Community Calendar
Email your events to: [email protected]
Now thru December 22 – Santa Claus will be in his house in Frankfort Square in Columbus to greet children on Thursday evenings from 5pm-7pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-4pm. Santa also has a mailbox at the Santa house for families to drop off letters to Santa at any time.
Now thru Christmas – The Schuyler Historical Society is sponsoring a Tree of Memories. Remember your loved one with a crochet snowflake to be displayed on the society tree, while supplies last. Suggested donation is $10 each, which includes postage and handling. Send the name of your loved one along with your name and address to Schuyler Historical Society, 309 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE, 68661. Your snowflake will be mailed to you after January 2. FMI call Theresa Shonka (402-615-2061) or Betty Brichacek (402-615-0857).
Now thru December 18 – Come and enjoy the holiday season at the 2nd Annual Christmas Nativity Show and Festival of Trees at the Belden Fire Hall. Decorated trees, Santas, snowmen, ornaments, and over 800 nativities will be on display. Open to the public on Fridays from 5pm-8pm; Saturdays from 9am-5pm; and Sundays from 1pm-5pm. Also available by appointment, call 402-360-3020. On Sunday, December 4 at 1pm, a Touch of Brass will give a Christmas Concert at the Presbyterian Church; and Sunday, December 11 at 3pm, staff from Camp Assurance will host a Christmas Carol Songfest at the Presbyterian Church. Free will donations will be accepted to go for the Belden swimming pool, celebrating its 100th year in 2023.
Tuesday, December 6 – The Eagles Auxiliary presents “Ladies Holiday Hoopla” at the Columbus Eagles Club. Shop local vendors and crafters from 4pm-6:30pm, then enjoy a light supper and dessert. At 7:30pm, Yer Mom’s Comedy Shlow will entertain with laughs galore. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. For tickets, contact Diane Wilken at 402-276-3405. Proceeds benefit the Eagles state charities, Alzheimer’s and Band of the Strong.
Wednesday, December 7 and Thursday, December 8 – Farm & Ranch Project and Legal Aid of Nebraska will hold farm succession workshops, free 4 hour educational workshops that will cover basic estate planning, use of business entities, financial and management issues, and transfer and death taxes. Wednesdays workshop will be held at the Atkinson Public Library from 10am-2pm, and Thursday at the Old Brick Palace in Greeley from 10am-2pm. Lunch will be provided both days. For registration or questions, call the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.
December 7 thru December 11 – Grand Island Little Theatre will perform “The Hallelujah Girls”, a comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wootenhil. Performances will be at 7:30pm Wednesday thru Saturday and at 2pm Sunday. Wear your favorite festive outfit from any holiday to help set the holiday mood: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, New Years, Thanksgiving, Patriotic, St. Patrick’s Day, any festive outfit and you might win a prize! Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students 12 and under, and can be purchased by calling the GILT box office at 308-382-2586; at the door; or online at githeatre.org.
Thursday, December 8 – Are you thinking about becoming a Big Pal? Come to the monthly Big Pal Networking Open House at Henry on 11th in Columbus between 5pm-9pm. Enjoy appetizers, beverages and cocktails while chatting with Big Pals and board members. This is a come and go as you please event.
Friday, December 9 – Columbus Community Hospital Volunteers invite everyone to the Holiday Masquerade $5 Jewelry and Accessories Sale from 9am-4pm in the first floor conference center. Proceeds will fund medical equipment purchases for Columbus Community Hospital.
Friday, December 9 – Everyone is invited to the Holiday Open House at Great Plains State Bank, Westgate Branch. Enjoy refreshments and giveaways from 8am-5pm with your friends at GPSbank!
Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 – The St. Benedict Center in Schuyler presents “Miracles of Grace: They Happen All The Time!”, retreat with Father Joseph A. Miksch, from Columbus, NE. Fr. Joe’s hobbies of rock climbing and flying airplanes over the course of the past 60 years have provided him with a number of “near-death” experiences on mountain tops in the middle of a thunderstorm with his hair standing up, his metal equipment aglow with St. Elmo’s fire and the rocks humming with static electricity as lightning strikes nearby, or while making an approach to landing when your landing gear has collapsed. As exciting as these experiences may have been, Fr. Joe, in his book Fantastic Vocation, says these experiences don’t compare to the joy and excitement he experiences in his priestly ministry, witnessing “miracles of grace” again and again while administering the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. Friday, 7:30 p.m. to Saturday, ending with Mass at 4:00 p.m. Register now at www.StBenedictCenter.com or call (402) 352-8819.
Sunday, December 11 – The Schuyler Historical Society invites everyone to a Christmas Open House at the Museum (309 East 11th Street) and the Annex (1112 C Street) in Schuyler from 3pm-5:30pm. Showcasing Christmas items and Cherished Teddies.
Friday, December 16 – Coffee Beanz Theatre Group presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at 7:30pm on the Thorpe Opera House stage in David City. The story follows the life of George Bailey, a generous and well-meaning man who considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. It will take the help of the lovable angel Clarence to show George why life is really worth living. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children (17 and under) and can be purchased at the box office or online at coffeebeanztheatregroup.com.
Saturday, December 17 – The Eagles Auxiliary Nebraska State Charities presents Mike Zito, “Blues For The Southside”, at the Columbus Eagles Club (1205 12th Street). Doors open at 7pm and concert starts at 8pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. For tickets call Diane Wilken at 402-276-3405. Proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s charities and Band of the Strong.
Friday, February 17 – Friends of Music presents Dan Miller’s Country Music Revue at 7pm at Columbus High School. The Cowboy and Americana Revue has been entertaining audiences from around the world for 17 years. Over 170,000 people from 68 countries have enjoyed the first-class musicianship and family friendly production. FMI or to get season tickets, email [email protected] or go to www.columbusfriendsofmusic.com.
Saturday, March 11 – Friends of Music presents The Hall Sisters, a classic sister ensemble with vocals and instruments, at 7pm at Columbus Middle School. The Hall Sisters have been performing together since 2007, including at the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. They are a unique blend of Andrews Sisters and current country pop. FMI or to get season tickets, email [email protected] or go to www.columbusfriendsofmusic.com.
Saturday, March 25 – Friends of Music presents Backtrack Vocals, a 5 person a cappella singing group, at 7pm at Columbus High School. Backtrack Vocals transforms familiar pop, funk, Motown, standards and Broadway songs with all new vocal and beatbox arrangements. FMI or to get season tickets, email [email protected] or go to www.columbusfriendsofmusic.com.
Tuesday, May 9 – Friends of Music presents Beginnings, a celebration of the music of Chicago, at 7pm at Columbus High School. A 7 piece band dedicated to playing the great music of the band Chicago as well as originals. All of the great hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s! FMI or to get season tickets, email [email protected] or go to www.columbusfriendsofmusic.com.
