It’s December, which means that as of today you’re officially allowed to hang up Christmas lights without any judgment from your neighbors. Don’t just take my word for it: A recent survey of ~4,000 US homeowners found that December 1st was the day most people identified as acceptable to put up Christmas lights! So…
Holiday Lights on The Hill
Daily through December 31st
Madison County Historical Museum Complex
Once again, the Madison County Historical Society has decked its ‘hills’ with an outdoor light display. Open daily to the public and running through the end of the year, guests are invited to meander around the circle drive and take in the various displays near the outbuildings. There is no cost to enjoy our lighted display, however, a free-will donation can be dropped in the mailbox near the museum entrance to help defray the expense of the lights and the electricity to keep them shining. Grab the kids and a cup of cocoa, and enjoy the Holidays Lights on The Hill!
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This Weekend
Concert Series with Megan Barrett
Friday • December 2 • 2:00pm
Winterset Public Library
Head to the library on the first Friday of each month at 2:00pm for a mini-concert with Megan Barrett and friends (yes, that’s me). Music is good for the brain, the body, and the soul and each month’s program will feature a variety of tunes guaranteed to fill you with warm nostalgia, get your toe tapping, and have you humming (or singing) along. These mini-concerts are geared especially for adults, and the theme for December is holiday music featuring special guest Chris Bertelson.
The Nutcracker Ballet
December 2nd – 4th • Four Performances
Winterset Ballet & Dance at the Iowa Theater
A few tickets are available for performances of The Nutcracker this weekend at the following link: https://buy.tututix.com/WintersetBalletandDanceStudioLLC
Christmas Open House
Saturday • December 3 • 10:00 – Noon
Winterset Public Library
The Friends of the Winterset Public Library invite you to their annual Christmas Open House to enjoy treats and live music. The music schedule includes Musical Story Time with Miss Megan from 10:00 – 10:30, performances from Madison County Music Co. from 10:30 – 11:00, Ava Lemon from 11:00 – 11:30, and Sue (Benge) Hansen on her flute from 11:30 – Noon.
Community Band Concert
Sunday • December 4 • 4:00pm
Henry C Miller Auditorium, Winterset High School
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Next Week
Women’s Giving Circle 4th Quarter Meeting
Monday • December 5 • 6:00 – 8:00pm
Union State Bank Community Room
The 4th quarter Madison County Women’s Giving Circle meeting will be Monday, December 5, from 6:00 to 8:00, in Union State Bank’s Community Room in Winterset. The meeting will be a potluck social event with no presentations. Union State Bank is providing coffee. Tableware will be provided. Bring your $50 check made out to Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Prospective members are welcome to attend and learn about the Madison County Women’s Giving Circle.
Musical Story Time with Miss Megan
Wednesday • December 7 • 10:00am
Winterset Public Library
Bring your baby, toddler, or pre-school aged kiddo to the Library on Wednesday morning for a 30-minute mini-concert just for kids! Miss Megan from Madison County Music Co. will entertain and engage young audiences with a variety of age-appropriate musical selections.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Wednesday • December 7 • 7:00pm
Way Back Wednesday at the Iowa Theater
As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs. 1989, PG-13, 1 hr 37 min
Ever wondered why the title includes “National Lampoon?” National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation originated from a short story by writer John Hughes called “Christmas ’59”, which was published in the December 1980 issue of National Lampoon magazine. National Lampoon was an American humor magazine that ran from 1970 to 1998. The magazine started out as a spinoff from the Harvard Lampoon. National Lampoon magazine reached its height of popularity and critical acclaim during the 1970s, when it had a far-reaching effect on American humor and comedy. (cue theme song…’the more you know…’)
Gallery Walk: Fiber Art Now – Excellence in Quilts 2022 Exhibit
Friday • December 9 • 4:30 reception, 5:00 gallery walk
Iowa Quilt Museum
The current exhibit at the Iowa Quilt Museum showcases 27 quilts chosen by Nancy Bavor, Juror to the Call for Quilts from Fiber Art Now in the Spring of 2022. Nancy will lead this event on Friday, December 9, walking attendees through the gallery while also discussing the selection process, talking about the artists and their inspiration, and explaining why these particular quilts were chosen and show why they stood out from the other submissions.
