Look at this festive lineup of Christmas movies, both old and new, and live theater productions on stage at The Iowa Theater! The response to “Elf” last weekend was so great that they filled the theater and had to turn a few people away, but they kindly left their donated canned goods anyway. This Saturday The Iowa will be playing A Christmas Story on a loop from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, free for participants in the Winterset Tour of Homes (details on that below). Then it will play again as a ticketed screening that evening at 7:00.

This evening, if you need something sparkly for someone on your Christmas list, be sure to visit the Holiday Open House at b.shannon designs from 5:00 to 8:00.

Re:home is also open this weekend, Today through Sunday (Thursday 11:00 to 7:00, Friday 10:00 to 6:00, Saturday 9:00 to 5:00, Sunday 12:00 to 4:00.

American State Bank will host its annual Holiday Open House on Friday, December 1st from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The day will include photos with Santa beginning at 2:00 pm, plus bank giveaways, prize drawings, and refreshments. Don’t forget that American State Bank is a Toys for Tots drop-off location, and you can also make food donations for area food banks.

The annual St. Paul Lutheran Church Tour of Homes took a year off last year and was greatly missed. This year the event is back and will be held Saturday morning from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $13.00 at St Paul Lutheran Church, Heartland Fiber, Pine Creek, Harvest Creek, and the Madison County Chamber office. Tickets will also be sold at the church the day of the tour for $15.00. Refreshments and a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees will be held at the church.

Robin Paul at Madhaus Gallery is hosting a Glassblowing Christmas Trees event this Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. And next Saturday, December 9th, it’s Glassblowing Snowmen! Sign up for a half hour time slot. The cost for Christmas Trees is $75, and Snowmen are $30. Call Robin to reserve a spot at 515.707.4309.

Winterset Public Library has two very informative programs this Saturday: Our Neighbors the Amish at 10:00 and Tax 101 Workshop at 1:00. Registration is required for the first one and preferred for the second.

The Winterset Art Center is offering two classes this weekend: Calligraphy Basics on Saturday from 11:00 to Noon, and Zen Weaving on Sunday from 1:00 to 2:30. Click these links to see the full details about instructors, class fees, and registration requirements for each.

Covered Bridges Winery is hosting Ron Burchett this Saturday evening from 7:00 to 10:00 for Music at the Winery, with food available by Up in Smoke from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Covered Bridges Winery also has some great baskets for Christmas gifts, available during their tasting room hours on the weekends!

The annual Community Band Christmas Concert is this Sunday in Miller Auditorium at 4:00, with soup supper by the Winterset Band Boosters at 5:00.

Coming Soon

This year’s Christmas production by The Winterset Stage includes two short stories that will delight the whole family: O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi and A Visit from St. Nicholas (or The Night Before Christmas). Performances will be December 7-9 at 7:00 pm, and December 10 at 2:00 pm, all at The Iowa Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 515-462-5156.

The Library’s festive Holiday Open House is scheduled for December 9th from 10:00 to Noon.

The Winterset square will be dressed up for an evening of Christmas shopping on Thursday, December 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Check out Lights… Christmas… Action!

And look who’s making a return appearance on stage in Winterset on December 22nd?! Sarah Zahn, who provided headline entertainment at the 2017 Covered Bridge Festival, will be performing A Holiday Concert on stage at The Iowa Theater.

Be on the lookout for some wonderful opportunities being offered for students during the upcoming holiday break from school. Here are some great ones planned at the Winterset Public Library.

Finally…

Don’t forget to take a drive through the holiday lights on display at the Madison County Historical Complex every evening from 5:00 to 10:00 pm through the holidays. Donations are accepted in the mailbox at the museum.

Also, Junior Optimist coordinator Randy McDonald and three JOI students – Caden Kleemeier, Bridget Stover, and Darci Wiseman – recently attended a Winterset Optimist Club meeting to share their projects and activities. The JOI club has 81 members and is comprised of 7th and 8th graders. Some of their projects include helping with the annual track meet, Turkey Dinner, and Fun Night at the elementary school. This year the Optimists, with help from the JOI, served 455 people at the Turkey Dinner and donated 60 meals to Matura. The Optimists meet on Friday mornings at Montross Cafe at 6:30 am.