What's Happening This Week?
Events in the Kokomo and Howard County area for Dec. 18-24 and beyond
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TODAY
Christmas Lights of Greentown
The annual Christmas Lights of Greentown runs on selected nights through the Christmas season from 6-9 p.m. Event dates are Dec 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; For more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/greentown/page-10.php.
Play Dough Play
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Play Dough Play event on Sun., Dec. 18, from 3-3:30 p.m. at its Main Branch Discovery Center, 220 N. Union St. Kids will use Play Dough to build a variety of skills, learning their ABCs, listening, learning vocabulary, writing their names, letter-sound matching, and memory.
MONDAY
Substance Use Disorder Support Group
A substance use disorder support group will launch on Mon., Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. at Jackson Street Commons, 322 E. Jackson St. This group is open to all veterans, including residents of Jackson Street Commons, and will be led by VA-certified peer specialist Jason Goddard. This group will meet every other Monday following the initial meeting. For additional information, call 765-251-4967 or email noel.goddard@va.gov.
Discovery Café Grand Opening
The Discovery Café, a program of Turning Point Systems of Care will hold its grand opening on Mon., Dec. 19, from 4-6 p.m. The event will be held in the Grace United Methodist Church Hall, 219 W. Mulberry St., with the opportunity to take a short tour of the café, located at 216 W. Walnut St., from 5-6 p.m. Discovery Café offers a safe space to empower our youth with acceptance, passion, support, and inspiration.
TUESDAY
Mental Health Walk-In Clinic
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library and 4C Health will offer a free mental health walk-in clinic at the library’s main branch, 220 N. Union St., on Tue., Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. until noon. Are you an adult struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health challenge? Come talk confidentially with a 4C associate who will help you find help locally.
Next Chapter Book Club
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a meeting of the Next Chapter Book Club on Tue., Dec. 20, from 10-11 a.m. at the Main branch, 220 N. Union St. Join the library for a relaxed, small group setting of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to read, learn, and make friends. Register by contacting Ellen at 765-626-0829 or Marsha at 765-626-0813.
Teen Holiday Party
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Teen Holiday Party on Tue., Dec. 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at its Main branch, 220 N. Union St. Bring your friends, and celebrate the holiday season. Make a craft, nosh on snacks and play games.
Pajama Storytime Holiday Celebration
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Pajama Storytime Holiday Celebration on Tue., Dec. 20, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at its South branch, 1755 E. Center Road. Dress the kids in their PJs and come celebrate the holidays with stories, singing, and a craft. No registration is required, but supplies are limited to the first 50 to attend.
WEDNESDAY
Free Santa Workshop
The Very Early Childhood Development Center, 210 W. Walnut St., will hold a free Santa Workshop on Wed., Dec. 21, from 1-3 p.m. This event is open to parents with children ages birth through 6 years. Enter the workshop. Choose a free book or electronic book set for each child. Elves will then wrap them for you to take home and place under the tree. The line will form at the back door of the building. For more information, call 765-252-3995.
Pajama Storytime Holiday Celebration
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Pajama Storytime Holiday Celebration on Wed., Dec. 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at its Main branch, 220 N. Union St. Dress the kids in their PJs and come celebrate the holidays with stories, singing, and a craft. No registration is required, but supplies are limited to the first 50 to attend.
Camp Tycony Winter Camp
The Kokomo Family YMCA will hold a Winter Camp at Camp Tycony on weekdays from Dec. 21, 2022, until Jan. 3, 2023. Campers will spend their Winter Break participating in various activities, weather permitting, including archery, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, and sports games, along with extra-special Christmas-themed activities. Registration for Winter Camp is open now at www.camptycony.com. Don’t wait because Winter Camp is limited to just 100 campers.
THURSDAY
Gingerbread Fun
Children ages 3-5 can enjoy a special story time with songs and a gingerbread house craft at the Kokomo Howard County Library’s Gingerbread Fun event on Thu., Dec. 22, from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Main branch, 220 N. Union St.
Teen Writers Group
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a meeting of the Teen Writers Group on Thu., Dec. 22, from 5-6 p.m. at the Main branch, 220 N. Union St. Do you like to write stories? Do you want the chance to sharpen your creative writing and critiquing skills and receive feedback from your peers? Then join us!
Christmas at the Seiberling
The Howard County Historical Society will host this year’s Christmas at the Seiberling with evening hours each Thursday and Friday in December from 4-8 p.m. at the Seiberling Mansion, 1200 W. Sycamore St. A special “candlelight” self-guided tour evening will be held on Dec. 24. Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased online. For more information, call 765-452-4314 or visit https://howardcountymuseum.org/programs/christmas-at-the-seiberling.
