The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Montgomery County SPCA to host annual holiday dinner
The Montgomery County SPCA will host its Annual Holiday Dinner for the Animals on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. The event will take place at the Conshohocken Shelter, 19 East Ridge Pike. Thereafter, all three shelters will receive their quota of Holiday Dinner in advance of the actual holidays.
For over half a century, the Montgomery County SPCA has dedicated itself to preparing a unique holiday meal for the sheltered animals. Frances Frazier, working with the Main Line Auxiliary, originally began this meal to provide the animals wit a special treat around the holiday season. The menu currently consists of ground beef, vegetables, and broth, all freshly prepared at our shelters.
Noma Ann “Cricket” Roberts is the chairperson of our special holiday feeding program. In addition to the kennel dinner for the dogs and cats, special treats will also be available for both our large and small animals. There will be several opportunities for photos and videos to be taken.
Roberts will also have holiday gifts available for members and friends to purchase at holiday tables in the Conshohocken Lobby. Gift items for sale will include items for both humans and pets. The Holiday Sale Tables will be in the Conshohocken Lobby starting on Saturday, Dec. 11. Sale proceeds will benefit the sheltered pets. Montgomery County SPCA sweatshirts and T-shirts will be included as some of the people-type gifts.
For further information on this event, contact the SPCA at (610) 825-0111.
Norristown MaennerChor to host Designer Bag Bingo
The Norristown Maenner-Chor Club, 920 Haws Ave is holding Designer Bag Bingo on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Doors open at noon and games begin at 1 pm. Regular or 4 Corner Bingo — Advanced Tickets $25; $30 at the door. Specials available — 4 for $5 or $2 each. Jackpot Bingo: Cover All 3 for $5 or $2 each. Raffles and 50/50 will be available.
Anyone who brings a pair of women’s or children’s slippers for Laurel House will be entered into a drawing for a Special Basket.
Beverages and food will be available for sale. No outside alcohol permitted and this is a non-smoking event.
Tickets are available now at the bar at the Maenner-Chor Club. For more information contact: Joy — 610-476-1614 or Michelle 610-342-7161.
Tickets on sale for NGC Holiday House Tour
Norristown Garden Club will embellish the exteriors of all of the sites in a manner appropriate to the property for the holiday season. The staff and volunteers of Hope Lodge, Peter Wentz and Pennypacker Mills will present the interiors of those properties in keeping with the customs of the times they represent. They will also lead ticket holders on guided tours of the enticing first floors of each site.
Bethel Hill Church and the Highlands will be decorated— both inside and out — by the garden club, and will feature fresh flowers and greens and creative ideas. A bonus this year: an Emporium of hand-crafted items where you can ‘shop till you drop’ will be found at the Highlands.
Please see www.norristogardenclub.org for ticket information. Please note: Holiday House ticket requests must be received by December 2nd to allow for time to mail the tickets. There will be no tickets available at the door during the tour.
Elmwood Park Zoo Wild Lights
Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, has announced the return of its holiday lights event, Wild Lights, for its fourth consecutive year. Wild Lights transforms the zoo into a dazzling holiday wonderland, with thousands of lights adorning the trees, exhibits and buildings throughout the zoo’s 16 acres. Most nights of Wild Lights will also feature wild animal encounters, live performances, live DJs, photos with Santa, carousel rides and more. New events scheduled to be held during this year’s Wild Lights include Dog Nights, when guests can visit with their four-legged friends; Wild Lights Just For You, when guests with sensory sensitivities will enjoy smaller crowds and lower volumes; and Montco Makers Tasting Nights, when The Zoo Brew Bar and Beer Garden will host local breweries, distilleries and wineries sampling their finest creations. Wild Lights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on select dates through Dec. 30, and admission is $14.95 for adults and children. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at epzwildlights.com.
Holiday Frost Fair coming to Pottsgrove Manor on Dec. 12
Explore the history of the holidays at Pottsgrove Manor on Sunday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 18th Century Holiday Frost Fair is a new program that invites the public to immerse themselves in an 18th-century style market fair, complete with vendors, demonstrations, and games.
Visitors can also explore handmade goods and seasonal crafts from local artisans at the holiday market. This event has a suggested $2 donation per person.
Gather the whole family and dress for the weather to start a new holiday tradition at Pottsgrove Manor’s Frost Fair. Learn about gingerbread recipes from the past and see how it was baked at the Bake Oven. Follow the sound of laughter and music to engage with Tucker’s Tales Puppet Theater, and play a fair game to win a prize at one of the three game booths.
Explore what merchants in the 18th century sold, such as historic art made by At the Sign of the Black Bear alongside woodworking and weaving at Stone House History. Stop over at the hot chocolate tent for a sample of this historic drink, then laugh and make new friends at the tavern.
