Thanksgiving and Christmas events you’ll want to know about
Following are some of the holiday events scheduled in Lebanon and the surrounding area over the next month:
November
Toy drives: The Lebanon Christmas Toy Program accepts donations at The River Center, 3000 Santiam Hwy., by Dec. 13. The Road Maggots toy drive parade starts at noon Sunday, Dec. 12, from Walmart, 3290 S. Santiam Hwy., through downtown to The River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy.
Tree of Giving: The Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St., hosts its Tree of Giving program to support seniors who do not have family locally, or who face hardship or isolation. Recipient tags will be hung on the tree Nov. 29 at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St.
Area agencies can nominate seniors (50+) for the program. Applications are available through Dec. 10. Gifts should be returned by Dec. 16. For more information, contact the Senior Center Office at (541) 258-4919.
Holiday store: The Lebanon Mercantile hosts a Christmas Store & Bazaar at The Lobby, 661 S. Main St., starting in mid-November. The Mercantile’s Christmas store fills the front space, including food service and an arcade upstairs, and vendors can reserve spots in the banquet room by contacting Rachelle Templeton at (541) 570-1747.
Christmas bazaar: Vendors offer Christmas gift and stocking stuffer ideas during Camelia’s Christmas Bazaar Tuesdays thru Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Camelia’s Candles, 1764 S. Main St. Vendor space is still available.
Lacomb Holiday Bazaar: Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Grange Hall, 34095 E. Lacomb Road. This inaugural event will feature local crafters’ creations. Food and drink will be available. Openings for vendors are available. Contact Alexius Melton via Facebook.
Holiday Crafters and Home-Based Business Expo: The event, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Santiam Place, 139 Main St., in Lebanon, will feature a variety of creations by local crafters, along with Christmas décor and more. Home-based business services and products will also be available.
For more information, call (541) 259-4255 or email [email protected].
Turkey dinner for seniors: Lebanon-area seniors can have a free pre-cooked turkey dinner through the Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Seniors interested in receiving a meal must sign up by Thursday, Nov. 18, by calling (541) 258-4919. Meals can be delivered or picked up. Call for more information.
Thanksgiving dinner: The Lebanon Soup Kitchen serves a Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., at 170 E. Grant St.
Cascade Lights: See the animated home display of Christmas lights presented Nov. 25 through Dec. 31 by Lebanon Mayor Paul Aziz on the southeast corner of Sherman and Williams, just a few blocks from the Christmas in the Park Lights at Ralston Park. The computer-controlled display is set to music (set your car radio to 100.9 FM to hear the lights) or listen to the outdoor speakers until 10 p.m. Emceed by an animated snowman, the show features more than 60,000 LED lights. Food and cash donations are accepted in the box out front. Show runs till 10 p.m. weeknights and till 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tennessee Thunder Railroad Holiday Train Lights: Running Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 27 through Dec. 22 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Ride the quarter-sized train through a four-acre park decorated with thousands and thousands of lights. For more information, visit www.ttsrailroad.com.
December
Horse and craft sale: The 15th annual Cowboy Christmas Tack and Horsey Craft Sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Hand in Hand Farm, 35105 Ede Road. Some 20 vendors will sell new and used horse tack, horse-related items, Christmas, country, and western-themed gifts and decor. Vendors make donations to support Hand In Hand Farm’s ministry.
For more information, send a message through the Cowboy Christmas Facebook page, email staff@handinhandfarm, or call (541) 451-1243.
Holidays in the Park: This year’s theme for Holidays in the Park is “A Candyland Christmas,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Ralston Park. Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides, food and entertainment are part of the fun.
The Twilight Parade starts at 5:15 p.m., with floats running south through downtown from Vine and Main streets, left onto Maple Street, and finishing a northern route on Park Street. The lighting of the tree takes place immediately after the parade.
Enter a float in the parade by submitting $10 and application found on Facebook.com/HolidaysinthePark, due Nov. 29. Vendors may reserve a space for $20 by filling out an application found on the Facebook page.
