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Sophia Aldous
NEWPORT — It’s been a rough year, dear readers. With record numbers of our friends and neighbors looking for food assistance in November (see the front page of the Nov. 12 edition of The Miner), the idea of preparing for the holiday season when finances are already pinched can feel more stressful, as opposed to encouraging merriment.
However, we’ve got you covered. Every year volunteers, non-profits and local businesses come together to host free and economically priced Yuletide events for the whole family. Whether it’s a visit from Santa Claus, making homemade gifts, supporting local artists or a Christmas movie marathon, you can find a way to celebrate in the Pend Oreille River Valley without breaking the bank. Below is a compilation of said get-togethers on both sides of the state line that you can add to your calendar to foster some wholesome holiday memories.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Newport’s Tree Lighting: The City of Newport’s annual Christmas tree lighting festivities start at 3:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. There will be Christmas carolers, photos with Santa, hot chocolate, Newport’s Best Cookie competition and more. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 5 p.m.
Centennial Plaza is next to the Pend Oreille County Museum, 402 S. Washington Ave.
Small Town Christmas: Ione Park is the site of the annual Small Town Christmas celebration from noon to 4 p.m., including photos with Santa from 1 to 3:30 p.m. There will be goodie bags and treats for the kids and free hotdogs, hot chocolate, cider and coffee provided by the Lion’s Club. There will also be a Christmas carol sing along, a North Pole mailbox for letters to Santa, live reindeer, bake sale and a raffle for a 6-foot stuffed stocking. Local vendors will be open 1 to 4 p.m. The lighting of the town Christmas tree is at 4 p.m.
Ione Park is located at 193 Ione Park.
Sunday, Nov. 30
Merry Christmas Mr. Marconi: Traveling theatre troupe Out of The Box Entertainment presents “Merry Christmas Mr. Marconi,” a humorous, feel-good holiday show written by local playwright and actress Gail Cory-Betz and directed by Donna Maki. In the play, a family waits for the return of France’s soldier husband on Christmas Eve. Traditional Christmas music and live radio shows are sprinkled throughout. The play starts promptly at 3 p.m. at the Cusick American Legion. The fourth and final show also includes light tea served by the American Legion, with tickets costing $15 for adults and $10 for children.
The American Legion is located at 105 Timber St., Cusick.
Monday, Dec. 1
Christmas on Main Street: The annual Christmas on Main Street returns to the Priest River Library from 3 to 6 p.m., hosted by the West Bonner Library District and the Priest River Community Foundation. There will be free books, toys and kids can enter a raffle to win a new bicycle. There will also be free hot chocolate, chili and hotdogs. Santa Claus arrives at 4 p.m. The International Order of Odd Fellows and Priest River Youth Connection will be across the street from the library with live music, goodie bags, Christmas cartoons a hot chocolate bar, cake walk, photo booth, popcorn, a free drawing for a snow sled and more.
The Priest River Library is located at 118 Main St. The Odd Fellows Hall is located at 111 Main St.
Santa’s Workshop Bingo: Elk VFW Post 5924 is hosting a Santa’s Workshop Bingo Fundraiser at 7 p.m. The first card is $5 and each additional card is $1. Participants are encouraged to compete in the ugly sweater contest and there will be a silent auction for desserts. All proceeds go to the VFW’s annual Elk’s Santa Workshop.
The post is located at 39716 N. Camden Extension Rd., Elk.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Free Photos with Santa: Heart and Homes Northwest is hosting free photos with Santa Claus, 3 to 5 p.m. There will also be free gingerbread house kits for the first 75 visitors and free hot chocolate for everyone.
Heart and Homes is located at 301 N. Union Ave., Newport.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Create Holiday Artists’ Shop: A holiday artists shop is opening at Create Arts Center from Thursday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 7. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Among the art for sale will be oil paintings by Travis Nash, fiber and wood art by Judy and Make Graham, Czech glass bead art by Cynthia Bowerman, pottery by Naomi Elting, fused glass art by Julia Craze, wire art by Weezil and “women of the woods” by Kathy Young.
There will also be refreshments and live music on Friday, Dec. 5 by Just Andy, Saturday, Dec. 6 by Ben Kardos and Thursday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 7 by Joanne Heinz.