Discover the history of Twelfth Night celebrations from the 1750s as the first floor of Pottsgrove Manor will be open for self-guided tours. Hearth cooking in the reproduction kitchen will highlight some of the favorite seasonal treats that you may want to include at your holiday table.
Find a unique gift for everyone on your list from local artisans, set up in the holiday market. From ornaments to jewelry, pottery, and much more, there is something special at every stall. Hot food and sweet treats complete the day, but the memories of Frost Fair will last all season long.
Frost Fair is an outdoor, weather-dependent event. Free parking and complimentary shuttle service will be available at Pottstown Memorial Park. Follow signs for parking.
Pottsgrove Manor is following all updated CDC guidelines for the mitigation of COVID-19 at the facility including appropriate mask-wearing, social distancing, and capacity limits. All visitors must follow these guidelines.
MCCC to host Day of Giving Dec. 7
Montgomery County Community College and its Foundation will host the third annual “Day of Giving” fundraiser Tuesday, Dec. 7.
This year’s goal is to raise $5,700 during this 24hour challenge to celebrate MCCC’s 57th anniversary. Each year, alumni, friends and family make the Day of Giving an unforgettable event. Past year donations have been essential to support students and the greatest needs of the College. To make a donation, visit mc3.edu/dayofgiving.
The Day of Giving event is incredibly important to the College each year, because it identifies the greatest challenges students currently face and looks to find ways to support them, said Krissy Freeman, Associate Director of Annual Giving Programs.
Full details on creating a personal fundraising page can be found online. For more information about the Day of Giving, or to make a donation on Dec. 7, visit mc3.edu/dayofgiving.
Established in 1983, the Montgomery County Community College Foundation provides: scholarships for deserving students, grants for faculty projects, equipment and technology, emergency funds for students in need, support for cultural enrichment activities on campus and financial resources for other college programs and activities. The Foundation is able to make a difference in the lives of our students thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, community friends, private foundations and corporations. To see how you can make a difference and discuss how your gift can be most meaningful to you, contact the Foundation at 215-641-6324 or foundation@mc3.edu.
Theatre Horizon stages Holiday Spectacular
Theatre Horizon, an award-winning professional theater company located in Norristown, is thrilled to reopen the doors of their theater just in time for the holiday season with a curated evening of music, poetry, and much-needed laughter hosted by Philadelphia Theater icons, Brett Robinson and Alex Bechtel. The Holiday Spectacular: A Celebration of Gathering will be Theatre Horizon’s first in-person production after nearly 18 months of virtual programming as beloved actors, musicians, and community members celebrate the holiday season with this original variety show. Directed by Artistic Director Nell Bang-Jensen, the show will be offered Friday, December 10 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 11 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 12 at 3 pm.
“We are so excited to welcome guests back to our theatre in Norristown,” notes Artistic Director Nell Bang-Jensen. “Our holiday celebration will bring audiences back to Theatre Horizon to celebrate the community and a world in which we can gather once more. Brett, Alex, and I have been having so much fun creating the script for the show. We’re leaning into the silliness inspired by the season and can’t wait to laugh with you.”
The festival holidaythemed show will feature memorable songs, sketches, poetry, and plenty of laughters as Robinson and Bechtel are joined on stage by Theatre
Horizon favorites Suli Holum, Steve Pacek, Pax Ressler, Jenn Rose, and a special guest appearance by Andrea Lamy from Horizon’s acclaimed Art Houses digital program.
Tickets to the Holiday Spectacular: A Celebration of Gathering are $25. A limited number of $2 tickets are available for Norristown residents (Norristown tickets must be reserved over the phone and require proof of a Norristown zipcode). Artist discounts will also be available.
MCCC to host online Open House Dec. 4
MCCC Office of Admissions will host a Winter Online Open House Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10-11 a.m. The event will feature a wide range of opportunities to learn about what MCCC offers its students including flexible schedules, programs, small class sizes, affordable ways to pay for college, and transfer opportunities.
Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions during live Q&A breakout rooms with faculty and staff. There will also be pre-recorded programming and links to resources for prospective students to view during or after the event.
The event is free and open to the community but registration is required. The open house livestream will be recorded and available for replay for those unable to attend. A video tour of the campus will also be presented during the online open house. To schedule an in-person campus tour, visit the landing page on the College’s website at mc3.edu.
The Winter Online Open House offers an excellent opportunity for families to learn more about MCCC. The College has over 100 degree, certificate and job training programs, meaning there is something for everyone. In addition, it has over 30 transfer partnerships with four-year institutions guaranteeing a seamless transition oftentimes to junior status.