Thanks again to the Rockford Chamber for their dedication to the Rockford Community and providing us with an event that the kids and parents cherished. It was warm and cozy in the newly remodeled Pavilion where Santa and his reindeer kept everyone in their finest spirits for hours. Soft drinks, hot chocolate, coffee and Christmas treats were provided which satisfied everyones taste buds.

Soggy Santa waves to the Squire, as he passes the Corner Bar. Photo by CLIFF HILL

Stephanie Porter (left) of Ionia is the winner of a Demdaco nativity scene, which is presented to her by Cathy’s Hallmark’s newest assistant manager, Theresa VanOs (right).

Cathy’s Hallmark announces winner of nativity scene

When Stephanie Porter of Ionia, a student at Aquinas College, was shopping for ornaments at Cathy’s Hallmark with her boyfriend, they saw a contest to win a nativity scene. The pair had been wanting one for their apartment, and was very excited when Stephanie received the call that she had won.

The nativity scene that Stephanie won is part of the Willow Tree Collection by Demdaco, called “The Christmas Story” by Susan Lordi, which retails for $81.

‘Dear Santa’ contest brings in many kids’ letters

Dear Santa,

I only want one thing for Christmas it is called lego powerminers the cave cutter and a small toy bus for my autistic eight yr. old brother Benjamin Hribek.
Sincerely
Christopher Michae Hribek

Dear Santa,

This year will you please bring me a MP3 player, Board games and anything else you think I’d like, Please remember to give alot of toys to the needy. I’d also like some good Mushrooms. By the way that’s your wife’s name?
Sincerely, Greta
Age 9

Dear Santa
Thank you for all the present and everything. I hope you can make my mom feel better. And have a merry Christmas.
P.S. and a happy new year!
Raven,
Age 9

Dear Santa,

I would like for Christmas to see my dad who lives in South Dakota. That would make me happy and I would also like some lego’s and I’ve been a good boy all year long. Thanks Santa.
Love
Tyler Brown
Age 6

Dear Santa,

I love you. Tell the elves good work. Can I please have a B.F.G. doll and a Liv. Doll and a D.S. Please and that is all.

Bye Dude Santa
Hayley Nowak
Age 6

I love you Santa.

You can bring me presents. I want a Batman house and Pirate legos. I love the reindeers. I like your Christmas tree. I like Santa’s pokey-nose.

Bye Santa
Brayden Nowak
Age 3

Dear Santa,

I would like a DSI please. I hope you have a safe ride. I hope you find the poor people who don’t have a home.
Love
Ben Boscher
Age 7

Dear Santa Clause,

Happy Christmas! I am going to list a few things I want for Christmas: A B.F.C. doll, a Liv doll, d.s game, wii games and for my family to have a great Christmas.

(PS say hi to Mrs. Clause, the elfs and the reindeer too!!!)

From Alysa Nowak
Age 8-1/2

dear Santa,

I  want a Ipod and Mp3 Player and a game guess who I want New warm shoes and a Fun New Year! Santa you have a Happy New Year and Santa do you like toys! P.S. I love you to !!!!!!!!!!

Riley Thompson
Age 7

Dear Santa,

Thank you for letting me see you at the mall. I want an MP3 Player with a screen and a Big trampolen. Have a verey merry Christmas!

Emma
Age 6

Dear Santa,
What I want for Christmas is American Girl Doll stuff. A big Barbie house with a pool. How do you fly? I want a desk so I can color. Please!

love Calista
Age 7

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this year with my little good this year with my little sister Kamryn, who is very wild. All I want for Christmas is to have the best Christmas is to have the best Christmas is to have the best Christmas ever for my family. Also I want Kamrya to have her first ever Christmas oranament, that is baby proff.

Love, Jordyn Kass
Age 10

Dear Santa

I would love Webkinz for Christmas. These are the ones I want, a Webkinz Pink googles, a Black Cat, and a Cherry blossom bird all so a Stwrabarry Clod Lepard, Charcoal cat the Last one I want is a Silver soft cat.

