Letters to Santa can be dropped off at Schock Centre
Children of all ages are welcome to write letters to Santa to be dropped off at a special mailbox set up in front of the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.
The mailbox will be available through Wednesday, Dec. 18, according to a post on the city of Elgin’s website. No postage is required. Letters that include a sealed envelope with a return address will receive a response that will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 20, the post said.
For more information, call 847-531-7000.
Free Christmas concert at Elgin’s Evangelical Covenant Church
A free public Christmas concert will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave., Elgin.
Performers include tenors Jeorge Holmes, Simon Lee and Franco Martorana; soprano Rise Jones; violinist Daniela Folker; and piano accompanist Murna Hansemann, according to a news release. Traditional and popular holiday songs will be performed.
A reception with light refreshments will follow. Reservations are not required. A free-will offering will be taken.
For more information, call 847-888-2302.
Nativity sets being auctioned by West Dundee church
More than 120 Nativity sets collected from around the world are on display at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee and will be sold via silent auction through Sunday, Dec. 8.
The sets were donated by longtime parishioner Muriel Fenzel, according to a news release. Bid winners will be contacted and auction proceeds will benefit the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent dePaul Society.
Fenzel and her late husband, Hampshire Dodge dealership operator John Fenzel, collected the sets while traveling around the world. Each represents a specific culture and are made from wood, straw, ceramic, stained or blown glass, and other materials. Fenzel also purchased sets online to add to her collection.
“It is my hope that the families who see these Nativity scenes will find a special place in their home for one that represents a special country or scene for them,” Fenzel said in the release.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is located at 845 W. Main St., West Dundee. For more information, call 847-426-2217.
December holiday-themed programming at Fox River libraries
Fox River Valley Libraries will be offering several holiday-themed programs in December, including:
- Holiday Music Trivia, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Black & Gray Brewing, 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee;
- Sewing Studio: DIY Felt Ornaments for children in grades 4 through 8, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Randall Oaks Library, 500 N. Randall Road, West Dundee;
- Diorama Ornaments for teens in grades 6 through 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee;
- Winter Press-On Nail Art, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Dundee Library;
- Holiday Guitar Concert featuring local performers and the library’s Battle of the Bands winner Satara, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Dundee Library.
- Cookie Decorating Drop-In for all ages, 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Dundee Library.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas ornament-making for teens in grades 6 through 12, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Dundee Library.
To register for events, go to www.frvpld.info or call 847-428-3661.
ECC Arts Center offering passes to Elgin Township seniors
Building on the success of a pilot program launched last spring, the Elgin Community College Arts Center is continuing its partnership with Elgin Township to provide free access to select performances for local seniors.
Senior Access Passes allow holders to attend designated performances free of charge, according to a news release. They can be obtained at the Elgin Township Office, 729 S. McClean Blvd., Elgin, and must be presented at the ECC Arts Center box office to redeem a free ticket.
This fall, participating seniors received complimentary tickets to three CenterStage shows and the fall drama “You Can’t Take It With You.” They can attend six college ensemble concerts scheduled for December, the release said.
To date, approximately 200 seniors have taken advantage of the program.
For more information about the pass program and upcoming performances at the ECC Arts Center, go to eccartscenter.com or call the ECC Arts Center box office at 847-622-0300.
Blood drive at St. Hugh of Lincoln Thursday, Dec. 5
St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church in Elgin is partnering with Versiti Blood Center to host a community blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
There is a critical need for donors during the holiday season, according to a post on the church’s website. Those who donate are asked to eat a healthy meal and to drink plenty of water beforehand.
Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is appreciated. The church is located at 36W957 Highland Ave.
To register, go to www.Versiti.org/IL or call the blood center at 800-786-4483. For more information on the blood drive, go to www.sthugh.net.
