The Holiday Spirit Fill The Community Center

HARWICH – Holiday activities will abound in the month of December at the community center. The monthly schedule includes a holiday concert, an ornament decorating workshop, the opportunity to send letters to Santa, Grab a Bow, selections from a Mitten Tree and other events.

On Wednesday, Dec. 6 the Sound Dune Swing Ensemble will perform a free concert from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center. It will include music, dance and light refreshments, according to Community Center director Carolyn Carey. The following Day, Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. there will be an ornament decorating workshop with Hammer and Stained of Cape Cod. The workshop will cost $15 to make three ornaments. The options are a sea glass tree ornament, mini-framed sign ornament and a liquid glass ornament. The workshop is for adults and registration is required.

On Monday, Dec.11 it’s Grab a Bow, Ho, Ho, Ho day. The holiday will be coming early at the community center, according to Carey, with a giant gift box full of bows. Visitors will be allowed to take one bow. Each bow wins a prize, said Carey. Play for free while the supply lasts.

The Mitten Tree is back this year. Pick a mitten that bears the name of a child on Cape Cod. Inform the staff of the name so they know each child will be getting a gift. Then purchase the item or items the child and family have requested, and return the unwrapped gifts to the center bearing the name of the child by Tuesday, Dec.12. Carey said monetary donations are welcomed; the funds are used to purchase a gift for those children whose names were not picked from the tree.

To mail a letter to Santa at the North Pole, a mailbox will be in the lobby of the community center for direct delivery, said Carey. To get a response, the letters must be mailed by Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Remember that ugly sweater you were gifted with? There is an evening to reflect on that experience. The community center is holding an Ugly Sweater Decorating Contest. This is a family oriented event on Friday, Dec. 15 starting at 6 p.m. Bring your own sweater. The decorating materials will be provided. There will be a limited number of sweatshirts available if you do not have a sweater.

“Get into the holiday spirit and come design your own ugly sweater. At the end of the night, they will have a fashion show,” Carey said.

Other events include a Winter Solstice Drum Circle on Friday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. It’s a peaceful gathering of community drumming to honor the shortest day of the year, said Carey. Bring something to drum, shake or ring. There will be some percussion instruments available.

“No experience is necessary, just a desire to join with others at a momentous moment as we welcome winter,” said Carey.

Also that day, the Cape Cod Military Museum will offer a lecture at 2:30 p.m. on the Yankee Division of World War II. The organization is promoting an understanding and appreciation of the contributions of Americans in 20th century conflicts with an emphasis on the unique role Southeastern Massachusetts played in battles.

To register for an event, or if additional information is necessary, call the community center at 508-430-7568, or email Reagan Wilda at reagan.wilda@harwich-ma.gov.