Roamin' on the Range for Dec. 2013

The holiday season is upon us. Get out and enjoy twinkling lights, craft fairs, theatrical productions, concerts, parades and the arrival of the jolly old fellow.

The Wellington Faith Community Choir, directed by Clinton Ellerbe presents O Holy Night at Zion Lutheran Church, 8322 2nd St. in Wellington, 7 p.m., Dec. 14 and 15. There will be more music in the air on Dec. 22 as the Zion Lutheran Church Choir presents Glory to the Newborn King, also at the church.

Saturday Dec. 7 is a big day for Wellington. Donate any non-perishable food items between 8 a.m. and noon at the town hall parking lots. Larimer County Santa Cops and Toys for Tots will also be on hand to receive any new unwrapped toy. The Christmas Parade of Lights begins at 5 p.m. on Cleveland Avenue. Line up at 4 p.m. on First St. Prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd places. Don’t forget Wellington Fire Protection District’s annual chili supper between 4 and 9 p.m. at Wellington Community Church. $4 adults, $2.50 kids, 3 and under free. 50% of proceeds to help local family with medical bills. All you can eat chili, silent auction, door prizes and a drawing for a Lazy Boy chair. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the fire station for a suggested donation of $5. Info: town hall 568-3381 or townofwellington.com/flyers.

Little Women plays through Dec. 15 at University Center for the Arts. Evening shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 5-8 and 12-15. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8. Info. and tickets: CSUArtsTickets.com or 970-491-2787.

Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., gets into the holiday spirit with their production of Over the Tavern, directed by Jonathan Farwell, playing Thursdays through Sundays through Jan. 5. This warm and hilarious look at family, love and growing up Catholic takes place in the cramped apartment of a large family in the nostalgic-laden Eisenhower years of the 1950s. Info and tickets: 970-498-8949.

Dance Express presents The Christmas Rose Dec. 3, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre. Share the beauty of the early winter with this seasonal dance re-telling the legend of the Christmas rose. The Blend will sing during the opening of each performance. The cast is made up of community members and Dance Express dancers with and without disabilities. Info: Lincoln Center 970-221-6733, Dance Express, 970-493-2113.

Treat your out of town guests to a performance of Scrooge at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre, 4747 Marketplace Drive in Johnstown. Based on Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” the show includes Oscar-nominated hit “Thank You Very Much,” and is packed with memorable songs, classic characters and a few surprises. Pure family entertainment. Through Jan. 5. Call 970-744-3747 for information and tickets.

Don’t miss Santa Claus as he serves as grand marshal for the Christmas Parade in Wellington at 5 p.m., Dec. 7, immediately followed by the Wellington Fire Department’s annual chili supper. Info: 970-568-3381.

Eleven Northern Colorado artists have combined to present Perseverance: The Work of 11 Painters to be shown at the Carnegie Building Community Creative Art Center, 200 Mathews St. in Fort Collins Dec. 11 through 14. The exhibit is open to the public, free, between noon and 6 p.m. each of those days. A public reception is planned for 6-9 p.m., Dec. 13. There will be an artists’ panel discussion and holiday art gift sales on Saturday Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. continuing until 6 p.m. The work exhibited in this show is the culmination of decades spent working consistently at the easel. More than 50 works will be exhibited. For more information contact Mary Harnett 970-988-2672 or [email protected].

Good food and good fellowship at the Annual Virginia Dale Christmas Dinner, 12:30 p.m. the 1862 Virginia Dale Overland Stage Station, Hurzeler House, 844 County Road 43F on Sunday, Dec. 8. Public welcome. Please bring a large covered dish to pass and/or a dessert. Coffee, tea and water furnished. After dinner, weather permitting, we will adjourn to the Stage Station to hear the “Not Ready for Prime Time Virginia Dale Players.” Please dress warmly. If you would like to participate in the program, a play, contact Sylvia Garofalo at 970-495-1828. No parts to learn — if you can read, you can participate!

This is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration with carols, and a $2 ( Yes, $2!) limit for participation in the gift exchange. Please specify child or adult gift. There will be a special visitor, if he can spare time from his busy schedule at the North Pole, and each person gets to take home a bag of “goodies.” Kindly let us know your intention to attend so we can have enough goodie bags to go around. Contact Sylvia at 970-495-1828 or Marcie Wells at 970-568-7646.

This is a good opportunity to see the progress that has been made on the restoration of the Stage Station. Weather can affect this event, so please contact Sylvia or Marcie before 11 a.m. on Dec. 8. We leave home at 11 a.m. to light the wood stoves. More information at virginiadalecommunityclub.org.

Searching for gifts? Find some unique one at these special Christmas shows and sales.

For the 37th year, the Stove Prairie Winter Festival will take place at Stove Prairie Elementary School, 3891 Stove Prairie Road, Bellvue, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop for jewelry, ornaments, pottery, baked goods, Richard Schmid prints, fleeces and woolens, wreaths, native trees. Enjoy baked goods, chili, burgers and dogs. Quilt raffle. Silent auction. Visit from Santa.

Art show and sale. Six local artists will display their wares at the fifth annual “Just in Time” art show, Dec. 6 and 7. Pottery, woodwork, jewelry, paintings, cards, felted mittens, Christmas cheer and snacks. 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1154 W. Mountain Ave. Info: 970-498-9732.

Holiday Art and Craft Fair, Chapel in the Pines Fellowship Hall, 23947 County Road 74E. Sat. 9 a.m.,-4 p.m.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Booths, food, baked goods, holiday treats. Info: 970-495-0560.