Join Santa for breakfast

Breakfast with Santa

St. Patrick’s Church will hold a Breakfast with Santa today from 9 a.m. to noon. The church is located at 1341 Murray Drive, Chittenango.

The menu includes eggs, sausage and beverage.

Mitten Tree event

The ladies of the Munnsville Congregational Church will host the Mitten Tree again this year today from 2-4 p.m.

Children from the Stockbridge Valley School District may tell Santa what they want for Christmas and pick a pair of mittens from the tree. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Don’t forget

The annual Canastota Area Association of Churches Advent Christmas Concert is at 3 p.m. today at St. Agatha’s Church. The concert includes the combined choirs of all the area churches in an ecumenical service.

It’s open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Christmas Cantata

The people of Verona and surrounding communities are invited to participate in this year’s Community Christmas Cantata, “A Celebration of Carols,” today at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 4897 Old Oneida Road.

Singers of all ages and abilities will participate in the cantata. Local musicians will share in directing and accompaniment duties. For more information call the church at 363-5211.

Sherrill-Kenwood Library

Join Miss Mary and Miss Carol for the story time for preschool children and their caregivers on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. with songs, stories and crafts.

The weekly free family movie to be shown on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at the Sherrill-Kenwood Free Library is entitled “Elf,” rated PG and running 97 minutes. The film begins at 6 p.m.

A special Polar Express Pajama Party will be held Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Join Miss Jen for stories, cookies and milk. Come in your PJs. Blankies, pillows, dolls and stuffed animals are welcome.

Oneida Library

held at the Rusty Rail, Seneca Avenue, Canastota at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

This month’s theme is “The Wonder of Life.” Feature will be Doreen Davies whose topic is “Knifty Knits” (hand knit items). The speaker is Eileen Banks of Rome. Music will be provided by Mary Krukonis of Utica.

For reservations call Jackie Lottermoser, 3631224. Tickets are $13.

Free holiday movie

At the Sullivan Free Library, 101 Falls Blvd., Chittenango, the movie to be viewed on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. is “The Christmas Candle,” 2014, rated PG. It stars Susan Boyle and Hans Matheson. The movie is based on the novel by Max Lucado.

Admission and popcorn are free. Viewers are invited to bring their own snacks and beverage.

Holiday Family Story Hour will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Oneida Public Library, 220 Broad St. For the 34th annual event, Ginny Pendleton hosts an evening of songs and stories for children and their parents, with special guests and a visit from Santa Claus. The Friends of the Oneida Public Library will serve refreshments.

Tech Help will be offered on Dec. 17 from 9-11 a.m. with volunteer tech advisors at the library to help users set up and adapt their devices, from iPads to tablets to smart phones. No appointment is needed.

Thursday, Dec. 18 the OPL Board of Trustees meets at 5 p.m. in the library’s History Room. The public is invited.

Band schedule

The Cazenovia Community Band will be in concert on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chittenango High School auditorium, 150 W. Genesee St., Chittenango.

The family friendly concert is free and open to the public. Musical selections will include holiday favorites, Broadway and Beatles medleys, and works by Leroy Anderson, John Phillip Sousa, Morton Gould and Louis Gottschalk.

Christian luncheon

The Oneida-Canastota Christian Women’s Club December brunch will be

Men’s night out

Men’s Night Out will be held in the Cazenovia shopping area on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6-9 p.m. Shops will be open to assist men in their Christmas shopping, The event is held each year in the downtown historic businesses.

Swingalong at EOH

The Earlville Opera House will hold a Swingalong Spectacular on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Oneida Community Mansion House, Kenwood Avenue, Oneida.

The Country Christmas Swingalong Spectacular will begin at 8 p.m. and will include Swinging Country with a Crackerjack Band and Sweet Harmony vocals. Tickets are $20 and $10 for youth, add $2 day of sale. For information call 691-3550.

Symphoria magic

At 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20 at the Oncenter Civic Center Theater in Syracuse, Sean O’Loughlin conducts Symphoria in its holiday spectacular. Nick Ziobro and Julia Goodwin join the Syracuse Pops Chorus and local dancers for this local holiday tradition. Ticket prices vary. See experiencesymphoria.org

Christmas party

The Canastota VFW Post 600 Women’s Auxiliary will hold its annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the post home, 3835 E. Canal St.

In other Auxiliary news, the 32” TV raffle was won by Linda Moonen of Oneida.

The Auxiliary voted to send $600 to the National Children’s Home which was earned from the group’s September rummage sale.

Bird Count

The Chenango Bird Club will conduct the annual Sherburne Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 20. Club members have conducted the count since 1980 though this is the 115th Audubon Society sponsored Christmas Bird Count overall.

The Christmas Bird Count lasts 24 hours — from midnight to 12:59 a.m. on Dec. 20 during which birders in the area try to see and hear as many birds as they can. The area is a circle centered in the intersection of Route 12 and 80 in Sherburne with a 15-mile diameter.

Messiah Sing

Zion Episcopal Church, 140 W. Liberty St. will hold a Messiah Sing on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. The program is free.

Soloists will perform Part 1 of the Messiah while the people in the pews sing the chorus. All are welcome to either participate or just enjoy the music. A free reception will follow the performance.

Winter arrives

Winter solstice arrives Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6:03 p.m. EST. With this, why not think of a Solstice Hike on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, baltimorewoods.org.

Take a lantern lit hike through the woods to observe the longest night of the year. Learn about ancient winter solstice traditions and celebrate the return of the sun by exploring the sights and sounds of nature at night. To register call 673-1350.

Giving tree

Have you left off your donations of foods and household items needed for stocking up the food cupboards at the food pantry in Chittenango? The Department of Parks & Recreation of the Town of Sullivan has a giving tree located in its office at 707 Legion Drive for you to place your donations under.

Stop by and pick an angel off the tree and return your gift at the Parks & Rec Department unwrapped by Jan. 5.