Merry medley of activities scheduled around the area as Christmas nears


Brayden Roberts, seated on Santa’s knee, and sister Finley, had a jolly good time eating breakfast and chatting with Santa at Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch Saturday, Dec. 14, during the resort’s Breakfast with Santa event. Brayden and Finley are the children of Gainesville residents John and Ralena Roberts.

To have your Christmas or holiday-themed event added to next week’s listing, call the Ozark County Times at 417-679-4641 or email jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com by 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. 

 

Saturday, Dec. 21

Santa visits Gainesville Subway

Santa Claus will visit with children in the Gainesville Subway  at Highways 5 and 160 from 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Pictures will be taken by staff, and parents are also welcome to take their own photos.

 

Santa visits Century Bank of the Ozarks

Santa Claus will visit the Century Bank of the Ozarks in Gainesville from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available. Parents are encouraged to take pictures with Santa. 

 

Sunday, Dec. 22

Christmas choral program

The Family Life Church in Dora will hold its Christmas choral program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Contact Pastor Don Hamby at 417-252-1965 for more information. 

 

Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Shananagan’s

Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children and pose for photos at Shananagan’s Arcade and Loan, 282 Main St. in Gainesville, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. 

 

Santa visits Caulfield Subway

Santa Claus will visit with children at the Caulfield Subway on Highway 160 at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Pictures will be taken by staff, and parents are also welcome to take their own photos. 

Sunday, Dec. 22

Mt. Lebanon Church Christmas program

The Mount Lebanon Church, located below Piland Youth Camp in Thornfield, will hold its annual Christmas program at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. The program, titled “Jesus, Our Timeless Eternal Salvation,” will begin at 6 p.m. For directions or more information call Samantha Mayberry at 417-261-2027.

 

Candlelight service at First Baptist in Bakersfield

The First Baptist Church on Highway 101 in Bakersfield, will hold a candlelight service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Pastor Greg Yount invites everyone to attend and bring their children. Children will light the candles and read for the 30-minute church service. Call 417-372-0591 for more information.

 

Tuesday, Dec. 24

FCC Community Christmas Eve meal and candlelight service

Gainesville First Christian Church, located on Highway 160 east of the Gainesville business area, will host a Christmas Eve dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Dinner will be served throughout the event, and all area residents are invited to attend. A candlelight service will be held after the dinner at 7:30 p.m. Transportation can be provided for anyone who needs a ride. Call 417-679-3520 to schedule travel arrangements. (See ad on page A3.)

 

TUMC Christmas Eve service

The Theodosia United Methodist Church, on Highway 160 in Theodosia,  will hold its annual Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. For more information call TUMC at 417-273-4312.

 

Wednesday, Dec. 25

VFW community Christmas Dinner

VFW Post #5366 in Isabella, with the help of the local AmVets chapter, will serve its annual free community Christmas dinner at noon Dec. 25 at the VFW hall on HH Highway in Isabella. Facility manager Ruby Winslow said everyone is invited – veterans and non-veterans alike. If advance arrangements are made, meals can also be delivered to nearby residents who are unable to attend, or meals can be prepared for pickup. 

Donations of cash and food are needed and welcome. Winslow said the VFW greatly appreciates those who are able to cook an extra dish - salads, sides and desserts - and deliver it to the facility on Dec. 24. The VFW also welcomes donations of a turkey or ham three days ahead of time to be cooked by the VFW staff and volunteers. 

Call 273-5008 for more information, to let the staff know what food you can donate, or to arrange home delivery or pickup. To send a tax-deductible cash donation, make checks payable to Isabella VFW Post 5366 and mail to P.O. Box 323, Isabella, MO 65676. 

 

Ongoing light displays

Rocky Top light display

Rocky Top Campground and Cabins on Highway 160 near the top of the Tecumseh curves, invites area residents to enjoy its elaborate Christmas light drive-through display that includes 40 large, lighted inflatables and thousands of lights crisscrossing the display area and wrapped around trees. This year Rocky Top has added a new attraction, a “tree of lights.” The drive-through display, which is free and open to everyone, continues through Jan.1. 

 

Erisman’s Holiday Acres

Erisman’s Holiday Acres, located on County Road 1082 in Midway, Arkansas, is a 5-acre light display that has been growing and expanding over its 20-year history. It can be viewed from a vehicle through a looped roadway, and it’s free of charge, but donations are gratefully accepted to help with costs to expand the display and pay for electricity. The light display is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423