2023
Christmas Carol
SONGBOOK
MerryChristmas from
Rock Valley Publishing
& OUR LOYAL ADVERTISERS
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Happy Holidays Happy Holidays
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During this holiday season, we wish you all the best. During this holiday season, we wish you all the best.
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‘The Night Before Christmas’
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads, And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s napWhen out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, “On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem; “To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! “Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount
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to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys - and St. Nicholas too: And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to
his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack: His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face, and a little round belly That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sightHappy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Christmas Carol Songbook
AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC.
1102 Ann Street, Delavan,WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 General Manager: Sue Z. Lange • Page Design: Jen DeGroot • Editor: Melanie Bradley Creative Director: Heidi Schulz • Advertising Director: Vicki Vanderwerff 2023 CHRISTMAS SONGBOOK
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Festival of Lights: 34 Years Lighting Up the Holidays!
This free event at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford has become a state-line family tradition since 1989. Founded by Mr. Fourth of July, Joe Marino, and The Rockford Park Districts, John Peterson, the Festival began with just 11 displays and has now grown to over 85 displays! Displays seen throughout the park are either rented from the Festival of Lights
Committee or built and installed by local individuals, community organizations or businesses. As of late 2017, the Festival began to repair, replace and reorganize its holiday displays. Our volunteer committee is dedicated and committed to bringing the people of this community a wonderful, drive through light display year after year.
For 2023, they have invested in even more new displays...make sure to take a look and let organizers know what you liked about this year’s event! The Festival of Lights is open from 5 to 11 p.m., Thursday through Sundays on Dec. 7-10, Dec. 14-17, Dec. 18-23, Dec. 26-30. Open 24 hours a day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Open from 5 p.m. to midnight on New Years Eve.
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Don’t miss All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory
Celebrate the holidays at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens! Come see sparkling holiday lights in the outdoor gardens. The outdoor display features familiar favorites, light-wrapped trees and shrubs, as well as new surprises to discover. View elegant illuminated stars and 50 jumbo lighted candy canes, all hand-made by Conservatory staff. All in all, the outdoor grounds will have 300,000 lights, including many “glistening” lights, adding extra sparkle to the displays. Lights are on dusk to dawn. This is a free event for the public, but donations are appreciated. Look for purple donation poles within the display or donate online.
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Mercyhealth Foundation to host Breakfast with Santa
Mercyhealth Development Foundation is excited to announce it will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9, 8-11 am, at Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside, 8201 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, cafeteria. Guests should park in sections C and D and enter via the adult entrance. The event will benefit babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their families. Breakfast will include French toast, eggs, bacon or sausage, fresh fruit and beverages. The event will also include horse-drawn
carriage rides, cookie decorating, games and a photo with Santa. The cost is $15 per person if registered by Dec. 8. Tickets at the door are $20. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit giveagift.mercyhealthsystem.org. Anyone is encouraged to support the NICU in the following ways: · Bring a hotel, gas or restaurant gift card to the Breakfast with Santa event. Gift cards will be used to help cover expenses that NICU families encounter. · Make a monetary donation as an
individual or corporate sponsor by visiting giveagift.mercyhealthsystem.org. · Bring new children’s books to the event for families in the NICU. Or, drop off your donation at the Mercyhealth Development Foundation’s office at Javon Bea Hospital– Rockton, 2400 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, on or before December 5. To purchase tickets for the event, visit giveagift.mercyhealthsystem.org. For more information about this year’s event, call (815) 971-4144 or email jurbelis@ mhemail.org.
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Tasty tidbits about EGGNOG
Eggnog is a rich and delicious beverage that has become synonymous with the most festive time of year. This milk- and egg-based concoction is tasty on its own, or it can be dressed up with other flavors and spiked with a favorite spirit when celebrating the holiday season with other adult partygoers. December is National Eggnog Month, and December 24 is National Eggnog Day.
