Carols, Choirs, Crafts; Wreaths, Walks, and a Velveteen Rabbit

Doings this weekend

 For many years the Friends of the White Cloud Library have been putting on a dinner event with small decorative trees and wreaths on the auction block (silent auction block, that is). Swiss steak is the star of the dinner held at the Eagles Club and proceeds will go toward the groups efforts to help the WCCL the well loved oasis of fun and learning in the county seat. Friday 4:30-7pm, 8 bucks a plate and some truly fine looking trees and wreaths on display for perusal and purchase.
 
Friday at 6pm is the Christmas Walk a time honored downtown Newaygo tradition that has closed the streets to all but horse drawn carriages wandering carolers and holiday revelers for over a decade. It is all the chestnut roasting, wagon riding, Santa sitting fun one can have in a 2 hour binge. If you’ve never been, it is a wonderful way to generate a little seasonal spark. And if you have? You’re likely a regular.
 
We recall being at the inaugural St. Nick Kick when a collection of brave souls took off in a bit of a snowstorm to benefit the Newaygo Cross Country program.
Man,  has it grown. The SNK has become one of the area’s ‘must’ runs and they do it really well and we’re not saying that just because Newaygo Cross Coach Alexis Mercer is the N3 Editor.
Well, maybe partly but it’s still a great race and if we ever decided to extend our footwork beyond trips to the mailbox this would be the race we would run.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/9th-annual-choiceone-bank-st-nick-kick
 
Saturday afternoon you can head back up to the Cloud for more Christmas doings from Noon to 3pm. Lots of events and activities and Santa will be making an appearance as well.
 
Bellewether has their annual open house Saturday from 11am-3pm featuring pet photos with Santa, their always enticing dog and cat calendars, pet (and human) goodies and toys because pets can never have enough toys. Microchipping is also available so if Bowser or Sylvester tends to wander this process provides a little insurance should they get a bit lost.
 
Not had your fill of craft shows? If you want to travel to GR Saturday 9am-3pm the one they annually hold at West Catholic has been one of the premier shows in our Metro neighbor to the south for many years  but if you still have the itch and want to keep it local check out the one at Grant Christian School starting at 10am.
 
Got a wreath-making desire going? The Howard Christensen Nature Center where you can fashion a grapevine wreath with foraged cuttings and personalize it with trimmings. Everything supplied, including refreshments for the bargain price of 10 bucks for non members and a mere fin for members. 
http://www.howardchristensen.org/product/12-08-wreath-making-craft-make-and-take/
 
Our columnist Megan (Megan Again) has organized a caroling tour of some local nursing homes for Sunday.
Here’s the skinny  straight from the keyboard of writer/singer/domestic goddess  Ms. Wirts.
Join me my friends and family in spreading joy this holiday season by singing some classic carols together!
We will meet on Sunday December 8th at 12:00pm in the parking lot at Fountain View Retirement Village in Grant. We plan to also travel to the Newaygo Medical Care Facility in Fremont, meeting there at 4:00pm. Dress festively! I will provide song lyrics and a loud voice. Raven will be bringing her ukulele, otherwise we will be doing this acapella. Invite others to join! The more the merrier! 
 
If you’ve any small ones at home or have the rep at being that ‘Fun’ aunt call up and get tickets to the Velveteen Rabbit production at the Dogwood Sunday at 3pm. If you know the story you will love this version and so will the littles you bring. If you don't know the story you will still love it and perhaps be buying yourself the book for Christmas.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/velveteen-rabbit-at-the-dogwood-on-december-8
 
And Sunday night you can wrap  up the weekend with the annual River Country Community Choir Concert at the Grant Fine Arts Center beginning at 6pm. Over 50 folks will be tuning up their vocal chords to entertain attendees with some really fine choral arrangements for just  a free will offering as the price of admission and proceeds heading to Love INC.
 
We know, we know it’s a lot and there is likely more on the way but hey, January and February are going to give you ample time to hunker in and do a little hibernating so get out there and revel folks.