Create Arts Center is located at 900 4th St., Newport.
Friday, Dec. 5
One Magic Night at the Manger: Directed by Mark D. Caldwell, “One Magic Night at the Manger,” performed at Circle Moon Theater, spotlights the birth of Jesus Christ. The performance features choral, solo and ensemble songs of the season. Scheduled performances are on Dec. 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 and 13. Tickets are $14 for show only, $35 for dinner show and $45 for Gala Night, a dinner-only performance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dining service begins at 6:30 p.m. and the curtain opens at 7:30 p.m.
Circle Moon Theater is on Highway 211, 3-anda- half miles north of Highway 2. To buy tickets and make reservations, call 208-448-1294, see Northwoods Performing Arts’ website at northwoodsperformingarts. com or visit Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Saint Nick’s Toy Swap: The first annual St. Nick’s Toy Swap is Dec. 6 to 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oldtown Visitor Center at Rotary Park. Participants can bring their gently used toys and swap for other toys for their children. It’s a chance for the community to come together and let families shop for free. To donate, email [email protected] to set up a daytime meet up or evening porch pickup. Toys should be cleaned and sanitized for their new home before donation.
The Oldtown Visitor Center is located at 68 Old Diamond Mill Rd.
Deck The Falls: The annual Cutter Theatre Deck the Falls is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with vendors selling crafts, art and various handmade and homemade items on every floor. There will also be lunch.
The Cutter Theatre is located at 302 Park St., Metaline Falls.
Christmas Open House: St. Anthony Catholic Church will host their ninth annual PREPARES Diaper Depot Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free diapers, clothing and supplies for families in need with children up to 5 years old. There will also be music, food, drink, treats and gifts.
The church is located at 612 W. 1st St., Newport. Elk’s Christmas Extravaganza: Starting at 1 p.m., Elk SCOPE will be doing their annual toy giveaway at the Elk fire station, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host the craft bazar with hot soup and homemade gifts and Santa will be at the Elk Community Park with hot cocoa and treats.
The park is located at 40500 N. Elk Camden Rd.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Christmas Concert: Come check out the holiday concert at the Cutter Theatre at 2 p.m., complete with Christmas music and ballet recital.
The Cutter is located at 302 Park St., Metaline Falls.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Kids’ Christmas Party: The Blanchard Community Center hosts the Kids’ Christmas Party, 2 to 4 p.m. This event is geared toward ages up to 14 and children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be free hot chocolate, cookies, children’s crafts and music. Santa Claus will also be there. Adults can wear an ugly Christmas sweater for a chance to win prizes. Children must be registered for this event so enough supplies can be purchased for the event. Registration is limited to children in the Blanchard and Bonner County area. Deadline Saturday, Dec. 6.
For more information about registration, donation or to volunteer call Ruthanna Cadd at 509-289-3883 or email [email protected].
Sunday, Dec. 14
Echoes of Grace and Friends Christmas Concert: There will be a free Christmas concert at the Cutter Theatre at 5 p.m. There is a soup dinner before the concert at 4 p.m. and dinner is $5 per person. Reservations are suggested for dinner by Monday, Dec. 1.
The Cutter is located at 302 Park St., Metaline Falls.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Free Christmas Movies: The Roxy’s free Christmas Movie Marathon starts with the doors opening at noon, followed by “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 12:15 p.m. and 2018’s “The Grinch” at 1 p.m. The ugly sweater contest is at 2:30 p.m., so people are encouraged to wear a hideous Christmas sweater. “Elf” starts at 3 p.m. and “Home Alone” is the last movie at 4:45 p.m.
Admission is free and regular concession prices still apply. The Roxy is located at 120 S. Washington Ave., Newport.
SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW COVERING RURAL ISSUES FOR THE MINER NEWSPAPER IN NEWPORT, WA AND FOR RANGE MEDIA IN SPOKANE. SHE HAS OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A REPORTER AND PHOTOJOURNALIST SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO. SHE HAS COVERED EVERYTHING FROM ECONOMICS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, CRIME, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS, SPORTS, ETC. SOPHIA HAS ALSO WON NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR HER WRITING AND PHOTOS FROM THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION.
