#241: Find a Christmas Tree

If Chevy Chase has taught us anything, it's that the best way to begin a Christmas Vacation is by cutting down the perfect tree for the living room.  If you haven't already found the best six-footer in Michiana, no worries.  There's still plenty of opportunities to find a nice tree in the area.  Plus, the forecast of light snow over the weekend will make it the ideal wintry conditions (but not too wintry) whether you're cutting it down yourself or just packing it into the trunk.

Here are a (few) suggestions -- please feel free to comment if you'd like to add your favorite spot!

For the convenience factor and everything but the tree: Buy a pre-cut tree at the Downtown South Bend Tree & Wreath Sale, outside the College Football Hall of Fame.  Keep kids entertained with the Holiday Train, screenings of holiday movies inside the Hall of Fame, and a visit with Santa (and/or the Grinch, if they're being particularly mischievous).  Visit downtownfortheholidays.com for more info.  Note: The sale was extended as of December 8, but selection may be limited.  Cash only.

For the 'out in the country' feel with all the convenience: Head to locally-owned and operated Matthys Farm Market at 57754 Crumstown Highway just west of town.  Fresh-cut Fraser and Douglas fir, Scotch and white pine, $25 and up.  Open from 8:30 - 6 PM weekdays; 8:30 - 5 PM Saturday; closed Sunday.  Call 574.287.1935 or visit matthysfarmmarket.com.

For the free hot chocolate and candy canes: Try Southern Plantation Christmas Tree Farm on 63727 Orange Road for precut and u-cut trees.  They offer a variety of tree types and wreaths, too... and of course, free sugary treats!  Open seven days a week at varying times until 5 PM .  Call 574.289.7485 for exact hours.

If you are willing to head toward Three Oaks, MI, Pinecrest Farms, 4403 Spring Creek Road, off US 12, offers free hot chocolate (and coffee for the grownups), as it does open at 9 AM.  Rides on the horse-drawn wagon are available in the afternoon.  Call 269.545.8125.

For the full woodsman effect: Trek to Gloria's Christmas Trees, 207 E. Bertrand Road (Niles).  You can have any blue spruce you like, from 6 feet to 20 feet (!!) for $25.  Open 9 AM - dark, Friday through Sunday.  Call 269.684.8632 and don't forget the hand saw and the Advil.

For the best swag: Roseland Garden Center on 25 Dixieway S. and Ginger Valley Garden Center off Route 23 in Granger offer a wide selection of fresh garlands, wreaths, and something called the "fancy mix." Probably named after Drake.  U fancy, huh?

#239: A Christmas Carol

Have you changed your music to the unique mix Burl Ives and Mariah Carey, put up the Christmas tree, and decked the halls, and still don't feel in the holiday spirit?  Is the lack of snow around here keeping from feeling like the holidays are here?   Perhaps a different approach to the hap-hap-happiest season of exactly what you need to get your (holiday) swag on.

According to the recent review by the South Bend Tribune, the Civic Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol" is not your typical feel-good holiday theater.  This year, it's a bit more sinister, focusing on Scrooge and Marley, his deceased business partner.  Director Jewl Abram-Copenhaver has emphasized this element with sophisticated stage effects.  For those of you who miss Halloween, check this play out.

When you leave the theater, you will be all more grateful for the glowing lights that decorate Downtown South Bend this time of year.

When: Tuesday - Sunday shows through Dec. 18.  All shows begin at 7:30 PM, except for the weekends.

Where: 403 N. Main Street

Cost: Tickets start at $16/adult.  You can order tickets online here.

#198: McKinley Pub

With temperatures creeping up into the 90s for the next couple days, I think we'll all need a nice cold beer.  At McKinley Pub, shockingly located on McKinley Avenue, you'll find just that... plus, some decor to remind you of colder days.  

