Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend 2021

VICTORIAN SLEIGHBELL PARADE

& OLD CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

~ 2021 ~

A Supplement To The

Horses play a big part in Manistee’s Victorian Parade. The 2021 event is set for Dec. 4. (File photo)

Traditions return for Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend I’ve been scrambling, but people “We’ll have a lot of new elements in this year’s parade,” have been very helpful.” she said. “I studied Disney and Despite all of this, Cook is their motto is ‘always entertain.’

MANISTEE -- The parade confident that the parade will “One of the problems with the and music – those have been “Many people who helped be as good as ever this year – if parade in the past has been gaps the backbone of the Victorian with events have retired and not better. between units, and that can’t Sleighbell Parade and Old even some of the horses that “I think we’ll have more be helped because the horses Christmas Weekend right from have been in the parade have parade entries this year than we have to keep their distance the start. died,” she said. “When I started, from noise. So what we’re had in 2019,” she said. “I have a good number of things that With Sleighbell taking a year going to do is try to entertain been working the phones.

I had off due to COVID-19, the brand have been a part of Sleighbell during the lulls. Ben Hengy a master list and everyone who new chair of the committee has were booked elsewhere. We lost of the Manistee Civic Players has ever been involved with the been working overtime to make a horse and buggy just yesterday is going to organize a group parade has been contacted. ”

due to a family emergency. sure the music and parade of town criers who will be traditions continue.

She said she wants the parade “My favorite phrase has been, posted throughout the parade to be the most fun thing anyone route where they will sing and Julia Cook, who took the reins ‘OK, you can’t do it, so do you in August, agreed that since it’s know someone else who can?’ has ever seen. announce what’s coming up

David Yarnell For the News Advocate

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been nearly two years since the last Sleighbell weekend in 2019, in many ways it has been like she’s starting from scratch.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

next.”

enjoy us and we really enjoy performing.”

Cook said they are planning other ways to entertain the parade crowd, including handing out bells to the kids.

The traditional final event for the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is Lessons and Carols, which will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 420 Oak St.

“There are certain elements to this puzzle that have come together very recently,” she said.

“I don’t even know how, but they have.”

One is lining up the Reed family to pull the upright Christmas tree.

The unique thing about Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade, is organizers stick to the Victorian nature so there is no amplified music.

(File photo)

“That’s the hardest position to fill because not just any horse team can do it,” Cook said in early November. “We have to have a proper team and people who know what they are doing. The Reeds hadn’t been contacted and didn’t know if the parade was on, but we were able to book them two weeks ago.”

The parade will end with caroling around the community Christmas tree followed by fireworks.

idea when a family asked me to get a group together to play for one of the band members’ retirement party.”

From 4:30 p.m. until the start of the parade musicians will be playing the carillon bells at Guardian Angels Church, located at 371 Fifth St.

Tetsworth said people at the retirement enjoyed the music, so it continued the following Sleighbell weekend.

Another group Cook was pleased to sign recently is the Muskegon Regional Police Pipes and Drums.

“We scrambled to get them,” Cook said. “They are nationally known and have played at the White House. I didn’t know how amazing they were.

Fortunately they were waiting for a call. They will play around town before the parade and they absolutely love Manistee.

We’re lucky to have them.”

Cook said that the Maxwelltown Brass will be playing before the parade and also be in the parade and WMOM 102.7 will be broadcasting the activities live.

Other pre-parade entertainment will include Gordy the Organ Grinder, a juggler/stilt walker and carriage rides.

According to Matt LaMore, there are about a dozen people in the group that rings the chime for special events.

“They typically play a song in groups of three people, each person handling four of the 12 bells,” he said. “They rotate depending on the song. There are a few people who can play all 12 by themselves, which is quite a workout.”

He said currently the group plays the bells at noon each Sunday for about a half hour.

“For the Sleighbell event, we’ll play an hour of Christmas carols to serenade people as they walk downtown for the parade.”

Rick Tetsworth founded the Maxwelltown Brass about five years ago and is the group’s informal director.

“We do it strictly for Sleighbell weekend, so we rehearse just “Some cities want to be once or twice before that,” he Victorian like us, so they fake it. said. “Most of us play in the What makes Sleighbell weekend Scottville Clown Band, and great is that our Victorian is five or six of us were talking real.” amongst ourselves about the

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

According to Mark Kirchenberg, who has been Trinity’s minister of music for 38 years, this will be the church’s 10th year of doing the program.

“Someone asked who we were, so I blurted out, ‘We’re the Maxwelltown Brass’ because several of us, including me, grew up in that part of Manistee.”

There are about a dozen members of the band, which include’s Tetsworth’s sons Evan and Eric.

“We don’t have a long history, but I know Manistee really enjoys us,” he said. “It is a lot of fun. We have some hot chocolate that may have a little lead in it to keep us warm and we laugh a lot. People seem to

“It’s an opportunity for us to reach out to the community to proclaim the gospel and get together to sing carols and hear the word of God concerning Christmas,” he said.

“Our Trinity choir will do six or seven selections and those attending the event will sing the other songs.

“It’s not a formal worship service or anything like that,” Kirchenberg said. “It’s an opportunity to sing carols and enjoy the music of the season.”

After the program there will be refreshments and social time.

Further information on any of the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend events is available at Manisteesleighbellparade.com.

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Sleighbell weekend includes student dance, Jingle Bell Jam David Yarnell For the News Advocate

Wojciechowski said the dances have been gaining popularity each month.

MANISTEE -- Holiday traditions in music and dancing will be celebrated at three Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend events – a student dance by the Armory Youth Project, Sleighbell Fun at the Moose and the Jingle Bell Jam.

“It started somewhat slow but at the Halloween dance we had over 40 kids,” she said. “Mainly we’ve been having middle school students attending, but we had quite a few high school students attend in October and they had a blast. The costumes were a lot of fun.”

