Good Fun

Hoffman home

Stephens home

Meuth home Hester home Holiday Tour of Homes returns Sunday, Dec. 4

After a two-year pandemic hold, the Guntersville Ladies Civitan Club is thrilled to again hold their Holiday Tour of Homes with five fabulous properties decked out for Christmas.

The tour is 10 am-5 pm Dec. 4. Tickets are $35 and the hub for tour-goers will be the Gunter’s Landing clubhouse where refreshments, vendors and transportation will be available.

You might begin your tour at Drew and Catherine Hoffman’s striking home. They moved to Gunter’s Landing after years in the San Francisco area and a brief stop in Santa Fe. Here they fell in love with a Mediterranean inspired villa and panoramic lake views from oversized windows and an infinity pool.

Jackie and Martin Hester are golfers, with a son Ty who’s been working on his game almost since he could hold a club. They enjoy the serenity of a sweeping view of the Gunter’s Landing golf course thanks in part to a garage door that’s actually a wall of windows and their inviting patio.

On to The Reserve at Lake Guntersville, where Cheryl and Glenn Stephens built their modern farmhouse-style home after a lifetime in Texas. In addition to stunning water views typical of this hillside development, they particularly enjoy a sunroom with a wonderful fireplace that feels like part of the outdoors. Mostly a minimalist, Cheryl goes all out for Christmas.

Next door, is the home Brenda Meuth built to enjoy with some of her loving family, including daughter Lynn and granddaughter Madelyn, her three other children plus four more her late husband brought to the marriage, most of whom have children. So family visitors from all over the country are frequent. Brenda loves the awesome views, the screened porch and the office where she displays mementos of her late husband’s business.

Lori and Jody Hunt moved into their waterfront home from the D.C. area, where Jody was an attorney and Lori was Miss Maryland in her pageant days. But Jody was an Alabama native and when it was time to relocate they headed this way. The finishing touches of their lovely home with a coastal vibe were completed just in time for the tour.

To order tickets online at: https://guntersville-ladies-civitansclub-tour-of-homes-2022.square.site.

• Now-Dec. 7 – Be Santa’s helper

Create some “Good Fun” for those who aren’t financially able this Christmas – donate to the Marshall County Christmas Coalition. The group has received applications to help some 1,600 children. All applicants are screened and verified for need.

Sponsor a child – or several – as an individual, business or a group. Sponsors are encouraged to spend at least $200 (tax-deductible) per child ages 0-12; and $250 per, ages 13-18. Donations may be made in any amount, and in honor or memory of someone. Drop-off for sponsors is 8 am-4 pm Dec. 5-7. Monetary donations are welcome anytime. For details on sponsoring a child: www.christmascoalition.org; or 256-582-9998.

• Now-Dec. 24 – Holiday Art Market

Local artists will fill the Mountain Valley Arts Council Gallery not just to exhibit their creative pieces but to sell them as unique Christmas gifts. It’s the fifth year for the market.

The MVAC Gallery, now across from the courthouse at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, is open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Friday; 10 am-2 pm Saturday; and by appointment. Admission is free. For more info visit: info@mvacarts.org; or call: 256-571-7199.

• Now-Jan. 8 – Promised Land exhibit

Guntersville Museum is exhibiting 19 images curated from artist Robert Rivers’ series The Promised Land, winner of 2021 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art. Even while growing up in Guntersville, Rivers was drawing pictures. He graduated from Auburn University and the University of Georgia and is now a fine arts professor at the University of Central Florida; his work has been exhibited worldwide.

The Promised Land series is his response to the 2010 death of his nephew, Thomas, a Marine killed in Afghanistan. Executed in a realist technique and mixing elements of naturalism and cartoonism, the ongoing and still growing work – 231 panels at time of his award showing – retains a sketch-like quality. Sometimes two faces merge into one, figures are endowed with multiple arms, suggesting at once movement and multiplicity. By way of telling the story of one, Rivers is telling the story of many. For more on his work: www.robertrivers.com.

The museum is open 10 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday; 1-4 pm weekends; free admission. For more: www. guntersvillemuseum.org; or 256-5717597.

• Nov. 17-Jan. 1 – Festival of Trees

This 14th annual event organized by the Guntersville Museum features an array of festively decorated trees, wreaths and quilt art from some 35 organizations and individuals across Marshall County. The museum is open 10 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday; 1-4 pm weekends; free admission. For more: www.guntersvillemuseum.org; or 256571-7597.

Jingle and more this season

The Guntersville Museum’s Festival of Trees is festive and fun. File photo.

• Nov. 17 – Albertville Christmas Parade/Tree Lighting

With the idea of boosting its Christmas shopping season, the chamber of commerce is for the second time holding a parade and open house the weekend before Thanksgiving. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 5 pm Thursday at the Rotary Park Pavilion; AHS Vocal Ease will perform. The parade starts shortly after at 5:30 pm at First Baptist Church. Parade entrants can register at the chamber or online: albertvillechamberofcommerce.com; $10 fee. For more info, call the chamber: 256-878-3821.