A link for Holiday Tour of Homes will also be found on the Facebook page. To submit your decorated home for judging, visit https://DalasBlueAngels.com/holidays-in-the-park.
For more information, contact Dala Johnson at (541) 619-0606.
Christmas quilt raffle: A raffle drawing will be held Friday, Dec. 10, for a 92-inch by 94-inch red and white quilt from Rhonda Nicholas and Finally Together Quilt. Proceeds will be used for Christmas food baskets for families working with the Linn County Juvenile Department.
Tickets cost $5 each, and can be purchased before Dec. 10 at the Linn County Juvenile Department during normal business hours at 104 SW 4th Ave., room 200, Albany, or at Finally Together Quilt, 54 W. Ash St., Lebanon.
For more information, email [email protected].
Deadline for Christmas Toy Program: Applications for the Lebanon Christmas Toy Program at River Center Church, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy., are due Friday, Dec. 17. For more information or to apply, call (541) 451-1271, or click on the banner at TheRiverCenter.net.
Lacomb Holiday Bazaar: Held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at the Grange Hall, 34095 E. Lacomb Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This inaugural event will feature local crafters’ creations. Food and drink will be available. Openings for vendors are available. Contact Alexius Melton via Facebook.
Candy Cane Express Santiam Excursion Train: The railroad hosts a one- hour train ride from Dec. 10-19 with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station. Bar beverages and popcorn can be purchased. Tickets are $20-27; no cost for active military and veterans.
A limited number of tickets are available for a more intimate, two-hour VIP event on Friday, Dec. 10 and 17, which includes a catered buffet, hot cocoa, sweet treat, VIP gift, and a visit with Santa Claus. Tickets are $50-85; cost for active military and veterans is free on coach only.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at https://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop down lists).
Ugly Sweater Express: Find the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear for this adult-only train ride from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $25-45, and includes heavy appetizers, music. A full bar will be available.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at https://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop down lists).
Christmas paintball: The Swamp hosts “Wreck Your Balls” paintball game Sunday, Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at S&F Paintball Field, 38488 Shady Oak Lane.
There will be games themed to the storyline, which will be posted on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/Swamp.PB. Games generally have a 20 minute format.
Field fee is $25 for those bringing their own equipment and paint. See the Facebook page for equipment rental and paint purchase costs. Pre-register and sign a waiver online at snfscenarios.com. Kids aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, call (541) 409-0511, email [email protected], or visit snfscenarios.com.
Christmas dinner: The Lebanon Soup Kitchen serves a Christmas meal from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, at 170 E. Grant St.
Pajama Train Ride: Santiam Excursions hosts a one-hour Christmas Eve Pajama Ride at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station. Bar beverages and popcorn can be purchased. Tickets are $20-27; no cost for active military and veterans.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at https://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop down lists).
Outside Lebanon
Holiday Sparkle Bazaar: The fourth annual Holiday Sparkle Bazaar, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Albany Unit 10, will take place Friday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 10, 1215 SE Pacific Blvd, Albany (parking in the back, off 7th Street). The main hall will be filled with local crafters, bakers, jelly, jam and sauce makers, as well as representatives from local home-based businesses sharing their creations and wares. Half of the proceeds of the event will be going to scholarships for local girls in the class of 2022.
Silverton Christmas Market, Nov. 26-Jan. 9: An entertainment experience with food, beer, music, artisan vendor market, snowless tubing, Santa Claus and a million lights is from 5 to 9 p.m. at 895 W. Main St., Silverton. There is a fee for parking, entry, food and tubing. For more information, visit SilvertonChristmasMarket.com.
Christmas shop at a bazaar: The North Albany Community Church hosts its annual Christmas bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at 1273 W. Thornton Lake Dr. NW, Albany.