There is no more perfect time of year to learn everything you can about eggnog — all the while sipping a cup of this creamy concoction. Indulge in these festive facts about the beverage, courtesy of Mental Floss, The Fact Site and Tastemade. • Eggnog likely originated in the medieval period and was known as “posset,” a hot, milk-based drink made of spices and wine. Even though posset could be a cocktail, it also was used as a remedy for colds and flu for its soothing properties. • Milk, eggs and sherry used in the early recipes were difficult to come by, so when eggnog first appeared it was a drink only the wealthy could enjoy. That changed when
eggnog was popularized in the American colonies, where dairy products and liquor were more readily available. • Entymologists believe “eggnog” stems from the word “noggin,” which refers to small wooden mugs often used to serve strong ale, known by the slang word “nog.” • In the Medieval period, it was risky to drink milk straight because it wasn’t pasteurized. Eggnog contained alcohol so that it would kill off any harmful bacteria in the milk. • A typical homemade version of eggnog has roughly one egg per serving. Now that you’ve learned about eggnog, whip up a batch this holiday season.
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Visit Santa Claus at CherryVale Mall
Santa will make his grand arrival at CherryVale Mall on Friday, Nov 17 at 6 p.m., where he’ll be celebrating the holiday season and hearing Christmas wishes at his workshop on the lower level at center court. Want more Santa celebrations? Pet Photos with Santa are available all day on Mondays during Santa’s visit. Visit Santa from Nov. 17 through Dec. 15 and receive an entry to the Dear Santa Giveaway, where Santa will send one lucky shopper on a $2,000 shopping spree. Plus, you will receive a collectible ornament for your tree! Santa is so excited to welcome holiday retailers and more this Holiday Season: Foozy Socks, fun trendy socks for the entire family - a seasonal exclusive
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Go! Calendars, Games & Toys, a beloved retailer of calendars, games, and puzzles - a seasonal exclusive. Nelson Art Glass, beautiful blown glass figurines and gifts - a seasonal exclusive PolarX Ornaments, customizable holiday ornaments, and gifts – a seasonal exclusive CherryVale Mall is the proud home of many of your favorite stores for holiday shopping, including Zumiez, Buckle, Yankee Candle, American Eagle Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, H&M, and more. “CherryVale Mall is truly a onestop shopping destination this Holiday Season,” says Susan Angelin, Marketing Manager at CherryVale Mall. “In addition to the main attraction –
SANTA – we’re excited to welcome many new retail offerings, along with shopper favorites for a unique experience.” After his big arrival, Santa will be available from Nov. 17 until Dec. 24 before he heads off for his holiday trek around the world. Santa will be at his workshop in the mall Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visits are always free, and photo packages are available for purchase. For more information on upcoming events, holiday hours, Santa visits, and more, visit our website here.
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Ogle County offering holiday lights recycling
Autumn is upon Ogle County, and it seems folks are getting an early start on holiday decorating. Some of those light strands from previous years may not be working anymore and can be recycled very easily within Ogle County. The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) is again partnering with local fire departments and villages to again offer several convenient drop-off boxes so those frustrating, nonfunctional holiday light strands can be recycled and kept out of the landfill. Starting Friday, Nov. 17, drop-off boxes will be available at the following fire departments: Rochelle, Byron, Stillman Valley, and Mt. Morris. They will also be located at the village halls in
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Polo, Forreston, and Davis Junction, and Creston. Light strands are also accepted at the Ogle County courthouse and at the OCSWMD office at 909 Pines Road in Oregon. Boxes will remain at these locations until Friday, Jan. 19. Accepted light strands include Italian mini-lights, traditional lights, LED lights, and other holiday light strands. Extension cords are also accepted. Material not accepted includes rope lights, wreaths, garland, metal stakes or silhouettes, live greens, plastic decorations, timers, light packaging, plastic bags, or cardboard boxes. Placing just the light strands and cords into the bins increases material value and makes the recycling process more efficient for the processor.
Lights and cords will be shipped to Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations in Onalaska, Wis., to be recycled. In 202223, around 1,300 pounds of material was recycled through this program. This resulted in a $528 donation to the local United Way to support local charities. So as community members prepare to untangle, test, and put out those holiday lights this season, remember to help the environment and recycle all those dead strands of lights, which have brightened homes in the past but now refuse to light up anymore. If there are any questions about this program, or to learn about other recycling opportunities in Ogle County, call 815-732-4020 or visit www. oglecountyil.gov.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! SMTD is making your holidays sweeter... We’re here to get you there Holiday graphics by Jackie Lynn Hecox
this holiday season! From the folks at SMTD, Gus
Amanda
Mari
Dick
Pam
Jack
Sharon
Bob
All the Drivers and Support S taff
For information, call 779-771-6778 “We’re Here To Get You There”
Providing transportation services to the Greater Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit area since 2008.
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