By Mary Owen
Ho ho ho!
Santa’s coming to the Santiam Canyon to help out with a variety of events, from tree lightings to sing-alongs to the 20th annual Santa Cruise Toys for Joy Cruise-in and Breakfast.
“The Cruise-in started several years ago from car clubs wanting to come together and do something for the Toys for Joy program,” said Jay Alley, assistant fire chief of the Stayton Rural Fire District, a sponsor of the event with the Sublimity Fire District.
“We’ve been hosting that program for a lot of years,” Alley said about Toys for Joy, a toy giveaway program for children from needy families in the community.
The program began with firefighters collecting gently used toys and fixing them up to give out during the holidays, Alley said.
“It evolved to becoming what it is today,” he said. “We raise funds and donations from the community to purchase new toys and distribute to families the week before Christmas.”
Former firefighter Greg Teevy, who is on the Toys for Joy support team, loves to see “the joy on kids faces at Christmas time.” He said that is what inspires him and others to help with the drive.
Alley said the car clubs’ involvement created a whole new dynamic to the program with participants donating to the drive. The entry fee for the Cruise-in is one brand new toy, he added.
This year’s event will begin with breakfast at the Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W. Ida St., on Saturday, Dec. 4. Cost is $5 for adults and $4 for kids and seniors. Cruise-in registration begins at 8 a.m. with awards at 11:30 a.m.
“There will be prizes, a drawing and a raffle,” Alley said. “Everyone is welcome to join in the fun!”
The event raises more than $5,000 and 1,000 toys annually, according to the district. Toy collection barrels are at North Santiam Credit Union, Stayton Fire Station, Sublimity Fire Station, Les Schwab and Bi-Mart. New unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of the sites until Dec. 17.
Volunteers to sort and wrap toys are also needed, and can contact the department office at 503-769-2601.
“We’re all kids,” Alley said with a chuckle. “We like to play with the toys, too. It’s lots of fun!”
Families in need of help must register for both programs by Dec. 12 at the Stayton Resource Center, 238 N. Third Ave. at 1-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 9-11:30 a.m. Fridays. To register bring a photo ID, current utility bill for proof of address, and proof of income for everyone in the household. The programs are available to qualified applicants who live in the Stayton and Sublimity fire districts, including the communities of Marion, Elkhorn, Mehama, Mt. Pleasant and Drift Creek. For information, call 503-769-3173.
Aumsville
Santa has been visiting Aumsville for a long time, said police clerk Patti Etherington. Department staff is now gathering new, unopened gifts for children to be delivered within Aumsville city limits. Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts on Dec. 18 at the Chester Bridges Memorial Center. Registration forms are available from the police department and must be returned by Dec. 17.
Toy collection barrels are at the police and fire departments, Pizza Peddler and Riverview Community Bank.
“We look forward to this joyous season in Aumsville and celebrate with a few city-sponsored events,” she said.
In addition to the toy drive, Aumsville will host a Santa visit around town Dec. 11 beginning at 11 a.m. in Heuberger Estates and ending at the community center at about 6 p.m. Candy canes will be handed out, and the seventh-annual tree lighting ceremony will follow Santa’s visit. The celebration will take place at the community center, complete with door prizes, Christmas carolers, a wagon ride pulled by tractor courtesy of Sweet Stone Farm.
“People can bring cookies to share,” Etherington said. “We will supply the coffee and hot chocolate.”
From 9 to 11 a.m. at the community center, children can create a handmade gift for mom and/or dad as well as take home a plate of no-bake cookies, thanks to the generosity of a local benefactor. The event is free and is for any age.
“So come listen to carolers, ooh and ah over the lights, eat some cookies, drink some hot chocolate, and take a wagon ride,” staffers invite. “We love Aumsville – a great place to live!”