The Jingle Bell Jam will feature four bands and raise funds for Toys For Tots/Gifts for Teens. It will be held on Dec. 4 immediately after the Sleighbell Parade at American Legion Post No. 10, located at 10 Mason St. in Manistee.

Admission is $10 or a new unwrapped gift.

Sleighbell Fun at the Moose is also on Saturday, from noon until closing time. Manistee Moose Lodge 1128 is located at 1010 Robinson St. According to Cheech Gilman, Moose bar manager, they will be serving a sloppy joe, pickles and chips meal and also have pizzas and appetizers available. Entertainment will begin at 8 p.m.

The Armory Youth Project Dance will be held Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. at the Armory, located at 555 First St. It is a Christmas-themed dance for students in grades 6-12.

“This is our first year for dances,” said Amy Wojciechowski, executive director of the Armory Youth Project. “We were looking for something different and unique to do so we decided to have a dance each month, trying to theme them to what was going on that month.

So it seemed like a perfect fit to hold the December dance during Sleighbell weekend.”

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Wojciechowski said that during the dances they do games and have special dances like the limbo, chicken dance, Macarena and musical chairs.

“We have our own Theresa Anderson as the DJ and the kids love her,” Wojciechowski said. “Her daughters, a freshmen and a senior, get involved and she enjoys doing these events with them.”

Anderson is the assistant executive director of the Armory Youth Project.

Wojciechowski said there is a special prize patrol that hands out items during the dances.

“We get a lot of support,” she said. “For instance, the Little River Casino Resort donated bags of candy as gifts last month. Through the month we gather donations then share them with the kids – gift certificates, candy, T-shirts or whatever.”

The Jingle Bell Jam will feature four bands and raise funds for Toys For Tots/ Gifts for Teens on Dec. 4 immediately after the Sleighbell Parade at American Legion Post 10, located at 10 Mason St. in Manistee. (File photo)

The emphasis of all Armory events is safety.

“We have a lot of volunteers and we encourage all of them to come in and help with events like this,” Wojciechowski said. “Our programs give kids safe and fun things to do when they aren’t in school. We get kids from many area schools, not just Manistee.”

She said students from out of

The Armory Youth Project Dance will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Armory Youth Project, located at 555 First St. It is a Christmas-themed dance for students in grades 6-12. (File photo)

town who might be visiting during Sleighbell weekend can also come to the dance, but they should register with the Armory Youth

Project and also make a reservation for the dance. This can be done at armoryyouthproject.com/ registration.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

Santa’s headquarter dates slated throughout December 4, but will have to leave promptly at 3:45 so he can be in the parade at 5:30 p.m.

MANISTEE -- What should When Santa is not at the a kid do to make sure his or headquarters, there will be a her Christmas wishes will be drop box for letters. granted?

As the name of the business implies, Downtown Delights The best bet is to sit on is also a good place for the Jolly Old Elf ’s lap and whisper that special list into delightful seasonal treats in addition to being a good his ear. Next best, sit down place to write a letter to with pen and paper, write a heartfelt note (Have you Santa. “We always have lots been good this year, or at of good things to enjoy,” least made amends for any said Judkins, whose business naughtiness?) and then mail has been open since midit to the North Pole.

August. “For Sleighbell Weekend I’m going to have During Manistee’s hot cocoa, hot cider and Victorian Sleighbell Parade warm fruit cobblers in & Old Christmas Weekend, addition to the usual menu.”

Downtown Delights will be helping the younger set Downtown Delights’ make their wishes known. regular menu includes all

David Yarnell For the News Advocate

“We’ll have a pre-printed letter for the kids to color and fill out and then they can deliver it across the street to Santa’s headquarters,” said Downtown Delights owner Tracy Judkins. “We’ll have all the crayons and markers and supplies and envelopes – everything they need.”

sorts of ice cream treats, nine varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches and three soups daily. Judkins added that her shop will be open on Sunday for a special breakfast buffet from 8-11 a.m.

Downtown Delights is located at 457 River St., with Santa’s headquarters across the street in the Manistee Municipal Marina. Letter writing supplies will be available from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, 4 and 5.

“It’s been going very well – I certainly can’t complain,” she said. “I am looking forward to being very busy during Sleighbell Weekend since we’re in the heart of things, right where they put the tree. I have window seating so people can see the tree right from their table.”

Santa will be in the headquarters from 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19. He will be there a little longer on Dec.

Further information is available at Downtown Delight’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/ downtowndelightsMI.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

Santa’s Headquarters will be open during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend and throughout December. (File photo)

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Bob and Jan Kenny serve up some chestnuts during theVictorian Sleighbell Parade. The 2021 event will take place on Dec. 4. (File photo)

Food trucks, breakfast added to annual Sleighbell event David Yarnell For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- The holidays are the time of the year to eat, drink and be merry, and during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend there will be many opportunities to do just that.

The newest thing this year will be food trucks.

“I met with the River Street merchants and they said the problem has always been food,” said Julia Cook, chairperson of the Sleighbell committee.

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“So we’re bringing in food trucks – five of them. They will be on Oak Street near the River Street intersection. We are trying to keep them local but many of the locals don’t do winter. So in addition to the locals there will be one or two from Grand Rapids.”

Cook said the trucks will start serving at noon on Dec. 3.

“When we reached out to the accommodations, they said what they needed most are places that will serve breakfast,” Cook continued. “So the Elks (located at 432 River St.) will serve breakfast on Saturday

from 9 (a.m.) until noon and the Moose (located at 1010 Robinson St.) on Sunday from 8:30 (a.m.) until noon.”

Also, Downtown Delights, located at 457 River St., will have a special breakfast buffet on Sunday from 8-11 a.m.

Of course the longest running and most unique Sleighbell snacks are roasted chestnuts at several locations on River Street an hour before the parade on Saturday. Kendra C. Thompson Architects has been sponsoring this almost as long as there has been a Victorian Sleighbell Parade.

