Festivities planned to mark holidays

SIKESTON -- It's hard to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone, and whichever holiday you celebrate in December -- Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Rohatsu, Ramadan, Yule, etc. -- it's all just around the corner!

The Historic Midtown Development Group would like to thank the downtown merchants for participating in the Holiday Open House on Nov. 9 and 10. Shoppers had the opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping, while enjoying the carriage rides, Santa Claus, Children's Story Time (hosted by the Sikeston Public Library) and other activities. Congratulations go out to Tom Merick, the winner of the $200 punch card contest, sponsored by Craftmasters' Kidsmart, Paul's Christian Bookstore, Susie's Bake Shoppe and Restaurant, Falkoff's Men's Shop, Purse 'N' ality, Personal Expressions, Bo's Jewelry and Pawn, King's Jewelry and Repair, The Accent Shop, and Sam's Fine Jewelry.

Our Christmas ornaments are going fast. Be sure to buy yours at Susie's Bake Shoppe, Personal Expressions, Falkoff's Men's Shop, Bo's Jewelry and Pawn, the Sikeston Public Library or the Sikeston Depot Museum. These numbered, limited edition pieces are $20 each and proceeds benefit Downtown Sikeston.

Mark your calendars for Sikeston's Christmas Gift Weekend on Dec. 1 and 2. There are several holiday events taking place throughout the community, most of which are free and all of which will offer refreshments.

The Historic Midtown Development Group hosts Santa at the Band Stand on Saturday, December 1. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can meet and get their picture taken with Santa Claus at the Malone Park Band Stand. While you wait, enjoy free hot chocolate, cookies, and listen to Christmas carols sung by a local madrigal caroling group.

The Sikeston Little Theater will present its production of "The Littlest Angel" on Saturday, December 1. Show times are at 1, 3 and 7 p.m. and tickets are free. Contributing members of the Sikeston Little Theater have first dibs on tickets, available at Collins Music, after which they will be offered to the public.

The Sikeston Depot Museum hosts its annual Christmas Home Tour from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. Highlighting this year's self-guided tour will be the Don and Rita Baker home, the oldest home in Sikeston. The homes of Brooke and Jay Reed, Barbara and Neal Ross, and Pat and Mike Marsh are also on the tour. Tickets are $10 and available on the day of the tour at The Flower Patch, Garden Lane Nursery, and the Sikeston Depot Museum.

Indoor nativity scene collections will be on display and open to the public at the Wesley Methodist Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2.

Two free Christmas concerts will also be performed next weekend. On Saturday night, Dec. 1, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will host a free Christmas concert, entitled "A Night In Bethlehem," at 7:00 p.m., and the Sikeston Community Choir's Christmas Concert will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 2.

The holiday rush starts now. Stay safe, warm, and try not to stress out too much! I'll try to take my own advice.