SATURDAY
City of Lights
The annual City of Lights holiday display in Highland Park, 900 W. Defenbaugh St., will open to the public nightly through Dec. 24. The display opens at dusk. Santa Claus will be on hand from 6-10 p.m. each evening. Admission is free.
COMING SOON
Favors Free Christmas Dinner
The 27th annual Favors Free Christmas Dinner will take place on Sun., Dec. 25, at Morning Star Church, 2900 E. Markland Ave. There will be no dining in this year. Just pick up and grab and go options will be available from 2-3 p.m. at the church and at 402 E. Mulberry St. Deliveries can be made to shut-ins, the elderly, and Meals on Wheels recipients. To volunteer for this event, call Judy Favors at 765-457-3853. Please call no later than 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve to arrange for deliveries.
Drive Thru Light Display
Enjoy the lights while reading the story of Jesus’ birth at an outdoor light display at the ConneXion Church, 700 E. Southway Blvd. The light display takes place through Dec. 27 nightly from 6-9:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Teen Writers Group
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a meeting of the Teen Writers Group on Thu., Dec. 29, from 5-6 p.m. at the Main branch, 220 N. Union St. Do you like to write stories? Do you want the chance to sharpen your creative writing and critiquing skills and receive feedback from your peers? Then join us!
Antique and Collectible Show and Sale
An Antique and Collectible Show will be held at the Howard County 4H Fairgrounds Block Building in Greentown on Dec. 31, 2022, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Jan. 1, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Items offered during the event include toys, pattern glass, primitives, furniture, advertising, pottery, books, jewelry, Flo-Blue, depression glass, postcards, and more. Admission is $3. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Food available on-site. For additional information, contact show manager Dave Turner at 765-419-1943.
Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel in concert
Kokomo’s own nationally renowned blues band, Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel, will perform a special New Year’s Eve concert to kick off the release of their latest album, “Kokomo Honey.” The concert will take place at the Phi Delta Kappa Concert House, 2401 Saratoga Ave., and runs from 9:30 p.m. until midnight. The night will be capped off with a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $25 each or $40 for couples. For additional information, call 765-454-0602.
Middle School Wrestling Call-Out
Kokomo Schools will hold a call-out for middle school wrestling on Wed., Jan. 4, from 4:30-6 p.m. at Kokomo High School, 2501 S. Berkley Road. Enter the school using Door 13. Participants must have a physical on file with the school corporation.
Middle School Girls Basketball Try-Outs
Kokomo Schools will hold try-outs for girls’ middle school basketball on Wed., Jan. 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. at Maple Crest Middle School, 2727 S. Washington St. Participants must have a physical on file with the school corporation.
First Friday Lunch and Learn
Community Howard Regional Health and the Kokomo Family YMCA will hold a First Friday Lunch and Learn event on Fri., Jan. 6, from 12:10-12:50 p.m. at the YMCA, 114 N. Union St. The topic will be “Focusing on Your Health in 2023.” Dr. Victoria Moyer, a family medical physician with Community Family Medicine Care, will speak about key ways to promote overall wellness in the year ahead, identifying important areas to focus health in 2023 such as recommended exams, disease prevention, and lifestyle choices. This is a free event with lunch provided, but registration is required. To register, call 800-550-1266.
Frozen Sandlot
The Frozen Sandlot ice skating at Kokomo Municipal Stadium is open on select days for public skating through Jan. 8, 2023. Visit www.frozensandlot.com for a full schedule of public skating times, ticket prices, online waiver form and more.
Girls Who Code Book Club
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Girls Who Code Book Club event on Fri., Jan. 20, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at its main branch, 220 N. Union St., in the Discovery Center. This event is for children ages 8-13. Kids will read “Learn to Code and Change the World” by Reshma Saujani and complete fun coding activities. Register at www.khcpl.org under “Events” or by calling any KHCPL location.
KAA Pastel Classes
The Kokomo Art Association will host Pastel classes for beginners and intermediate artists each Thursday from Feb. 2 to March 2, 2023. This five-week class will teach beginners the basics and explore advanced techniques like “wet pastel” for more experienced users. Learn how to use different surfaces, hard and soft pastels, principles of composition, color theory, and layering techniques from Avon Waters, a juried-in associate member of the Pastel Society of America. Participants who don’t have supplies can share a pastel set during the class. Cost is $15 per session. Reserve a spot with a $5 deposit at www.kaaonline.org/donations or contact Lesley at artisfunlnw@aol.com for additional information.