Also before the parade, City2Shore Real Estate/Port City Associates will be offering special treats from the office located at 340 River St. “We opened at this location in October 2019 so we did Sleighbell then and it was great, but we were surprised by the number of people and ran out of drinks,” said Kristyn Moore, executive assistant to broker/ owner Kellen Keck. “We’ll definitely be prepared for a lot more people this year.”

Moore said they will be serving coffee, hot cider, cocoa, doughnuts, sugar cookies and

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

even treats for pets.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” she continued. “It will be nice to see local faces and others who are out and about. We also get the full view of the parade, which is really nice.”

Many other establishments will also be offering good things to eat and drink during the weekend, including warming drinks at Ruddiblush Gallery, located at 321 River St., from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and Northern Spice Company, located at 378 River St., specially spiced cocoa and baked goods from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday.

Special Scandinavian treats will be available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Old Kirke Museum, located at 304 Walnut St. The museum is located in the oldest Danish Lutheran Church in America, established in 1868.

During past events, children and adults could decorate Christmas cookies. At Cookie Fun for Everyone this year, people can lend a hand in creating their holiday treats from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Manistee United Methodist Church.

(File photo)

board member for Habitat Mary Ann Grabowski, vice and executive director of the president of the museum, said Armory Youth Project. she will be making a special “We have a licensed kitchen Scandinavian punch and Ruth Cooper will be making cookies. at the armory so Habitat volunteers come in during “The punch is called glogg the week to bake cookies that – it’s tea and apple cider and will be decorated on Saturday spices,” Grabowski said. “It’s and also to decorate and pretty good – like spiced-up package ready-to-go cookies,” apple cider.” she said. “I think it’s great She said the museum will when organizations can work be decorated for the holidays, together to share these kind including three Chrismas of resources.” trees – Nowegian, Swedish and Decorated cookies can be Danish. ordered by emailing habitat.

“We’ll give out the recipes for manistee.county@gmail.com or the cookies, too,” Grabowski calling 231-723-7458. said.

On Saturday from noon until At Cookie Fun for Everyone, a close there will be Sleighbell fundraiser for Manistee County Fun at the Moose Club, located Habitat for Humanity, people at 1010 Robinson St. can lend a hand in creating According to Cheech Gilman, their holiday treats. It will be Moose bar manager, they will held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on be serving a sloppy joe, pickles Saturday at the Manistee United and chips meal and also have Methodist Church, located at pizzas and appetizers available.

387 First St. Entertainment will begin Amy Wojciechowski is a

at 8 p.m.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

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The Sleighbell Bazaar and Craft Show had 150 vendors at the Manistee High School in 2018. However, that craft show was canceled this year due to COVID-19.

Craft shows will be held at the Wagoner Community Center and the Conservatory of Dance. (File photo)

Sleighbell Weekend craft shows at Wagoner Community Center, Conservancy of Dance K en Grabowski For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- Craft shows are always both entertaining and a great place to pick up holiday gifts this time of the year.

During the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend, people will have two opportunities to

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enjoy of those type of events.

Craft Show at the Wagoner Community Center are hoping The Holiday Craft Show will to get about 100 booths for be taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 the show. They have attracted p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Wagoner many of the crafters from the Community Center, located at craft show that was normally 260 St. Mary’s Parkway, while held by the hospital auxiliary the Mom2Mom/Holiday Craft at Manistee High School, but Sale will take place from 9 a.m. was canceled this year due to to 2 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 5 at COVID-19. the Conservatory of Dance, “There are quite a few signed located at 321 Oak Grove St. up already and we are also Organizers of the Holiday going to have a bake sale along

with a small kitchen where we will be selling sloppy joes,” said craft show co-chair Marlene McBride. “We want to have it so when people are in there they can get something to eat, and there is a good group of volunteers helping us out.”

McBride said they plan on putting 50 booths in the multipurpose room at the center and another 50 in the area that was the church. They will still have

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

plenty of room to space the booths a safe distance apart.

decided to put that together with our Mom2Mom sale.”

“We are asking vendors and people coming to wear masks,”said McBride.

Allen said they wanted to take a different path that included something for the Moms and for the kids that was unique.

So they came up with this concept.

“So many of the seniors do crafting as a way to earn extra money and since COVID they haven’t been able to do anything, so many of them have a good inventory built up,” said McBride. “Right now we got a mixture of crafters so it will not be all one thing.”

She said they have vendors signed up from Baldwin, Twin Lakes, Bellaire and all different places. She said they offer up items that will make great Christmas gifts.

“I hope the weather cooperates that day, so everyone can come to it,” she said. “We are excited as this is our first big thing like this and our plans are to try it once since the auxiliary couldn’t do theirs this year. We don’t want to step on their toes as they do a fantastic job and the money they raise goes to help a lot of the things in town.”

The funds raised from this event will toward replacing some doors at the Wagoner Community Center. The Manistee County Council on Aging needs to replace a lot of exterior doors and to add handicap assistance to them as well.

“Our goal is to fund that project,” said McBride.

The Mom2Mom Holiday Craft sale will be using a slightly different format, according to fundraising president Chelsea Allen.

“Our sale is a fundraiser for our dance kids (at the Conservatory of Dance) and it is kind of a non-traditional Mom2Mom sale as some of moms are artists,” said Allen.

“So instead of having like aN art booth at a craft sale we

“Another fun thing the dance kids are selling is cookie kits,” said Allen. “It will already have the cookies baked and will come with frosting and little decorations that can be added. Everyone loves doing Christmas cookies, but some of us work and others are just too busy to do it with kids in school, sports and activities.”

By doing it this way, Allen said it gives families the opportunity to do the fun cookie decorating that everyone loves.

“We kind of take the pressure off it, by giving you everything you need, and all you have to do is put it all together,” said Allen.

All the moms will have separate booths at the sale and each will be offering something different.

“It is going to be a wide variety of things we have to offer,” said Allen. “And we told people in our group that we will make a space for them if they want a booth because I always want everyone to be involved and more the merrier.”