• Nov. 18-19 – Albertville Downtown Christmas Open House / Cookies with Santa

Open house starts at 5 pm Friday and continues 10-2 pm Saturday. Merchants throughout town have lots of specials, refreshments, activities for kids and families, unique photo opportunities, Christmas readings, cookie baking, ornament making, wine and other tastings and a kids fun zone in the Farmer’s Market parking lot Saturday. Enjoy free carriage rides Friday evening and Saturday from the chamber office. Cookies with Santa will be 10-noon Saturday at the Historic Train Depot with bike giveaway at 4 pm.

The Junior Chamber will present a live Nativity in front of the chamber office 5:30-6:30 pm Friday. AHS Vocal Ease and AMS Vocal Point will perform at various locations Saturday morning.at the depot parking lot. For more info, call the chamber: 256- 878-3821.

• Nov. 18 – Laugh at the Lake

The Whole Backstage launches what it plans to be a new annual event with an evening of laid back comedy on its main stage. Headliner Patrick Sisk will be joined by other comedians including Ty Funny, Jacoby Bruton, Bobby Sutton and Kory Duquette. The show begins at 7 pm. General admission is $15; $25 VIP seats include a post-show cocktail reception with the performers. Tickets are available at the office or online: www.wholebackstage.com. The Whole Backstage is located at 1120 Rayburn Ave. in Guntersville. For more info: 256-582-7469.

• Nov. 19-Dec. 21 – Free gift wrapping

The Albertville Chamber of Commerce will provide free giftwrapping for any purchase made locally with a valid receipt. Please provide your own box.

• Nov. 19 – Skinny Turkey 5K/10K

Run off those extra holiday pounds – before the holidays. Dress up for Thanksgiving and register for Boaz Park and Recreation’s Fifth Annual Skinny Turkey 5K/10K and raise money for the Second Chance Shelter, a non-profit, no-kill dog shelter; last year, $7602 was raised for the shelter.

Pre-registration, $35, before Nov. 13 at: runsignup.com/Race/AL/Boaz/ SkinnyTurkey; or $40 the day of. Participants can pick up packets Nov. 17-18 at the Boaz Neighborhood Center at 314 North King Street; or get them there 6-7:30 am the day of the 8 am race. For more info: 256593-7862.

• Nov. 25-Dec. 31 – Christmas in the Park

The city’s holiday tradition continues for its 28th glimmering year as more than two million lights transform Arab City Park into a festive magical spectacle. The lighting ceremony is at 6 pm, Friday, Nov. 25, during which the lights will glimmer, the AHS Jazz Band will play jazzy renditions of your holiday faves, and carolers will wander along the paths. You can explore this wonderland from dusk to 9:30 pm through the end of the year, weather permitting. It’s free and located at 844 Shoal Creek Trail.

More info? Call: Arab Parks and Rec, 256-586-6793; visit www.arabcity.org; or visit on Facebook.

• Nov. 25–Dec. 17 – Santa in the Village

In conjunction with Christmas in the Park, Santa in the Village will be at Arab Historic Village – located in the park – from 6-9 pm, Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting. Bring a camera and visit Santa in his toy shop. See his elves. Peek into his bedroom. Watch at the blacksmith shop as reindeer shoes are made. Get a package of reindeer food to take from the grist mill. Admission to Santa in the Village is free for kids 2 and under; $6 per person.

More info? Call: Arab Parks and Rec, 256-586-6793; visit www.arabcity.org; or visit on Facebook.

355 Gunter Ave. Guntersville Open tues. 10-4, Open late thur. fri. & Sat. 10-5 256-582-3845

• Nov. 29 – Guntersville tree lighting

Guntersville lights up the holidays with its annual 20-foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm at Errol Allan Park downtown. Sponsored by the city’s Tree Commission, Santa will be there. You can get hot chocolate and cookies plus hear the Guntersville Elementary Choir sing. Need more info? Call: 256-571-7561.

• Dec. 1-4 – “Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

The Whole Backstage and Sonny Lewis present this holiday romp following the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, aka “the worst kids in the history of the world.” They hijack the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds and six rowdy kids. The play is written by Barbara Robinson; directed by April Russell, assistant director Megan Mitchell and student directors Emory Berrey and Abbie Saint.

Performances will be held at the WBS theatre, 1120 Rayburn Avenue, Guntersville, Thursday-Saturday at 7 pm; Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 adults; $12 students; available online at: www.wholebackstage.com; or at the office. For more info: 256-582-7469.

• Dec. 1-22 – Free gift wrapping – Guntersville

Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce is offering free gift wrapping for anything you buy in town. Bring your receipt and your own box. The chamber is open 8 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.

