Overture to Christmas ‘best ever’

The 26th Annual Overture to Christmas promises to be the best ever, declares Pat Budnick, of Motel in the Meadow, who helped to organize the weeklong celebration. In rapid succession, she begins to tick off events: “ceramics with Melissa, bow making with Nancy, caroling with Stan, the senior dinner – Jack Carroll helps with that, the Rotary Interact kids, Penny at Inn Victoria doing high teas, readings by Joan, oh, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus …”
This year’s Overture kicks off Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. with the St. Luke’s Christmas Tea & Sale and the noontime Children’s High Tea at the Inn Victoria. Of the Children’s High Tea, the Inn’s Penny Cote says, “This will be with china … not paper cups. We’ll serve minced pie, merinque and tea and cocoa.” There is no charge, but reservations are suggested. (875-4288) (A complete schedule of events is below.)

At 2 p.m. Melissa Howe of Endless Creations Pottery, at 442 Elm St., is inviting children to Christmas_picdecorate a ceramic ornament. For more information call 875-2008
Saturday’s activities – wreath-bow making, caroling and a senior high tea – contin

ue through the evening, ending with a concert by the Springfield Community Chorus at 7:30 p.m. at the Chester Baptist Church next to the cemetery on Main Street.
Cote says the High Tea for senior citizens will offer them a light fare meal including

soup before the concert. Reservations are required, so call Debbie Armstrong at Community Cares – 875-6341 – no later than 11 a.m. Dec. 3.
Other events include gingerbread house making for children, a senior turkey dinner (everyone is invited, says Budnick), a puppet show, story readings, crafts, a live nativity scene and the Santa Parade.
“This is Chester at its best,” says Budnick.

Overture to Christmas Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 3

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Luke’s Tea & Sale
(see more information below)
noon to 1 p.m.
Children’s High Tea
at Inn Victoria
2 to 4 p.m.
Create a Ceramic Ornament
Endless Creations Potter, 442 Elm St. (for children)
Holiday Scrapbooking, Gift Tag Make & Take and Wreath-bow Making,
at the JNB Shoppe next door to the Fullerton Inn. (for teens and adults)
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Caroling
at Newsbank with Stan Norsworthy on piano and cocoa and cookies. (all ages)
7:30 p.m.
Springfield Community Chorus Concert
Chester Baptist Church, Main Street.

Monday, Dec. 5

4 to 5 p.m.
Make a Gingerbread House
at the Fullerton Inn (for children pre-K – 2nd grade)
Wednesday, Dec. 7

4 to 5 p.m.
Make a Gingerbread House
at the Fullerton Inn (for children grades 3 to 6)

Friday, Dec. 9

6:30 p.m.
Ice Skating at Cobleigh Field
Cobleigh Street (weather permitting)

Saturday, Dec. 10

Noon
Senior Christmas Turkey Dinner
Chester Andover Elementary School
(“Everyone in town is invited,” says Pat Budnick)
1 p.m.
High Tea at Inn Victoria
$19.99 per person, reservations required. (875-4288).
Puppet Show
at the Whiting Library. (all ages)
Gingerbread House Judging
at the Fullerton Inn.
2 to 4 p.m.
Children’s Storytime
at the Hugging Bear Inn, with Joan Morey.
Crafts at the Baptist Church
(all ages)
Live Nativity
at the Baptist Church.
4 p.m.
Santa’s Parade of Presents
with the Rotary’s Interact Club
Parade begins at the Chester Andover Elementary School and ends at the Fullerton Inn.
4:15 p.m.
Lighting of the Town Tree
with Santa and his Elves. On the Green.
Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus
with cookies and cocoa at the Fullerton Inn.

More Holiday Events

This Saturday, Dec. 3rd, Willard Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 313 Main St., will be filled with the sounds, St._Lukessmells and surprises of Christmas for the St. Luke’s Tea and Sale. Come for a light lunch – only $6 – and fill your plate with light sandwiches and scrumptious sweets. Coffee, tea and hot spiced cider will be served by a hostess. Shop at Grandma’s Attic for collectibles, choose handmade ornaments and decorations made by the ladies crafting group and take home some specially baked goodies. Quilted pieces, painted items, candles and other crafts and art will be available. The relaxed mood sets the stage for other events of Chester’s Overture to Christmas that day in the village. Click here for directions and information.

Several shops along the Green have decided to stay open a bit later each Friday and Saturday until Christmas. Come enjoy the winter wonderland every Friday and Saturday night until Christmas. Many shops will be offering evening discounts. These fine stores will be open each of those nights until 7 p.m.: DaVallia Art & Accents; Country on the Common; Peace of Paradise; Mountain Leather Design and WaterMusicArt Gallery. Discover special events at DaVallia Art & Accents on Facebook.DaVallia Christmas