Holiday happenings in the Exeter area: Santa, parade, concerts and more

Exeter Holiday Parade returns to downtown Exeter

EXETER — The Exeter Holiday Parade returns to downtown Exeter on Dec. 4.

The parade will step off from Osram on Portsmouth Avenue at 5:30 p.m. and wind its way to High Street, passing the Bandstand on Water Street before dispersing along Swasey Parkway. Awards for various parade units will be given out in front of the Bandstand.

The 2021 theme for the Holiday Parade is “Celebrate.”

Marching bands, floats from community groups and businesses as well as many familiar faces will populate the parade ahead of the most familiar face of all, Santa Claus.

Parade-goers are invited to join the nearly 2000 followers of the Exeter Holiday Parade Facebook page for the latest information about this year’s event.

The Exeter Holiday Parade is a more than 60-year tradition and anyone interested in sponsorship or donations can reach out to the committee at exeterholidayparade@gmail.com.

Whirlygigs toy shop kicks off ‘Bears that Care’ initiative

EXETER — Whirlygigs, a locally-owned toy store in downtown Exeter, is once again offering “Bears that Care,” a special community program they established eight years ago.

During the month of December, for every teddy bear purchased at the store, Whirlygigs will donate two teddy bears to be given to children who are patients in Exeter Hospital’s Emergency Department.

“This has been, and continues to be, a very busy time in our Emergency Department and we greatly appreciate the generosity of the community and Whirlygigs,” said Donna McKinney, vice president of acute care\cancer services and chief nurse executive at Exeter Hospital. “The teddy bears make such a big difference for our young patients.”

“Our customers were so supportive of Bears that Care even during the challenges of the pandemic last year. They really like knowing their purchase helps children in the Emergency Department,” said Geoffrey Pendexter, owner of Whirylgigs. “We are so pleased we’re able to offer Bears that Care again this year.”

Pendexter added that if people are not comfortable coming into the store due to COVID-19 but would still like to help, Whirlygigs will also be accepting donations by check through the mail or donors can call and donate any amount toward teddy bears for Exeter Hospital patients by credit card.

Whirlygigs, a locally owned toy store since 1986, was voted the “Best Local Toy Store” by New Hampshire Magazine readers in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and has been named the Best Toy Store in New England by Yankee Magazine. Whirlygigs is located at 107 Water Street in Exeter. Find them online at whirygigstoyshop.com.

Rockingham Choral Society to sing 'Invitations and Carols'

EXETER — The Rockingham Choral Society will perform “Invitations and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Church, Episcopal in Exeter.

The Rockingham Choral Society singers’ holiday concert program features Antonio Vivaldi’s “Magnificat” RV 610 accompanied by an orchestra, and a selection of carols. The concert will begin with the live premiere of the “Venite,” an original work written by Artistic Director Dr. Alex Favazza specifically for the Rockingham Choral Society.

“Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi is probably best known for his iconic work for strings, ‘The Four Seasons,’ and his choral masterpiece, ‘Gloria,’” notes Dr. Alex Favazza, artistic director. “However, his setting of Mary's prayer from Luke 1, “Magnificat” RV 610, is a choral gem well-fitting for the Christmas season.”

Since 1957, the Rockingham Choral Society has expanded and enhanced cultural experiences by performing choral masterpieces and adhering to the highest musical standards. The Choral Society is comprised of over 70 members and presents two concerts annually to audiences in the New Hampshire Seacoast region.

Tickets are $12 in advance for general admission, children 6 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.rockinghamchoral.org and from any choral society member. Tickets are also available at the door for $15 depending on availability due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions. It is strongly advised that those planning on attending to purchase their tickets in advance.

Christ Church, Episcopal is located at 43 Pine Street in Exeter.

Masks are required at Christ Church Episcopal for all indoor activities regardless of vaccination status.

More information can be found at www.rockinghamchoral.org or on the group’s Facebook page.

Decorate for the holidays with living plants

KENSINGTON — The library will host a holiday decorating presentation by Ruth Axelrod on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

“A Gardener’s Winter Holidays” will take place at 7 p.m. via the online platform Zoom.

Do you want to decorate for the holidays with living plants?

Explore the possibilities for both traditional and innovative color schemes. Learn how to grow bulbs, choose perennials, and maintain a balled-and-burlapped tree for the holidays and beyond.

Axelrod has been presenting seminars and workshops since she became a Master Gardener volunteer in 2010 in Maryland. Before moving to New Hampshire, she completed advanced training in eco-friendly landscaping and gardening, organic gardening, attracting pollinators, composting and stormwater management (including designing rain gardens).

Her passion is educating people about eco-friendly landscaping and gardening, particularly practices that help improve and protect the quality of water in our streams, rivers, lakes and bays.

Axelrod grew up in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains where she learned to love nature in all its forms. Her mother was a passionate gardener who raised dahlias on the edge of the cliff in front of their house and gladiolas in green-painted World War II surplus gasoline canisters.

Axelrod is a retired university professor of leadership, management and human behavior. When not gardening, she does a variety of volunteer work (including consulting on leadership and organizational development for nonprofit organizations), reads, researches whatever strikes her fancy, and pursues numerous creative hobbies, including building a Victorian Second Empire dollhouse.

For more information on this event or for the zoom link, please email us at kensingtonlibrary@comcas.net or call us at 603-772-5022.

‘The Brass’ returns to Kensington Congregational Church

KENSINGTON — Renewing a favorite holiday tradition, the Nottingham Brass Quintet will play for Sunday morning worship Dec. 5 at Kensington Congregational Church.

Worship begins at 10 a.m. at the church located at 108 Amesbury Road in Kensington.

“The Brass” were not able to play last year as the church was meeting online then due to COVID.

That one-year hiatus now makes their return all the more special, according to Interim Minister Jeff MacDonald.

“Having these talented players share their Advent music with us will be a moving and memorable highlight of this holy season,” said the Rev. MacDonald.

As the church aims to keep everyone safe, masks are required for adults and school-aged children. Musicians are taking appropriate precautions as well.

To reach the church, email kcc1737@yahoo.com or call 603-772-5821.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Holiday happenings in the Exeter NH area: Santa, parade, concerts and more