Allen pointed out they always like to get the children involved in their fundraising events because it benefits them.

“The older kids will be selling the cookies and the younger ones will be at a bake sale donation booth,” she said.

She said they are charging the public an entry fee of $1 for adults; kids get in for free.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

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Dunegrass Co. is encouraging customers to participate in a fund food drive it has set up through Feeding America as well as a coat drive in December. (File photo)

Local businesses holding coat, toy drives during annual event David Yarnell For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- Christmas is a time for giving, so two Manistee businesses will be encouraging their customers to give gifts of warmth, food and Christmas toys during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend.

North Channel Brewery, located at 86 Washington

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Ave. in Manistee, is offering customers 10% off or $1 off pints of beer from 2-7 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3 if they contribute a new toy that will be distributed to area families.

Dunegrass Co., located at 28 Arthur St. in Manistee is encouraging customers to participate in a fund food drive it has set up through Feeding America.

It runs through the end of December. In addition, the

cannabis retailer will run a coat drive through One Warm Coat in January and February and also have a coat collection box outside the store in December.

Ron Ford, North Channel Brewery owner, said his business has enjoyed getting involved with community fundraising.

“We’ve also done a lot with the Ramsdell and also the Vogue,” he said. “We’ve

also helped the Armory Youth Project, so we’re pretty involved with the community, and not only North Channel but my wife and I also are donors to many of these projects that serve the community’s needs.”

Ford noted that the business just completed its fourth year.

“That’s a big deal for us,” he said. “Every year has

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

faced it’s own challenges and to survive the COVID thing is big for everyone.

The community has been very supportive of us, and we appreciate that.”

“Sleighbell is extremely busy and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“We’ve requested permission from the city to keep our outdoor area open through the winter, so we have some heaters out there and tabletops where people can play games and have a beer or two, so that will be open for Sleighbell as well.”

Ford said generally he does not get the chance to slip away and enjoy Sleighbell events himself.

“No, that’s not possible,” he laughed. “My wife and I have been in the community since 2002 so our family has seen the tree pulled down the street a number of times. That was a lot of fun, but the focus is on the business now.

North Channel Brewery is offering customers a discount on Dec. 2 and 3 if they contribute a new toy that will be distributed to area families. (File photo)

The coat drive will also accept blankets, gloves, scarves and hats.

Merry Christmas

“The most interesting thing about Sleighbell to me is that it’s very international,” he continued.

“One year we talked with a camera crew from Japan.

There are people here from all over.”

“Anything you can think of that would help people keep warm,” Herd said. “One Warm Coat did a survey that indicates there will be a 50% increase in the need for warmer clothing items this winter. We’re working Rebecca Herd, Dunegrass Co. marketing manager, said on finding ways to plug her company enjoys helping ourselves in to help however we can.” out in their communities.

“During the summer we helped with a lot of community and beach clean ups,” she said. “With winter coming we want to help out with food and coat drives. We’ve been getting involved with senior retirement centers raking leaves and we’ll be shoveling snow – any way we can help.

We want to show what the cannabis industry can do for our communities.”

Dunegrass opened its Manistee location in August 2020. Its newest location is in Beulah and the company is also Big Rapids, Cadillac and Marquette.

Further information on the projects is available at the businesses’ Facebook pages and also at northchannelbrewing.com and dunegrass.co.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

To those in our community and those who travel through here, we wish you a safe and healthy Christmas!

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Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend Event Schedule Events are subject to change. Find more details and the full event list at manisteesleighbellparade.com/

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Thanksgiving - Dec. 5

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Sleighbell Holiday Food Truck Court - Noon to 7 p.m.

Located on Oak Street between River and Water streets.

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Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor 1-8 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple St. Donation: $1 minimum.

Info: 906-440-6770 or festivaloftreeslakeside@gmail.com

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Tours of the Ramsdell Theatre - 2-4 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Cost: $5.

Info: facebook.com/RamsdellTheatre

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Festive Fun & Cocoa-to-go at Manistee County Library 3-4:30 p.m.

Manistee County Library, 95 Maple St. Info: manistee.ploud.net/

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Downtown Sleigh Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Snyder’s Shoes - 4-6 p.m.

Come downtown to look for 1 of 10 hidden sleigh ornaments at participating merchants. If you find a sleigh you will receive $20 in Manistee County Cash to spend.

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Armory Christmas Dance - 6-9 p.m.

The Armory, 555 First St. The dance is for students in grades 6-12.

Donations accepted.

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Live Music at the Elks - 7-11 p.m.

Manistee Elks Lodge 250, 432 River St. Live rock music performed by BVO. No charge

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The Nutcracker Ballet - 8 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Cost: $10-$30.

Tickets: facebook.com/RamsdellTheatre

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Cookie Fun for Everyone - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Manistee United Methodist Church, 387 First St. Cost: $11/dozen or $6/half-dozen.

Info: habitat.manistee.county@gmail.com or 231-723-7458

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Breakfast at the Elk’s - 9 a.m. to Noon Manistee Elks Lodge #250, 432 River St. Cost: $10 for breakfast; $5 Bloody Mary or mimosa

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Holiday Craft Show - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wagoner Community Center, 260 St. Mary’s Parkway.

Free admission.

Info: Marlene McBride at 248-331-7917 or Kathy Yoder at 231-510-3320

Sleighbell Silent Auction - When the theater lobby is open.

The Historic Vogue Theatre, 383 River St. Info: voguetheatremanistee.org/

Dec. 1 - Dec. 31

Dunegrass Co., Coat Drive - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Located at 28 Arthur St. Donate new or gently used coats, jackets, blankets, gloves, scarves and hats.

Dec. 1

The Vogue Theatre Wednesday Classic Film 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Historic Vogue Theater, 383 River St. “Little Women” (1994) Cost: $2 Info: voguetheatremanistee.org/

Dec. 2

Business After Hours Holiday Edition - 5-7 p.m.

Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom, 101 Maple St. Cost: $15 for members/$25 for non-members.

Must register online manisteechamber.com

Dec. 2-3

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ruddiblush gallery, Warming drinks - Noon to 8 p.m.

Located at 321 River St. Info: ruddiblush.com/gallery

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North Channel Brewery, Toy Drive - 2-7 p.m.

Located at 86 Washington Ave. Info: northchannelbrewing.com/

Dec. 3

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Christmas & Ken Jilbert - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Manistee County Historical Museum, 425 River St. Cost: $3 per adult, $1 per student

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Downtown Delights, Letters to Santa Craft Noon to 5 p.m.

Located at 457 River St. Info: facebook.com/downtowndelightsMI

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Dec. 4

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

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Mom2Mom/Holiday Craft Sale - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conservatory of Dance, 321 Oak Grove St. Admission $1; children 10 and under free.

Info: facebook.com/theconservatoryofdance

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Christmas & Ken Jilbert - 10: a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Manistee County Historical Museum, 425 River St. Cost: $3 per adult, $1 per student

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Jingle Bell Jog 5K Run/Walk - 10 a.m. (race begins) Kennedy Elementary School, 550 Maple St. Cost: $20.00 per person.

Registration: runsignup.com/Race/MI/Manistee/ ManisteeJingleBellJog5K

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The Vogue “Nickelodeon” & Free Classic Christmas Movies 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Historic Vogue Theatre, 383 River St. No charge.

Info: voguetheatremanistee.org/

•

Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple St. Donation: $1 minimum.

Info: 906-440-6770 or festivaloftreeslakeside@gmail.com

Continued on Page 14

Eastlake firefighters pull an over 100-year-old piece of firefighting equipment through downtown Manistee at a past Victorian Sleighbell Parade. (File photo)

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays and all the Best in the New Year!

10% off all Gift Card purchases 25% off all Taco ‘Bout It Merchandise Manistee • 723-7292 SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

344 River St. Manistee, MI • 231-887-4441 13

Mike and Kedra Thompson have been preparing the roasted chestnuts for the past 26 years during the Vicorian Sleighbell Parade. (File photo)

Continued from Page 13 •

Old Kirke Museum Open House - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut St. No charge.

•

Wagon Rides on River Street - Noon to 3:30 p.m.

Rides end promptly at 3:30 p.m.

No charge.

•

Downtown Delights, Letters to Santa Craft Noon to 5 p.m.

Located at 457 River St. Info: facebook.com/downtowndelightsMI

•

ruddiblush gallery, Warming Drinks - Noon -- 5:30 p.m.

Located at 321 River St. Info: ruddiblush.com/gallery

•

Sleighbell Holiday Food Truck Court - Noon to 9 p.m. (closed 5:30-6:30 p.m. for parade) Located on Oak Street between River and Water streets.

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•

Sleighbell Fun at the Moose - Noon to close (open to the public) Manistee Moose Lodge 1128, 1010 Robinson St. Food and entertainment. No cover charge.

Info: facebook.com/manisteemooselodge

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St Paul Lutheran Church Open House & Tour Noon to 2 p.m.

St Paul Lutheran Church, 313 4th St. No charge.

Info: stpaulsmanistee.com/

•

Santa’s Headquarters - 1-3:45 p.m.

Manistee Municipal Marina, 480 River St. No charge.

Also open Dec. 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 1-3 p.m.

•

Tours of the Ramsdell Theatre - 2-4 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Cost: $5.

Info: facebook.com/RamsdellTheatre

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MaxwellTown Brass Christmas Performance - 3 p.m.

390 River St. - On the sidewalk. No charge

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Bell Ringing - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Guardian Angels Church, 371 Fifth St. Info: facebook.com/GuardianAngelsProject

•

Victorian Sleighbell Parade - 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Manistee on River Street from Division to Spruce Street

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Sleighbell Fireworks - Immediately following the Sleighbell Parade, caroling and tree lighting.

Manistee Municipal Marina Area

•

Jingle Bell Jam - following the Sleighbell Parade.

American Legion Post 10, located at 10 Mason St. Cost: $10 or unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens.

Info: facebook.com/manistee.legion

•

SugarTips Acoustic Live - 6-9 p.m.

North Channel Brewery, 86 Washington St. No charge

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Live Music at the Elks, performed by Jeri & Tony 7-11 p.m.

Manistee Elks Lodge 250, 432 River St. No charge

•

The Nutcracker Ballet - 8 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Cost: $10-$30.

Tickets: facebook.com/RamsdellTheatre

•

Breakfast at the Moose - 8:30 a.m. to Noon Manistee Moose Lodge 1128/chapter 2315, 1010 Robinson St. Cost: $10

•

Mom2Mom/Holiday Craft Sale - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conservatory of Dance, 321 Oak Grove St. Admission $1; children 10 and under free.

Info: facebook.com/theconservatoryofdance

Dec. 5

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

People move west down River Street following the 30-foot Christmas tree at the end of the Victorian Sleighbell Parade in 2017. The 2021 parade is set for Dec. 4.

(File photo)

•

Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor, Winning Bidders Pick Up - 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (closed to the public) Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple St.

•

Christmas & Ken Jilbert - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Manistee County Historical Museum, 425 River St. Cost: $3 per adult, $1 per student

•

Old Kirke Museum Open House - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut St. No charge.

•

Ladies Holiday Bazaar --Noon to 3 p.m.

Beyond the Mirror, 290 First St. No charge.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Mary Sturdevant, Agent 306 Parkdale Ave Manistee, MI 49660 Bus: 231-723-9905 mary.sturdevant.rfqh@statefarm.com

www.marysturdevant.com statefarm.com®

•

Downtown Delights, Letters to Santa Craft Noon to 5 p.m.

Info: facebook.com/downtowndelightsMI Located at 457 River St.

