Dec 10 Sunday
The sixth annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for Christian Action Ministries will be held November 3 through December 3 at the Branson Landing to help with food shortages for Taney County residents.
The storefront will be open 12 pm to 6 pm, Sunday through Thursday and 10 am to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays at Suite 216 on the Landing. The annual fundraiser offers visitors and community members a Christmas wonderland full of creatively decorated trees, wreaths and Christmas décor.
Area businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals partner with the food pantry by sponsoring a tree or wreath. Hundreds of items will be on display for purchase. The public will also be able to vote on the People’s Choice tree again this year.
Christian Action Ministries has served to combat food insecurity in Taney County since 1984. Each year, more than 40,000 individual cases of assistance are recorded – meaning nearly 500,000 meals provided in the more than two million pounds of food distributed. The food pantries are funded by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses in the community, and staffed by the dozens of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to serve their neighbors.
Eden Animal Haven, a no-kill, cage-free shelter for cats, will host an open house to celebrate its 10th anniversary December 12. The shelter is just a short drive north of Springfield.
The event will include cookies, other treats and tasty beverages. A raffle for several baskets will be held, including a coffee-themed basket and cat supply baskets.
In honor of 10 years, the Eden Animal Haven is asking participates to donate 10 or more of anything - 10 cans of kitten food, 10 pounds of Purina cat or kitten dry food, ten pounds of okocat litter, or use your imagination. For the first 10 donated, participants will receive a free raffle ticket.
The Queen City Chorale will perform their holiday concert December 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
The centerpiece of this concert will be the choral masterwork: Benjamin Britten’s iconic A Ceremony of Carols. The work opens and closes with the choir processing to plainsong, and the sections in-between telling the traditional stories surrounding the birth of Christ. The chorale will be joined by harpist Kristin Gram.
Dec 11 Monday
Dec 12 Tuesday
Registration is underway for adults to attend Internet Basics from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Dec. 12, in the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library Computer Training Center, 397 E. Central St.
Learn how to navigate the internet using your browser's menus and toolbars. Access websites by typing in a web address or using search engines. Learn how to change your home page and add a website to your favorites. *Note: The elevator from the basement to the 2nd floor is not operational. Please contact the library prior to a program if you need special accommodation.
For more information on this free program, or to register, visit programs.thelibrary.org/event/9208184 or call 417-837-5011.
The Uptown Talk Toastmasters Club will meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at noon at the Library Center's Auditorium for those looking to improve communication and leadership skills.
Adults are invited to attend Travelogue at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Fair Grove Branch Library, 81 S. Orchard Blvd.
World traveler and former firefighter Michael Strozewski will recount his trek across Peru via motorcycle, discussing his experiences with the wonderful people and the beautiful places in this South American country.
For more information on this free program call 417-759-2637.
Take a deep dive into the art, history and story of the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize. Each week Dr. Scott Denham, Professor of German Studies at Davidson College, and Dr. Barbara Mann, Professor of Jewish Literature at Case Western Reserve University, will provide guided readings of Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” and discussions about its portrayal of the Holocaust, historical significance and challenges every Tuesday in October.
Free copies of the book are available for participants while supplies last.
Can't make it to the branch? Join the conversation on Zoom: https://davidson.zoom.us/my/denham
Sign-up form (from the instructors): https://forms.gle/xtFsjfLZKx4bPz9h7
More info about the readings: www.mauscourse.scottdenham.net
Springfield Mid-America Singers, under the direction of Dr. Tom Matrone, will present "Promise of Hope."