A house divided, but holiday open house goes on

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First lady Jenny Sanford will attend the Governor's Mansion holiday open house Dec. 3.

The decorated mansion and the Lace House are open to the public from 4-7 p.m. The mansion complex is at Richland and Lincoln streets in Columbia.

Gov. Mark Sanford's schedule for that day has not been determined, said spokesman Ben Fox.

Each year, the mansion and Lace House are decorated for the holidays by the Columbia Garden Club. The public is then invited to tour both buildings at a free open house, where they typically are greeted by the first family.

Meg Milne, Jenny Sanford's spokeswoman, confirmed that the first lady would be at the open house, but said the Sanfords' four children are not expected to be there.

Jenny and Mark Sanford separated in August after the governor admitted to an extramarital affair. Jenny Sanford and the children moved out of the Governor's Mansion and are living in the family's beach house on Sullivan's Island.

- Megan Sexton

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Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

A house divided, but holiday open house goes on

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