Christmas Day is getting closer, as we look at the calendar and the long list of things to get done. While baking gingerbread boys and girls to take to our local village hall open house, I was making mental notes of all the chores left to do. I need an elf!
Thanks to our daughters, Pam and Nancy, the tree is now completely decorated. The girls also helped me celebrate my Dec. 6 birthday, by inviting me to Cracker Barrel and then to Du Quoin for the Holiday Lights Fair at the Fairgrounds. Very nice!
• The fairgrounds are open each night, 5:30 to 9:30, through Dec. 30. The cost is $10 per vehicle. The exhibition hall is open 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16, with visits with Santa; a free kids' corner; model train displays; food and craft vendors; and live music. There are over three miles of lighted displays.
• Getting older is not all that bad, as I received calls from around the country from kids and grands. Our granddaughter, Leah and her husband, Andrew Sadlo, who were expecting their first baby, welcomed a baby girl, Jamison June, on my birthday, a wonderful gift. And though they live in Orange Park, Florida, and I won't get to meet the little miss for a while, I am so proud to announce the arrival of our 12th great-grandchild, just in time for Christmas bragging. The proud grandmother is our daughter, Pam Montgomery of Marion, and the other great-grand is Louise Dwyer of Crab Orchard.
• Christmas movies are on each night on the Hallmark Channel and I usually watch one or two each week. If watching "It's A Wonderful Life" is on your to-do list, it can be seen at 7 p.m. on USA on Friday, Dec. 14, and also at 8 p.m. on NBC, on Monday, Dec. 24. The 1946 movie, with James Stewart and Donna Reed was a financial bust back in the day, but has proved to be one of the most watched TV movies.
• Volunteers are needed for counting birds at the Pulaski Co. Christmas Bird Count, from 6 a.m. to sunset at the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. For more, call 618-634-2231.
• Christmas at the Library will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, with the public urged to attend. This event if family-friendly, with crafts, activities, snacks, and Santa will arrive for picture taking.
• That same evening, at the same time, there will be Christmas Karaoke, free and open to the public. Drop by Carnegie Library for a fun and free evening, along with cider and cocoa.
• With visiting grandkids after Christmas, bring them to the Play-Doh Party at the library, from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, for kids up to 12. All materials are provided, but a signup must be done in advance in the children's department.
• The Marion Garden Club will hold its Christmas luncheon at Don Sol's Mexican restaurant at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Members are to bring cash donations or gift bags of toiletries for the residents of the Lighthouse Shelter in Marion.
• Your blood is needed by the American Red Cross. Be at the Cornerstone Community Church on Walton Way from 3-7 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
• The Christmas Bazaar continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon each Saturday, through Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop. The shop will then be closed until Jan. 15, 2019. While doing volunteer work there last week, our church members were kept very busy, as shoppers filled the shop, buying bargains for the holidays.
• From 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, will be the annual Live Nativity at the Vienna City Park, sponsored by Eagle House Ministries and other congregations. There will be free pop corn and drinks and a petting zoo, with free admission. Canned goods will be accepted for the food pantry of the Vienna Baptist Church.
• Bring the youngsters to visit with Santa Claus, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through Dec. 22, sponsored by Marion Main Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at their Santa Home on the Marion Public Square, handing out candy canes and coloring books and hearing the wish lists of area youngsters.
• NewSong will appear for the 16th year at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. This is sponsored by radio station WBVN 104.5 and is always a sellout. Tickets are $20-$23.
Sandy Patti and her musical family will take to the stage at the MCCC at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 for an evening of holiday entertainment.
• Welcome to Bethlehem, a Broadway-style musical, will be performed by the drama and music departments of the First Baptist Church, in their sanctuary. The times will be 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 and at 2 p.m. only on Sunday, Dec. 16. Admission is free.
• The first day of winter will be on Friday, Dec. 21, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
• The Kindness Club will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library on Thursday, Dec. 20, for youngsters in grades 1-6. They will be creating holiday cards for giving to senior citizens. This is free with materials provided.
• As you mark off the items on your long holiday list and enjoy the activities around town, be sure to keep the reason for the season in mind.
