Countdown to the Holidays

By Staff
Dec. 7-10
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater in Huntsville presents “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-3 and 7-10 at the Von Braun Center. Admission is charged.
Through Dec. 22
Cullman’s Sportsman’s Wonderland will host a drive through light display with Santa Claus, miniature train rides and horse-drawn carriages. For more information, call 734-3369.
Dec. 7
Hartselle’s annual Christmas parade, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Hartselle, is panned for Dec. 7. The theme is “Santa’s Workshop.” Applications available at the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce in the railroad depot.
Dec. 7-9
Dec. 8-10
The show will be presented Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission charged.
Dec. 9
The Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association will present “The Spirit of Christmas Past” homes tour Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m. on Randolph Ave. in Huntsville.
The evening will feature traditional decorations, luminaries, caroling, music, live entertainment and a tour of homes. The four homes date back to 1819. Advance tour tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets will be available the evening of the tour at each home. For more information, call 536-7718.
United Methodist Church Luminary Night Celebration will be held 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 9. The event is free to the public. The church is located on the corner of Green and Randolph Streets in Huntsville.
Christmas in Decatur is planned for Dec. 9 in Old Decatur and the Albany Historic District. Downtown stores will be open for shopping.
Dec. 10
Salem Methodist Church will have a live Nativity scene Dec. 10 at 6p.m. There will also be Christmas carols. Hot chocolate and apple cider will be served.
Bethel Baptist Church, 1301 Bethel Road in Hartselle, presents Christmas at Home, a cantata by Ron and Shelly Hamilton, on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. All are welcome and invited to attend. For more information, call 773-2154.
Dec. 12
The Decatur Youth Symphony and Solaris Strings will present the annual Holiday concert Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Cedar Ridge Middle School, its first performance of the season. Thomas Davis is the Music Director and Conductor of DYS. Jacob Frank and Sheryl Hunter are string coaches and directors of Solaris Strings. The DYS is a full orchestra with strings, winds, brass and percussion. Solaris Strings is a string orchestra made up of young players with less than a year’s experience.
Dec. 17-19
Quail Creek Resort will host Christmas at the Creek Dec. 17-19 at 6 p.m. each night.
The wonders of Christmas will come alive through caroling, Christmas lights and drama. Dinners will be held at the Conference Center at 6 p.m. and festivities will follow.
Reservations are required for the dinner.
Dinner menu includes, salad, smokes turkey breast with white sauce, mashed potato casserole, glazed carrots, rolls and dessert. Dinner is $10 per adults; $5 age 12 and younger.
Call 784-5033 for reservations.
Dec. 17
El Shaddai Church Ministries will host a Christmas Banquet Dec. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at 1101 Sixth Ave. NE in Decatur. Cost for 10 years and younger is $9; chicken fingers and fries for children are $7; and 11 years old and older, $18.
Through Dec. 23
Huntsville will host Santa’s Village Nov. 24-Dec. 23 at the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. Admission is charged. The event will take place 5-9 p.m. each night.
Ongoing
Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights, a magnificent mile-long holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated displays, will host walk-through nights Nov. 17-20, 5:30-9 p.m. Drive-through nights are Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, 5:30-9 p.m. Walk-through is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-17. Drive-through is $12 per car or $10 in advance. A $1 discount is offered for a donation of canned goods, paper products, pet food, children’s book, warm coat or Toy for Tots. For more information, call 830-4447 or visit www.hsvbg.com.
Chances to help others
The Committee on Church Cooperation is looking for sponsors to help pay for Christmas for the less fortunate.
CCC currently has 130 families, including 321 children ranging from infants to age 16, which have applied for holiday assistance.
You can either call CCC and find out about a family’s specific needs and purchase those items or send a cash donation earmarked for a sponsorship. This donation can be made in memory or honor of someone.
Also, the CCC’s Toy Room will be open the week prior to Christmas. The Toy Room enables parents who did not receive help for their children to receive help with gifts and toys. Extra items, especially those for teenagers, are always needed for the Toy Room.
If you, your family or Sunday School class or group would like to sponsor a family for the holidays call 355-8893.
Members of the Falkville High School student counsel are sponsoring a Hope Chest Project. Collection date is Dec. 12. All boxed collected will go to children in Morgan County.