Kathy Suprenant and Lisa Ellis, two artists whose work is shown in the exhibit will also be in attendance.
A reception with light appetizers and wine will start at 4:30, with the gallery walk to follow at 5:00pm. This event is FREE so make sure to register now before it’s filled!
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Winter Solstice Preview Night & PJ Party with Santa
Friday • December 9 • 5:30 – 7:30pm
Winterset Livery, 116 S 1st Ave
Parents and grandparents…enjoy a special night at the Winter Solstice Market and shop while the kiddos are entertained. The young’uns will enjoy a light meal (grilled cheese, chips & beverage), listen to an Iowa-based Christmas story read by Dio Ayala, Madison County Emergency Manager, enjoy some Christmas music with Madison County Music Co. and visit with Santa—all while you enjoy the Winter Solstice Market distraction-free!
Winter Solstice Market
Saturday • December 10th • 10:00 – 4:00
Sunday • December 11th • 12:00 – 4:00
Winterset Livery, 116 S 1st Ave
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Santa & Reindeer Event
Saturday • December 10 • 3:00 – 5:00pm
Madison County Historical Complex
Santa and his reindeer are making a special visit on The Hill and would like you to stop by and say “Hello!” Be sure to bring your wish list to share with Santa, and then have your picture taken, free of charge, to commemorate this fun event. Pictures will be taken by museum staff and emailed to you the following week to capture this memory. Don’t leave before also visiting with Santa’s reindeer and sitting in his sleigh! Santa is bringing a goodie bag to hand out to the first 200 kids.
Heartland Youth Choir WinterSongs Concert
Saturday • December 10 • 4:00pm
First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson
Heartland Youth Choir and Madison County Music Co invite you to their Winter Songs concert. Experiencing the musical talents of young people in our community is sure to fill you with the holiday spirit!
Lessons, Carols & Reflections of Christmas
Sunday • December 11 • 4:00pm
First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson
Four Winterset congregations—First United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church & Winterset Foursquare Church—are joining together to create a celebration of the Advent Season featuring music, scripture and original reflections. The community is invited to attend this celebration of the season.
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Planning Ahead
History on the Hill O’ Beans
Tuesday • December 13 • 9:00am
Madison County Historical Museum Lounge
Head up ‘the hill’ to the Madison County Historical Museum for coffee and to learn about Victorian Christmas traditions and how they have been celebrated in Madison County. After a short presentation, those in attendance are invited to share their own insights on the topic. This event is free and open to the public.
Beer Choir: Christmas Edition
Friday • December 16 • 7:00pm
The Drift with Madison County Music Co.
Beer Choir is a social singing event open to all, no talent required! It’s so simple—you get a beer, get a seat, and let yourself be led through a couple hours of hilarious drinking songs from the official songbook, the Beer Choir Hymnal! This time around, the choir will also be singing from the Holiday Nog Chaser Supplement!
Non-beer drinkers are also welcome—The Drift has a great selection of wines, cocktails, appetizers and soft drinks. And if you just want to drink and listen, you’re welcome, too, but don’t be surprised when you end up joining in the singing!
Christmas Concert: Madison County Community Choir
Sunday • December 18 • 4:00pm
First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson
Living Nativity
Wednesday • December 21 • 6:00 – 8:00pm
Thursday • December 22 • 6:00 – 8:00pm
First United Methodist Church at the Madison County Historical Society
Celebrate the Advent season and Christmas with this unique representation of the birth of Jesus, sponsored by Winterset’s First United Methodist Church in cooperation with other Winterset churches and community members.
Follow the star to the Madison County Historical Museum complex, where you’ll be greeted by the innkeeper, escorted by the shepherds, serenaded by the angels, and have the opportunity to observe the Holy Family and the baby Jesus. You can also enjoy a display of nativity sets and refreshments inside the museum lounge before or after your tour through the Live Nativity.
There is no admission charge and all are welcome.
You can also check out the community calendar page to see how events align with your own calendar!
It’s a GREAT day to be a Winterset Citizen—
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