Arts and Entertainment
The town of Santa Claus’s annual Christmas Celebration concludes this weekend, December 20-22. Christmas dinner with Santa Claus will be held both Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m. at Santa’s Lodge. Scrooge’s Christmas will be presented on the stage of Heritage Hills High School’s auditorium at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. At the Santa Claus Museum & Village on Saturday, hear the Story of Santa Claus from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and enjoy Christmas carols with Bomar and Ritter from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Take a candlelight walk at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial anytime from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday. Enjoy face painting and mulled cider at Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Santa’s Candy Castle will hold its 84th anniversary celebration on Sunday. Other weekend activities also include visiting with Santa at the Christmas Store, the Land of Lights: Family Christmas Light Adventure at Lake Rudolph, and the Festival of Lights in Christmas Lake Village. Some activities are free, while others require a small fee. For more information, visit SantaClausInd.org/events.
The 43rd annual Holiday Forest Festival of Trees at Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is going on now through December 31 during regular museum hours (12-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday). The exhibit features 15 monumental Christmas trees designed to celebrate the traditions of holiday art and food. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 children. Tickets can be purchased online at omfa.us/wp/holiday-forest-gala-tickets/, or at the door. Owenboro Museum of Fine Arts is located at 901 Frederica Street in Owensboro, KY.
Abe Lincoln American Legion Post 444 in Dale is holding its annual Christmas party at the legion on Tuesday, December 31, beginning at at 6 p.m. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish. The party will also include a gift exchange. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery in St. Meinrad is currently hosting an art exhibit called “New Works: Slipware and Drawings,” by Br. Martin Erspamer, OSB. The show runs through January 15.
The exhibit features functional ceramics, small scale mixed-media drawings and carved tiles. This is a cash and carry show, with new work replacing pieces as they sell. Smaller pieces are ideal Christmas gifts. Br. Martin, a Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Boston University and began his career as a liturgical artist, working in painting, illustration, ceramics, stained glass, and worship space design. His art celebrates the Benedictine ethos, “that in all things may God be glorified.” For library hours, call 812-357-6401 or 800-987-7311, or visit www.saintmeinrad.edu/library/library-hours/. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Those wishing to view the exhibit may want to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time.
Church News
Zion United Church of Christ in Chrisney will hold a Christmas Eve service on December 24 at 7:30 p.m.
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.
St. John’s Lutheran-LCMS, 12308 E CR 1160 N in Evanston, holds Sunday school at 8:30 a.m. and worship at 9:30 a.m.
Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, south of Gentryville, has services on Sunday at 9 a.m.; a children’s Bible study at 9:30 a.m.; and an adult Bible study at 10:15 a.m.
Dale United Methodist Church holds Sunday worship at 10 a.m., Sunday school at 9 a.m. and Bible study on Mondays at 6:30 pm.
St. Meinrad Baptist Church, 12913 Main Street, holds Sunday school at 9:15 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m. and a Wednesday service at 6 p.m.
Health and wellness
Memorial Hospital’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Caregiver Support Group will meet Wednesday, January 8, from 6:30-8 p.m. EST in Board Conference Room A, located on the lower level of Memorial Hospital near the Tower Café at 800 West 9th Street in Jasper. This support group allows caregivers to come together to share knowledge and experiences in caring for loved ones who are affected by these illnesses. For more information, visit Memorial Hospital’s website at www.mhhcc.org and click on “Classes & Events,” or contact Heather Terwiske, Caring Hands Activity Coordinator, at 812-996-0218 or [email protected]. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Spencer County Council on Aging provides a SWIRCA meal at 11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday in the Lincoln Manor Community Room, 714 Sycamore St., Rockport. Suggested donation is $3.50 for those 60 and older. Food stamps are accepted. Reservations must be called in 24 hours in advance at 812-649-9828. The meal site is closed on Fridays. Activities such as bingo and games are scheduled throughout the month after lunch.
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:
Both branches will be closed next Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25, for Christmas.
Dale Branch (812-937-7170)
• The library’s Undergrounds Book Store will be open Saturday, December 21 from 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in the downstairs area of the library. The Undergrounds Book Store offers a vast collection of both books and audiovisuals for purchase. Proceeds from the book store sales benefit all library programs and related events.
• Anytime from December 23-January 2, patrons can stop by the library during regular hours to pick up a gingerbread man, take him home and disguise him so he doesn’t get eaten over Christmas vacation! Bring the disguised gingerbread man back in by January 3. Prizes will be awarded.
• Patrons of all ages are invited to participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt at the library on Thursday and Friday, December 26 and 27, during regular hours. Look for hidden reindeer in the main part of the library; when you find one, write down the name beside the reindeer and turn the paper into the circulation desk for a prize.
• Drop in for “Picture Book Putt Putt” at the library on Friday, December 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Find your favorite books lining a mini-golf course. Check in with Ms. Abby to get your golf ball and putters. Tee times are on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is open to kids of all ages.
• 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.
• 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.
• Genealogy assistance is available to patrons every Wednesday from 1:30-4 p.m.
Chrisney Branch (812-362-8471)
• Anytime from December 23-January 2, patrons can stop by the library during regular hours to pick up a gingerbread man, take him home and disguise him so he doesn’t get eaten over Christmas vacation! Bring the disguised gingerbread man back in by January 3. Prizes will be awarded.
• Patrons of all ages are invited to participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt at the library on Thursday and Friday, December 26 and 27, during regular hours. Look for hidden reindeer in the main part of the library; when you find one, write down the name beside the reindeer and turn the paper into the circulation desk for a prize.
• A Winter Crafter Day will be held at the library on Friday, December 27 from 2-4 p.m. The program is open to kids 3-12 years old. Participants will make snow crafts.
• 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:
All four branches will be closed next Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25, for Christmas.
Miscellaneous
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.
