Metro East News

by Chronicle Media
Have Breakfast with Santa at the Round House Recreation Center, 633 N. Wood River Ave., in Wood River on Saturday, Dec. 10. (Photo courtesy of city of Wood River)

Have Breakfast with Santa at the Round House Recreation Center, 633 N. Wood River Ave., in Wood River on Saturday, Dec. 10. (Photo courtesy of city of Wood River)

DEC.  8-11

 

Bankside Rep Brings Holiday Extravaganza to JAC

Thur.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 3

Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton

$10 on Thur.; $15 Fri.-Sun.

Geoff Calloway tapped into his love of radio as theater and his experience as a student disc jockey when he wrote Bankside Rep’s new Christmas play, “Silent Night, Holy Noely.” For more information, call (618)

462-5222.

 

DEC.  9

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Friday, 2-4 p.m.

Alton Memorial Hospital, 1 Memorial Drive, Alton

Free

Therapist Julie Clayton will lead the group for those who care for other who suffer from Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit altonmemorialhospital.org.

 

DEC.   9-10

 

Getting in the Christmas Mood

Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat. 3-4:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 1111 E. US Highway 50, O’Fallon

Free

Family-friendly production that combines a 90-voice choir and a big band. For more information, call (618) 632-6223.

 

DEC.    10

 

Breakfast with Santa in Wood River

Saturday, 8-10:30 a.m.

Round House Recreation Center, 633 N. Wood River Ave.

$3 children; $4 adults

Breakfast for children includes 2 pancakes, 2 sausage links, and juice or milk. Adult portions are larger. For more information, visit wrparks.org/breakfast-with-Santa.

 

Elves’ Workshop at the Wildey

Saturday, 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville

$12 per child

Kids love to give holiday presents too! Drop your children off at The Wildey Theatre for some holiday fun and gift making. Children will leave with a handful of gifts for their loved ones. Parents can enjoy some time alone for their own shopping. For more information, email parks@cityofedwardsville.com.

 

Christmas Workshop for Kids

Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Gordon F. Moore Community Park, 4550 College Ave., Alton

$20

Drop off your kids aged 5-13 and have some shopping time of your own. Kids will enjoy holiday crafts, games, photo ops and food. Pre-registration is required by calling (618) 463-3580.

 

Trumpeter Swan Search Party

Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

Audubon Center, 301 Riverlands Way, W. Alton, Mo.

Free

Families are welcome to come to the Audubon Center to learn about and search the sanctuary for trumpeter swans. To register call (636) 899-0090.

 

Watch for Eagles at Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, 9-10 a.m.

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, Brussels, Ill.

Free

Rangers will assist guests in finding eagle throughout the wildlife refuge. A personal vehicle will be needed. To register, call (618) 883-2524.

 

Meet the Author: Lou Baczewski

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St.

Free

The author bicycled through Germany following the path taken by his grandfather’s armored division in WWII. His book is titled “Path of the Past.” For more information, call (618) 344-1112.

 

Jingle Bell Dog Walk

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Waterloo Feed and Pet Supply, 401 W. 3rd St., Waterloo

$20 each walker with one dog

The first 45 pre-registered walkers will receive a t-shirt. Costume contest for dogs and owners: Best Owner Dog Look-Alike, Best Jingle Bell Theme, Best Holiday Theme, and Most Unique Holiday Costume. For more information, call (618) 281-7144.

 

Santa’s Hut Open in O’Fallon

Saturday, noon-4 p.m.

Corner of First and Vine

Free photos with Santa

O’Fallon’s Christmas event is sponsored by Downtown O’Fallon, Inc. For more information, call (618) 624-4503.

 

Vandalia Statehouse Candlelight Open House

Saturday, 6-8 p.m.

Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site

Free

The Statehouse will be illuminated by more than 250 candles and trimmed with decorations appropriate to the 1840s, when a young Abraham Lincoln served there. The first 100 families will receive a free ornament. Refreshments served by the Friends of the Old State Capitol. For more information, call (217) 524-6045.

 

DEC.    10-11

 

Great Rivers Choral Society Presents Messiah

Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m.

Evangelical United Church of Christ, 1212 W. Homer Adams Pkwy., Godfrey

Free

The Christmas portion of Handel’s oratorio will be performed with an orchestra and soloists. Other Christmas music will be presented as well. For more information, call (618) 401-1450.

 

DEC.    11

 

Celebrate Lewis & Clark’s Arrival

Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, 1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford

Free; donations appreciated

The event will include members of the detachment portraying military life, re-enactors recreating the civilian populations and demonstrations. For more information, call (618) 251-5811.

 

DEC.    13

 

Moonlight Hike at The Nature Institute

Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

2213 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey

Free

Walk the woodland trails through the Mississippi Sanctuary or Olin Nature Preserve illuminated only the light of the full moon. The trail terrain is light to moderate. For more information, call (618) 466-9930.

 

— Metro East News —