Arts and Entertainment
Rockport’s Christmas Festival will be held this Saturday, December 7. The day will kick off with a Kiwanis-sponsored breakfast and pictures with Santa at Trinity United Methodist Church from 7:30-11 a.m. The Kiwanis Craft Fair will also be held at Trinity UMC from 7:30-3 p.m. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., attendees can stroll through the Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum’s “Treemendous” Christmas”, where each cabin will be beautifully decorated by local organizations and individuals. Spencer County Library’s Rockport branch will host an open-house Grinch-mas party for kids of all ages from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Rockport’s Christmas Parade will commence at 2 p.m. Lighting of the Christmas Star will take place at 5:30 p.m. And at 6 p.m., “A Very Merry Rockport Christmas” will be presented at the courthouse (with tickets at the door). For more information, follow “A Better Rockport” on Facebook.Â
Chrisney’s Winter Fest will be held this Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chrisney Park. The event will feature pictures with Santa, cookies and milk, balloon animals, and fun activities — including the ever popular Candy Cane Hunt and Santa’s Fun Run. Santa’s Fun Run starts at Chrisney Elementary at 9:30 a.m. and ends at Chrisney Park (approximately one mile away). No registration is required for the Fun Run, and all ages are welcome to participate. For more information, check out the Town of Chrisney facebook page, or call 812-362-8668 or 812-453-8849.
The town of Santa Claus’s annual Christmas Celebration returns this weekend. On Saturday, December 7, enjoy hearing the Story of Santa Claus and writing letters to Santa at the Santa Claus Museum and Village, get your face painted and drink mulled cider at Evergreen Boutique and Christmas Shop, chat with an elf and watch chestnuts roasting on an open fire at Santa’s Candy Castle, eat Christmas dinner with Santa at the Santa’s Lodge celebration room, visit with Santa at the Christmas Store, and drive through the Santa Claus Land of Lights: Family Christmas Light Adventure at Lake Rudolph Campground. Some events are free, while others come with a fee. For event details and times, visit SantaClausInd.org/events.Â
Traditional Arts Today, located at 314 W. 9th Street in Ferdinand, will hold special “Meet the Artists” event the next two Saturdays, December 7 and 14. On December 7, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Martha Rasche will demonstrate the art of book folding, and Judy Thom will demonstrate the art of decoupage from 1-3 p.m. December 14’s event will feature Lisa Yates demonstrating quilting by hand from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and Rosemary Chamberlain demonstrating jewelery making from 1-3 p.m. All times are Eastern. For more information, call Traditional Arts Today at 812-998-2487.Â
The Children’s Center for Dance Education will present its silver anniversary performance of the Children’s Nutcracker onFriday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at Old National Event Plaza in Evansville. This holiday classic will entertain all ages with the well-known music of Tchaikovsky and brilliant ballet dancers of the Children’s Center for Dance. Tickets for the evening performance are available online at www.childdance.org or at the door on the day of performance. Call 812-421-8066 for more information.
Church News
The annual Christmas Bazaar at St. John’s Lutheran Church, one-half mile west of New Boston, is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, from 6 a.m.–2 p.m. CST. Homemade candy, German potato salad, cheese balls, and dressing will be available, as well as baked goods, including springerles. There will also be quilts, blankets, and numerous other items. Bring own containers to purchase special soup sold by the gallon. Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m., and lunch (soups, burgers and pie) will be served from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Everyone is welcome.Â
The Celebration Singers will present a free, one-hour Christmas concert at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Haysville on Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m. EST. The concert is open to the public, and a free-will offering will be collected to help defray the non-profit choir’s expenses. The all-volunteer choir includes singers and musicians from Dubois, Spencer, Pike and Martin counties. More information can be found at www.celebrationsingers.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCelebrationSingers.
A Christmas music recital will be held Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m. EST at the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand. Participants are students of Sister Michelle Mohr and Sister Rose Wildeman and attend Heritage Hills and Nancy Hanks, among other local schools. The concert is free to attend.
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and the Saint Meinrad community will present an Advent lessons and carols service on Sunday, December 8, at 7 p.m. Central Time in the school’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. The service, titled “From Old Eve to New: The Story of Salvation,” tells the story of the redemption of mankind by alternating Scripture readings and singing hymns and carols. The service is expected to last an hour and 15 minutes and is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the Heritage Gallery on the first floor of St. Gregory Hall. Parking is available in the Guest House and student parking lots. For more info, contact Mary Jeanne Schumacher during business hours at 812-357-6501. For updates on the day of the performance, call 812-357-6611.
Community Table, a mission ministry of Dale Presbyterian Church, serves a free meal year round, every Thursday evening except holidays, at the Micah Center, 6 North Main St. in Dale. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., meal served 5:30-6:30 p.m., doors close at 7 p.m.
Clubs and Meetings
Santa Claus Town Council will meet Monday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. at town hall.
South Spencer School Board will meet Monday, December 9 at 6 p.m. at South Spencer High School.Â
North Spencer School Board will meet Monday, December 9 at 6 p.m. at the corporation office in Lincoln City.Â
Dale American Legion Post 444 members will meet Monday, December 9 at 6 p.m. at the Post Home.Â
Dale Town Council will meet Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.
