Thursday, Dec. 13

If you love to paint, join the painting group that meets from noon-5 p.m. every Thursday at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St. Come work on individual projects and collaborate on art talk and ideas. No pre-registration is needed.

– – –

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive from noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Peace Lutheran Church, 1104 22nd Ave. S., Brookings.

– – –

The Dakota Prairie Woodcarvers group will celebrate its 30th anniversary from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the classroom of the Brookings Arts Council. The public is encouraged to come and interact with the carvers, see some carving examples and enjoy some treats.

– – –

The Hillcrest Elementary third-grade concert starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at the South Dakota State University Performing Arts Center.

Friday, Dec. 14

Bingo at the Brookings VFW, 520 Main Ave., is from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. Cards are handed out at 6:30, and bingo starts at 7. Lunch will be available. For more information, call 692-6771.

– – –

The Brookings Public Library will host its next Game Night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in the upstairs Cooper Room. There will be games available to choose from, or bring your own to play with a group. Check out the event on Facebook and RSVP to let them know you’re coming.

Saturday, Dec. 15

The 2018 Brookings Christmas Bird Count will be held Saturday, Dec. 15. The Brookings Birding Club is conducting the local count and welcomes any and all participants. Those wishing to participate can contact Nelda Holden at 692-8278 or KC Jensen at 690-6104. The group will meet at the Brookings Nature Center at 8 a.m. to start the count. Feeder watchers are also welcome to participate; please contact Nelda or KC for specific instructions.

– – –

Need a babysitter while you shop for the holidays? Girl Scout Troop 50250 will host a Holiday Helpers Fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Brookings Activity Center, 320 Fifth Ave. 

There are two time slots available, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., or reserve the full day including lunch. One time slot is $20 for the first child and $12 for each additional child, and the full day is $30 for one child and $15 for each additional child. The day include games, a movie and snack, and make-and-take holiday craft.

Space is limited, and the registration deadline is Dec. 12. Contact Jenna Lundgren at jlundgren45@hotmail.com or 695-1314.

– – –

Viewing of the 32nd annual Festival of Trees at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St., contin¬ues through Saturday, Dec. 22.

Normal council hours are 2-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Thursdays (Dec. 13, 20) have extended hours until 7 p.m.

– – –

Stroll through a wonderland of lights, images and scenes of the holidays at Garden Glow, held from 5-7 p.m. every night through Dec. 31, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youth 6-17 years old, and free for kids 5 and younger, SDSU students and McCrory Gardens members.

Free Santa visits will also be available Monday, Dec. 17, and Sundays, Dec. 16 and 23.

– – –

Arlington’s American Legion Post 42 will host a Poultry Party & More on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Arlington City Fire Hall. A community turkey meal is from 5-7 p.m., and bingo for turkey and Beef Bucks starts at 7 p.m.

The meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans and a bun for $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12 years old, and free for children 4 and younger. The event will also include raffle drawings and a drawing for a 2018 Chevy Silverado.

– – –

Brookings Community Theatre will present “World War II Radio Christmas” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Larson Memorial Concert Hall in the SDSU Performing Arts Center. 

Tickets are $10 apiece and will be available at the door starting one hour before the show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Brookings County Food Pantry.

– – –

Everyone 21 and older is invited to a Brookings Area Singles Merry Christmas Dance, held from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the White Community Center. Norgaard Country Duo will provide live music. Admission is $10 per person for nonmembers and $9 for members.

Sunday, Dec. 16

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota will host Santa at the next Sensory Friendly Play from 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 16. Sensory Friendly Play is limited to 100 people and features designated quiet rooms, adaptive equipment and art tools. Service animals are welcome as well. The museum gift shop will feature sensory toys that guests will be able to test, and free gift wrapping will be available.

Children are invited to bring their wish lists, and Santa’s elves will also be on-site reading stories, playing, and coloring with guests. Admission to the museum is $8, and children under 1-year-old are free. Reservations are preferred by calling 605-692-6700, ext. 0.

– – –

VFW Auxiliary invites the community to a brunch from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Dec. 16, at the post home, 520 Main Ave., Brookings. The menu includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, toast, coffee and juice for $7. The Works includes the above breakfast with a separate plate of biscuits and gravy for $9. Children ages 3 to 7 eat for $4, and 2 and younger are free.

Proceeds from the breakfast this month will go to the Camelot Intermediate School PTA. For more information, call 692-8771.

– – –

Brookings Community Theatre will present “World War II Radio Christmas” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Larson Memorial Concert Hall in the SDSU Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 apiece and will be available at the door starting one hour before the show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Brookings County Food Pantry.

Monday, Dec. 17

“DC” Night, a night to raise money to offset medical expenses for Dellas Cole, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill. Come have lunch and/or dinner at Cubby’s with 20 percent of sales going to Cole. Silent and blind auctions will also be held, with items available in 9 Bar all day Monday, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The event also includes split pot and raffle drawings, live music and fun with Brad DeBeer and BS Entertainment.

– – –

The Winter 2018 Live Music Series at the Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge continues from about 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, with Elisabeth Hunstad with vocal jazz and classic pop. 

Check www.pheasantrestaurant.com/events for up-to-date information on added performances and changes. No cover.

– – –

Bingo at the Brookings VFW, 520 Main Ave., is from 6:30-10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17. Cards are handed out at 6:30, and bingo starts at 7. Lunch will be available. For more information, call 692-6771.

– – –

The next Brookings Activity Center dance will be held from 7-10:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at 320 Fifth Ave. For more information, call 692-4492.

– – –

An all-school orchestra concert is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Jostad Gym at Brookings High School.

Tuesday, Dec. 18

A retirement celebration for Brookings County Commissioner Stephne Miller will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the chambers of the Brookings City& County Government Center, 530 Third St. A program is planned for 3 p.m.

– – –

The Brookings Public Library invites the community to a showing of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and to participate in an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Rated PG-13, 97 minutes.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

1 Million Cups, a way for creators, artists, entrepreneurs and business owners to gather and share ideas on upcoming projects or new products, will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Free coffee will be served.

– – –

Dacotah Bank will host a holiday bake sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 1441 Sixth St. Stop by and enjoy apple cider, coffee and treats.

– – –

Bingo at the Brookings VFW, 520 Main Ave., is from 6:30-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Cards are handed out at 6:30, and bingo starts at 7. Lunch will be available. For more information, call 692-6771.