• Dec. 2 – Christmas on Main

Grant is holding its inaugural Christmas on Main event 6-9 pm at Main Street Park. More than 30 businesses and groups are sponsoring Christmas trees there. Santa will be on hand with hot chocolate along with food and craft vendors. For more info call Grant City Hall: 256-728-2007.

• Dec. 2 – Boaz Christmas Parade

Boaz will hold its traditional Christmas parade again this year at Old Mill Park in downtown where the city’s 40+ foot Christmas tree will be lit. Santa will be there, along with caroling, hot chocolate, the works. The parade starts at 5:30 pm. Entry deadline is Nov. 25; entrance fee is $10. For more info contact: Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce: 256-593-8154; or boazchamberassist@gmail.com.

• Dec. 2 – Guntersville Sip ‘n’ Shop

Get in the Christmas spirit 4-8 pm as the North Town Merchants Association kicks off the shopping season with a sip ‘n’ shop open house. Participating stores will offer great specials, refreshments and other events, and you’re invited: cheers! It’s a prelude to the next event listing …

• Dec. 3 – A Night Before Christmas

This annual Christmas tradition in downtown Guntersville from 4-8 pm is fun for kids and parents alike. Take carriage and train rides, decorate cookies, see Santa, go ice skating, have your face painted, enjoy music and more. All events are free, compliments of the North Town Merchants Association. Businesses will not only be

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open and offering sales, but offering refreshments and fun activities, too.

In conjunction with the event, Guntersville First United Methodist will again stage its outdoor “Night in Bethlehem” at the church.

• Dec. 3 – Grant Christmas Parade

The town’s parade starts at 1 pm at the DAR Schools and heads south down Main Street. Lineup is at noon. There is no entrance fee but if you want to be in the parade, you need to call town hall and register: 256-7282007.

• Dec. 8 – Arab Christmas Parade

The parade starts at 6 pm at Arab First Baptist Church and runs south down Main Street to Snead State. The theme is “Toyland.” Grand Marshal is Jane McDonald, recipient of the 2022 Arab Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award. Registration forms are available at the chamber; entries are free except floats which are $35 and eligible for $100, $75 and $50 awards. For more information, call the chamber: 256-586-3138; or register at: arabchamber.org.

• Dec. 10 – Guntersville Christmas Parade

The parade begins at 5 pm at Scott Street one block past the chamber of commerce and makes its way through town on U.S. 431 to Gilbreath Street. Theme for the parade is “Santa’s Workshop.” Applications to participate are available at the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce or online at: www.lakeguntersville.org. For more info: 256-582-3612.

• Dec. 13 – Lights of Love

Shepherd’s Cove Hospice’s annual event will be both drive-thru and virtual because of Covid concerns. The drive thru the Field of Love display of luminaries is 4:30-6:30 pm at 408 Martling Road in Albertville. Have a family picture made, make a holiday memorial craft, enjoy holiday refreshments with sounds of the season. $10 for a virtual tree light, $50 for virtual tree light and an ornament with a hand-painted name, $100 virtual tree light, ornament and live cedar to plant; all participation categories include a memorial name and message for the online Christmas tree. To participate visit: sclightsoflove.com; for more info: events@shepherdscove.org or 256891-7724.

• Dec. 15-18 – Black Tie Christmas

The highly successful Black Tie Christmas Chorale returns to the Whole Backstage with creator, director and conductor Johnny Brewer, presenting his original musical combination of beloved sacred and secular seasonal classics with solos and choral ensemble selections. The 90-minute concert is special holiday fundraiser and not part of the season ticket package.

Held at held at the WBS theatre, 1120 Rayburn Avenue, Guntersville, Thursday-Saturday at 7 pm; Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 adults; $12 students; available online at: www. wholebackstage.com; or at the office. For more info: 256-582-7469.

• Jan. 1 – First Day Hike

Start 2023 off on a good foot. Join Guntersville State Park naturalist Indya Guthrie on a two-mile loop hike on the park’s Terrell and Kings Chapel trails (takes about two hours). Meet in lodge lobby at 1 pm. The restaurant will be open that day First Day hikers from 7 am- will get this sticker. 3 pm. Visit the park events page for more info.

• Jan. 20-Feb. 5 – Eagle Awareness

Lake Guntersville State Park continues its long-running winter weekend events that puts Marshall County’s American Bald Eagles center stage. Open to all ages. Special overnight packages for Fridays-Sundays at the lodge and campgrounds are offered for Jan. 20-23, Jan. 27-29 and Feb 3-5. The Saturday (5:30 am-5 pm) and Sunday programs (5:30 am-2 pm) are $15 per person for a daily pass and include field trips to view eagles, live bird demonstrations and interesting speakers.

For more info, visit: www.alapark. com/EAW-2023; For lodge reservations: 256-505-6621. For campground reservations: 256-571-5455.

• Feb. 19 – Aeolians concert

The acclaimed Oakwood University choir will perform a special 2 pm concert at the Guntersville Museum. The event is free but reservations are required and seating is limited. For reservations call after Feb 1: 256-571-7597.