Dec. 7 takes on additional meaning locally this year

To most Americans -- especially those age 60 and older certainly -- Dec. 7 will always and forever remain a day that will live in infamy.

And with good reason, of course, since it is the anniversary of the heinous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that propelled the United States into World War II.

Although not technically a holy day, Dec. 7 might as well be, as it has become synonymous with American sacrifice and remains truly a pivotal date in the history of world freedom.

Not in any way to diminish what Dec. 7 means and has meant to anyone, however, this year Saturday, Dec. 7, has taken on quite a different meaning in Putnam County.

While infamous is far from the right word, its position on the calendar as the first Saturday in the busy month of December has turned it into one chaotic holiday scheduling soufflé.

For on Dec. 7 at various locations across Putnam County, you can have breakfast with Santa (twice), visit a cookie sale, stroll through a craft show, watch a Christmas parade, sip seasonal teas, enjoy dessert and holiday music, experience Shakespeare as you like it through a couple of offerings, and top it all off with a heaping helping of holiday music at the annual gala.

Those involve nine -- count them, nine -- separate public events in Greencastle or Cloverdale within less than 12 hours on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Here at the Banner Graphic, we'll do our best to capture photos at a number of them, mostly notably Tri-Kappa's Breakfast with Santa and the Cloverdale Christmas parade and others as are humanly possible.

The chaotic Dec. 7 schedule for now (apologies up front if we miss an event or two) includes:

-- Tri-Kappa Breakfast with Santa at Deer Meadow Primary School in Greencastle from 8-11 a.m. (breakfast served until 10:30). Cost $4 per person, and includes breakfast, crafts and a visit with Santa. Reservation deadline is Nov. 30.

-- Holiday Cookie Sale at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church is set for 8 a.m.-noon. Decorated containers will be available for sale in two sizes with a small container for $5 and a large one for $11.

-- The annual Clothe-a-Child Craft Show presented by Dance Workshop and the Cloverdale Community Clothe-a-Child Committee is slated from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Cloverdale High School auxiliary gym. Open to the public with no admission fee.

-- At the Lieber State Recreation Area nature center, children can share their wish list with Santa over breakfast at 9 a.m. Breakfast is $1 per person. Event is sponsored by the Cloverdale McDonald's and Friends of Cagles Mill Lake.

-- With the theme "Story Book Christmas," the annual Cloverdale Christmas Parade is set for 1 p.m. with the traditional route following U.S. 231 through downtown Cloverdale.

-- Autumn Glen Assisted Living will host a Christmas Tea from 2-3:30 p.m. A variety of teas will be served in vintage cups, with tea sandwiches, teacakes and fresh fruit in the style of a High English Tea. Reservations required as space is limited, but there is no cost for this event. Call 653-6999 to make reservations.

-- Shakespeare Festival at DePauw University, featuring Putnam County high schoolers, continues with North Putnam students performing "The Merchant of Venice" at 3 p.m. and South Putnam pupils doing "As You Like It," beginning at 5 p.m. in Moore Theatre of Green Center for the Performing Arts at DPU.

-- "Just Dessert," a benefit for clothe-a-child, begins at 6 p.m. in the Cloverdale High School cafeteria. To make reservations, contact Becky Mannan at First National Bank main branch. Stadium seating on the lower level will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dance Workshop students will perform along with Cloverdale Jazz Band members, Middle School Choir, Cascade Ladies Choir, Melissa Claycomb, Tony Patrick, Hope Evans, students from DePauw, Lizzie LeBrun, Taylor Strong, 2013 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars champs Ashley Clute and Mike Balka plus a special bluegrass band appearance.

-- The annual Holiday Gala at DePauw will include two concerts, including Saturday at 7 p.m. (and on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.) in DePauw's Green Center for the Performing Arts. The School of Music will present holiday music with the university choirs, band and orchestra, as well as a host of chamber groups, participating in a festive year-end performance that has become a Greencastle tradition. Saturday will be a full-length concert, followed by a cookie and punch reception.

So, if all that fails to get you in the holiday spirit, Mr. Scrooge, there'll be no figgy pudding for you.