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
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!
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!
The Banshees of Inisherin
December 9 & 10 • 7:00pm, December 11 • 2:00pm
The Iowa Theater
On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, Pádraic is devastated when his buddy Colm suddenly puts an end to their lifelong friendship. With help from his sister and a troubled young islander, Pádraic sets out to repair the damaged relationship by any means necessary. However, as Colm’s resolve only strengthens, he soon delivers an ultimatum that leads to shocking consequences. Rated R, 1hr 54min
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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Next Week
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 next Tuesday 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.
A Christmas Story
Wednesday • December 14 • 7:00pm
Way Back Wednesday at the Iowa Theater
Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.” Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact. 1983, PG, 1 hr 34 min
Christmas Bird Count
Thursday • December 15th
Join the Madison County Conservation Board for the 7th Annual Northeast Madison County Christmas Bird Count on Thursday, December 15th.
Teams of birders (all levels welcome!) will split up to cover different areas of our count circle, keeping a tally of which species and how many are observed. It’s a great way to explore the Madison County countryside and enjoy the company of fellow birders! Volunteers may choose to volunteer for the entire day, morning only, or afternoon only.
If you live within the Madison County Circle, you may participate by counting birds that visit your backyard bird feeders during that time and reporting the information to the conservation board.
If you would like to participate, contact Tanner Donovan at tdonovan@madisoncounty.iowa.gov or 515-250-8271. Volunteers will receive more detailed information.
The annual Christmas Bird Count has been conducted every year since 1900, and now there are over 2,500 count circles in North America and beyond. The Christmas Bird Count is designed to gather a “snapshot” of bird population data by enlisting volunteers nation-wide to help survey the birds in their area. As each organization registers to help with the bird count, they are assigned a 15-mile diameter in their area where they are responsible for conducting a one-day bird count survey. The survey is conducted by local volunteer bird watchers who record the birds they see or hear in a certain area throughout the day.
At the end of the day the data from the survey is submitted to the national database and is compiled by the National Audubon Society. Each organization conducts a one-day bird survey in their assigned area between December 14th and January 5th. The survey is conducted annually using the same bird count circle and birding routes in order to show population trends.
To learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, visit: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
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
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Planning Ahead
What would you like to see in Winterset?
Hi Friends and Neighbors,
My name is Deborah Helt and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and owner of Light Gets In Therapy Center. I have lived in Winterset for the last two years.
I am excited to announce that I just opened a local office at 123 W Jefferson (within the space also occupied by the Madison County Music Co.) More information about my background and training can be found here: http://deborahheltmft.com/about. I specialize in working with adult individuals and couples, but also have extensive experience working with children and teens. After the new year I will be available to see local therapy clients in person.
I am also excited to announce that we are working on building out two other offices- one designed for child therapy and one for body work such as massage and other modalities. Here are a few pictures of our spaces.
We hope to expand the number of providers in Winterset who are available to provide therapy for children and teens. We are also interested in inviting practitioners of other modalities (massage, aromatherapy, facials, IVs, etc.) that are of interest to the community so local residents can access these services without having to drive to the city.
It would be a huge support to us if you could click the link below and complete our four question survey letting us know what types of services are of most interest to you.
Thank you in advance!
If you have any questions you can also reach me at deb@lightgetsintherapy.com.
Best Wishes,
Deb
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.
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Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/huatfxmx
Kindergarten-2nd: https://tinyurl.com/3wm5bfwh
3rd-6th Grade: https://tinyurl.com/ycktcsyb
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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American State Bank
Anchored Walls
Ben Franklin
Covered Bridge Realty
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
HIRTA RSVP
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
McGowen Hurst Clark Smith
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department
Winterset Travel & U-Haul Rental
