Decorative lights and greenery on streets, shops and houses are not the only sign that Christmas is near. It is all of the activities and friendly gatherings that make it real and a joyous time of the year.
A major activity that signaled the formal beginning of the season took place with the 16th Annual Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Square and Magic Tree, on November 26. The parade was emceed by Clay Radford of KDKD Country Radio 95.3, and followed by photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Main Street sponsored event was just one of many Christmas delights planned for the month of December. A series of three Santa visits for photos and a candy cane are scheduled early this month. Santa at Legacy Bank takes place, on Thursday, December 2, at 4:30 P.M.; Santa at Green Street will be on Friday, December 3, from 5:30 to 7 P.M.; and Santa at Hawthorn Bank is Saturday, December 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M.
Christmas Cheer takes place on December 7, at The Samaritan Center and Thrift Shoppe for clients who have been pre-approved. This project has been providing food, toys, clothing, blankets and other items to families in need for many years in the community, and was begun by Susie Wetzel and Mary Jo Cable.
A Clinton Calendar of Events shows several Christmas events coming up beginning with a Santa Claus and Mr. Grinch paint party for kids, on December 11, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at Donna’s Drive In at 102 SE Hwy PP. Kids will see Santa Claus and Mr. Grinch, paint, and have a snack for $15. Santa will also be at the Henry County Museum on Saturday, December 11, from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M. Children can get their photos taken with Santa, plus get a book and candy cane.
On December 19, Songs in the Key of Christmas will be held at 4 P.M. at the Clinton United Methodist Church at 601 S. 4th Street. It is sponsored by the Clinton Arts Council and will feature “absolutely delightful Christmas music.” Featured performers will be John Blegen (jazz clarinetist), David Maggi and David Cummings, the Chancel Band and Clinton High School Jazz Band. A freewill donation will go to the Clinton High School Band.
Also on December 19, is The Nativity Story, presented by Life Ministries at 1309 E. Ohio Street. It is from 4 to 5:30 P.M. and features a dramatization from the children, and Life Ministries families Sing Along Christmas Carols and a narration coming straight from the scriptures.
Clinton schools will be celebrating Christmas in December too. The Cardinal Holiday Mart, with lots of crafts, will take place Saturday, December 4, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. at Clinton Intermediate School. A Choir Concert will be put on by the intermediate school choir on December 16, at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the high school. It begins at 5 P.M. And, children at the school have also honored Ms. Eva Cooper, long-time third grade teacher at the Clinton Intermediate School, on her 106th birthday which took place on December 1. The children sent cards to her residence at Jefferson Gardens and Senior Living.
“There will also be a combined middle school and high school choir concert on December 14, beginning at 6:30 P.M., at the PAC,” said Angie Lawson, Communications and Community Relations Director with Clinton schools. “During the last 12 days before schools let out for Winter Break, there will be Twelve Days of Christmas Spirit Days. Each day something will happen to promote the holidays and school spirit.
The Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is not to be outdone on Christmas season promotions. First of all is the “150 to get 25” promotion which is currently underway. According to Chamber director David Lee, all you have to do is buy at least $150 in Chamber gift certificates and the chamber will give out an extra gift certificate worth $25. This promotion ends on December 23. Gift certificates may be purchased from the Chamber office at 200 South Main Street Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. The gift certificates can be used at most of the Chamber-member businesses. Check the Chamber website for the nearly 400 members at www.clintonmo.com. More information is available by calling 660-885-8166.
Another Chamber promotion is the Second-Annual “Receipt to Receive.”
“Folks can bring in or email a receipt from a Clinton Chamber-member business and they will then be entered to win,” said Lee. “Thus, Receipt to Receive. At the Chamber, we will copy, scan or print that receipt and get your name and phone number. Keep in mind that the item (or items) on your receipt has to be at least $25 in total…but you can enter multiple times each week with different receipts. Each week those receipts will be entered into a drawing to win $25 in Chamber gift certificates. We will give our prize away each Monday. To be entered to win each Monday, you must bring at least one receipt to the Chamber that previous week. All qualifying receipts will be eligible for our grand prize giveaway.”
Lee said that on December 23, at noon, the Chamber will take all receipts entered and draw the big winner of $200 in Chamber certificates. Receipts can be brought in or emailed.
