The holidays are here, bringing along aromas of cinnamon and gingerbread, stores packed to the brim with shoppers and plenty of local events to make this season count.
So, where to begin?
Welcome the season
Stop by the Carman Tilelli Community Center tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. for the opening of the holiday season.
The center is located at 820 Mercer St.
Mayor Chuck Cahn and township council will light Cherry Hill’s own menorah and Christmas tree.
The lighting ceremony is free to attend and sponsors include South Jersey Gas, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey and Advantage Therapy Centers.
Enjoy some light refreshments while listening to local sounds from Christ Our Light’s children’s choir as well as choral groups from Cherry Hill High School East and West.
For more information, visit www.cherryhill-nj.com.
Ho! ho! ho!
Santa Claus is waiting for you at the Cherry Hill Mall. Right now.
He’ll be in all his Christmas cheer in Macy’s Court every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Santa will be taking breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. daily to check on the progress of his elves at the North Pole.
Make sure to grab a Santa & Me photograph while you visit.
Visit www.cherryhillmall.com for more information, pricing, pet picture nights and holiday hours.
Helping neighbors
Cherry Hill is hosting a non-perishable food drive for the holidays and those affected by Sandy. Collections will take place until Saturday, Dec. 1.
Collection locations include the Cherry Hill Township Municipal Building, Marlkress Road Fire Station, the Department of Public Works, Springdale Road Fire Station, the Cherry Hill Public Library, Erlton Fire Company, state Sen. Jim Beach’s office, 1309 Route 70 West and the North Kings Highway Fire Station.
Stop by the township’s website for a listing of items needed as well as other ways to help as the season progresses.
Fun library days
Swing by the Cherry Hill Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 8 for an hour of trash to treasure crafting from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
According to the library, the program room will be filled with crafting leftovers, project odds and ends and several other supplies.
The goal is to use your imagination to craft holiday creations.
All ages are welcome to attend and no registration is required.
If you aren’t suffering from a Christmas cookie coma by Thursday, Dec. 27, head to the library for a “Crazy for Cookies” event from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Learn tips and tricks for decorating cookies. Follow that up with entering into the library’s cookie decorating contest.
The experience is open to children from grades one through five and registration is required.
School sounds
Cherry Hill’s public schools will play host to several performances through the season.
District spokeswoman Susan Bastnagel provided the following information.
The “Men’s Night Out” concert, which was rescheduled from earlier this month, is tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the new auditorium of Cherry Hill High School West.
The program this year will be “From Barbershop to the Beach Boys.”
According to school officials, there will be performances by Men of Note and the Pine Barrens Men’s Chorus, as well as boys from many of the district’s elementary and middle schools.
Anyone from the public is welcome to attend and admission is a goodwill offering and/or a canned good donation to a local food bank.
Here’s a special treat just for children.
“Miss Nelson is Missing,” based on the popular children’s book, will be performed on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. in West’s old auditorium.
Terry Church directs the show.
On Dec. 10 in West’s new auditorium, the All Cherry Hill Elementary Chorus Concert will perform at 7 p.m.
The concert is free and open to the public.
East will host a winter choral and orchestra concert on Dec. 13 in the auditorium.
On Dec. 18, East will perform a winter bands concert.
At West on Dec. 13, a winter instrumental concert will be performed, followed by a Dec. 20 winter choral concert.
All of the above high school winter concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free and open to the public.
Holiday bazaar
Trinity Presbyterian Church’s annual Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair was rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy to Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This community event will feature a plethora of crafts and free wellness screenings from South Jersey Health and Wellness.
There will be a silent auction and tombola gift baskets.
A food court will be open.
Not to forget, there will be a Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Witherspoon Center building and a model trail display.
Proceeds, according to the church, are used to support youth and adult mission trips.
Visit www.trinpres.org for additional details.
Family fun
Covenant Presbyterian Church will be presenting “Ticket to Bethlehem,” as the third annual Christmas Family Fun Night on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
According to the church, the event will transport attendees back to biblical times for some shopping, carols, games and light food.
There is no fee for admission.
For more information, call the church at (856) 429–1225 or email info@covenantcherryhill.com.
“Holiday Delights”
The Greater South Jersey Chorus’s Cherry Hill show, “Holiday Delights,” will be performed on Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill.
Artistic Director Dean Rishel will lead the 95-voice ensemble.
Tickets cost $20 for adults. Children 14 and under are free with an adult.
For tickets and additional information, call (856) 482–8282 or visit www.greatersjchorus.org.
Stay with us
Follow The Sun as the holiday season progresses, and make sure to email us at News@CherryHillSun.com with any additional events.