Stayton
The tree lighting in Stayton is Saturday, Dec. 4 at the corner of Third Avenue and Virginia Street. Caroling, Steppin’ Up Dancers, Alicia Baker, Community Christmas Choir and lots of community spirit lead to the countdown and Santa lighting the tree, organizers say. The Kiwanis will have soup and bread available for $3. The event is sponsored by the Stayton Volunteer Fire Protection Co., #1 and New Hope Community Church.
Prior to the tree lighting is annual flashlight parade from Star Cinema up Third Avenue. Folks will gather at 5:45 p.m. with the tree lighting to follow.
Also taking place is the St. Mary Green Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Mary Grade School gym, 1066 N. Sixth Ave. The 38th annual Stayton Christmas and Craft Bazaar with more than 100 booths is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stayton Middle School, 1021 Shaff Road. Admission is free with one can of food for the Stayton Food Bank. A free shuttle runs from the Bi-Mart parking lot all day.
The Joni Harms Christmas Show will take place at 7 p.m. following the tree lighting at Star Cinema. Harms has been dubbed “the queen of Oregon country music.” Tickets are $10, and children 11 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Cartwright’s Music and Event Center. For information, call 503-769-2778.
Star Cinema will also show Rudolph, a holiday movie sponsored by Gerry and DeeAnne Aboud and Star Cinema. Admission to the 3:30 p.m. show is $1 or a canned food item. All proceeds go to the Stayton Community Food Bank.
Sublimity
Sublimity’s tree lighting ceremony is Saturday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at the Sublimity Fire Station, 115 Parker St., and is sponsored by the Sublimity firefighters and Marian Estates. Community activities follow the lighting.
Other holiday events
Santiam Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Poinsettia Sale, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the hospital lobby. Poinsettias are $15 apiece, and all proceeds support the Auxiliary Scholarship Fund and needs of the Santiam Memorial Hospital. Info: Char Bartosz, 503-749-3910; Mary Duncan, 503-769-5221; Wilma Shelton, 503-769-5290; or Sandra Zolkoske, 503-769-2804.
Sublimity School Music Department Holiday Program, Jingle Bell Jukebox, Dec. 1, 1 p.m. Dec. 2, 7 p.m. in the gym. Singers will include kindergarteners to the middle school choir, The Sublimity Showstoppers for this free 1950s Rock ‘n Roll program. Patty Keeton is the music director.
St. Mary Green Sale, Dec. 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. , Dec. 4-5, 8 a.m. to noon at St. Mary Grade School gym. Wreaths, swags and greenery for holiday decorating will be sold.
Stayton High School, Winter Carnival and Canned Food Drive, Friday, Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m. in the cafeteria. Tickets 25 cents each or trade one can of food for three tickets and three cans of food for 10 tickets. Each event costs from one to three tickets for elementary-age children. Photos with Santa, cookie walk, bean-bag toss, sponge toss, face painting, lollipop draw, fishing, cotton candy, popcorn and more. Sponsored by SHS Future Business Leaders of America, Associated Student Body, Key Club and Science Club. Donations by: Roth’s, A&W, Stayton High Junior Class. Proceeds go to the SHS Canned Food Drive benefitting the Stayton Community Food Bank.
Silver Falls Christmas Festival, Dec. 11-12, 11a.m. – 4 p.m. at Silver Falls State Park South Falls Lodge and surrounding day-use area. Make wreaths, gingerbread houses, cards, ornaments. Storytelling for kids and live music. Special appearance by JR Beaver and Santa. Sponsored by Friends of Silver Falls. Cost: $5 per vehicle day-use fee. Some crafts may have a material fee. Info: 503-873-8661×21 or 503-874-0201. To volunteer: 503-873-8735.
Stayton Elementary School annual First Grade Christmas Program Twas the Night Before Christmas, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. in the gym. The 30-minute performance is free.
Photos with Santa, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fresh to You Produce and Garden Center, 41579 Stayton – Scio Road, Stayton. Also Dec. 11 and 18. 503-769-9682.
