Community Happenings November - December 2009   November 14 – December 24  Santa’s Arrival - 10:00 a.m. at the Upper Valley Mall.  Visit www.simon.com for more information.   November 15  The Choral Arts of Springfield present "Music for the Season" - Exciting choral and brass sounds will fill the Christ Episcopal Church.  The performace begins at 4:00 PM.  Tickets will be available at the door. November 20  Collin Raye with Restless Heart - One of the true hit-makers of the 1990s, Collin Raye still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his vocals. He has been nominated five times for country music’s Male Vocalist of the Year and has five Platinum albums and fifteen number one hits including "On the Verge," "One Boy, One Girl," "What the Heart Wants," "Every Second and That Was a River."  Collin will be teaming up with Restless Heart with their hits including "I’ll Still Be Loving You," "Tender Lie" and "Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong or Right)."  The show begins at 8:00 p.m. and will be held in Kuss Auditorium.  Please visit http://pac.clarkstate.edu or call 1-866-PAC-TKTS (1-866-722-8587) for ticketing information.   November 25 – January 3  Holiday Season Tours at the Westcott House – Tours will be enhanced by a special decor reminiscent of the times when the Westcott family resided at 1340 East High Street.  Please visit www.westcotthouse.org for more information.   November 27 – December 19  Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Young’s Jersey Dairy – Re-live your family tradition or start one of your own as you cut your own Christmas tree this year.  They offer Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Southwestern White Pine, Canaan, Blue and Fraser Fir trees.  Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  For more information, call 937.325.0629 or visit www.youngsdairy.com.   November 27 – January 1  Clifton Mill’s Legendary Light Display – 3.5 million lights adorn the old mill, falls, trees, covered bridge and more.  A large, animated Christmas village with an outdoor train set and antique toy collection compliment this amazing view.  Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water Street in Clifton.  Visit www.cliftonmill.com or call 937.767.5501 for more information.   November 28 – January 1  Ramar Estates Christmas Light Display – Located between Springfield and Clifton, nearly every house in this neighborhood is decorated with lights.   November 28  Holiday in the City – Kick off the 2009 holiday season in Downtown Springfield with this annual tradition.  From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the core block of Springfield will be filled with fun for all ages – Santa Land, the Christmas Village, the Grand Illumination Celebration and a spectacular fireworks display by Rozzi’s.  For more information, go to www.HolidayintheCity.com or call 937.325.3005.   November 28  Warm Up at Warder – Before Holiday in the City, join the Warder Literacy Center for live music, hot cocoa, a cookie walk, kids activities and pictures taken with the Warder Mice.  This event will run from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Call 937.323.9617 for more information.   November 28  Heart of the Holiday – This fundraiser to benefit Project Woman of Springfield and the Mary Kay Foundation will feature a raffle of holiday trees, wreaths and centerpieces.  Sponsor Reception will be held November 28 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Security National Bank 2nd Floor Meeting Room but raffle items will be on display in the Security National Bank lobby beginning November 7th.  Raffle tickets may be purchased at Blessings by the Basket and Schneider's Florist.  For more information, contact Sandy Zinger at 937.244.7001 or sandyzinger@hotmail.com.  Visit the Heart of the Holiday website at www.heartoftheholiday.com.   November - December  Traditions Over Time at Piatt Castle – This historic site features festive seasonal decorations, a collection of 600 antique Christmas ornaments and lights, and exhibits of historical toys and Christmas cards. All are featured in a unique holiday experience, Traditions Over Time. This program traces the origins and evolution of decorating trees at Christmas, caroling, gift giving, holiday games, and family gatherings. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy a game from the past, make a holiday card, share a favorite memory, and leave a letter in Santa’s mail box at Mac-A-Cheek Castle.  Visit www.piattcastles.org or call 937.465.2821 for more information.   December 5  Holiday Open House - Bring your entire family to visit the Springfield Museum of Art campus for this day of admission free fun.  Participate in art activities, buy Christmas gifts from artists, watch artist demonstrations, and meet Santa.  This event will run from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Please visit www.springfieldlive.com for more information.  This event is presented by Interface Creative Group, OH10 and the Springfield Museum of Art.   December 5  The Springfield Preservation Alliance presents History, Hymns and Holly - Looking for a unique and inspiring holiday experience? Join the Springfield Preservation Alliance for an evening of music, art, and architecture at the seventh annual History, Hymns & Holly tour.  There will also be wonderful music, delicious hot cocoa, and snacks for guests to enjoy!  For more information, go to www.restorespringfield.org.   December 5  Women's Association of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra present the 2009 Tour of Holiday Homes - Tour six homes , all decorated for the season.  Call 937.325.8100 or visit www.springfieldsym.org for more information.   December 10  Holiday Evening Reception at the Westcott House – Family and friends will surely enjoy the festive hors d'oeuvres, wine, live music and entertainment in a beautiful space of the Westcott House.  Advance reservation is required.  Please call 937.327.9291 for more information.    December 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 & 13  The Maiden Lane Church of God presents The Living Christmas Tree - Please visit www.maidenlane.org for more information.   December 6  The Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks II -  Stephen Paulus, a “bright, fluent inventor with a ready lyric gift,” brings Voices from the Gallery, a work vividly depicting a collection of classic paintings, to Kuss Auditorium.   Augustine Hadelich, one of the most in-demand soloists on the circuit today, will share the music of Mozart.  The opening notes, with composer Stephen Paulus himself begin at 2:15.  For more information, call 937.325.8100 or visit www.springfieldsym.org.   December 11 Witt Series Presents Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas – Beginning with the Service of Light for Evening Prayer, in which the chapel is enveloped in darkness and gradually illuminated by candles, and concluding with a candlelit singing of "Silent Night," this service of nine lessons and carols offers a time of reflection as the Advent season unfolds.  Music will be provided by Wittenberg's premier ensembles of more than 100 musicians.  For more information, go to www.wittenberg.edu or call 937.325.3005.   December 12  Ohio Lyric Theatre Christmas Pageant - Since its beginnings in 1987, the Ohio Lyric Theatre Christmas Pageant has become a beloved holiday tradition in the Springfield area. Presented in Clark State Performing Arts Center's Kuss Auditorium, this annual Christmas Pageant includes performances by the Community Chorus and the Springfield Children's Chorus, and features a live Nativity Dramatization performed by members of the community.  For more information, please go to www.ohiolyric.org. December 16  The Springfield Arts Council presents Sandi Patty - Celebrate the holidays with “The Voice” in an evening with the incredible Sandi Patty! Known for her yuletide performances on stages from the White House to the “Tonight Show,” Sandi brings her special brand of holiday cheer to the Kuss Auditorium stage.  Sandi Patty returns to the Springfield spotlight in this spectacular evening of Christmas carols and beloved yuletide favorites guaranteed to make your holidays bright and joyous!  The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.  For tickets, call 937.328.3874 or visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org. December 18 & 19  The Nutcracker - The 20th annual Springfield production of this holiday classic comes to the Kuss stage, featuring a cast of over 150 local students of the arts, professional dancers, and community members.  This production is presented by the Ohio Performing Arts Institute.  Please visit www.ohio-performing-arts.org for more information.