I apologize for the dark photos, but the Christmas lights hung around this bar didn't provide the ideal lighting for photographing.  Yes, that's right, folks...Christmas decor.  All year long.  When I first heard about this place, I expected gaudy, overwhelming, giant plastic Rudolphs, but the yuletide-thing McKinley Pub has going on is a bit more understated than one might anticipate... even subtle.  A few evergreen wreaths, some colored strings of lights, and a couple Santa's hanging on the walls (maybe in the bathrooms, if I remember correctly). 

Location: 2930 McKinley Avenue, South Bend
Hours: 3 pm to 3 am Sun - Fri and 12 pm to 3 am Sat
Tip: They have a great old CD jukebox, and I'm almost positive that you'll find Mariah Carey's "All I  Want For Christmas Is You" on there, but probably not as much Bing Crosby as most Christmas music fans would prefer.
B.Y.O.Mistletoe 

So as South Bend begins to swelter, head over to the winter wonderland of McKinley Pub and cool down with a cold beer as memories of Christmas flood your mind and cool your spirit.

#87: Copshaholm

Copshaholm, a word I'm still not quite sure how to pronounce, is the name of the mansion once owned by J.D. Oliver that is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. It also sits in the heart of South Bend on Washington Street. In a previous post on the West Washington Historic District we mentioned the mansion, but it really deserves a post of its own.

Copshaholm features 38 rooms and is one of the first houses in Indiana to have electricity. It's owner J.D. Oliver was the President of Oliver Chilled Plow Works and a leading industrialist in South Bend and far beyond. Today Copshaholm is part of the Center for History and is open year-round as a museum. We're featuring the mansion today because now is one of the best times of the year to go on a tour. Christmas at Copshaholm is an annual, extravagant undertaking and the house features Victorian-style decorations and eight different Christmas trees. If you're looking for a relaxing activity during this last week before the holiday and you want to experience a little bit of South Bend history while you're at it, then Copshaholm is the perfect place.

For more information on the mansion and touring hours, visit the Center for History's website here.

#84: The Miracle on 34th Street

"I believe....I believe...it's silly, but I believe." Those words and the movie they came from were an annual part of my childhood. The Miracle on 34th Street (black and white version, thank you very much) is the very definition of a holiday classic, and I know that I'm not alone in refusing to celebrate the holidays without it.

This year in South Bend, however, you have the option to not only watch your well-worn DVD copy, but also to see the story in person. The South Bend Civic Theater is presenting the play of A Miracle on 34th Street through December 19. I would advise you, as always, to jump on getting your tickets sooner rather than later, as the South Bend Civic always packs their house.  South Bend has done a remarkable job of fostering the holiday spirit, and the show is just another great opportunity to celebrate the season.

To order tickets and for more information on the show visit their website here.

#76: Holiday Art Walk

There has been quite the flurry of activity downtown this weekend.  It's nice to see people out and about.  Here's yet another event on happening: today is the annual Holiday Art Walk, during which art galleries open their doors to sell works by local artists.  It's a great opportunity to pick up a unique and quality gift for whoever's on your shopping list.

The following galleries are part of this walk: 

• Artpost
• Blue Gallery
• CircaArts Gallery
• Colfax Campus Gallery
• Fire Arts, Inc.
• Junk Evolution / Carpenter Gothic
• Max Black Fine Art
• Monroe St. Studios
• Piser Designs
• South Bend Museum of Art

In addition to the works on sale in the galleries, there is also a wreath raffle being held today.  Each place has a wreath made by Paul Kuharic (from the farmer's market!) that the store's featured artist decorated.  For a donation of any amount, you are entered into the raffle to win the wreath.  The best part?  Proceeds go to La Casa De Amistad.

If you didn't get out and around for First Fridays, come out today for the last bit of the Art Walk.  It's a nice chance for people whose workweek schedules don't always match the limited gallery hours.

When: 11 am - 5 pm
Where: Downtown South Bend.
Click here for a map of the galleries and more information.

