ETC: Historical Society to present Community Christmas Dec. 7

        Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society will present its Community Christmas Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brandville School Museum Complex, 1133 Grasser St., Oregon. Admission is free.
        Organizers are expecting 600-800 people at the popular event, which is celebrating its third year.
        Children can take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Old St. Nick. They will also enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and receive an entry to win a Christmas tree and a week at OJHS’s Children’s history camp.
        Visitors can walk through the “Parade of Trees,” featuring more than 30 Christmas trees for sale or up for raffle. Attendees can also purchase festive Christmas décor, wreaths and trees, baked goods and Christmas gift items. All can enter to win Christmas trees and raffle baskets.
        The City of Oregon is cosponsoring the event. For more information, visit ojhs.org.
       
Tree lighting set
        A Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at Northwood Community Center, 3700 Main St.
        The community is invited to kick off the season with a magical evening featuring performances by the Northwood High School Choir and Nye Dance Productions, pictures with Santa, holiday treats and beverages and more.
        The event is free and open to everyone.
 
Olde Fashioned Christmas
        On Friday Dec. 6, at 5:15 p.m., Santa’s friends from the Portage District Fire Department will be guiding him through the streets of the village as he announces his arrival and opens the 2024 holiday season.
        At 6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Log Cabin to light the village Christmas tree and to visit with the children. After their visit with Santa, the children will receive a punch card good for cookies, cocoa and crafts at downtown businesses. Those who participate in all activities will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. The drawing will be held Wednesday, Dec. 11.
        Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for visits from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
 
Breakfast with Santa
        Oregon-Northwood Rotary will present Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8-10 a.m. at Clay High School, 5665 Seaman Rd., Oregon.
        Join Santa for a pancake breakfast featuring eggs, pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Bring a camera to take photos with Santa.
        The event will also include crafts, a storytime, a bike raffle and more.
        The cost is $5 per person. Visit facebook.com/OregonNorthwoodRotaryClub for more info.
 
Photos with Santa
        Andy’s Army Canine Cancer Project will present Photos with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gladieux Home Center, 5120 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
        Kids, pets and families are welcome. No appointment is necessary. The donation is $10 (cash only) for a 4 x 6-inch printed color photo.
        A bake sale will also be available.
        Proceeds raised will benefit canine cancer research.
 
Oregon Tree Lighting
        The City of Oregon will present a Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m., at 5330 Seaman Rd.
        The tree will officially light at 5:30 p.m. The celebration will also feature indoor and outdoor photo stations, a “Deck the City Halls” Walk-thru Display, Hallway Scavenger Hunt (4-5 p.m.), Christmas Trivia Giveaways, an Ornament Workshop (4-5 p.m.), photos with Mr. & Mrs. “C,” caroling with Oregon Community Theatre, Class A Performing Arts, Next Level DJs and more. For more information, call 419-698-7147 or visit oregonohio.org.
 
Drive-Thru Nativity
        Gibsonburg area churches will host a Live Drive-thru Nativity Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
        Area residents are invited to enjoy the free presentation from the comfort of their vehicles at Zion Lutheran Church located at 500 S. Brentwood Avenue, Gibsonburg.
        The Biblical Christmas story will “come to life” in nine scenes portrayed by area community members of all ages. Live animals will also be present.
        Narration will be available in sanitized CD, cassette or flash drive formats to accommodate all vehicles.
 
Heartland Sings Christmas
        The Pemberville Freedom Historical Society will welcome Heartland Sings Christmas! Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Pemberville Opera House, 115 Main St.
        The performance is part of the ongoing Live! In the House concert series.
        The vocal ensemble, with Maestro Robert Nance, will present a festive Christmas program showcasing vocal harmony and jazz stylings.
        Tickets are $15 and are available in advance at Beeker’s General Store, 226 E. Front St., Pemberville,  or by calling Carol at 419-287-4848.
        Learn more about the concert series at pembervilleoperahouse.org.
 
Christmas in the Village
        Celebrate Christmas in the Village of Walbridge Monday, Dec. 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
        The holiday celebration will kick off with a traditional holiday parade. Participants will line up at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jerome Church, 300 Warner St. The parade will make its way to the village administration building. Sign up for the parade online at walbridgeohio.org, under “Current News” and click on the “Christmas in the Village” flyer.
        At 6:15 p.m. there will be a lighting of the village’s new 25-foot LED Christmas tree in front of the administration building.
        At 6:30 p.m., everyone is invited to make their way inside the administration building to enjoy some hot cocoa, visit with Santa, decorate cookies, paint rocks for the rock train and enjoy holiday games.
        Visit walbridgeohio.org for more information.
 
Visit with Mrs. Claus
        Children and families will have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Claus at the Walbridge Library, 108 N. Main St., on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m.
        During her visit, she will read Christmas-themed picture books, and there will also be singing and fun activities.
        No registration is required.
 
Ugly Christmas Sweater Run And Walk planned
        The Gibsonburg Holiday Tradition  will continue for the 10th straight year as the Ugly Christmas Sweater Run and Walk steps off on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m.
        The 5K (3.1 Mile) run and walk will start and finish at Gibsonburg Town Hall on N. Webster Street.
        As in years past, entry fee for the event will be a new and unwrapped toy or non-perishable food items. Toys collected will be distributed to young people in need of a brighter Christmas from the community by the Gibsonburg Ministerial Association and Gibsonburg School District. Food items will be placed on the shelves of the Gibsonburg Food Pantry.
        Special awards will be presented to the adult male and female and youth boy and girl with the “ugliest” Christmas Sweaters.
        In addition, “world famous” Ideal Bakery donuts will be served at Town Hall after the event.
        For more information, call 419-637-2634 or email m.glotzbecker@gibsonburgohio.org.
 
New Year’s Eve Sausage Drop set
        The Elmore Historical Society and Tank’s Meats will present the 2024 New Year's Eve Sausage Drop Dec. 31 from 4-6 p.m. at the EHS Barn, 353 Ottawa St., Elmore.
        Doors will open at 4 p.m. for bingo and snacks. A Sausage-Eating Contest will begin at 5 p.m. (entrants must pre-register before the contest starts). Pirates of the Portage will entertain in the cabin from 4-6 p.m.
        The highlight of the event will be the Sausage Drop and fireworks presented by the Harris-Elmore Fire Department and volunteers at 6 p.m.