Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Community Calendar of upcoming events
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT AREA
Pajama Stroll: Dec. 12 CANCELLED
Christmas Music Program: Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. Parkview Home in Wayland will host a Christmas music program with Tamara Belland.
First Responder Appreciation Meal: Dec. 12 Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge #1003 will host a first responder appreciation meal. First responders and their families may enjoy a free meal, and the public is invited to attend for a free will donation. Donations will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.
Christmas Record Player Program: Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Parkview Home in Wayland will host a Christmas record player program presented by Pastor Dave Forrester.
Belle Center Grand Opening: Dec. 13 and 14 the Belle Center will celebrate its grand opening weekend. Friday, Dec. 13 the Belle Center will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and offer tours anytime between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days.
WMU Elementary caroling: Winfield-Mt. Union elementary students will carol at various locations throughout Winfield from 2:30-2 p.m. on Dec. 13.
Santa’s Workshop: Winfield-Mt. Union elementary students will shop for their friends and family at Santa’s Workshop Friday, Dec. 13. This event is sponsored by the WMU PTO and offers a variety of discounted gifts donated from the community for students to shop from.
Santa in Mt. Pleasant: Dec. 14 from 9-11 a.m. Santa will visit Mt. Pleasant Hy-Vee during the breakfast buffet.
Light of the World Cookie Walk: Dec. 14 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Mt. Pleasant Open Bible Church will host its “Light of the World” Cookie Walk. All proceeds from the cookie walk will fund local, national, and international missions.
Santa in Hillsboro: Dec. 14 beginning at 10 a.m. Santa Claus will visit Hillsboro with a special present for children 10 years of age and younger. Adults must sign up children by noon Dec. 5 by calling city hall at (319) 253-4465. Older children are welcome to join and enjoy extra treats.
New London Holiday Stroll: Dec. 14 from 5-8 p.m. enjoy activities, food, and a parade in New London.
Hollydaze: Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. SEISO will host a holiday concert at the Chapel Auditorium
Holiday Bake Sale: Dec. 14 from 5-7 p.m. VFW Post 7641 Auxiliary in New London will host its annual holiday bake sale. Proceeds will go to New London High School scholarships.
Winfield Historical Society and Museum Open House: Dec. 15 from 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 16 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy Wassail and treats while touring the museum.
Saint Lucia Celebration: Swedish American Museum and Historical Society will host their annual St. Lucia Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. with Christmas carols and tradition Swedish “Lussekatter” buns.
Gift Wrapping: Sun. Dec. 15 H.J. Nugen Public Library in New London will offer gift wrapping for $2 per gift as fundraiser toward the library wish list. If this time does not work, call (319) 367-7704 to schedule an appointment. Drop off your gifts with wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes, etc. to the library and leave your contact information. You will receive a notification when your gifts are ready for pick up.
Mt. Pleasant Middle School Winter: Dec. 16 from 7-8:15 MPCMS students will perform.
Christmas Music Program: Dec. 16 Parkview Home in Wayland will host a Christmas music program with Bob Nolan beginning at 2:15 p.m.
Panther Basketball: Dec. 16 Home game in Mt. Pleasant High School gym. Varsity women tip off at 5:30 p.m. Panther men start at 7:30 p.m.
Christmas Music Program: Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Parkview Home in Wayland will host a Christmas Music Program featuring Ron Semler as Elvis Presley.
Mt. Pleasant Christian School Taco Tuesday: Dec. 17 from 5-6:30 p.m. Mt. Pleasant Christian School will host its weekly Taco Tuesday fundraiser. Food will include 10-inch softshell tacos (beef or chicken), chips & homemade salsa, walking tacos, super nachos, pop and water. Food is available for pick up or dine-in.
Moose Lodge Taco Tuesday: The Moose Lodge in Mt. Pleasant will serve tacos, walking tacos, and taco salad from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 17 with toppings included. For to-go orders call (319) 385-3526
Mt. Pleasant Childcare Center Open House: Families and community members are invited to the Mt. Pleasant Childcare Center from 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 18 for an open house.
Sunrise Terrace Open House: Dec. 19 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. staff and residents of Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield will welcome family, friends, and the community for an open house. The event will celebrate the facility’s achievements this year. Guests are invited to tour the facility at the top of each hour.
Star gazing: Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m. Henry Conservation will host a star gazing event at the Oakland Mills Nature Center
Christmas Music Program: Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Parkview Home in Wayland will host a Christmas music program with Happy Memories.
Panther Basketball: Dec. 20 Home game in Mt. Pleasant High School gym. Varsity women tip off at 6 p.m. Panther men start at 7:30 p.m.
Toy Drive give away: Dec. 20 Mt. Pleasant Police Department will host their annual toy drive give away.
Lessons and Carols: Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a service fille with choral works and Bible readings accompanied by their 1928 organ.
Quilt raffle: Winfield Historical Society and Museum will draw a winner for their quilt raffle Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Winfield Museum. Tickets are on sale at Winfield Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Winfield city offices, and the Winfield Museum. Tickets may also be purchased through board members. They are $5 for one ticket, $25 for six, and $50 for 15.
WASHINGTON AREA
Marion Avenue Baptist 50th Annual Live Animal Christmas Show: Dec. 10-15. Some showings require reservations or are only open to Washington County residents. Visit marionavenuebaptist.com for more details.
- Dec. 10, 11 and 13 at 6 p.m.
