Arts and Entertainment
The town of Santa Claus’s annual Christmas Celebration returns this weekend, December 13 and 14. Available on both days, write a letter to Santa at the Santa Claus Museum & Village, chat with an elf on the North Pole Network at Santa’s Candy Castle, visit with Santa at the Christmas Store, and be amazed by the Santa Claus Land of Lights: Family Christmas Light Adventure at Lake Rudolph. Christmas Dinner with Santa will be served at Santa’s Lodge celebration room from 6-9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, breakfast with Santa will be held at the Historic Santa Claus Campground from 7-10 a.m. The Santa Claus Arts & Crafts Show will be held at Heritage Hills Middle School gym from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Das Nikolausfest will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. The Santa Claus Christmas Parade will begin at 1 p.m. The Festival of Lights in Christmas Lake Village will be open from 5-9 p.m. Scrooge’s Christmas will be presented in three performances (1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.) Saturday at the Heritage Hills High School auditorium. Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop will offer face-painting and mulled cider from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Some activities are free, while others require a small fee. For more information, visit SantaClausInd.org/events.
Traditional Arts Today, located at 314 W. 9th Street in Ferdinand, will hold special “Meet the Artists” event this Saturday, December 14. Lisa Yates will be demonstrating quilting by hand from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and Rosemary Chamberlain will demonstrate jewelery making from 1-3 p.m. All times are Eastern. For more information, call Traditional Arts Today at 812-998-2487.
The Children’s Center for Dance Education will present its silver anniversary performance of the Children’s Nutcracker thisFriday, 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.
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.
Church News
Gospel soloist Brian Arner will perform a Christmas concert at Dale United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. Arner, of Atlanta, GA, has emerged as one of the finest voices in inspirational Christian music, with a multi-range that matches those of the finest recording artists. Since beginning his full-time ministry 25 years ago, Arner has completed seven solo recordings. The concert is free and requires no ticket. An optional meal for $10 per person will be served at 6 p.m. before the concert in the church fellowship hall. Reservations for the meal must be made in advance by contacting the church at 812-937-4905 or 812-549-8843.
The Celebration Singers will present a free, one-hour Christmas concert at Salem United Church of Christ in Huntingburg on Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. EST. The concert is open to the public. Free-will offerings 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.
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. 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.
Cornerstone United Methodist Church, located at 1407 E County Road 800 N in Chrisney, holds services at 10 a.m. on Sundays and Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m. The new pastor is Clint Fink.
Clubs and Meetings
Huff Township Trustee Board will hold its end-of-the-year public meeting on Monday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the home of Huff Township trustee Joshua Knepper, located at 10546 McDonald Avenue in Evanston.
Grandview Town Council will meet Monday, December 16 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Spencer County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, December 17 at 2 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Courthouse.
Spencer County Council will meet Tuesday, December 17 at 5 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Courthouse.
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
Red Cross blood drives will be held Wednesday, December 18 from 1-6 p.m. at Lincoln Heritage Public Library in Dale and Thursday, December 19 from 12-4 p.m. at Walmart in Tell City. To make an appointment to donate or for more information, 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 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
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:
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).
Dale Branch (812-937-7170)
• Adult patrons are invited to Bingo for Books on Monday, December 16 from 6-7 p.m. Win a Bingo, receive a book or library-related item for a prize.
• Lego Builders Club will meet Tuesday, December 17 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. This club is open to kids of all ages and allows participants to create their own Lego masterpieces.
• Homeschool Thursday will be held Thursday, December 19 from 1-2:30 p.m. Home-school families with kids ages 2-18 years are invited to this program, which features fun activities and allows home-school families to connect, network and socialize with one another.
• All ages are invited to the library’s Toy Story Christmas Party on Thursday, December 19 from 6-7 p.m. Santa will make an appearance at the party at 6:15 p.m.!
• 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. Books and media come from the library and community contributions.
• 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)
• Students 11-16 years old are invited to “Bad Art for Tweens & Teens” from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16. Participants will create a present that will not be forgotten, using any medium available.
• Lego Builders Club will meet Wednesday, December 18 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. This club is open to kids of all ages and allows participants to create their own Lego masterpieces.
• Patrons of all ages are invited to Third Thursday Throwback on December 19 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The theme for this month’s event is “Charlie Brown Christmas”. All games, food and crafts will be Charlie Brown-themed. Registration is recommended by calling the library.
• 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)
• Students 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.
• Adult patrons are invited to a wreath-making class on Thursday, December 12 at 2 p.m. Participants will create their own festive wreath with ornaments of all sizes. Registration required by calling the library.
Grandview Branch (812-649-9732)
• Adult patrons are invited to a wreath-making class on Monday, December 16 at 5 p.m. Participants will create their own festive wreath with ornaments of all sizes. Registration required by calling the library.
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.