•

The Nutcracker Ballet - 2 p.m.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Cost: $10-$30.

Tickets: facebook.com/RamsdellTheatre

•

Lessons & Carols - 3 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 420 Oak St. No charge.

Info: facebook.com/tlcmanistee 132 Monroe Street, Manistee (231) 299-3022

Stop in and try our wingS and burgerS The perfect gifts! Gift certificates, growlers and merchandise.

Great Food

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LATE-NIGHT EATS OPEN FOR DINE-IN SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

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Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet will be again presented by the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and directed by Ingrid Bond in 2021. (File photo)

Ramsdell Theatre to host holiday traditions David Yarnell For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- Manistee’s historic gem, the Ramsdell Theatre, has been the center of the community’s holiday celebrations for nearly 120 years. That tradition continues in 2021.

First up is Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet, presented by the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and directed by Ingrid Bond.

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It opens during Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend with 8 p.m. shows on Dec. 3 and 4 and a 2 p.m. show on Dec. 5. There will also be 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. shows the following weekend, Dec. 10-12.

Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours Holiday Edition from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 2. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members and advance registration is required at manisteechamber.com.

Also on Sleighbell weekend Manistee’s Lakeside Club will be organizing the Festival of Trees in the Ramsdell ballroom. The first look at the Festival of Trees will during the

“Historically the Ramsdell Regional Center of the Arts has been the center of Manistee’s Christmas celebrations and we’re excited to be carrying on that tradition,” said Sherri

Protasiewicz, Ramsdell marketing and events manager.

“We’re also bringing Miss Michigan, Vivian Zhong, here on Saturday during Sleighbell weekend,” Protasiewicz said. “She will be at the Ramsdell visiting the Festival of Trees and will also be helping the volunteers at the Vogue.

And of course she’ll be in a carriage for the Sleighbell parade.”

There will also be tours

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce’s Businesss After Hours at the Festival of Trees is Dec. 2 from 5-7 p.m. (File photo)

of the Ramsdell during Sleighbell weekend.

“We’ll have multiple tour guides so tours will begin every 10 or 15 minutes and this way there won’t be any long waits,” Protasiewicz said.

She added that she is excited about the exhibit “First Americans” that is currently on exhibit in Hardy Hall and runs through Dec. 30.

“This exhibit features Michigan Native American artists and is dedicated to our country’s first Native American cabinet member,

Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior,” Protasiewicz said. “In addition to artworks by multiple artists, there are also some Native American works on loan from Traverse City’s Dennos Museum.”

Another of the Ramsdell’s December events, Protasiewicz said, is one of a series of Family Opera Days on Dec. 18. While adults attend the opera “Eurydice,” students will participate in an art project related to the production. At intermission they will join their parents and see the second half of the opera together.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

“The idea is to introduce the students to the opera at an early age,” Protasiewicz said.

The Nutcracker, which premiered in 1892, will involve over 150 cast members and volunteers.

The Victorian-era holiday classic is a perfect match for the Ramsdell stage. The choreography for the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy, done by original choreographer Marius Petipa, was handed down by legendary Russian-born prima ballerina Alexandra Danilova to choreographer Carol Greenaway, who now

lives in Frankfort, to Ingrid Bond.

The Festival of Trees will be presented in the Ramsdell ballroom on Dec. 3 and 4. Trees and other holiday decor will be up for bid through silent auction.

Further information on the Festival of Trees is available by phone at 906-440-6770 or email festivaloftreeslakeside@ gmail.com.

Further information on the events at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is available by calling 231-398-9770 and at ramsdelltheatre.org.

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Vogue Theatre planning silent auction, special movies during Sleighbell Weekend K en Grabowski For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- The main focus of the Vogue Theatre has been to provide quality entertainment to people of ages so it comes as no surprise that they will be offering some great programs during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend to fill those needs.

Theatre manager Sara Herberger said they will be mixing some classic movie favorites with a silent auction to benefit the Vogue Theatre’s general operations during the weekend.

“The first thing we are going to do is we have the 1994 movie ‘Little Women’ as part of our Wednesday morning classic series on Dec. 1, so that will kind of kickoff Sleighbell,” said Herberger. “We show that twice a day Wednesday at 10 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. We thought it was a good way to open the weekend.”

Sleighbell Weekend, but people can come in to place a bid any time the theater is open.

“Anytime we are open during the auction we will have the items in our lobby with descriptions of each of the items as well as the bidding sheets,” said Herberger. “It is going to be kind of neat as there has been some wonderful prizes as people have been extremely generous with donations and that means to the world to us.”

COVID-19 took a financial toll on the Vogue like it did on many businesses, and that is why this fundraiser is so important. Herberger said many local businesses were generous in their donations because they know the important role the Vogue plays to the downtown area.

“We were closed in the height of COVID and many merchants have said it makes a difference for our businesses when you burn the marquee lights, which we did on the weekends From Nov. 26 through the even when we were closed,” end of the Sleigbell Weekend said Herberger. “This is just on Dec. 5 there will be a like an extension of that in Sleighbell Silent auction the spirit that we are in this with the proceeds going to together.” the general operations of the Herberger said businesses Vogue. really came through and it “People and businesses and has been a great group effort transportation companies as things are beginning to have donated items to come back on all of River be auctioned off,” said Street.

Herberger. “We will finalize The Vogue is also bringing the bids on Sunday, Dec. 5 at back free movies on Dec. 8 p.m.”

4 during the Sleighbell Herberger said they expect Weekend, which has that most of the bidding been a tradition since the will take place during the Vogue reopened. The titles

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The Vogue Theatre celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2018 during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend. (File photo)

During Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend, the Vogue Theatre will show free Christmas classics on Dec. 5. (File photo)

for those movies will be announced closer to that date.

and white Christmas movie and the third one will be a more modern comedy.”