More than 95 booths include such things as Christmas décor, carved wood, bath and body products, knitted items, jewelry, pet supplies, quilted things, children’s clothing, toys, books, honey, and more. There is also raffle prizes, a bake sale, and lunch available.
This event supports the Women’s Ministry program at NACC.
SafeHaven Christmas tree raffle: Raffle tickets for SafeHaven’s annual Christmas tree raffle are now available for purchase until Sunday, Nov. 28, or sold out.
The winner will receive a seven-foot Noble Fir tree professionally decorated by Twila Boundy Taylor, AIFD, and a $500 Visa gift card. Tickets are $50; only 200 tickets will be sold.
Tickets can be purchased online at SafehavenHumane.org/event/xmas-tree, at the shelter at 32220 Old Hwy. 34 in Tangent, or at the Gift & Thrift store at 33650 OR-99E, Tangent, and 914 S. Second St., Lebanon.
Holiday photos with your pet: SafeHaven Humane Society hosts its Santa Paws photo fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5, at SafeHaven, 32220 Old Hwy. 34, Tangent.
Santa will not be present this year, but fun holiday backdrops are provided to set the scene for pets and owners. Sign up at the door and wait in the car. Masks must be worn until it’s photo time. Cost is $15 per digital print.
For more, visit safehavenhumane.org/event/santa-paws-4/.
Storybook Land: Christmas Storybook Land welcomes people of all ages to its 45th presentation from Dec. 3-17 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Rd. E, Albany.
This year will be a drive-through experience featuring indoor and outdoor Christmas forest wonderlands with over 100 scenes of characters from Mother Goose rhymes, children’s fairy tales and family movies, two elaborate model train displays, a Victorian village, and the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Entry is free, and candy canes will be passed out for the kids. Canned food donations will be accepted during the event. For more information, visit ChristmasStorybookLand.org.
Comedians plan ‘Pro-America’ show
Oregon-based comedians Alex Elkin and Chris Warren will perform a “pro-liberty, pro-America” show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Rio Theatre. 1439 Main St., in Sweet Home.
Their “Stand Up 4 America” 90-minute performance will include stand-up comedy, music, video animation and audience interaction.
The $22 tickets for the all-ages show are available at bit.ly/3BSSVHx.
Veterans Home to hold job fair
The Oregon Veterans Home will host a Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17.
The facility needs a variety of staffers: nursing assistants, nurses, hospitality and housekeeping personnel, recreation assistants and kitchen personnel.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Oral Hull topic for sign group talk
The Mid-Valley Low-Vision Support Group will discuss the Oral Hull Resort (near Sandy) for low- and no-sighted individuals during its 2 p.m. program Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Brookdale Grand Prairie, 1920 Grand Prairie Road, Albany.
Jeannine Anne Moore, president of the resort’s board of directors, will speak about the location, which promotes the well-being of low-vision and blind individuals through an extensive program of seminars that teach and encourage participants to excel in the face of difficult challenges.
There are no fees for this program, and no group membership is required.
Call (541) 974-6233 for more information.
Hospice offering holiday grief help
Lumina Hospice is offering a virtual workshop of Grief and the Holidays During COVID from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18.
Presented by Melissa Allen, bereavement coordinator, the free session will help those who have been bereaved plan for and prepare for the holidays.
To participate, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-and-the-holidays-during-covid-tickets-199360682167.
Light Up a Life at Samaritan hospice
Samaritan Evergreen Hospice will hold another virtual Light Up a Life ceremony on Friday, Nov. 19, to remember lost loved ones and to support hospice patients and their families.
The event will be held online at www.samhealth.org/LUAL2021. Viewers will be able to customize their experience by clicking through reflections from hospice chaplains, a memorial slideshow of hospice patients and a candle-lighting video. Since the ceremony won’t be live, visitors can enjoy the presentations at any time.
For more information, contact Samaritan Evergreen Hospice at (541) 812-4662. To participate with a donation, call Samaritan Foundation at (844) 768-4256.
