As the popular, seasonal song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” and Hillsboro residents are more than ready for it’s arrival.
The Christmas season is filled with local traditions and this year is no different with one exception.
Don’t panic, Santa Claus has already confirmed his yearly visit and will be welcoming kids and their parents for a visit at the Community Center on Dec. 15 from 1–3 p.m.
Don’t forget your Christmas lists to help Santa out. After hundreds of years delivering presents on Christmas Eve, the old guy’s memory and eyes aren’t what they used to be. His trusty elves have at least come up with a bigger type size for the master list.
Sitting on that convenient lap and talking to the actual Santa is an unforgettable memory for Hillsboro kids, so bring your camera and capture it forever. Santa will have a gift for every child.
It just doesn’t get much better that Christmas in Hillsboro, but this year, sadly, the Grinch has made an appearance in the form of lightning, and managed to “turn off” the legendary Hillsboro Christmas Star on the hill across the lake.
That beautiful star has lit up the sky for dozens of Christmas seasons, just as the lighted cross next to it has marked the Easter season.
The Hillsboro Lions Club has been the caretakers of the ighted display for many years, and its members are currently trying to devise a way to have it lighted again to honor the unforgettable night when the real star guided the way to the Christ Child on the night of his birth in a stable.
It’s a special, sacred tradition for Hillsboro, just like the millions of lighted stars on the tops of Christmas trees all over the world.
Hopefully the club members, led by Lion Joe Nusse, who has been the “Keeper of the Star” for many years, will be successful in their efforts to brighten the season.
On a more positive note, the Lions will also be assisting Santa and his elves with gathering new and good condition used toys to help share the joy with needy families on Christmas morning.
This long-time tradition is a wonderful way for local folks to share in the spirit by bringing their toys to Farmers State Bank, Royal Bank, or County Market.
The banks will contribute an extra 50 cents for every toy brought to their lobbies.
Or, you can also play a role in this project by sending a contribution to Hillsboro Lions Club Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 13, Hillsboro, WI, 54634-0013.
The monetary donations are used to purchase needed extra toys, clothing, and food for Santa to deliver.
In keeping with the tradition of a good, old fashion family Christmas meal, the traditional Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Hillsboro High School cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. After all, the Hillsboro community is truly just a big family!
Although it appears as though Christmas traditions are all aimed at kids, this isn’t the reality of the season in Hillsboro.
Adults can find seasonal enjoyment in a Candy Cane Christmas House Walk and Poinsettia Sale on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The holiday house walk, sponsored by the St. Joseph’s Memorial Foundation, will include five seasonally decorated homes in the area.
Tickets and map directions to the homes will be on sale from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Hillsboro Brewing Company Event Room, accessible by the side door on Mill Street.
In addition, a variety of poinsettia plants in many colors and sizes will be on sale Dec. 7 in the Event Room. Holiday decor, hand crafted by hospital employees, will also be sold in a silent auction.
Tickets for the Candy Cane House Walk are $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gundersen-St. Joseph’s Medical Equipment Loan Closet Program.
There is obviously plenty of fun and excitement leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but the “reason for the season” should always be paramount in importance. The birth of Jesus, the Christ Child, will be observed in local churches, with some of them offering Christmas Eve Candlelight services.
• The Hillsboro Wesleyan Church will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m.
• The First Congregational Church will conduct a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Call 489-2492 for the time.
• St. Aloysius Parish will celebrate a Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m. and a Christmas Day Service at 10 a.m.
• Burr Wesleyan Church will hold a Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m.
• Call St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 489-2189 for service times.
• Call the Lighthouse Baptist Church at 498-3378 for service times.
