Enjoy the twinkling lights that are seen dangling from houses and trees. Give thanks, celebrate family traditions and reflect during the holiday season.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – St. Cloud Hospital’s 21st Festival of Lights will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the hospital on Sixth Avenue North. There will be a lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Also, there’s trolley rides, a men’s choir, Santa and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring a food shelf item. Friday, Dec. 4 – St. Ignatius Catholic Church CC’s 24th annual Christ Child Luncheon, will be held from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the church. Cookies and candy also for sale at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. Proceeds will go to Birthline of St. Cloud, Birthright of Monticello, Mary’s Shelter and Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). Tickets will be available at the door. – A Children’s Holiday Market will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bendix Elementary School gym. This is an opportunity for children to do their holiday shopping. Children must be accompanied by an adult. They will be able to purchase gifts (items in good condition) that have been donated by Bendix families Come have some fun and help your child. This event is sponsored by the Bendix Parent-Teachers Organization. For more information call Theo Moon, 320-291-5857. Saturday, Dec. 5 – St. John’s Lutheran Church’s annual Holiday Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Harrison Street in Annandale. There will be a bake sale, crafts, second-hand treasurers, antiques and more. A lunch of sloppy joes, pie, rolls and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome, with all proceeds going to charity. – The Immigrants’ Pioneer Christmas event at Minnesota Pioneer Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take a look back at Christmas, visit Santa and have a wagon ride. See the story in this week’s Advocate. – Santa will be at Tom and Gary’s Bowling Center in Annandale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the ad on page 3B. – The 14th annual Pioneer Christmas event at the Forest City Stockade will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is an admission charge for this festive event with many activities. – The Cokato Finnish-American Historical Society will be celebrating Pikkujoulu (Little Christmas). It will began at dusk with the lighting of ice candles and other memorial candles in the Cokato Finnish Cemetery, located three miles north of Cokato. The candles will to burn through the evening. The public is invited to drive through the cemetery to see the unique candles. at 4:30 the society will hold an open house gathering at the Cokato Township Hall. There will be songs, fellowship, reminiscing and a potluck lunch. – Monroe Crossing will perform a Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center. Call 320-286-4120 for ticket information, and see the ad in the Advocate. Sunday, Dec. 6 – The 20th annual Annandale Kiwanis Club Share Your Christmas pancake breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Tickets are available at the door or from Kiwanis members. Proceeds go to the local Share Your Christmas project. Kids under 5 eat free. See the story on the Kiwanis Club in this issue. – Mrs. Claus is coming to the Annandale Area Public Library from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, and she’s bringing stories, songs and, if you’re good, maybe a treat. The visit, for kids up to 8 years old, is sponsored by the Annandale Area Friends of the Library. Friday, Dec. 11 – Camp Friendship Auxiliary’s annual Holiday Party begins at 6 p.m. at the Reuben Lindh dining hall. This is an excellent time to see the newly remodeled and expanded hall. Hot hors d’voures, wines and non-alcoholic wines will be served. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 320-558-2107 or 320-558-6701. There will be a bake sale, silent auction, cash drawing and much more. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about wines. Proceeds benefit children and adults with mental and physical disabilities through the work of Friendship Ventures, which runs Camp Friendship. Saturday, Dec. 12 – Santa Claus will be at the Annandale RE/MAX Integrity office. Come and have your photo taken with him and Chester. See the ad on page 1B for more information. – The Apollo Male Chorus will perform a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Annandale High School. This is a fund-raiser for Youth First, and this group, which was formed in 1895, has performed worldwide. Advance tickets are on sale at various locations. – The Great River Chorale of St. Cloud, under the direction of Erick Lichte, will perform a holiday choral concert at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud. The concert is in collaboration with Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota and Cantabile Choir. For ticket information call 320-251-8356. Sunday, Dec. 13 – The Annandale Lions will hold their annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon at Lampi Auction Center east of Annandale about two miles. Kids eat free with a paid adult. They also get free presents and a photo with Santa. Food shelf and eyeglass donations are welcome and accepted. – Silver Creek Community Church will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the church located near the intersection of County roads 8 and 43 in Silver Creek. The program will be presented by soloists and a variety of talented groups. There is no charge, and everyone is invited. Monday, Dec. 14 -The Annandale High School music department will present Tunes and Treats at 7:30 p.m., at the AHS commons. Jazz 1 and Jazz Too will perform. There is no charge for this free concert that includes food and fun. The community is invited. – The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in Annandale at about 7:30 p.m. with live entertainment and a mission to collect food for the hungry. There is no charge to see the festively-lit train. Bring a food shelf item. See the story in last week’s Advocate and watch for more information in next week’s Advocate. Monday, Dec. 21 – The Annandale Middle School and High School choirs will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the high school. The community is invited to this free concert which will feature holiday music. Wednesday, Dec. 23 – Robert Robinson will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center. Robinson is known as "Minnesota’s Master Male Vocalist." He has performed with Prince, Kenny Loggins, Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin, the Sounds of Blackness, Barry Manilow and others. Call Buffalo Community Education, 763-682-8770 or go to www.buffalocommunityed.com, for ticket information. All seats are reserved. Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Check the Wednesday, Dec. 16 and 23 Advocate for area worship listings.)
