The holiday season is fast approaching, and the Clearwater and Clear Lake areas have a number of upcoming events to help residents get in the spirit.

 

Sunday, Dec. 2 starts out with the Clearwater Legion Riders made-to-order breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Starting at 9 a.m. the same day, the ninth annual Clearwater Christmas Central will be taking place in the back room of the Clearwater Legion. 

 

Clearwater Christmas Central is an event for area residents who want to stay local to get all their shopping done under one roof while looking for a unique gift for someone special. Regular crafters and venders will be in attendance to give shoppers a multitude of choices.

 

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and all proceeds from table spaces go to help local veterans.

 

Sunday evening will see the Clearwater Fire Dept. heading out at 5 p.m. to collect canned goods around town for the Clearwater/Clear Lake Food Shelf.

 

Dec. 6 everyone is invited to go caroling with the Young at Heart group at the Good Shepard Senior Living Center in Sauk Rapids. Anyone interested should be at Rejoice Lutheran Church at 9 a.m.

 

On Dec. 9 the Clearwater Library invites the public to listen to “Songs of the Season,” with local singers Carol Mason and Marcia Super sharing their favorite holiday songs, and on Dec. 11 preschoolers are invited to Snowflake Storytime to listen to a story about the wonders of winter and make their own unique snowflakes.

 

The Young at Heart Group will again be singing Christmas carols at their monthly meeting on Dec. 20 at Rejoice. Rumors of a possible surprise visit from Santa have been heard.

 

Area churches have a plethora of programs and services to celebrate the season.

 

Sunday School children at Clearwater’s Rejoice Lutheran Church will be holding their annual Christmas program at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 16. Christmas Eve services will be held at 3 and 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

 

St. Luke’s Catholic Church will also be holding a Christmas Eve children’s mass at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24 with traditional services at 9 p.m. Christmas Day services will be held at 9 a.m.

 

The Bible Adventure Club students from Tri-County Alliance Church in Clearwater will be holding a birthday party for Jesus on Wednesday, Dec. 12, with a family meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by a program at 6 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve services will be held Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.

 

Over in Clear Lake, Living Waters Church will be holding their Christmas program on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., and St. Marcus Catholic Church will also be offering a Christmas program and services with dates to come. 

 

Don’t forget to head out to enjoy the local Christmas lights, including the synchronized-to-music light show at Chad Koren and Kari Mechtel’s home at 8166 Hunter Lake Drive in Clear Lake, proceeds of which benefit the Clear Lake Fire Dept., and George Simmons’ home on the 300 block of Main Street Clearwater, whose synchronized-to-music light show is once again playing after a break last year. Proceeds benefit the Clearwater/Clear Lake Food Shelf.