Welcome to December. As we begin to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, we all get so busy shopping, decorating, writing cards, wrapping gifts and baking cookies with the kids.
We should gather with family and friends, sing carols and raise a glass for Old Lang Syne. We sit and reflect on the year that has passed and the many events it brought forth.
For some, the holidays are a difficult time, so be sure to reach out to them and help them gather the strength to make it through the days ahead. If only we could step back and always see the world through the magic and innocence of a child’s eyes, what a beautiful world it would be. That is my wish for each of you this holiday season.
Grab a jacket and put on some comfortable shoes and take advantage of the holiday events of coastal Georgia. Be sure to venture off your normal path and enjoy:
Dec. 1-23 – A Christmas Tradition Music Variety, Savannah Theater, 8 p.m., $35, 912-233-7764
Dec. 1-30 – Fantasy of Lights, Calloway Gardens Pine Mountain, times vary, $8-$22, 8 million lights, 5 hour drive
Dec. 1-31 – 11th Annual Trees of Life, Savannah Westin Resort lobby, free, dozens of decorated trees on display
Dec. 1-31 – 24th Annual Fantasy of Lights, Sumter, S.C., free, 800-688-4748, more than1 million lights
Dec. 1-31 – Winter Wonderland, St. Augustine, Fla., Amphitheater, time & events vary, free, truly a wonderland
Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Day, http://www.history.com/topics/pearl-harbor
Dec. 8 – Hunter Tree Lighting Ceremony, Hunter Club, 5:30 p.m., colorful lights, songs and Santa
Dec. 8 – Broadway Play “Cats”, Savannah Johnny Mercer Theater, 7:30 p.m., $32 - $55, 912-651-6556
Dec. 8 – 4th Annual Broughton St Open House, downtown Savannah, stores open till 9 p.m., prizes, raffles and specials
Dec. 9-11 and 16-18 – 24th Annual production “This Man Called Jesus”, Lexington, S.C., times vary, free, seating limited to 2,700 for each show, arrive early 3.5 hour drive
Dec. 9-31 – Skatefest 2011, Savannah Civic Center, $7 per session, multiple sessions each day, 912-651-6556
Dec. 9 – Hunter Holiday Hayride at Lotts Island, 6-9 p.m., $1 - $5, 912-315-2019
Dec. 9 – City Market Holiday Open House, Savannah, 6-9 p.m., free, enjoy lights, carolers, food
Dec. 9 – Hinesville Illuminated Christmas Parade, through downtown Hinesville, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 – Denim & Diamond Pink Ball, Mighty Eighth Museum Pooler, 6:30-11 p.m., $25, www.gapinktrucks.org
Dec. 10 – Dorchester Christmas Bazaar & Fish Fry, Dorchester Civic Center, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 912-884-3342
Dec. 10 – Pembroke Christmas Parade, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free
Dec. 10 – 52nd Annual Christmas Tea, Midway Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $10, reservation required, call 912-884-5837 or email rsvpmidwaymuseum@gmail.com enjoy house tour and traditional tea and desserts
Dec. 10 – Holiday Tour of Homes, Historic Savannah, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., $30, www.dnaholidaytour.net
Dec. 10 – City Market Christmas for Kids Celebration, Savannah, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free, fun for all
Dec. 10 – 5th Annual Wreaths for Warriors Walk Ceremony, Cottrell Field, noon, www.w4ww.org, help honor the fallen soldiers of the 3rd ID, public invited
Dec. 10 – Colonial Christmas, Fort Morris, Midway, 5-8 p.m., free, 884-5999
Dec. 10 – Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, St Marys, 5:30-9p.m., $12-$15, 912-882-4000
Dec. 10 – Christmas Dinner with the Garrison, Fort King George, Darien, 7-8:30 p.m., $30, 912-437-4770, reservations
Dec. 10 – WWE Raw World Tour, North Charleston, S.C., Coliseum, 7:30 p.m., $16-$61
Dec. 11 – Holiday Tour of Inns, Historic Savannah, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $20, www.dnaholidaytour.net
Dec. 11 – Colonial Christmas, Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah, 1-4 p.m., $3.50-$6, 912-353-3023
Dec. 11 – Savannah Children’s Choir Christmas Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 520 Washington Ave., Savannah, 3 p.m., $5-$10, VIP $30 includes reserved seating and reception party following, 912-228-4758
Dec. 11 – Amy Grant & Vince Gill Concert, Savannah Johnny Mercer Theater, 7:30 p.m., $40-$70, 912-651-6556
Dec. 13 – Hinesville Arts Council present Christmas Cupcake Wars, setup 3-5 p.m., judging 5:30 p.m., free for teams to enter, $5 to judge, teams must provide at least 100 mini cupcakes for judging, sounds fun and tasty
Dec. 15 – 8th Annual Gospel Music Awards, Savannah, Johnny Mercer Theater, 6:30 p.m., $10, 912-651-6556
Dec. 16-17 – Fort Stewart Holiday Hayride, starting point Holbrook Pond Rec. Center, 6-9 p.m., $1-$5, 912-435-8205
Dec. 16-17 – The Philharmonic Christmas, Savannah Cathedral of St. John, 7:30 p.m., $36-$100, 912-525-5050
Dec. 16 – Styx Concert, Savannah, Johnny Mercer Theater, 8 p.m., $44-$49, 912-651-6556
Dec. 17 – 2nd Annual Reindeer Run/Walk, Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, 8:45 am, $35, www.active.com, 912-233-3000, prizes for best costumes, proceeds benefit Rape Crisis Center
Dec. 17 – 5th Annual Luminary Fun Night with Santa, Skidaway State Park, Savannah, 6 p.m., $5, 912-598-2300
Dec. 26-30 – Holiday for Hermits, Dunham Farms, Midway, 912-880-4500, various rooms and rates available, escape your hectic life and end the year like a hermit, explore numerous wilderness trails, paddle the majestic marsh or just sit by the fire and read, reclaim your life
Dec. 26-30 – Davenport House Candlelight Tours, Savannah, 6-8:30 p.m., $5-$10, 912-236-8097, reservations
Dec. 31 – New Years Eve Party, Club Stewart, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., $20 advance, $25 at door, food extra, 912-368-2212
Dec. 31 – New Years Eve Cruise, Savannah Riverboat Cruise, various packages, $49-$165, 912-232-6404
Dec. 31 – New Years Eve Celebration, Savannah City Market & River Street, 9-1 a.m., free, fireworks at midnight
Jan. 1 – 12th Annual Tybee Polar Plunge, Tybee Island, noon, $25, 912-663-1099, brrrrrr
http://festivalsandevents.com/festival.php?state=GA http://savannahvisit.com/events www.w4ww.org
http://web.georgia.org/events/ http://www.connectstewarthunter.com/ www.stewart.army.mil
As 2011 comes to an end, so do the monthly events articles. I regret to say that after over 6 years of compiling these events, I am having to put them aside (at least for now). I use them as much as each of you do and will actually be lost when I no longer put the lists together. I just need some much needed self and family time. If and when I do decide to begin again, I will still have your email address in my address book and you will be sure to hear from me. I wish each of you the very best in the coming New Year and good health and happiness. Please take care.
Bruce G. Muncher