Dateline: Nov. 24, 2024

Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the best times of year. On Thanksgiving Day, we gather to give thanks for our families and friends and for the ties that bind. On Christmas Day, we gather to celebrate the birth of the promised Messiah who was born 2,000 years ago to die for our sins. It is a time for much thankfulness and gratefulness for Jesus Christ, who is "The Reason for the Season."

In Suncook Village, that historic district in Allenstown and Pembroke straddling the Suncook River, there are going to be many festive, social, and spiritual events that you can participate in. They are being hosted by the Allenstown Firefighters Association and the Allenstown Library, St. John the Baptist Church, the United Methodist Church, and by the shops, businesses, and organizations in the downtown area.

Kids' Event at the Allenstown Fire Station

The Allenstown Firefighters Association and the Allenstown Library are hosting the
Kids' Holiday Craft and Gift Shopping Day
on Dec. 8, 2024 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fire Station, just before the Christmas in the Village festivities.

Bring the kids to shop for presents. All items are under $1.00 but they are limited so hurry on down! We will also be serving hit chocolate and cookies, and doing crafts.

Laura Lambert, President of the FF Association, would like to thank Diane Adinolfo for volunteering her time to help with the event. Contact Laura if there are any questions about the event.

Events at St. John the Baptist Church

St. John's is offering the following.

Hot Meals on Tuesdays
The Community Table serves delicious hot meals on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. (weather permitting) at the Parish Hall on School St., Allenstown. A donation of $5.00 is suggested. Give it a try. You might dine with some old friends or strike up a new acquaintance.

Free Community Thanksgiving Meal
The Knights are hosting their annual Free Community Thanksgiving Meal with all the fixings to be served on Thanksgiving Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Parish Hall. All are welcome to dine in or take out. If you have any questions, please call Geoffrey Kennedy at 603-231-7070 or send e-mail to gjkennedy58@gmail.com.

Special Dinners
The Knights will offer these special dinners: The Coachman Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 and Lasagna on Jan. 18, 2025. Check St. John's website (www.catholicsuncook.org) for times and costs.

Special Breakfasts
The Knights will also be hosting breakfasts on the following Sundays: Nov. 17th, Feb. 9th, Apr. 27th, and June 8th. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, coffee, and juice will be served from 10:00 till 11:30 a.m. The cost is $8 per adult, $20 for a family with children under 16. On Christmas Eve, there will be a Midnight Mass preceded by a concert performed by the church choir.

Events at the Suncook United Methodist Church

The Methodist Church at 156 Main Street is offering the following.

December Church Supper.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

A buffet style meal consists of ham loaf, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, rolls, and assorted deserts. This year's supper price is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 10 and under.

Christmas in the Village.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

This is a village-wide event with many shops and organizations participating and is sponsored by the Pembroke Women's Club.

A Night in Bethlehem.
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Kids and their families will experience the most amazing and thought- provoking Christmas journey ever as they travel from the Bethlehem Bakery to the Stable where Jesus was born. The journey will take about 30 minutes to visit everything.

Blue Christmas Service.
Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

This can be a source of comfort and support for people experiencing difficult emotions during the holiday season.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

This is a traditional service of lessons and carols.

All these events are described more fully at www.suncookumc.org/events/

Christmas in the Village

The Pembroke Women's Club is once again sponsoring a free family-oriented event on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Many local businesses and organizations are hosting individual activities.

The United Methodist Church will feature Mr. Aaron, a children's musician/entertainer and Tricky Dick, a magician, along with our free baked goods refreshments, and PALS will be helping.

The Masonic Hall will host Santa. His elves will help the children write letters to Santa.

Pembroke City Limits will feature Olivia Conway, a singer from the local area, who sang the National Anthem at Allenstown's Vintage Base Ball Game in September.

The American Legion will host Randall Shuey, balloon artist, who will make balloons for the kids. They will also have refreshments and a craft for the kids to make to send to our veterans. The Pembroke Library will there as well teaching a craft for the kids.

Mei's Restaurant will have a face painter on hand.

Shirley's Kitchen is letting us pass out cookie kits, some of which are donated by Jacques.

Vintage Venue will have onsite Emily Royce, a face painter.

Big Ben's Pizzeria will feature guitar player/singer, Dwight Phettleplace.

Outdoors, David Heisler, Chris Lavalley, and Steve Fowler will donate a hay wagon for rides through the Village. There will also be a fish pond to fish for goodie bags.

We do fundraisers to help pay for this event and ask for monetary donations from local businesses.

What You Can Do

Set aside some time and partake of all these festive events whose purpose is to liven up the Christmas season and offer residents worthwhile activities and times of fellowship with friends and neighbors.