Thursday, Dec. 8
Toy drive and after-hours party, 5:30-7 p.m., Pine Hollow Farms Annex, 6482 Hwy. MM, House Springs. Wrap-up party for the annual chamber toy drive. Admission: New, unwrapped toy. Food and drinks served. Music, appearance by Santa Claus. Sponsor: Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 4696 Notre Dame Lane, House Springs. Sponsor: American Red Cross. Donors need to bring identification such as a driver’s license or a blood donor card. Call 314-658-2000.
Pottery sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jefferson College Fine Arts Building, Hillsboro campus. Items handmade by students. Most items range $3-$25; cash and checks only. Benefits: pottery and ceramics students. Call 636-481-3365 or email nshanks1@jeffco.edu.
Jazz ensemble, 7 p.m., Jefferson College Fine Arts Theatre, Hillsboro campus. Free. Call 636-481-3369 or visit jeffco.edu/pace.
Senior book bingo, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Timbers of Eureka, 1 Coffey Park Lane. Winners choose from selection of used books. Free. To sign up: 636-938-6775.
Trivia and bingo, 10-11:30 a.m., Quad Cities Senior Center, 221 Bailey Road, Crystal City. Call 636-937-8333.
Toastmasters Jeffco Challengers, 7 p.m., New Hope UMC, 3921 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold. In-person and virtual meetings by Zoom. Information: Josephineemde@yahoo.com.
Bingo, 10:30 a.m., Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd. Doors open 8 a.m., event tickets sale 8:30 a.m. Progressive, speedball, Texas blackout games, pull tabs. Food sold. Sponsor: Moolah Shriners. Call 314-280-4568.
Bingo, 6:30 p.m., High Ridge Elks, 2808 Old Hunning Road. Doors open 4 p.m. Call 636-677-3557.
Bingo and Rummikub, 9:30-11:30 a.m., House Springs Senior Center, 6180 Hwy. MM. Reservations: 636-677-4578.
Dominoes, 10 a.m. to noon, De Soto Senior Center, 221 S. Third St. Call 636-337-7578.
English as second language class, 7-8:30 p.m., Spring Hills Presbyterian Church, 6247 Upper Byrnes Mill Drive, House Springs. For all skill levels. Free child care for fifth-graders and younger. Call Junia Haas, 636-677-0409.
Friday, Dec. 9
“Walk Through Bethlehem”, 6-9 p.m. Friday and 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Morse Mill Baptist Church, 6955 Hwy. B west of Hillsboro. Free 40-minute walk will include a tour of the town of Bethlehem and a visit with shepherds, angels, the wise men and Roman soldiers as you follow the footsteps of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. Live animals part of interactive experience. Hot chocolate, cookies. Call 636-285-2411 or visit mmbc.net.
Salvation Army National Commander’s Red Kettle Challenge, 3-7 p.m., Schnucks Supermarket, 3900 Vogel Road. Salvation Army of Jefferson County will collect money as part of a national effort to raise $1.5 million over four hours. Call 636-464-0787.
Christmas production, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3517 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold. Free performances of “HIStory.” Call 636-464-0096 or go to sjlarnold.com.
Country fried steak dinner, 3-7 p.m., Rock Memorial American Legion, 910 Montebello Road, Imperial. Sides and dessert. Call 636-464-2599.
Craft classes, 10 a.m. to noon, De Soto Senior Center, 221 S. Third St. Call 636-337-7578.
Fish fry, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Festus American Legion, 849 American Legion Drive. Cod or catfish dinners with sides: $12 plus tax. Call 636-933-3981.
Bingo, 10-11 a.m., De Soto Senior Center, 221 S. Third St. Call 636-337-7578.
Fish fry, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., De Soto VFW, 1651 Veterans Blvd. (Hwy. E). Dine in or carry out.
Fish fry, 3-7 p.m., Fenton American Legion, 2 Gravois Road. Cod, catfish, shrimp and chicken strips: $11-14. Bar open until 10 p.m. Call for pick-up: 636-343-7330. Cash or credit.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Christmas Parade, 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. Will start at Hawk Drive and proceed to Stadium Drive to Business 21 to Main Street to Vreeland Road, ending behind Hillsboro Intermediate School. After parade, photos with Santa, hot chocolate and additional activities at Bridle Ridge Acres. All free.
Christmas Parade, 7 p.m. Sponsored by House Springs Lions Club. Will start at Faith Community Church parking lot, 4824 Scottsdale Road, in House Springs and proceed to Conrad Smith Drive to Dulin Creek Road to Hwy. MM, ending at the intersection of Hwy. MM and Hillsboro-House Springs Road.
Fill the bus toy drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Walmart, 650 S. Truman Blvd., Crystal City. Shoppers are encouraged to buy toys, clothing and gift cards and donate to Jefferson County Toys and More for its distribution. Santa Claus and the Grinch will greet shoppers. Call Kathy, 314-520-1536.
Elf on the Shelf, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Kimmswick. Tickets for story book, elf guide and gift bag cost $10 at gokimmswick.com or Kimmswick Visitors Center, 314 Market St. Donate unwrapped toy at visitors center to receive $5 gift card to participating businesses. Gifts donated to area families. Sponsor: Kimmswick Merchants Association. Call 636-464-6464.
Spread the Love peanut butter drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., High Ridge FPD House No. 1, 2842 High Ridge Blvd. Jars of peanut butter collected for Peace Pantry.
Christmas craft and vendor fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Pastime Club, 5557 Hwy. 61-67, Imperial. Door prizes, raffle. Benefits family of Sgt. Ronnie Drennen.
Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., De Soto Masonic Lodge, Third and Boyd streets. Eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sausage: $3 to $7.