#74: Downtown Christmas Festivities - season openers

There is going to be so much gosh darn Christmas cheer in downtown South Bend tomorrow that we need to get an early jump on letting you know about all of the events.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, movie showing

When: 4 pm to 9 pm

Where: College Football Hall of Fame Stadium Theatre


Santa House 

When: 7 pm to 9 pm

Where: the 100 block of South Michigan St (just north of South Bend Chocolate Cafe)

Bring every small child you can find!!!  Bring your camera - there will be some cutesy photo-ops with the little ones and this little cute Christmas red house.

Santa Workshop (yes, it's different from the House)

When: 5 pm to 9 pm

Where: inside the College Football Hall of Fame's Gift Store

Kids will be able to make arts and crafts that I assume will include lots of glitter and popsicle sticks. Awesome.

This event will benefit Operation Santa Paws, a holiday organization helping homeless pets during these cold months.  There will also be a few cats and dogs available for adoption.  (Hint: I would love a puppy for Christmas)

After Friday, these are the regular hours for the Santa House and his workshop:

Saturdays, December 4, 11 & 18, 12 pm to 6 pm

Sundays, December 5, 12 & 19, 12 pm to 4 pm

Monday, December 20, Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 22, 2 pm to 6 pm

Both of these are FREE and open to all ages.

For more info visit www.DTSBsantahouse.com.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

When: 5:30 pm

Where: outside the College Football Hall of Fame on the Gridiron

Santa's going to be there.  The tree lights up. Free hot cocoa and cookies. You know Lil'Kim's song "The Jump Off"?  This is what she was talking about.

Holiday Tree & Wreath Sale

When: December 3rd - 5 pm to 9 pm, December 4th - 12 pm to 6 pm & December 5th - 12 pm to 4 pm

Where: also on the Gridiron

All proceeds benefit the United Way of St. Joseph County - a great way to begin your holiday charitable giving.

There is a lot of holly, misletoe, and giant inflatable reindeers to absorb, so I'll include an event that won't feature any miniature plastic Santas, I think.

He Said, She Said

Exhibition of IU South Bend artists, Joshua Miller and Candie Waterloo

When: December 1st until the 19th

Tuesday through Friday, 12 pm - 5 pm, Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm

Where: Northside Hall's East Lounge, here's a map.

This sculpture exhibition features the work of IUSB student, Joshua Miller, and IUSB faculty member, Candie Waterloo.  Take a break from the Christmas bonanza to check out this exhibition and appreciate these local artists.

#73: Christmas events and more at the Center for History

First things first, HAPPY WINTER!  I think we can officially say that the snow, winds, and low temperatures of South Bend's notorious winter are upon us.  I'm one of those rare people that loves bundling up and heading out in the snow.  Sure... once it's mid-January, I'm usually singing a different song (filled with expletives cursing the arctic winds and general tundra-like environment), but for now, I love winter and everything else that comes with it... including Christmasy events around town.  (how do you like that segue?)


Head into the Center for History to escape the cold and check out what they have going on this week (which even include **GASP** an event unrelated to Christmas!)




Liberty Film Series - Time of Fear: Japanese Internment Camps
Friday, December 3rd, 2:30 pm

@ the Center for History, 808 West Washington Street

I was lucky enough to see part of this documentary a few years ago as part of a class on race relations.  It walks that delicate line of engagingly informative and emotionally moving.  The film follows the lives of thousands of Japanese-Americans who were forced into relocation camps during WWII.  I definitely recommend seeing this movie at the Center for History or anywhere you can!  The film is free with purchase of a museum admission.  Adults $8, seniors $6.50, youth 6-17 $5, and members free

Check out their website here to see which other films are part of the Liberty Film Series.

Christmas at Copshaholm
Friday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm 
@ Copshaholm, the Oliver Mansion - which is part of the Center for History campus
This tour of the historical Oliver family home is complete with performers dressed in period costume as the Oliver family and the household staff.  They recommend that you buy tickets ahead of time.  Adults $10, seniors $8, youth 6-17 $6, members $5
Call 574-235-9664, ext. 232 with questions or check out their website here.


