Christmas spirit set to take over county this weekend

If all that turkey and pumpkin pie hasn't already whet your appetite for the holiday season, activities this weekend in Putnam County certainly should.

With holiday activities on tap from Russellville to Cloverdale, you can choose between the musical to the whimsical.

Activities commence Friday, Nov. 30 when the 17th annual Community Christmas Choir presents "The King is Here" cantata at the Russellville Community Center. On Friday and Saturday, dinner is at 6 p.m. with the concert at 7, while Sunday, Dec. 2 the dinner is at noon with the concert at 1:30.

Admission to the concert is -- suggested but not required --- a non-perishable food item for the food pantry, while a free-will offering will be collected for the meal.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the holiday activity intensifies.

-- Greencastle's Tri-Kappa Sorority has its 27th annual Breakfast with Santa at Deer Meadow School. The program is scheduled 8-11 a.m. with breakfast served until 10:30 a.m. Cost of admission is $5 per person (adult or child).

-- The 27th annual Holiday Cookie Sale at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church is set from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 1.

-- The town of Cloverdale will swing into the holiday spirit Saturday, Dec. 1 with its annual Christmas in Cloverdale festivities presented by Cloverdale Main Street with the Christmas Parade beginning at 1 p.m. Immediately following the parade, pictures with Santa will be taken at Santa's House across from the fire department. Before the parade, from 9-11 a.m., Endeavor Communications will host Donuts With Santa at its Cloverdale main office, 2 S. West St.

-- The weekend grand finale -- the DePauw School of Music's annual Holiday Gala ---- is set for Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 in the Green Center's Kresge Auditorium. Audiences can choose the full-length version of the popular program at 7 p.m. Saturday or attend a shorter, one-hour concert ideal for families with children at 3 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $10. Tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free. To get advance tickets online, visit depauw.edu/music.