Local community members of Linn and Benton counties, aged 8 to 93, will perform a country-themed holiday show for the benefit of the local toy run.
The music ranges from amusing, clap-your-hands tunes to heartwarming country holiday songs to spiritually moving numbers to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. There’s something for everyone of any age.
The Elks Lodge will provide refreshments including a hot cocoa bar, spiced cider, cookies and holiday goodies.
Admission is to bring a newly purchased toy but cash donations are welcome too to help the toy run reach its goals. No amount is too big or too small. Everyone is invited to come no matter what they have to give.
This is the seventh year of Christmas shows organized by Shirley Austin. It all started when she was working at the Lebanon senior center as the activities planner.
Each month the senior center would hold a potluck inviting the assisted-living and senior communities in Lebanon to share a meal. The first year, she contacted community members to see if they would get together and put on a little Christmas show for the seniors at their December potluck. They responded with a big yes and performed a USO-style Christmas show.
It was too much fun to just do it one afternoon for the seniors so they decided to perform for the community at an evening show also. The first year, admission was food for Meals on Wheels program and every year since, the show is done as a benefit for a needy program.
This year, the show in Lebanon is benefiting the ABC House, a child abuse intervention center. The Sweet Home show is to help the fire department and Sweet Home Choppers reach their goal of providing toys to children of less fortunate families.
Sweet Home Choppers is hosting the Star Touring and Riding Annual Toy Run from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Bi-Mart, 1980 Main St.
A chili feed follows at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St.
Each show has been a different theme. The cast is varied in age and talent, from the sweet voices of children ages 8 to 15 to a smooth crooner of 93 and all ages in between, including the comical “Minnie Pearl,” country dancers, music majors and seasoned performers.
Rehearsals have been going since the beginning of October so the cast is ready to give you a good show.
The Sweet Home show, “A Snowy Country Christmas” begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St.
Here are some other Christmas events that are planned for this week:
– Crawfordsville Church Live Nativity: Crawfordsville lights up every year with this display of live animals and live actors, together with some homemade goodies inside the church. Guitarist Ron Diller of Silverton, who performs nearly every year and can do just about anything on a guitar, is scheduled to be back. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.
– Live Nativity at East Linn Museum, 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Carriage rides available 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. both nights.
– Holiday Band Concert: Sweet Home bands will perform a selection of holiday favorites at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in the high school auditorium.
Admission is free. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade bands, and the high school band will perform under the direction of Eli Heide.
– Fifth Annual Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 10. More than 20 Sweet Home business are involved with more than $400 in cash and prizes.
Participants can pick up a passport at any participating business, have it stamped and redeemed for cash. The cash giveaway begins at 6 p.m. at the Home Sweet Home Cafe. Participants must be present to win.
– Second Annual Kids Free Christmas Store, noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 10, Sweet Home Evangelical Church, 1347 Long St. This is a free store for children 12 and young to shop for their families. Gift wrapping, cookies and hot chocolate will be available. For more information, call (541) 409-4276.
– Girl Scouts Holiday Bazaar, 9-4 p.m., Dec. 10, Sweet Home High School Activity Gym, 1641 Long St.
– Pianist Bill Langdon and cellist Keith Scofield will team up to present a Christmas concert from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Marks Ridge Winery, 29255 Berlin Road.
Early arrival is recommended and patrons are asked to bring their own chairs, “just in case.” New wines will be available, as will be host Janet’s “favorite appetizers.”
For more information, call (541) 974-4457.