The Greene County Chamber invites residents of all ages to celebrate the 2015 holiday season at home, in Greene County. Many events are planned to celebrate “Hometown Holidays.”
The Christmas Certificate Give-Away is in full swing, with the first drawing held Nov. 30. Drawings will be held Mondays Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, with three prizes of $50 in Christmas Certificates awarded each week. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Participating businesses are Peony Chinese Restaurant, The Printer’s Box, Addie’s, Homestead Coffee and Bakery, Don’s Ace Hardware, Fudge’s Flower Shop and Gifts, Angie’s Tea Garden, Jefferson Family Chiropractic, Pizza Ranch, Bee & Herald, Royal Jewelers, Ben Franklin, Gift Garden at Greene County Medical Center, Krieger’s Flower Shop, Shopko, McAtee Tire and Service Center, Deal’s Orchard, Iowa Store at Wild Rose Casino and Country Blessings.
The third annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting, hosted by Jefferson Matters: Main Street is slated for Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 pm in the courthouse rotunda. The evening includes free treats for the first 200 to arrive at the courthouse and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ read by Jerry Roberts. The Does will serve a soup supper from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Elks lodge, and activities are planned at the Thomas Jefferson Gardens as well.
The fun continues with a Christmas coloring contest sponsored by the Bee & Herald and A & W Restaurant for children in first through fifth grade. Coloring pages are available at the Bee & Herald office and the Greene County Chamber office from Dec. 7 through Dec. 21. Completed pictures should be dropped off at either of those places. One prize will be awarded to the winner in each group.
All area children are invited to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at their Winter Wonderland in the Masonic lodge on the west side of the courthouse square in Jefferson. Santa will make two appearances – Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19, from 10 am to 12 pm both days. Mrs. Claus reminds children to bring their Christmas wish lists to share with Santa, and she reminds parents to bring their cameras. All children will receive a special treat and a free ticket for a trip up to the top of Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower.
The Sierra Community Theatre, with sponsorship by MacDonald Insurance, will show National Lampoon’s Christmas comedy “Christmas Vacation” Saturday, Dec. 12, at noon. The 1989 movie, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid, has been called a “modern Christmas classic.” Thanks to MacDonald Insurance, there is no admission charge. Concessions will be available.
Many Greene County Chamber members have planned open houses in the coming weeks, and organizations and churches have planned special events. Those events are listed in a Holiday Activity Guide prepared by the Chamber. The Holiday Activity Guide is available at Chamber businesses, restaurants, libraries and at the Chamber office at 220 N. Chestnut St in Jefferson.