Rockport City Council willmeet Tuesday, December 10 at 4:30 p.m. at city hall.
Luce Township Regional Sewer District Board will meet Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the office in Hatfield.
Richland Town Council will meet Wednesday, December 11 at 6 p.m. at Richland Methodist Church.Â
Spencer County Relay for Life leadership team will meet Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Frosty’s in Santa Claus.Â
Dale Kiwanis meets every Monday from 12-1 p.m. at Jenk’s Pizza in Dale. Guests and new members are always welcome.
Kiwanis Club of South Spencer meets at Angelo’s Pizza every Tuesday from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Health and wellness
A Red Cross blood drive will be held Wednesday, December 4 from 1-6 p.m. at Bethel Christian Center, located at 996 N. Reo Drive in Rockport. For more information or to set up an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
Spencer County Health Department offers free childhood immunizations on Tuesday, December 10 from 8-10 a.m. at the Community Action Center in Dale and on Thursday, December 12 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the health department in Rockport. Appointments are preferred by calling 812-649-4441. Bring your child’s shot record and insurance card to file your insurance.Â
Drug overdoses have become a leading cause of accidental death in the United States with heroin and other opiates being the largest contributor. Learn more about the signs of heroin addiction and how to make a difference by visiting www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/drug-rehab. Narconon can also help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family with free screenings or referrals; call 1-800-431-1754.
Library news
Lincoln Heritage Public Library:
From December 9-21, any child (0-18 years) who visits either branch of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library will receive a free book to take home and keep forever (limited to one book per child).Â
Dale Branch (812-937-7170)
• Jammies & Juice will be held Saturday, December 7 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Kids of all ages are invited to spend the morning their pajamas at the library, eating pancakes and watching a Christmas movie.Â
• Books & Brunch Book Club will meet Monday, December 9 from 10-11 a.m. to discuss A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. New members (18 and older) always welcome.Â
• Kids Crafternoon Club will meet Tuesday, December 10 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. Kids of all ages are welcome to stop by and make a craft to take home.Â
• Bite-Sized Bookworms, a storytime for kids 3-6 years old, is offered every Tuesday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and every Thursday from 10:45-11:30 a.m. Free and no registration required.
• Tiny Tales, a storytime for ages 6 months-35 months, is offered every Wednesday from 9:30-10 a.m. Free and no registration required.Â
• Music and Movement storytime is offered every Wednesday from 1-1:45 p.m. for kids age 3-6 years old. Free and no registration required.
• A “Not Your Mother’s Yoga” class is offered every Thursday from 9:15-10:15 a.m. This free class is for anyone 18 and older, and registration is recommended.Â
• Genealogy assistance is available to patrons every Wednesday from 1:30-4 p.m.
Chrisney Branch (812-362-8471)
• First Friday Family Fun will be held Friday, December 6 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Patrons of all ages are invited to drop by the library to make gift baskets for senior citizens in area nursing homes, as well as homebound individuals. Registration is appreciated.Â
• Adult patrons are invited to a recipe swap at the library on Monday, December 9 from 6-7 p.m. Participants should bring their favorite cookies and “Thankful food”, along with the recipe, to share. Call the library to register.Â
• Kids Crafternoon Club will meet Wednesday, December 11 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. Kids of all ages are welcome to stop by and make a craft to take home.Â
• Bite-Sized Bookworms, a storytime for kids 3-6 years old, is offered every Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. Free and no registration required.
• Genealogy assistance is available to patrons on Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free delivery services are available for all Lincoln Heritage Public Library area homebound residents in North Spencer. Patrons may request large print books, paperbacks, books on CD, music CDs, magazines, word puzzles and DVDs, as well as items for the visually impaired — all at no cost. Call Justine, Outreach Coordinator at 812-937-7170 to set up a visit.
Spencer County Public Library:
Main Branch (Rockport) (812-649-4866)
• Kids of all ages are invited to the library’s Grinch-Mas Christmas party on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (open house format). Call the library to register and for more information.
• An Adult Crafternoon session will be held Wednesday, December 11 at 1 p.m. Participants will make their own “Joy” sign to take home. Call the library to register.
• A wreath-making class will be offered Thursday, December 12 at 2 p.m. Create a festive wreath with ornaments of all sizes. A supply list will be available, and registration is required by calling the library.
• Kids in grades 6-12 are invited to an evening of Hide-n-Seek on Friday, December 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. Pizza, snacks and drinks will be part of the fun as well. Call the library to register.Â
Miscellaneous
Spencer County Council on Aging will host a soup and sandwich lunch and silent auction on Thursday, December 5 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Rockport. Cost is $7.
Dale American Legion Color Guard is available to conduct military graveside rites to honor veterans for their service. Call the Post Home at 812-937-4025 to request services, or Commander Don Daigle at 812-454-7079.
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. is a non-profit providing free, legal representation and advice to low-income people in noncriminal cases. For information call 1-800-852-3477. All information is confidential.
Public transportation is available in Spencer, Perry, Warrick, Dubois and neighboring counties. Call Ride Solutions at 1-877-369-8899. Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Crisis Connection, Inc. operates a hot-line for battered and at-risk women, and other services. To seek help or to talk to someone who cares call 1-800-245-4580.