VFW Post 1137 annual Needy Family Collection
VFW Post 1137 in Watervliet is now accepting canned goods and other nonperishable items for their annual Christmas needy family in the Tri-City Area.
Any and all donations would be appreciated. For questions and more information, call Glenn “Corky” Openneer commander of the post, at 269-247-3990 or Frank Dockter at 269-621-4437.
Bake Sale / Silent Auction / Crafts
The Watervliet Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Bake Sale / Silent Auction / Crafts fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 1 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit Auxiliary project at the hospital.
The event is being held in Classrooms A & B on the ground level of Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital.
Watervliet’s Hometown Christmas Celebration, Dec. 2
This year, festivities for the Hometown Christmas Celebration in Watervliet all take place on Saturday, Dec. 2 for a full day of holiday cheer. To begin the day of celebration, the 2023 Snow Royalty Pageant will take place with the crowning of this year’s court.
Afternoon events include a Holiday Bazaar at the Watervliet Fire Department with crafter and vendor booths - plan to attend and “Shop Local.” Also downtown in the Jot Liquor parking lot adjacent to The Main Street Oasis is first time event, the Vintage Snowmobile Show. This show will have old and new sleds on display.
Visit Santa and the Mrs. at Next Door Events, 340 North Main. While you are waiting you will be able to decorate some Christmas Cookies and Buck’s Photography will also be on hand to take some indoor holiday photos.
Everyone will have a chance to get their family pictures taken at “Candy Cane Lane.” This area will be in the vacant lot across from the Vintage Snowmobile show and Main Street Oasis Park.
The new Snow Royalty will begin their reign by participating in the Hometown Lighted Christmas Parade. After the parade, Santa and Mr. Mattson’s Elementary Choir will make their way to the community Christmas tree at “Candy Cane Lane,” where the choir will perform and the City Christmas Tree will be lit.
Be sure not to miss live mannequins in store windows which can be viewed from evening horse-drawn wagon rides through town. Families can warm up by the many sidewalk firepits and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa provided by the Watervliet Fire Department.
Anyone looking to get something to eat on Saturday the Sidetrack Café II is extending their hours and Brian the Munchie Man & LaChula Food Wagons will be around to help curb hunger pangs if Christmas Cookies didn’t do the trick.
Community Christmas hymn sing
Plymouth Congregational Church often had a great time remembering traditional church hymns and favorite Christmas carols. Saturday, December 2, at 6 p.m. they will have another community Christmas hymn sing at Plymouth Congregational in Watervliet. Mark it on your calendar!
Special music by the women’s quartet, “Circle of Joy,” will contribute to a bright holiday spirit that evening. The church is located on Red Arrow Highway across from the old high school property in Watervliet. There is no admission charge.
Everyone is also invited to stay afterwards for free refreshments in the church’s fellowship hall.
All are welcome.
Sunday Christmas Concerts, Dec. 3
The First Congregation Church of Covert is presenting a Christmas Concert with special music by John Schindler. The concert is on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. The church is located behind the Covert Township Hall. All are invited.
The Lighthouse Chorus is being hosted by the Berrien County Historical Association, 313 N. Cass St in Berrien Springs, for the Sounds of the Season - Lighthouse style. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free – donations are always welcome.
“Breakfast with Santa” at Coloma Rod & Gun
Breakfast with Santa will be at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club, 6145Angling Rd., Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids eat for free up to age 14 and the cost is $5 for anyone 15 years old and over.
Santa will be available for photos with your own camera. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs served with water, milk and orange juice (while supplies last).
Please note, rifle and pistol ranges will be closed until noon on that day.
Christmas on the Mainstage
Southshore Concert Band will be celebrating the holiday season during its performance on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. on the Mendel Center Mainstage at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. This concert, entitled “Christmas on the Mainstage,” will feature many familiar holiday favorites in a variety of styles sure to boost your holiday spirit and bring the joy of Christmas into your heart.
The concert will open with a spirited arrangement of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by John Moss. The band will perform Festival Espanol, a fantasia on Spanish Carols composed by Gene Milford and Mary’s Boy Child, a traditional calypso melody arranged by Philip Sparke. The program will also include an Elliot Del Borgo arrangement of Pat A Pan, The Eighth Candle, a Prayer and Dance for Hanukkah by Steve Reisteter, Go Tell it on the Mountain arranged by Jay Dawson and Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, a medley of festive and favorite carols.
This Southshore Concert Band performance, sponsored in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and 1st Source Bank, is free to the public.