No place says 'Ho-Ho-Ho' like Huntley
This week, Santa Claus is packing his bags and heading to Huntley for the first of many local appearances he has planned this month. Who can blame him? When it comes to holiday cheer, no place says "Ho-Ho-Ho" like Huntley.
This Saturday, Dec. 6, the man in red will visit Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills from 9-11 a.m. at the Breakfast With Santa fundraiser for the District 158 Education Foundation. The party includes games, caroling, and valuable raffle prizes like American Girl dolls and gift certificates. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family, available at school offices or by e-mail at d158foundation@comcast.net.
Also on Saturday, the Chesak-Martin PTA will hold its holiday craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marlowe Middle School. Volunteers will help children find gifts for their family, friends, and pets, while mom and dad shop on their own. Free admission includes kids' crafts, holiday music, movies, and drawings. For adults, there will be raffles for craft prizes and retail gift certificates. See www.cmpta.org, call (847) 659-5831 or e-mail to pta@cmpta.org.
On Saturday afternoon, the Huntley Jaycees will host Christmas in the Square from 2-6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Woodstock streets. This new "old-fashioned" celebration includes free cookies, hot chocolate and cider, crafts for the kids, and a tree lighting ceremony around 5 p.m.
Santa will arrive on the square at 3 p.m., riding a big red fire truck escorted by Huntley firefighters. Children can get their pictures taken with him, and there will be candy canes for all. To make the holidays happier for those less fortunate, visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the 'Toys for Tots' drop box.
Winter book sale: On Saturday, the Friends of the Huntley Library will hold their Winter Book Sale from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the old village hall. From 2 - 5:30 p.m., Friends members and library staffers will read classic Christmas stories for kids, starting every quarter hour.
"Wassail" a happy tune: The four handbell choirs of Huntley's First Congregational Church will ring in the holidays at their annual Wassail Concert, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in the church's Fellowship Hall. Selections include Christmas music, holiday pop tunes, and an audience singalong. Cookies and warm "wassail" will be served. The public is invited and a free will offering will be taken. The church is on the corner of Main and Church streets. For details, call (847) 669-3691.
Remembrance Tree and Santa party: Mr. Claus returns on Saturday, Dec. 13 for the Huntley Park District's Remembrance Tree ceremony and Santa party at the Cosman Center on Mill Street. Dedication of the "Remembrance Tree" starts at 11 a.m. and Santa arrives at 11:30, with a lift from his pals at the Huntley Fire Department. Admission is free; call (847) 669-3180 for details.
Santa visits Toys for Tots: Santa loves parties, and Dec. 13 will be a busy day for him. He is the guest of honor at two Toys For Tots benefits. From 9-11 a.m., Kim's Black Belt Academy will host a free "Breakfast with Santa" party at 10993 Ruth Road. One admission is free with each donated toy, and every child gets a goody bag. A photographer will be on hand to take photos. Call (847) 669-6030. From noon - 4 p.m., Santa will greet children at KB Toys in the Prime Outlets Huntley mall. The store will take 50 percent off the price of toys that are purchased for Toys for Tots, and Tom Peck Ford will park a new van nearby to receive the donations.
Toys for Tots: Sun City resident Lee Totman is the Huntley area coordinator for Toys for Tots, a project of the McHenry County Marine Corps League.
Collection bins for new, unwrapped toys are located at Harris Bank, Huntley Realty, Randy's Cycles, the Del Webb Sales Center, Kim's Black Belt Academy, KB Toys, JDM Automotive, the Huntley library, and all District 158 schools. Toys must be received by Dec. 19. Checks are welcome, but should not be left in the bins. To donate cash or a check, call Totman at (847) 515-8875. To learn more about the program, visit www.toysfortots.org.
He's everywhere: Also on Dec. 13, KinderCare of Huntley will host kids' crafts and photos with Santa from 10 a.m. - noon at the Prime Outlets mall.
How can that guy be in so many places at once? Magic ... and the spirit of Christmas, that's how!