Lots of ways to celebrate the season
With Thanksgiving now a memory and December beckoning, it's time to turn our attention to the upcoming holiday season. I'm not talking strictly shopping, either, or writing out cards, or decorating, or baking.
While all those things are important (or, at the least, a part of many of our lives), there are also all kinds of special events to help us celebrate the season.
Christmas Walk and House Tour: The Geneva Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Walk and House Tour event is this coming weekend. For many area residents, this is a must-do every December, whether the weather cooperates or not. And what's not to like? Santa Lucia and her attendants kick things off, arriving by horse-drawn carriage at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 to offer Swedish cookies to the crowd. Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. to light the Great Tree on the lawn of the Kane County Courthouse on South Third Street, and then open his Gingerbread House. Fest-goers may visit downtown stores and shop, in an atmosphere that includes carolers, roasted chestnuts and freshly made candy canes. People can tour five distinctive homes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The walk includes a traditional tea at the Congregational Church in Geneva and a keepsake decorating and entertaining ideas booklet. Tickets are $28. Visit genevachamber.com or call the chamber, (630) 232-6060, for more information.
Celebrate the Season: The Geneva Park District and Geneva Public Library team up yearly to "Celebrate the Season." This year's fun will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the library. Enjoy music, singing, crafts, refreshments and more, including a special visitor from the frozen north. There is no admission or registration, but patrons are asked to bring a canned or boxed food item to donate.
Annual Crèche luncheon: See the Geneva History Center's historic crèche at the center's annual fundraiser Crèche Luncheon, at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 13. (The Dec. 11 luncheon was nearly sold out as of midweek.) The luncheon is a kind of homage to a Geneva tradition established more than 75 years ago, when an antique Neapolitan Nativity set, displayed in a 17th-century French Provincial corner bed, first was displayed at the Little Traveler. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to help conserve the Nativity figures.
This is more than just lunch. Members of the community decorate the tables with fine china, crystal, silverware and centerpieces, and Geneva notables contribute their talents as the wait staff. Tickets are $55 and are available at the center, 113 S. Third St.
Close to home: It's not necessary to head to downtown Chicago for Christmas onstage. Productions of "A Christmas Carol" and "A Christmas Story" both feature plenty of local talent.
Steel Beam Theatre presents the Broadway version of "A Christmas Carol." The timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation into a caring individual will be performed through Dec. 21 at the theater, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Phone number is (630) 587-8521, or visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students and seniors, and $10 for groups of 10 or more.
And Noble Fool Theatricals in St. Charles is offering the popular "A Christmas Story." Ralphie and his quest for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun will be performed through Dec. 27 at Pheasant Run Resort, Main Street and Pheasant Run Drive, St. Charles. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $27 to $38. Call (630) 584-6342, or visit noblefool.org.
Christmas concert: Don't forget the simple pleasures of high school concerts. The Geneva High School bands perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, while the GHS choirs perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. I cannot speak for the band concert, but I've attended the annual choir concert for many years, and it's wonderful. The selections change from year to year, but at least two songs are always on the program. Particular favorites of many are the a cappella version of "Angels We Have Heard on High," and the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah," which features not only the Varsity Choir, but also alums, who practically fly from their auditorium seats to join former classmates on stage. The concert can't help but leave you humming and fully in the Christmas spirit.