distribution. The distribution will start at 8:15 a.m. Wilkes expects the work to continue most of the day. To volunteer, people may contact Wilkes at 358-2262.

Remember, soup or chili on Thursday, quiche on Friday, and desserts both days. Now, if I can only get that whip from around my neck in order to swallow.