Gail Borden Public Library offers holiday and music programs in December

The Gail Borden Public Library is offering a variety of holiday and music programs in December. For information, call (847) 742-2411 or visit www.gailborden.info/events.

• The "Festival of Lights: Hanukkah Stories, Traditions and Treats" will be offered for kids up to fifth grade from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in the Meadows Community Rooms of the main library. Families are invited to learn about the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah through stories, music, food and the dreidel game. This is part of a series of programs sharing our community's December holiday traditions.

• The Brown Bag Lunch Classic Films continues with the 1945 holiday comedy, "Christmas in Connecticut" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the Meadows Community Rooms of the main library. While recovering in a hospital, war hero Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) grows familiar with the "Diary of a Housewife" column written by Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck). Jeff's nurse arranges with Elizabeth's publisher, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet), for Jeff to spend the holiday at Elizabeth's bucolic Connecticut farm with her husband and child. But the column is a sham, so Yardley hastens to arrange a publicity ploy by setting up single, nondomestic Elizabeth on a country farm. No registration is required. Coffee and tea will be served.

• The Elgin Community Network's "Elgin Alive" series continues with a holiday movie showing with Mrs. Claus from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in the Meadows Community Rooms of the main library. Kids of all ages - come in your pajamas, bring a favorite toy to cuddle and celebrate the holiday season with a showing of the short animated classic "The Snowman." Mrs. Claus will be on hand to talk about the book before the film. For more information, go to elgin-ecn.org.

• Preschools and their families will sing and dance and get a photo taken with special guest Mrs. Claus at "Tinsel Time" from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Meadows Community Rooms at the main library.

• Local pianists will perform on Thursdays, through Dec. 27, in the lobby of the main library. Steve Yoder will perform from 11 a.m. to noon, Denise Williams from 2 to 3 p.m., Shirley Remes from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and John LaBorn from 7 to 8 p.m.

• "No Shushing Movie Fridays" continues from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 14-28, in the Hoffer Room of the South Elgin branch library, 127 S. McLean Blvd. Come enjoy a G- or PG-rated movie in a family-friendly, casual setting. Chatting and snacks from home are welcome. This program welcomes people of all abilities. Please contact the library one week in advance if you need accommodations. No registration is required. On Dec. 14, the movie will be the 2011 "Arthur Christmas," followed on Dec. 21 by the 1983 classic "A Christmas Story," and on Dec. 28, by the 2018 animated film "Hotel Transylvania 3."

• "Colonial Williamsburg During the Holidays" will be presented by Nancy McCully from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the Hoffer Room of the South Elgin branch library. Colonial Williamsburg is a magical place during the Christmas season. See the decorations and discover how easy it is to add Williamsburg style touches to your holiday celebration. Registration is required. Deadline for registration is 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

• Gail Borden Public Library continues its Sunday Afternoon Concert Series with the Elgin String Quartet from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the main library. Violinist Isabella Lippi, concertmaster of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, along with violinist Eleanor Bartsch, violist Amanda Grimm and cellist Sara Sitzer will perform a composition by Elgin's own Daniel Brewbaker, along with Brahms' String Quartet No. 2 in A minor. The one-hour concert will be held in the Meadows Community Rooms. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments after the concert. Free tickets are available at the main library, Rakow Branch and South Elgin Branch three weeks prior to each concert.

On Jan. 6, the Metropolis oboe quartet (oboe, violin, viola, cello) invites you to join them on an exciting journey through the greatest chamber music of all eras. Aficionados and newcomers alike will enjoy this memorable display of high-caliber music complemented by the ensemble's energy and love for what they do.

• The Rakow Branch at 2751 W. Bowes Road will host a "Holiday Singalong with Mrs. Claus" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. Jingle and jangle as you sing holiday favorites and take photos with Mrs. Claus. It will feature Josh McClure on the keyboard.

• Can't stay up until midnight this year? Come ring in the New Year early with fun stories, games, holiday food, and even a little dancing! "Happy Noon Year Parties" will be offered at the main library and two branch locations for kids, infant to age 6, and a caregiver. Don your fancy outfits if you'd like!

The first program will be 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 29, in the Living Room of the Rakow Branch.

The program at the main library will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, in the Meadows Community Room.

The South Elgin branch will host its program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, in the Hoffer Room.

Registration for the "Happy Noon Year Party" is required.

• Visit the main library to experience the "Build It! With LegoBricks Exhibit" through Dec. 30. Family members visiting for the holidays will have fun taking photos with giant Lego brick characters, famous landmarks and more. Kids can build with giant Lego bricks anytime!

• Get to meet Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar, the "Three Kings," and take your pictures with them during "Celebracion de Los Reyes Magos" from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the Meadows Community Room at the main library. Stay for stories and crafts too! In partnership with the Organization of Mexico in Elgin. Registration is not required.

• The Brown Bag Lunch Classic Films continues with the 1965 film "Shenandoah" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in the Meadows Community Rooms of the main library. During the Civil War, a Virginia farmer and his family vow to remain neutral, but one of the sons is captured by Union soldiers, sending the farmer to his rescue. The movie, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, stars James Stewart, Rosemary Forsyth, Glenn Corbett, Philip Alford, Doug McClure. No registration is required. Coffee and tea will be served.

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