I’ll leave you cookies and coke.

Love, Kaylee
Age 6

Santa,

I want a newt and a usi (blue) and a JLX –overdrive and some goosebump books (scatey) and zero gravity lazer (blue) and a scooter and Pirate’s of the Caribbean (lego’s) and a hover disk and a I-spy book (the) (haunted house) and Nerf dark taed and a air hog switchblad (black & yellow) and a Scooby-doo stuffed animal and a parrot.

Presley
Age 7

Dear Santa,

I love everything you do for us keep up the good work. I can’t imagine how hard it is to travel the world in one night.

We are thankful.

Love, Ireland
Age 10

Dear Santa,

My name is Justin. I’m 4 years old. I think your jolly and cute. I look forward to seeing you every year. I’m a pretty good kid. I asked my mom and dad and they said I’m pretty good t. All I ask for is paper to write on. I like to draw and write.

Justin
Age 4

Dear Santa,

These are the main things I want.

1) an ipod
2) a webkinz
3) a Jonas Brothers D.S. game
4) last is for my family to be happy and to get what they want to get for Christmas.

 p.s. I hope it all fits in the sleigh.

Marissa Bouwkamp
Age 10

characters telling the story, transporting you back to old London and that fateful Christmas Eve night.

Mark your calendars now. Three performances are scheduled on December 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on December 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets are only $8 and are available at the box office before all performances, the Cedar Springs Public Library, or by calling (616) 696-0949.

Rockford’s 66th Annual Santa Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 5 at 11 a.m.  The parade will feature floats, marching bands, carriages, the Dickens Carolers and Santa and his wife, Mrs. Claus. 

After the parade Santa will take orders at the Rotary Pavilion and decide who is naughty and who is nice.  Cookies and milk will be provided for the children and they will get to learn a craft from a snowflake artist.

Grand Carriage Rides

The Chamber will be sponsoring carriage rides on December 10 and 11, and December 17 and 18 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  The rides are free and will load in front of Custard by the Dam, 25 Squires St. Custard by the Dam owners, Jennifer and Frank Kramarz, have been honored Chamber members since 2005.

A very special Christmas concert is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 7000 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford. The Rockford High School Advanced Women’s Chorus will provide an hour of beautiful music to bring joy to your holiday celebration. This wonderful group often fills the Rockford Fine Arts Auditorium with the beautiful sounds of the season, but at Hope Community Church you will be able to hear them in a much more intimate setting. For more information, call Hope Community Church at (616) 874-4673 or visit www.hoperockford.org.

• • •

The performances are scheduled for: Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend these free performances, but tickets are required. Those who wish to attend may pick up free tickets at the Rockford High School Ticket Booth, located just inside the Fine Arts entrance, Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 8-11, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon.

Seventh annual event scheduled for Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rockford Christian School (RCS), 6060 Belding Road, Rockford, allow your family to be transported back in time to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ. RCS will be performing their seventh annual live nativity, including a live donkey, camel, cow, sheep, and even a real baby portraying our Lord.

Each year, hundreds of people experience the joy of the Christmas story as the students and families of RCS make a public statement about the true meaning of Christmas. The school invites all who attend this free event to wander inside the school for hot chocolate and cookies. More than 50 students and parent volunteers give their time to make this outreach program meaningful for visitors. In order to help promote RCS values of academic, spiritual, environmental and service, nearly 30 students work on this program in various capacities. It is a school-family effort that is enjoyed by all.

If you have any questions about the live nativity, please contact Principal Jan VanderWerp at (616) 574-6402, or jvanderwerp@grcs.org, or visit www.grcs.org/rockford.

Additionally, Grand Rapids Symphony cellist Steve VanRavenswaay joins MacNaughton as the piano/cello duo MacRaven performs “Christmas Eve” from their first CD release Winter Canvas.

First United Methodist Church is located at 227 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids. Parking is free in two church lots located off Barclay Avenue NE at the corner of Fulton. A free-will offering will be taken.