Holidays are quickly approaching!

As the first snow touched down yesterday at the American Gothic House Center, I finally accepted that winter is indeed just around the corner. But the one good thing is that this means it is almost time for the Holidays to kick in!

The American Gothic House Center will again present its annual Gingerbread House Display. Everyone is welcome to submit a gingerbread house to be displayed at the Center from December 1-December 14. Submissions should be brought to the Center by 5:00 pm on November 30th. I’ve already begun brainstorming my design!

On Saturday, December 3rd we will host the Gingerbread House Activity from 1:00-4:00pm. Stop by the Center and make your own gingerbread house made out of graham crackers, frosting and candy! We will have treats for everyone who stops by and you will have a chance to see the submitted gingerbread houses on display.

There will be many other activities going on in Eldon that weekend! There will be a “Tour of Homes” on Saturday with tours running from 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Featured homes will be decked out in Christmas finery and open to the public. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available at the Opera House that day.

The Eldon Depot will be having their Christmas Celebration December 2nd and 3rd. They will be open on the 2nd from 12:00-5:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am-9:00pm. Bring the kids as they will be running the trains during open hours and plan to run the big train around on the flat to see Christmas lights after dark!

Stop by the Opera House from December 2-4 and December 10-11 for the annual Christmas Tree Wonderland. See over 100 decorated Christmas trees and seasonal vignettes on the ground floor of the opera house. There will be a gift booth and bake sale held in conjunction with the displayed trees. Seating is provided so that you may sit and enjoy a snack and listen to the Christmas music. The American Gothic House Center will have a tree decorated as well. I’ve been working on making some new decorations for the tree this year. This is what I’ve come up with so far!

These are just a few of the events being held the first weekend in December. Please contact Eldon City Hall at 641-652-7510.

Here is a complete list of upcoming programs and closings at the American Gothic House Center:

November 11th: Center is closed in observance of Veterans Day

November 17th: Professor Roy Behrens presents “Looking Closer at Grant Wood: What Did He Do, and How Did He Do it? 7:00 pm at Eldon Library Hall

November 24th and 25th: Center is closed for Thanksgiving

November 30th: Gingerbread houses for display due at the Center by 5:00 pm

December 1-14: Gingerbread House Display

December 3: Gingerbread House Activity at the American Gothic House Center from 1:00pm-4:00pm

December 24-25: Closed for Christmas

Holly Berg

Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!