The Mirror Newspapers Reflecting Life Along The Maumee River
BY KAREN GERHARDINGER | MIRROR REPORTER — Getting into the holiday spirit is easy this year with a full lineup of activities in the Anthony Wayne area.
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“A Waterville Christmas to Remember” will take place on North Second Street and North Third Street in downtown Waterville on Saturday, December 3 from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m.
On North Second Street, experience food trucks, free cookies, face painting, kids’ crafts and music. Food trucks will be parked in front of city hall, where city council members will be inside serving up cookies. The Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce will offer face painting and kids’ crafts. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church will host several events. A live Nativity will be staged on the front lawn of the church from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Inside, Zion Christian Preschool will sing a few songs in the sanctuary at 5:45 p.m. and the Anthony Wayne High School choir will sing at 6:45.
On North Third Street, several businesses will feature activities between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Stop in to write a letter to Santa at AW Nutrition Shop; make crafts at River Front Studios; get a photo in front of the green screen at Dale’s Diner; decorate an ornament at Waterville Hardware; make reindeer food at The Old House; nab a candy cane at Third Street Cigar; and sip on hot chocolate and take a horse and wagon ride from Farnsworth Cocktail Bar.
River Front Studios will host Frozen characters and Third Street Blooms will host Santa Claus from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment at the clock tower includes guitarist Taylor Mac from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Matt Richardson from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Robbie Clark from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A tree-lighting is scheduled from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. across from the clock tower next to Hall of Framers. Members of the Anthony Wayne High School band will perform.
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As part of “A Waterville Christmas to Remember,” members of the Waterville Historical Society Student Advisory Council will be dressed in period clothing and leading crafts for the entire family from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Wakeman Hall, 401 Farnsworth Rd. Light refreshments will be served. Stop by to warm up and listen to stories of Waterville’s past.
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The Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Let It Glow contest through Friday, December 16. Upload a photo of your decorated home to the chamber website at www. watervillechamber.com and compete to win $200 in local business gift cards.
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Downtown Whitehouse will usher in the holidays with a race, bike parade, tree-lighting and kids’ activities on Saturday, December 3 beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Providence Street businesses will welcome children from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to make a variety of crafts: a snowman thumbprint ornament at The Whitehouse Nutrition Stop, hot chocolate mug at The Buzz Family Diner, reindeer ornament at Julie’s Fitness Studio, Christmas wish box at Ordinary Pioneer, magic reindeer food at Local Thyme, snow globe with a photo at Triotech Corpora-tion, a letter to Santa at Whitehouse Inn, door hanger inside the historic log home, and hot chocolate at General’s Ice Cream.
The Christmas Village 5K & Reindeer Dash Kids’ Run starts at 4:30 p.m. but the race area opens in front of CycleWerks at 3:00 p.m. and includes adult beverages, race registration and vendor booths including Olde Tyme Kettle Korn, Task Force 20, Spotlight Studio, Mercy Health Life Flight Network, Rebecca’s Cand-les, Nature’s Nursery, Courageous Community Services, The Mindful Lotus and Lemon Drop Custom Craftery.
A holiday bike parade down Providence Street starts at Whitehouse Primary School at 6:00 p.m. and ends at Whitehouse Village Park for the tree-lighting. Bring a bicycle decorated with lights and holiday decor and meet at the school at 5:30 p.m. Riders of all ages are welcome.
Santa will visit Local Thyme from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with professional photos for $20.00 and after the tree-lighting at Whitehouse Park at no charge.
Whitehouse police and fire departments are competing to see who collects the most new, unwrapped toys to give to children in need. Members of both departments will be on hand during the tree-lighting to collect gifts, which are due by Thursday, December 8.
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Lial Catholic School, 5700 Davis Rd., will host its annual drive-thru Nativity on the school grounds on Saturday, December 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. With lights, music and several scenes from the Christmas story, the outdoor event will convey the spirit of the Christmas season. Dona-tions will be accepted to benefit hurricane relief through Catholic Charities.
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Monclova Historical Foundation and The Lakes of Monclova are hosting a visit from Santa Claus in the Monclova Community Center’s historical post office on Wednesday, Dec-ember 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Callan Photography will take photos while children sit on Santa’s lap, mail a letter and enjoy treats.
The Monclova Comm-unity Center, 8115 Mon-clova Rd., is also partnering with Monclova Primary School to host an Angel Tree to collect items for local families in need. The tree has tags listing the items needed – including clothing, household items, toiletries and toy suggestions. To pick up a tag, stop by the center during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday or stop by if traffic is in the lot – meaning the doors are open. For more information, call (419) 861-1336.
