Greene County Chamber invites all area residents to enjoy a 2014 holiday season showcasing the uniqueness that “Hometown Holidays” can offer.
Highlights follow:
Tree Lighting: Jefferson Matters: Main Street starts off the season with a Community Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 pm in the rotunda of the Greene County courthouse. Santa and Mrs Claus will be there, and there will be singing, Christmas bells, Sugar Plum fairies and a reading of the classic Christmas story “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The first 200 people through the courthouse door will receive coupons for a free decorated Christmas cookie from Homestead Coffee and Bakery.
Thomas Jefferson Gardens will be decorated for the season. Relay for Life will have luminarias along the courthouse walkways and a special luminaria tree displayed in the east lobby of the courthouse. The BPO DOES will serve a soup supper from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Elks Lodge for a free will donation.
Santa Visits: All area children are invited to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at their Winter Wonderland in the Masonic Lodge, 120 N. Wilson in Jefferson. Santa will make two appearances: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 am to noon, and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 to 11:30 am. Mrs Claus reminds all to bring a Christmas wish list to share with Santa and a camera for pictures. There will be be candy for all. On Dec. 13, Santa will ride on a fire truck from Winter Wonderland to Sierra Community Theatre at 11:30 am to officially begin the holiday movie. Winter Wonderland is sponsored by Brooker & Company and Alliant Energy.
Bell Tower special hours: The Mahanay Bell Tower will be open Thursdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13, from 10 am to 2 pm. Children 18 and under ride for free now. Adults accompanying children will be admitted free during the Hometown Holiday season.
Color a picture of Santa: A Christmas coloring contest for pre-K through fifth grade children begins Monday, Dec. 1 and ends Monday, Dec. 15. Coloring pages are available at Bee & Herald Publishing, 220 N Wilson and at the Greene County Chamber, 220 N Chestnut, Jefferson, and will be in Friday packets of all county elementary school children. Contest entries can be dropped off at the Bee & Herald office. The originals will be posted in All Ability Cycles’ store window. Prizes will be awarded to one winner in each age group. The Gardens Independent Living is sponsor to the coloring contest, with support from Pizza Ranch and Bee & Herald Publishing and prizes donated by Ben Franklin/Radio Shack, Greene Bean Coffee, Homestead Bakery, Hy-Vee, and Pizza Ranch.
Free holiday movie: The movie “Elf”, a holiday family favorite, will be shown at Sierra Community Theatre Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon. Come early to visit with Santa before the movie starts. Admission is free. Jefferson Telecom and Brooker & Company are principle sponsors.
Calendar of events: The Hometown Holiday calendar of events is available at participating chamber members businesses, all of the county banks and libraries, and at the Chamber office.
Shopping & prizes: Visit participating businesses with your shopping list and Browse Coupons in hand. Sign up for weekly drawings for special Holiday Certificates – no purchase necessary. Three $50 prizes will be awarded weekly. Winners will be notified on Mondays Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22 and will be announced in the weekly News & Views and on GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
Chamber Checks: For those who are difficult to buy for, Chamber Checks spend like cash and recipients can choose their own gift at Chamber member businesses. They are available in convenient $5 increments for any gift amount. Call ahead at 515-386-2155 for large orders so they can be picked up when you are ready or stop in the Chamber office, 220 N. Chestnut, Jefferson.
Sponsors: Thanks to all these participating Chamber members who have made Hometown Holidays possible: Don’s Ace Hardware, All Ability Cycles, Alliant Energy, Bee & Herald, Ben Franklin/Radio Shack, Brooker & Company, Community State Bank, Country Blessings, Deal’s Orchard, Durlam Electric, Excuses, Fudge’s Flowers, Greene County Medical Center Auxiliary’s Gift Garden, GreeneCountyNewsOnline, Home State Bank, Homestead Bakery, Hy-Vee, Jefferson Family Chiropractic, Jefferson Matters: Main Street, Jefferson Telecom, Kingsgate Insurance, Krieger’s Flower Shop, Linda’s Fashions, McAtee Tire, Peony Chinese Restaurant, Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Printer’s Box, Royal Jewelers, The Gardens Retirement Community, and Wells Fargo Bank.
