CLINTON — Ongoing

• The Clinton Art Association's Annual Membership Show is now on display at the River Arts Center through Dec. 23. The public is welcome to visit the center at 229 Fifth Ave. South, Clinton. The center is operated by CAA members and friends on a volunteer basis. About 30 artists are featured in the gallery and gift shop showcasing paintings, photography, collage, glass, pottery, jewelry, and many other one-of-a-kind creations. The center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m.  Rainbow Pottery is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.  

• Eagle Point Park will be aglow with the Symphony of Lights display starting on Thanksgiving. The light display will be up and running throughout the holiday season through Dec. 30 with numerous special events in between. Symphony of Lights runs 6 to 9 p.m. and costs $7 per car up to 10 people and $2 per person for vehicles of more than 10 people.

• The Clintonish Knitters meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Enter the east entrance from the parking lot and go upstairs, follow the signs.

Nov. 30

• Toys for Tots collection from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1805 N. Second St. (big yellow house). Drop off your unwrapped gift and stop in for a snack.

• Celebrating its 25th year, “Silver Bells” — The Morrison Christmas Walk and Parade are back ready to get everyone in the spirit of the season.  Sponsored by the Morrison Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Christmas Walk will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, with the parade on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

Resthave Auxiliary kicks off the celebration with its annual coffee hour and bake sale from 9-10:30 a.m. on Friday. Evening events on Friday will take place around the corner of Route 78 and Route 30 and include a holiday open house at Morrison’s Heritage Museum from 6-8 p.m.; a live Nativity complete with live animals from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; a chili cook-off from 6-8 p.m.; luminarias sponsored by thecity1.com; Christmas cocktail concoctions at downtown pubs; and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m, sponsored by Ashford University.  Saturday celebrations for this year include many traditional favorites and new fun activities. Take advantage of all that Morrison has to offer for your holiday shopping including the PTO Craft Fair & Bake Sale, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m and numerous coupon specials available at participating businesses. Visit some holiday open houses from 3-5 p.m, sponsored by Morrison Realtors and start the evening off by eating supper at one of these churches: Episcopal Church of St. Anne from 3-6 p.m.; United Methodist Church 4:30-7 p.m, and First Presbyterian Church from 5-6:30 p.m.  There is a small fee for all of the suppers and beverages are also provided.

The lighted parade, sponsored by Community State Bank, will make its way down Main Street, culminating with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The jolly pair and their elves will be available, following the parade, at Santa’s House on Main and Base streets, to take children’s requests.  Wells Fargo Bank will once again be providing the ever popular horse-drawn wagon rides on Main Street and delicious kettle korn from Granny’s Sugar Shack will be available on Main and Genesee, sponsored by Sterling Federal Bank. Many businesses and organizations will open their doors for warm-ups, refreshments and entertainment as visitors enjoy the sites.

Dec. 1

• Toys for Tots 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1805 N. Second St. (big yellow house). Drop off an unwrapped gift and stop in for a snack.

• Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 1111 Seventh St., Fulton, Ill., bake sale. You can choose from a variety of homemade baked goods. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1 and from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2.

•  Breakfast w/ Santa at  Fulton’s new Fire Station, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.; Children’s Story Hour at  Fulton Library 10:30 am - Noon; Heritage Canyon Christmas Walk    10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Illuminated Walk at  Heritage Canyon 6 - 8 p.m.

•Make your own wreath at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum from 10 to 11 a.m.

• Children’s Holiday Party at Clinton Community College from 1 to 3 p;m.

• Free craft show at Eagle Point Park Lodge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Christmas Walk and Tour of Homes.  Businesses will offer holiday specials and Dickens characters will stroll through the downtown area. The Tour of Homes includes eight stops and will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Advanced tickets cost $5 and will increase to $7 the day of the tour. Tickets are available downtown at the Driftless Area Stillroom located in the shops @ glenview. Call (815) 244-1630 to purchase tickets with a credit card for pickup on Dec. 1.  Many special events will be held downtown during the Christmas Walk. Pictures with Santa will be at the Senior Center, 306 N. Main St., from noon to 2 p.m.   Story Time with Father Christmas will be held at the Mount Carroll Township Library (208 N. Main St.) from 10:30 a.m. to noon along with kids' crafts.  Dray rides will be from 2 to 4 p.m. with boarding at the Market Street Commons (weather permitting).  For more information, including the list of eight homes on the tour, call 1-800-244-9594 or visit the website at www.mtcarrollil.org. 

Dec. 2

• At 5 p.m., there will be a Taize Vigil Service at Our Lady of the Prairie. Taize is an ecumenical movement, drawing Christians of all denominations together in unified prayer. Friends of the Prairie and churches of all faith traditions in the area are being invited to participate. Future services will be held the first Sunday of each month at 5 p.m followed by a soup supper. Our Lady of the Prairie is located at 2664 145th Ave. Wheatland.

• Santa at Eagle Point Park Lodge from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Free craft show at Eagle Point Park Lodge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• “The Laity after Vatican II: Collaboration in Ministry,” a lecture by Dr. Zeni Fox, will begin at 2 p.m. in Terence Donaghoe Hall, Clarke University, Dubuque.  Parking will be available in campus lots on Clarke Drive. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture is the second in the series “Celebrating Vatican II: Sharing the Vision” sponsored by the Catholic Sisters of the Upper Mississippi Valley as a gift to the Church in the Year of Faith.

Dec. 6

• Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to arrive at the Clinton Sawmill Museum between 4:15 and 4:45 p.m. There will be hot cider, hot chocolate and cookies. Bring food donations in conjunction with Freezin’ For Food. Fireworks to follow. Estimated time, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.

• The Friends of the Rock Creek’s Holiday Tree Jubilee at the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center, 3942 291st St., Camanche, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Silent auction of beautifully decorates trees, wreaths and baskets. Natural ornament classes will begin at 6 p.m. Santa also will be there. The event also continues Dec. 7 and 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Area schools also will sing Christmas carols. There is free admission and free refreshments.