“There will be three show times at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.,” said Herberger. “It will all be Christmas classic movies, so the first one will be for families and children featuring two short cartoon classics and the second one at 1 p.m. will be an old black

Herberger said the Vogue Theatre will be represented in the Festival of Trees and they plan to take part in the Sleighbell Parade.

“We are looking forward to a great weekend for Manistee,” she said.

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

Lakeside Club to host Festival of Trees Dec. 2-4 K en Grabowski For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- Nothing can bring on the Christmas spirit more than a ballroom filled with brightly decorated trees, wreaths, gift baskets and seasonal décor.

The Manistee Lakeside Club will be offering that opportunity during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend this year when it will host the Festival of Trees and Decor. This will be the first year this popular event will be under the direction of the Lakeside Club and it will again be held at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts ballroom.

Opening night will be Dec. 2 during the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. It will also be open to the public from 1-8 p.m. on Dec. 3 and again on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Last year the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all the Victorian Sleighbell and Old Christmas Weekend events. However, Deb Green, is one of the Lakeside Club

members working on the Festival of Trees and she said the public can expect the same high quality event like in year’s past.

“This year we are pretty much doing the same thing that the chamber has done with the Festival of Trees in the past,” said Green. “We really didn’t have a lot of time to do any tweaking because we didn’t take it over until late, so we are kind of just staying with what they have done with just a few little changes.”

Due to the pandemic, the Lakeside Club hasn’t had much of an opportunity to meet so they are excited about this opportunity to start being active again.

“We haven’t been able to do our lunches or anything and we have always been community oriented and felt this was a perfect fit to get us helping the community again,” said Green.

Green said they are still looking for designers for the trees and wreaths and they can be individuals, groups, organizations or businesses. She said the uncertainty of whether or not it would take place because of the pandemic put everyone behind

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Sunday, December 5, 2021 • 3:00 P.M. The Advent and Christmas Story In Word & Song A Dessert and Social Hour will follow.

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420 Oak Street • Manistee, MI SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

Festival of Trees will take place at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, and those who attend can vote for their favorite entry with a donation of canned goods or pet food. (File photo)

in their usual preparation time frame.

“We really didn’t get full rein of it until August, so we kind of got a late start,” said Green in early November. “They just decided to do the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours our first night a couple of weeks ago and that was in limbo for a while for us.”

Green said on that opening night of Dec. 2 the chamber will be in the Ramsdell ballroom with them for that Business After Hours event. She said the chamber charges a fee for their event, so if anyone is planning

on attending that night they will need to pay that fee to gain admittance.

“They have done that in previous years, which is good for us because we really needed that boost to start off the Festival of Trees,” she said.

Another component of the Festival of Trees is they will be looking for donations for Toys for Tots Gifts for Teens.

“We will have a barrel there and every time you donate a gift you will be signed up for a chance to win a prize,” said Green. “We

Continued on Page 20

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Continued from Page 19 also are doing the People’s Choice Award where people can bring canned goods and place them by their favorite tree to vote for it.

All of that is going to the Mathew 25:35 Food Pantry.”

People will also have the opportunity to bid on the trees in a silent auction so they can enjoy them throughout the holidays in their own home. Those interested can place a bid on a particular tree by writing down a number issued to them with their bid.

“Bluefish Kitchen and Bar is doing a tree with gift certificates on it, so we are hoping to get more businesses to do something like that,” said Green.

They also have some table top trees and larger trees available is someone wants to decorate but not purchase one. The club felt that was one way to encourage people to take part in being a decorator.

“All of the trees will be artificial this year because it is so much easier unless a decorator wants to provide a live one themselves,” said Green.

The Lakeside Club said they do have one slight change this year in terms of admission.

“The last few years the chamber has not charged admission, but we are doing admission by donation with a $1 minimum,” said Green. “We thought that was a good opportunity to make a little more money for our charities. All the proceeds after our expenses will go to for the Armory Youth Project and the Homeward Bound Animal Shelter.”

The group is hoping to get a lot of people signed up to decorate trees.

“We are working hard at it as a lot of people have said they are going to do it,” said Green.

“It’s very easy to sign up and if you want any information about the Festival of Trees you should go to our website at Lakesideclubmanistee.org and it has the designer form to enter and all the details they need to become a designer.”

They also are doing the holiday décor portion of the event, so people who would like to donate a wreath or any kind of seasonal decoration or gift basket will be welcomed.

“We will take any of that and add it to the auction,” said Green.

“Those type of things might be better for individuals to do.”

People’s choice awards are given out for items on display at Festival of Trees.

People can vote by placing a toy or food item under their favorite tree. (File photo)

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts ballroom is transformed during the holidays, and this year, it will host the Festival of Trees. (File photo)

The club made another change with this year’s event in they will not be open to the public on Sunday.

“We decided that will be our pickup day for people who won the bidding on the items,” said

Green.

The ballroom is large, and Green said there is plenty of room for social distancing. She said they plan to have masks available for anyone who may want one.

History a focus during Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend K en Grabowski For the News Advocate

buildings featuring some of that rich history that helped to shape the community.

MANISTEE -- One of the many components to the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is to focus on the historical aspects of Manistee.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Old Kirke Museum and Manistee County Historical Museum all have special events that are sure to appeal to people of all ages. Just like the Victorian Sleighbell There will be special Parade and Old Christmas programs over the Sleighbell Weekend taking place at three Weekend take a step back in of Manistee’s most historic time so will the programs

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During Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend, an open house will be held at the Old Kirke Museum, featuring three decorated trees: one Norwegian, one Swedish and one Danish. (File photo)

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

offered in these three locations.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located at 313 Fourth St. is one of Manistee’s oldest churches dating back to the 1880s and from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 4 members will be hosting an open house with tours and fun activities for the kids.

Church member Nancy Skory, who is on the program committee, said they are offering something just a little different this year.

“We have done an open house for years, but this year we wanted to do something a little more for the kids,” said Skory. “So this year it is going to be called St. Paul Lutheran Church Christmas for Kids and an Open House.”

