Plenty to do during holiday

Numerous activities scheduled

SIKESTON - Whether you're ready for Christmas or not, it is on its way. And for those who haven't quite found themselves in the holiday spirit yet, the Sikeston and area communities have a sure way to get them there.

Those who enjoy hearing Christmas songs won't want to miss the First Baptist Church's annual "Living Christmas Tree" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The $1 tickets are available by calling 471-4122 and proceeds will go toward the Community Christmas Campaign.

The Community Choir will presents its Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main.

Residents of Sikeston and area communities are invited to take a self-guided tour throughout the Christmas season to see the decorated homes such as those on Kay Drive and Candy Cane Lane, as well as the Sikeston Depot and American Legion Park. Maps are available at the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce office.

For those wanting to do something special for someone else this Christmas, volunteers are needed to help put together baskets for the annual Community Christmas Campaign. Individuals are currently needed to help sort canned goods and separate toys and gifts. Organizers also need help delivering the baskets between 8-8:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Anyone interested in assisting is asked to contact Tim Jaynes at 471-1137.

There is also the annual New Madrid Holiday Open House and Candlelight Tours which will include the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, 312 Dawson Road; New Madrid Historical Museum, 1 Main St.; and Higgerson School Historic Site, 300 Main St. The free tours will be offered Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the candlelight tours set for 6-8:30 p.m.

A group from the Singing Eagles, the New Madrid County High School choir, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday.

A variety of singing, dancing, baton twirling and piano playing will be featured Dec. 17 at the second annual Christmas Spectacular . The free evening will begin at 7 p.m. at the East Prairie High School Auditorium. The theme for this year's performance is "A Winter Dream."

The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce will offer free Christmas driving tours to senior citizens in their area Dec. 18 beginning at 6 p.m. Individuals will be picked up at the New Madrid Nutrition Center and Beverly Health Care. Afterward, Beverly Health Care will treat the seniors to refreshments.

Many individuals will want to mark Dec. 19-23 in their calendars so they won't miss a visit from the world-famous Clydesdales , courtesy of Bob Ralph Distributing. From 1-3 p.m. Dec. 19 they will be at the Sikeston Elks Club, Dec. 20 at the Sikeston Airport, Dec. 21 at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores, Dec. 22 in downtown Sikeston with a special photo session and Dec. 23 at the South Pointe Shopping Center with a special photo session.

Children of all ages have a chance to see Santa Claus and Jingles the Elf at the Main Street Eatery at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 23. Bring your own camera or a photo can be taken for you for a small fee.