LBCC seeks public address announcer
As Linn-Benton Community College approaches basketball season, it needs a public address announcer.
The paid position requires working at all home men’s and women’s basketball games, from approximately 45 minutes before tipoff through the end of the game(s). Typically, games are on Wednesday evenings (5:30/7:30 p.m. doubleheaders) and Saturday afternoons (2/4 p.m. doubleheaders).
The successful candidate should have a strong, confident vocal presence. Experience is preferred, but not required. Training is available.
Basic components of announcing include: welcome, line up introductions, in-game notables (made shot, personal fouls, substitutions, etc…. this is not a play-by-play announcer position).
Know someone who fits the bill? The goal is to fill the position by Nov. 22. Apply at www.jobs.linnbenton.edu/postings/10581 . For more information, email Mark Majeski at [email protected].
Sign up for youth basketball season
The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam is accepting registrations for the late-winter basketball season through Monday, Nov. 29.
The cost is $145 for fifth- and sixth-grade players, and $155 for players in the seventh and eighth grade.
Practices begin on Monday, Jan. 3, the same day season schedules are released. Games are scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 17.
Registration forms are available online at https://bit.ly/3Hfz09G. For more information, contact (541) 258-7105 or email athletics and facilities director Devin Peckfelder at [email protected].
LBCC offers info on career programs
The Linn-Benton Community College Phlebotomy and Sleep Tech programs are hosting a free virtual information session from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Any and all interested community members in these programs are invited to attend. Access the Zoom session at the following link: bit.ly/3GSuLAx.
For more information about the programs, visit bit.ly/2ZVKdLg.
Dinner to honor trapper Schacht
A retirement celebration for trapper Jim Schacht, followed by a short LCLA meeting, will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Brownsville Baptist Church, 27910 Seven Mile Lane, Brownsville.
Doors open at 5 p.m. The menu includes a lamb dinner.
Topics for discussion include predator issues and cameras.
Cost is $10 general, $5 for children and $20 for dues.
RSVP for this event by contacting Lynden Brown at (541) 258-8263, (541) 859-9588 or by email at [email protected]; Mike Cowdry at (541) 979-3703 or [email protected]; Brian Thomas at (541) 221-7582 or (503) 399-5814; or Tom Nichols at (541) 990-2878 or [email protected].
B&G Club to hold warehouse sale
The Lebanon Boys & Girls Club will hold a Holiday Warehouse Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the club’s headquarters,
Items for sale have been donated by Lowe’s Distribution Center in Lebanon. There’s a little bit of everything – flooring, tile, home improvement, bathroom, hand tools, power tools, small electronics, decor, and yard and garden.
Funds raised go directly to support scholarships for children participating in Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam programs and services.
Sales will be by cash or credit card only and there will be no advance sales.
For more information, call (541) 258-7105.
Singing Christmas Tree to perform
The Singing Christmas Tree in Sweet Home will put on its 40th performance during the first weekend of December at the Sweet Home High School Auditorium, 1661 Long St.
Show times are 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec, 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Admission is free.
The program will be a mix of Christmas favorites, both sacred and secular, and Santa will pay a visit. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SHSingingTree.
Gala Christmas concert in SH
SHOCASE arts support organization in Sweet Home will put on a Christmas Gala concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Sweet Home High School Auditorium, 1661 Long St.
Headlined by rising country music artist Jessie Leigh, the line-up includes Lebanon residents Mac McNulty and Melody Reese, along with a variety of other local artists who will perform a program of traditional and contemporary vocal and instrumental holiday favorites.
General admission tickets are $15; VIP packages, which include a pre-concert meet and greet reception, hors d’oeuvres and VIP seating, are $35.
To purchase tickets, visit christmasgala.eventbrite.com.
Blood drive coming Dec. 27
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, in Activities Room A at the Veterans Care Center of Oregon, 600 North Fifth St., Lebanon.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (800) RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org (sponsor code: ORVeteransLebanon).