De Soto Food Pantry, 9 a.m. to noon, 705 E. Stone St. at Flucom Road. Schedule changes: 636-586-7300.
Ozark Food Pantry, 8:30-10:45 a.m., No. 1 Sunset Park, Festus. Call 636-933-9974.
Bingo, 5:45 p.m., Fenton American Legion, 2 Gravois Road. Kitchen serves at 4 p.m., special bingo at 5:45 p.m., regular bingo at 6:15 p.m. No checks or outside food, drinks.
Shooting match, noon, De Soto VFW, 1651 Veterans Drive. Practice starts 11 a.m. Meat and money rounds, bar open. Call 636-586-9271.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Wildwood Historical Society, open house 1-4 p.m., 18750 Manchester Road (Hwy. 100). Joe Sonderman speaks from 2-2:30 on “Get Your Kicks on Old 66, Part 2.” Call Sandy Becker-Gurnow, 314-374-3159.
Toys for tots collection, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arnold Walmart, 2201 Michigan Ave. Accepting toys, cash. Visit from Santa. Sponsor: Goldwing Road Riders.
Choir concert, 3 p.m., Jefferson College Fine Arts Theatre, Hillsboro campus. Free. Call 636-481-3369.
Breakfast, 7:30-10:30 a.m., De Soto Amvets, 1075 Amvets Drive at Hwy. 21. All you can eat: $10; biscuits and gravy $3; various plates $8. Sponsor: Ladies Auxiliary.
Bingo, 5 p.m., Meramec Arnold Elks. 1515 Miller Road, Imperial. No smoking. Call 636-464-8960.
Meat shoot, 11:30 a.m., Meramec Arnold Elks mini-hall, 1515 Miller Road, Imperial. Doors open 10 a.m., practice begins 11 a.m.
Shooting match, noon, De Soto Amvets, 1075 Amvets Drive. Practice shots 11:30 a.m. Food available.
Monday, Dec. 12
Arnold Historical Society, 7 p.m., second Mondays, 1723 Jeffco Blvd. Call 636-282-2828.
Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd. Doors open 3 p.m. Call 636-282-0415.
Card club, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library, 5860 Hwy. PP, High Ridge. Free games of canasta; beginners welcome.
Preschool story hour, 10:30 a.m., De Soto Public Library, 712 S. Main St. Call 636-586-3858.
Cards and dominoes, 10 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays, De Soto Senior Center, 221 S. Third St. Call 636-337-7578.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Pet photos with Santa, 6-8 p.m., De Soto Public Library, 712 S. Main St. Bring pets and camera. Call 636-586-3858.
Knot Just Knitting class, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library, 5680 Hwy. PP, High Ridge. Knitting and crocheting sessions free for all skill levels. Call Mary, 636-677-8186.
Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee, 7 p.m., 4 Main St., Festus. Call 636-465-9050 or email jeffcomodems@gmail.com.
Line dancing lessons, 7-9:30 p.m., High Ridge Elks, 2808 Old Hunning Road. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5. Soda and water available; dancers can bring snacks. Call Carol Smith at 314-609-8610.
Bingo, 6:15 p.m., Meramec Arnold Elks. 1515 Miller Road, Imperial. No smoking. Call 636-464-8960.
Rummikub and Senior Squabble, 9:30-11:30 a.m., House Springs Senior Center, 6180 Hwy. MM. Reservations: 636-677-4578.
Exercise, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Quad Cities Senior Center, 221 Bailey Road, Crystal City. Call 636-937-8333.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Evening with Santa, 6-8:30 p.m., Herculaneum City Park, 850 Joachim Ave. Free. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 6 p.m.; live reindeer will be available for photos from 6-8 p.m. Bring cameras for photos. Children receive personalized Christmas ornament and a plush reindeer toy while supplies last. Free hot chocolate and Christmas cakes for all. Sponsors: City of Herculaneum, Herculaneum Historical Society and Herculaneum Today and Tomorrow. Call 636-475-4447 or 314-852-4964.
Tumbling tots gymnastics, 10-11 a.m., Eureka Community Center, 333 Bald Hill Road. For ages 6 months to 5 years. Cost: $8 members; $9 residents; $10 others. Call 636-938-6775.
Board games, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Quad Cities Senior Center, 221 Bailey Road, Crystal City. Call 636-937-8333.
Bingo, 6 p.m., De Soto KC, 13225 Hwy. E. Doors open 4 p.m. Door prizes, two progressive games. Call 636-586-2594.
Ladies night, 7:15 p.m., Arnold VFW, 2301 Church Road. Dance music, karaoke. Kitchen serves wings at 4:45 p.m. Call 636-296-4066.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Bingo, 10:30 a.m., Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd. Doors open 8 a.m. Sponsor: Moolah Shriners. Call 314-280-4568.
Photos with Santa, 5-8 p.m., Jefferson College Arnold campus, 1687 Missouri State Road. Bring camera/phone. Pets welcome. Free cocoa, crafts. Donations collected for Vikings Vault food pantry. Call 636-481-3230 or email hlincoln@jeffco.edu.
Senior lunch, noon, first and third Thursdays, Timbers of Eureka Recreation Center, 1 Coffey Park Lane. Cost: $6 members, $7 residents; $8 for others. Performance by Eureka High School Orchestra. Reservations: Ann, 636-938-6775.
Bingo, 10:30 a.m., Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd. Doors open 8 a.m. Call 636-282-0415.
Bingo, 10 a.m. to noon, Quad Cities Senior Center, 221 Bailey Road, Crystal City. Call 636-937-8333.
The Leader is pleased to run community events free of charge in the calendar. Send events to Leader Calendar, P.O. Box 159, Festus, 63028, or to news@leaderpublications.biz. Events that occur weekly are listed on a space-available basis. Only nonprofit events that are open to the public are eligible.