Skory said they will be holding a Christmas ornament craft for the children during that time frame giving parents the option of dropping their children off or staying and taking a tour of the historic church.

“If you want to drop your kids off for two hours and do some shopping that is fine, as the kids can enjoy some Christmas crafts, games and hear the Christmas story,” said Skory.

There are plenty of interesting things to see in the building as well for the adults.

“Our open house includes tours of one of the oldest churches in Manistee,” said Skory. “Refreshments will served and it is free to the public. We have a big basement room where the kids will do the crafts and the tours will be upstairs, so it will be separate.”

Another historic church with a special program

scheduled is the Old Kirke Museum located at 304 Walnut St. They will be holding a two-day Scandinavian Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m on Dec. 4 and 5.

Old Kirke Museum’s director Ken Cooper said they plan to have some festive decorations up for the event. The Old Kirke Museum was built in 1868 as a Danish Church and holds the honor of being the oldest Danish Lutheran Church in America with its doors still open.

“We will have an open house over the weekend of the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend festival,” said Cooper.

“We will have three trees decorated one Norwegian, one Swedish and one Danish and we will also have some snacks for the people.”

One of the boat models made by Ken Jilbert that will be on display at the Manistee County Historical Museum during the month of December. (File photo)

The free event will also include some other things for the public to view that focus on the historic aspects of Manistee.

“We will also have an exhibit of Tiny Towns and Trains and the Madsen Lumbering Dioramas,” said Cooper.

Manistee County Historical Museum executive director Mark Fedder said this year’s holiday display will feature a kind of two for one type of display that celebrates the holidays while honoring a great volunteer at the same time.

The display will have lots of historical Christmas decorations from over the years, but will also pay tribute to Ken Jilbert and many of the historical displays that he has created for the Manistee County Historical Museum.

“The display this year is called ‘Christmas and Ken Jilbert,’” said Fedder. “We

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will hold its annual Christmas Open House from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. The church was built in 1890. (File photo)

wanted to do something a little different this year than in the past, so we will have the usual holiday displays with Christmas, but then we are also going to feature the models, wood workings and works of Ken Jilbert.”

After opening the weekend of the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend on Dec. 2 the exhibit will run through the rest of the month. Cost of admission is $1 for students and $3 for adults. The museum is located at 425 River St. Jilbert has created models of eight of the historic vessels

that visited the port of Manistee that are on display at the museum. Each of those models was done with intricate detail that catches the eye of most visitors to the Manistee County Historical Museum.

“We are going to include a couple other ones as we have the (vessel) Maggie Marshall which was a big lumber schooner that was used by (late 1800 Manistee lumberman) Louie Sands.

Typically all of those things Ken made are tied to the history of Manistee.”

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Jingle Bell Jog 5K Run/Walk ready to roll on Dec. 4 K en Grabowski For the News Advocate MANISTEE -- Good family fun for people of all ages is what the Jingle Bell Jog 5K Run/Walk has to offer during the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend.

This year the 13th annual run/walk will be taking place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the Kennedy Elementary School, located at 550 Maple St. The run is being organized by the Manistee High Cross Country team as a fundraiser to support their program, and coach Eric Thuemmel said it usually draws about 150 to 200 runners/ walkers every year.

Last year the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the run, but Thuemmel said people taking part this year will see a return to way the event was run in the past.

“We are back at Kennedy Elementary where we held it all but last year,” said Thuemmel. “It will be our previous route that goes through the neighborhood around Kennedy and Jefferson elementary school buildings.”

One thing that is certain is people living in those areas will get a little Christmas sound as the runners go by their homes.

a specially designed long sleeve shirt or a hat.

Thuemmel said the main concept is for the participants to just have fun.

“We have prizes for various age group winners and costumes are encouraged,” said Thuemmel.

“In the past they had people dress up as reindeer or in festive ugly sweaters and attire like that.

It is a fun, family event and good way to stay in shape.”

Another aspect to the run is participants really don’t know until the day of the event what Mother Nature is going deal them in terms of running conditions.

“You never know what to expect as some years it is miserably cold, frosty and slippery and few years ago we had a couple guys running shirtless because it was sunny and in the upper 40s,” Thuemmel said. “It’s usually well attended and has become a little of a Sleighbell tradition. We are glad to have a normal race and start this year.”

Thuemmel said they will take any necessary steps to keep everyone safe with any protocols that may be needed due to COVID.

“Besides the run there is a competitive walking race or they “All runners/walkers will get a can just walk for the fun of it,” little jingle bell to attach to their he said. “It’s one of those events shoes so we hear the sound of where we get people from 7 to jingling as they run through the 70 or 80 years old and there are streets,” said Thuemmel. awards for various age groups and prizes to the overall winners The race will have will have a as well. We often have young $20 entry fee, and people can kids who say that is the first 5K register up to the start of the event. Everyone who participates they ever run, so it is a great will also receive their choice of community event.”

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The annual Jingle Bell Jog 5K is a popular Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend event. (File photo)

The Jingle Bell Jog 5K was held Dec. 19, 2020 in Manistee. The event, which typically coincides with Manistee’s annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend was scaled down this in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. (File photo)

One of the many start waves set off for the Jingle Bell Jog 5K in 2020 in Manistee. The event returns in 2021 on Dec. 4. (File photo)

SLEIGHBELL • Manistee News Advocate • December 2021

of The

Nutcracker Ballet.

Tours will also be available on Friday and Saturday!

Include The Ramsdell Theatre in your Sleighbell & Old Christmas Weekend festivities!

Enjoy the annual Festival

of Trees in the grand ballroom, view the First Americans exhibit in Hardy Hall, and experience a magical performance of

The Nutcracker Ballet in the theatre.

Tours will also be available on Friday and Saturday!

For more information, please visit www.RamsdellTheatre.org If you are going 101 Maple St, Manistee

to be on a list, after Manistee’s 31st Sleighbell Parade

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