No pouting -- this season offers everyone a little something to celebrate: Valley Views - cleveland.com

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CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Happy Holidays! December is jam-packed with so many holidays it resembles a slice of fruitcake. And, from the sound of things, it can be just as nutty.

Why do many of us say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas?” Despite what some people have said, it is not a war on Christmas. Far from it. It’s just that the season is a little crowded. December is a busy month, with nearly every culture and religion holding a celebration of some sort to mark a holy time, point of reflection or an end-of-year party.

This week starts the eight-day celebration of Chanukah for Jews, Dec. 10-18. Monday, Dec. 21, is the Winter Solstice or Yule, which many of our Pagan ancestors celebrated with bonfires and marked as a sacred time, with Mother Nature already marking it as the shortest day of the year.

Friday, Dec. 25, is observed as Christmas Day for most Christians. Although the celebration of the season begins shortly after Thanksgiving and extends a fortnight to Tuesday, Jan. 7, for Orthodox Christians.

Kwanza is a seven-day celebration beginning Dec. 26 and running to Jan. 7. Muslims, too, mark a holiday in December -- Eid al-Fitr -- which is the day to break a month-long period of sunup-to-sundown fasting. Observed with prayer, the date is decided by locality and is tied to the new moon, which is on Dec. 14 this year.

This is by no means the entire list of December/January holidays. What makes our country great is our inherent diversity and historic principles of freedom of thought and religion.

Despite this, for those feeling a bit left out, there’s Festivus, a holiday invented in the mid-1960s by the father of a boy who grew up to write for the Seinfeld TV series. As the story goes, it is celebrated -- or not -- on Dec. 23.

So, go ahead and have that merry little Christmas, happy Chanukah, cool Yule, Festivus -- or all of the above. This year, we all need just a little more merriment.

Need a little Christmas: Although the theater buildings are dark this season due to the pandemic, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is opening its doors virtually Dec. 22-25 with an encore presentation of the 2018 Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra Christmas Concert.

Maestro Steve Eva, his 40-piece orchestra and featured soloists create holiday magic with a variety of traditional Christmas carols and lush orchestrations of modern classics. From the timeless elegance and simplicity of songs from Irving Berlin, Mel Torme and Richard Rogers to the full-on rock orchestrations of Trans Siberian Orchestra and the Mannheim Steam Roller, this recorded concert has a little something for every taste.

The cost to view is a donation of $5 or more to the nonprofit theater. You will be given a passcode to tune in.

The best news is this year, you can sing along loudly without disturbing the rest of the viewing audience. Or, organize a family singalong in your living room, accompanied by the 40-piece orchestra.

Contact cvlt.org.

Santa, Annie and the sun: All will come out tomorrow, or at least in a few days.

Due to the pandemic, Santa Claus is offering virtual meetings with children Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 12 and 13) live from the North Pole. For a $5 donation to Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, parents can reserve a five-minute Zoom meeting.

The sun will surely come out Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 12 and 13) and again Dec. 19 and 20 as Chagrin Valley Little Theatre presents an encore performance of its 2019 staging of “Annie.” Directed by Michael Rogan with music direction by Lynne Provance, you will have a prime viewing seat from your home. Contact cvlt.org for pricing and tickets.

Festival of trees: No matter how you mark your holiday, who does not like a light show? You can social distance and stroll through a winter wonderland of decorated and lit trees through mid-January at Riverside Park in Chagrin Falls. Admission is free.

You can stop in a restaurant for hot cocoa, a bite to eat or another libation. Shopping in this picturesque village is also encouraged.

Instant decorations: If you find yourself short on time and decorations, you have until 8:30 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 13) to bid on tabletop trees and wreaths decorated and donated by companies and organizations to benefit the Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce and the staff at the Visitor Center.

The items are on display in various shops and restaurants throughout Chagrin Falls. They also can be viewed online, along with more details on how to participate. Contact cvcc.org.

View fine art: The 49th annual juried show is on display at Valley Art Center through Saturday (Dec. 12). Sixty-three works are on display, created by local and regional artists living within a 250-mile radius.

The center is located at 155 Bell St. in Chagrin Falls. Face coverings and social distancing are required. Contact valleyartcenter.org for hours and availability.

While there, shop the Bell Street gallery for artisan-made gifts.

To post your news and events contact Rusek at jcooperrusek@gmail.com.

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December 08, 2020 at 12:52AM
https://www.cleveland.com/community/2020/12/no-pouting-this-season-offers-everyone-a-little-something-to-celebrate-valley-views.html

No pouting -- this season offers everyone a little something to celebrate: Valley Views - cleveland.com

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