Internationally and locally decorated Christmas trees
@ the Center for History, 808 West Washington Street
On-going exhibits from November 26th to January 9th
I've yet to check these out myself, but it looks like the Center for History has two Christmas tree exhibits that could be said to display the local/global dichotomy.  The trees in the Carroll Gallery have been decorated to celebrate our community's international and rich ethnic heritage, while the other collection features eight trees decorated by community designers and retailers.

Bon hiver and happy snow shoveling!

#68: Opening Day for the Holiday Stores

The holiday shopping season has descended upon us quite suddenly, much like the permacloud that covers the skies at this time of year.  Perhaps the two are dueling forces, as if twinkling icicle lights and beady-eyed reindeer could somehow combat the oppressive darkness that descends at 5pm here.  Every time I look at the window as I'm leaving work, I'm shocked by how dark it is already.  Not fair, mother nature.


Lucky for me, tonight, a new store is bringing light to South Bend (literally and figuratively).


A Homestead Shoppe (Lighting and Lampshades) opens up in downtown South Bend, and is providing wine and cheese in proper holiday cheer.  This store is one of fives temporary shops that will be open in downtown South Bend for the holiday season.  Also joining are Imagine That! toy store; Party, Work & Play, clothing/shoe store; Heritage Arts & Crafts, featuring local arts; and the Michiana African American Chamber of Commerce and Friends Holiday Market.  It's great to have more tenants downtown, and the city's "Pop Up Shop" program--these stores have free rent until New Year's!--really shows an innovative way to bring more of the seasonal spirit of consumerism to the downtown area, because really, their presence is a gift. Heh heh.


So leave the house and come downtown for A Homestead Shoppe's open house.  It's retail therapy that also combats Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Now that's what I call happy hour.


Where: 123 S. Michigan (near Spark)
When: Open house starting 5:00pm-9:00pm

#65: First Annual Holiday Walk

Just can't wait until Black Friday to begin your Christmas shopping?  Generally detest the violent showing of greed and consumerism that day involves?  Need to buy some late birthday gifts to give to your family at Thanksgiving?  Or have a Saturday free to spend depleting your checking account?

Regardless of your motivation, this weekend is a great time to welcome the holiday spirit back into your life.  Tomorrow, four shops on the 700 block of East Jefferson will display their holiday goods for the first time this season, proving that block parties are not just for summertime.

Here's the run down
First Annual Holiday Walk

Location: 700 block of East Jefferson

Date: November 20th

Time: 10 am to 4 pm

Participating shops: Marigolds, Just Goods, Buttons & Bows, and Beehive Salon

Apparently, there will also be refreshments and in-store specials.  I'm crossing my fingers for peppermint hot cocoa.

We, three bloggers, are especially excited for tomorrow, because the event features two of our favorite local shops: Marigold's and Just Goods, and it'll be great to check out Buttons & Bows and the Beehive Salon as well.

Yeaaa, I know what you might be thinking... I, too, hate the fanatical rush to begin the Christmas season.  Holiday shopping before Thanksgiving can make me feel a little overly capitalistic.  It makes me worry that I'll get into the consuming of the holidays rather than the giving.  Yet, there is something special about buying that first gift for your mom or someone else special.  (For some reason, it makes me think of the scene from "The Polar Express" - the book, not the movie - when Santa gives the sleigh bell to the kid and declares "THE FIRST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS!"  which, mind you, is a very sacred scene  in my litany of childhood Christmas memories.)  

There's another heart-warming idea at work here.  It's not simply about the browsing, buying, and gift wrapping.  It's about that small business community that has developed on the 700 block of East Jefferson, bringing friends and patrons together to kick off the season of peace on Earth and goodwill towards (wo)men.  Mmmm, let the warm and fuzzy holiday season begin.