BALDWIN
DEC 9-11
What: GCSU’s “The Nutcracker” When: 7 p.m. (9th & 10th), 2 p.m. (11th) Where: Russell Auditorium More info: Georgia College’s annual holiday dance extravaganza returns for its 25th year! Celebrate this festive tradition featuring dancers of all ages from the community dance and dance minor programs. Buy tickets at https://www.bigtickets.com/events/gcsu/br.
DEC. 9-25
What: Reindeer Flight School When: 6-9 p.m. Where: 101 Sportsmans Club Road Northeast More info: Walk through a winter wonderland in Baldwin County’s largest lights display! Reindeer Flight School cannot be completely seen from the road, plan to park and walk around through over 40,000 lights on trees, additional lights on snowflakes, wreaths, flying reindeer, and more on display. Photo opportunities are abundant and be sure to climb atop a life-size wooden reindeer. Santa sightings are possible nightly, but he typically appears on Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free to all but donations are greatly appreciated! The Reindeer Flight School is off 441, near Serenity Spa. Turn on Old Sportsman Club Road then the third street on the right. You cannot miss it! Lights and Santa do not appear in the rain.
DEC. 12-16
What: Milly Trolley Express When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Historic Trolley Tour More info: Take a magical ride on the Milly Trolley Express when you purchase a golden ticket. You will be greeted by the trolley conductor who will take you on a journey to the North Pole! Board the trolley & listen to Liam Neeson’s reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg and interact with characters from the movie. Upon arrival at our North Pole, disembark & visit Santa. He will be giving true believers the first present of Christmas! Hot chocolate & cookie refreshments are also included. Tickets are $20.00 and go on sale November 14th.
TUESDAY, DEC. 13
What: ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Chappell Hall at GCSU More info: This ServSafe™ program is nationally recognized and accepted by the Georgia Health Department, and the certification is valid for five years. The fee includes instruction and a paper exam. The deadline to register is December 5. Register at https://coned3.gcsu.edu/ wconnect/ace/CourseStatus.awp?&course=23275401
FRIDAY, DEC. 16
What: Wizard Yule Ball Mystery Dinner When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Dungeons & Daiquiris More info: A Wizarding School Murder Mystery Dinner set to the Yule Ball! Come join Dungeons & Daiquiris in your Yule Ball finest and solve a murder mystery with your fellow guests! A $30 ticket includes a food and drink item.
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
What: Holiday Open House When: 7-9 p.m. Where: John Marlor Center More info: Join the John Marlor Arts Center for catered light refreshments, a performance by the Bowman Hill Experience, and as always, view the wonderful collection of art in the galleries. Everyone is welcome to participate in this festive evening.
SUNDAY, DEC. 18
What: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting When: 6 p.m. Where: West Hancock Street in front of The Local Yolkal Cafe WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
What: Ocmulgee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Training When: 1-4 p.m. Where: Lakeview Academy, 220 N/ ABC St., Milledgeville More info: CASA will hold a new volunteer training class beginning Jan. 18, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. at Lakeview Academy in Milledgeville. The nine required training sessions will be held every Monday and Wednesday through February 15. CASA volunteers serve as a voice for children in foster care. For more information, call 478-452-9170.
PUTNAM
SATURDAYS, DEC. 10, 17
What: All Angels Church Annual Nut Sale When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Schremmer Auto Service Center, 200 S. Jefferson Ave. More info: The weather is cool and it’s time for Christmas baking. We are offering pecan halves and pralines, walnuts, mixed-nuts and cashews. The one-pound bags are great stocking stuffers, a great value priced below local stores, and all proceeds support community outreach programs of All Angels Church. For more information or to purchase nuts, please call 404-210-4979.
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
What: Eatonton Christmas Parade When: 1-2 p.m. Where: Downtown Eatonton More Info: Once the parade departs Putnam County Elementary School (314 S. Washington Ave.), spectators can watch it pass along S. Jefferson Ave, then N. Jefferson Ave. before turning left onto W. Wayne St., left onto N. Madison Ave., right onto Marion, and left onto S. Washington, heading back to the school. After the parade, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for free photographs (with your own camera) at Eatonton City Center Stage, followed by a Christmas-themed movie at 5:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, DEC. 12 (2ND TUESDAY EACH MONTH)
What: Grief Support Meeting When: 7-8 p.m. Where: Peaceful Purpose Hospice of Georgia (meeting at Putnam Chamber of Commerce office, 108 W. Marion St., Eatonton).
More info: You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Join Peaceful Purpose Hospice of Georgia’s caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences during their grief support held on the second Tuesday of each month.
GREENE
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
What: Holiday Charcuterie Class When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Lake & Local, 104 S. Main Street, Greensboro More info: Learn how to create a beautiful, holidaythemed charcuterie board. Receive instruction and plenty of delicious goodies while you make your board, and you get to take home your wooden charcuterie board. Register online at lakeandlocal.com, $90 per person. Call 706-920-1130 for more information.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21
What: Blue Christmas/Winter Solstice Prayer Service When: 12 p.m. (noon) Where: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 303 N. Main St., Greensboro
More info: Unfortunately for many people, the Christmas season can be far from joyful. Some have experienced deep losses, while others live with chronic depression whose symptoms often increase during the shorter days of December. With this in mind, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is offering a “Blue Christmas” prayer service as a safe space for those who wish to bring their grief, depression and loss and offer them to our loving God who desires wholeness, healing, and peace for all. Everyone is welcome.
MORGAN
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
What: Shop Small & Stocking Stuffer Saturdays When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Downtown Madison More Info: Shop Small Saturday to celebrate the great independent retailers that make Madison unique. Spend $26 with a downtown merchant and be entered to win one of two $100 Downtown Dollar gifts from Madison Main Street. Then return a week later to pick up last-minute stocking stuffers Dec. 10, during Stocking Stuffer Saturday.
What: Madison Holiday Parade When: 4-5 p.m. Where: Downtown Madison More Info: Our theme this year is Merry, Merry, Movies. Watch the parade along College Ave., N. Main St., and W. Jefferson St. The parade is free to enter and open to clubs, businesses, civic groups, families, and individuals, download your entry form at www.MadisonGA.com/Parade. The parade will temporarily close College Dr., N. Main St., W. Jefferson St., and Second St., as well as intersecting streets along the route. Follow the parade to Town Park for Caroling By Candlelight & Santa’s Tent, 5-7 p.m. Line up to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus under the big tent, free! Christmas music, hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting, and caroling make for a fun evening.