- Dec. 14 and 15 at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) Dec. 13 and 14 at Lebowski’s. Dinner at 6:30, show starts at 7:30.
Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 13, 14 at Washington Community Theater. The Dec. 13 performance starts at 6:30 p.m., the Dec. 14 show begins at 1 p.m.
Holiday Meal Kit Giveaway Dec. 14 at Mills Seed Co. Starts at 11 a.m., goes while supplies last. Traditional and Latino options are available, first-come, first-served.
Free Holiday Matinee series at the State Theater Dec. 14 and 21, and Jan. 4 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 15 and 22 and Jan. 5 from 12-2:30 p.m.
Chamber Holiday Light Fundraiser at Café Dodici Dec. 18, lunch and dinner hours.
Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 19, 12-1 p.m. at the Washington Public Library
Main Street Washington Ugly Sweater Crawl Dec. 19 from 4-7 p.m.
Free Brighton Community Dinner Dec. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Brighton’s city park. Takeout only.
Holiday LaserFest Dec. 21, 7-9 p.m. at the Washington Community Center
Café Dodici’s 20th Anniversary Celebration: Dec. 30 from 4-6 p.m.
NYE Celebration featuring Rock of Ages Dec. 31 starting at 9 p.m. at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.
FAIRFIELD AREA
Santa in Downtown Fairfield. Santa will be waiting for you in his house in Downtown Fairfield. Free cookies and cocoa, along with photo with Santa, free book and ornament. Hosted by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Event will be every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 29 through Dec. 21, from 6-8:30 p.m.
Ho Ho Ho Holiday, hosted by Jim and Teresa Huffman at a new location in the Lincoln Center at 401 W. Stone Ave. in Fairfield. Event will feature festive activities like decorating ornaments and photos with Santa, a stroll through Whoville to visit the Grinch, and the world of Harry Potter. Event will last from 5:30-8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 21.
Fairfield Indoor Farmers Market, every Saturday from November through April, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary.
Shop & Be Merry, Nov. 15-Dec. 24. Join Fairfield shops for festive sales and events. From gifts for home, grandmas, babies, and even those hard to buy for people in your life, Fairfield shops are ready to help make this holiday one of your best!
Malone Dance Theater - Embark, Dec. 13. This will be the first Iowa Dance Collective Gala. The Malone Dance Theater is the pre-professional company and program at Iowa Dance Collective. They will perform in their inaugural show, titled Embark, on Friday December 13th, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The show will have a reception that follows (7:15-8:30 p.m.) where you can meet the dancers and director, as well as enjoy food and drink while learning more about the program and what’s in store for the future.
Christmas Light Showdown, Dec. 13 & 14. Rev up your holiday spirit and help us crown the champions of the Fairfield Christmas Light Showdown by hitting the streets and voting for the BEST Holiday light display in town! Maps and ballots will be available for download on the Visitfairfieldiowa.com website. Ballots must be returned by 9 p.m. on the 14th to be counted in the contest. Christmas Light Showdown sponsored by Mack's Automotive of Fairfield.
Holiday Trade Fair, Dec. 13 & 14. The Holiday Trade Fair is a one-stop holiday shopping event with over 60-plus local and regional craftspeople, artisans, and importers offering unique gifts and creations. Shoppers will find a great selection of unique handcrafted and imported products to select from. Friday, Dec. 13 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts& Convention Center.
Chamber Singers Holiday Concert, Dec. 14 & 15. Celebrate the spirit of the season with songs courtesy of the Chamber Singers of Southeast Iowa! Event is 7:30 p.m. at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary.
Fairfield Municipal Band and Jazz Band, Dec. 15. These two great local bands will perform at 3 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The event is free. Donations are accepted.
Reading Railroad Theater’s Holiday Program, Dec. 15. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at Morning Star Studio, on the east side of the Fairfield square at 51 ½ S. Court St. The production will include Norman Corwin’s radio play “The Plot to Overthrow Christmas,” a dance-theater piece called “The Peace Play,” a choral version of the poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” caroling, along with apple cider and Christmas cookies.
Christmas Piano Concert by Werner Elmker, Dec. 20. This concert will be held Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary in Fairfield. The event is pay what you may, with a suggested donation of $20. All concert proceeds benefit Golden Magnolia Sanctuary. Join prolific pianist and composer Werner Elmker as he takes us on a delightful inner Christmas journey of improvisational, classical and popular music. Werner has made a deep impression in Fairfield with his many artistic endeavors. Increasingly known for his magical photos and videos of Fairfield life and nature, Werner has long created magic on the piano as well, with his refined touch and improvisational skills.
Richland Child Care Center open house, Dec. 20. The newly opened Jerry B. Robinson Child Care Center in Richland will host an open house from 3-7 p.m. on Dec. 20. The building will be open to the public, and the center will have games, activities and snacks for children.
Christmas Movie Night at Prairie View Church, Dec. 21. Prairie View Church of Ollie will host a showing of the film “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. Event will include snacks and hot cocoa. All are invited to wear their favorite Christmas pajamas. Church is located at 27131 Highway 78 just south of Ollie.
Fairfield Rotary Christmas Eve Parade, Dec. 24. Santa makes a special appearance in Fairfield before heading out on his whirlwind trip around the world. Track him through town or meet up with him on the Fairfield Square. Santa’s sleigh will leave the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center at 5 p.m.
