(Above) Vince Lindstrom, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, introduces Joplin's "Holiday Experience" at a press conference last October. (At left) Santa rests in preparation for his role in Joplin's holiday activities.

(Photos by Mari Winn Taylor)

The Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau kicks off the Joplin Holiday Experience on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 with a full week of activities for the whole community. Many of the activities are free. Here's a brief schedule of events:

• Monday, Nov. 30: 5:30 p.m., Unveiling of the Joplin City Hall window decorations at 602 S. Main St.;6 p.m., children's holiday story time for children of all ages at the Storytime Room of the Joplin Public Library at 300 S. Main; 6:30 p.m., lighting of the city Christmas tree by Mayor Gary Show with the assistance of the Mayor of Bethlehem and all city caroling led by the First Christian Church Choir at Spiva Park at 4th & Main.

• Tuesday, Dec. 1: 2:30-6:30 p.m., photos with Santa at Edison Conference Center at 517 S. Main with music and refreshments/Christmas story art and activities for the whole family; 4 p.m., Experience Christmas program at Mystery Church at 514 S. Main; 6 p.m., Joplin Jaycees Christmas Parade presented by Downstream Casino & Resort in downtown Joplin that will move from 20th Street to 2nd Street with the theme "Earth's Greatest Treasure Came as a Gift from Bethlehem to the World on Christmas Day"

• Wednesday, Dec. 2: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., "Senior" Snow Ball Dance & Luncheon at Memorial Hall at 212 W. 8th St., tickets are $5 each at Area Agency on Aging and St. John's Prestige; 6-9 p.m., Live Drive-Thru Nativity at Landreth Park features 8 scenes including a large number of shepherds watching their flocks of live sheep/the stable with the manger and first family/the visit from the wide men with their camels; 7 p.m., "An Evening of Christmas" Variety Show at Memorial Hall, 212 W. 8th St. will be performed by churches/local organizations/schools and Mayor Gary Show will read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," admission is $5 each or 5 tickets for $20

• Thursday, Dec. 3: 5-7 p.m., tour of the Candy House Chocolate Factory at 510 Kentucky Ave.; 5-8 p.m., open house at St. Philip's Episcopal Church at 7th & Byers will feature holiday craft projects for children and holiday refreshments; 6 p.m., Hollywood at the Joplin Public Library at 300 S. Main will feature a Christmas movie; 5-9 p.m., Live Drive-Thru Nativity at Landreth Park; 7:30 p.m., Living Christmas Tree Performance at Ozark Christian College at 1111 N. Main, tickets are $7 adults/$5 for children under 12/$5 for overflow seating, pre-show begins 30 minutes prior to main performance, to purchase tickets phone (417) 626-1221 or go online here.

• Friday, Dec. 4: 6-9 p.m., Live Drive-Thru Nativity at Landreth Park; 6:30 p.m., "Meet the Mayor of Bethlehem" presentation and question and answer session at Joplin City Hall at 602 Main: This hour-long session will allow the general public to hear from Mayor Victor Batarsah and ask questions about Bethlehem, and the culture in the Middle East. There will be a question and answer session following Mayor Batarsah’s short comments. Photographs and various items from the region also will be on display. Attending with the mayor will be his wife Marcelle Batarsah and Dr. Bishara Awad, president of Bethlehem Bible College and his wife, Sawla. The mayor of Bethlehem’s visit recognizes a Sister City partnership established with Joplin in 2005 when Batarsah siged the formal agreement with then mayor Phil Stinnett. 7:30 p.m., Living Christmas Tree performance at Ozark Christian College at 1111 N. Main.

• Saturday, Dec. 5: 8-10 a.m., Breakfast with Santa at the Joplin Museum Complex at 4th & Schifferdecker in the park, $5 for children 3 and older/free to younger children, $1 for a picture with Santa; 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Gingerbread House Competition at Memorial Hall at 212 W. 8th, $20 entry fee for kit and workspace, entry forms available at the CVB in City Hall; 10-11:30 a.m., Winter Wonderland Hike for ages 6 and older sponsored by Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, $6 per person (10% discount for members), to RSVP go here; 1-3 p.m., Sweet Treats Open House for ages 4 and older at Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, 201 W. Riviera Dr. (Exit 6 of I-44, then south), to RSVP go here; 2-4 p.m. Messenger College Carolers will perform at the Joplin Museum Complex, Schifferdecker Park, 4th & Schifferdecker; 3-5 p.m., Photos with Santa & Decorate a Frame, Spiva Center for the Arts at 3rd & Wall, $10 per photo to benefit the SpivaKids FunFund for tuition assistance, RSVP by phoning (417) 623-0183; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Living Christmas Tree performance at Ozark Christian College, 1111 N. Main; 5 p.m., a motorcycle escort led by the Joplin Police Department will bring the visiting mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh to the Hollywood Theaters, 201 N. Northpark La. for a recognition program hosted by Ronald McDonald House of the Four States for the donation of his olive wood Star of Bethlehem that adorns the 20-foot benefit tree located in the theatre lobby; 5:30-7:30 p.m., greet Santa at the Santa Train at 10th & Main; 6-9 p.m., Live Drive-Thru Nativity at Landreth Park

• Sunday, Dec. 6: 3 p.m., Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church at 7th & Byers; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Living Christmas Tree Performance at Ozark Christian College at 1111 N. Main.

• Monday, Dec. 7: 7 p.m., Dave Rudolph with audience participation will perform at Memorial Hall at 212 W. 8th St., Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20; 7:30 p.m., Living Christmas Tree Performance at Ozark Christian College, 1111 N. Main.

Roger D. Gladden, president of Christians for World Peace, is looking forward to the visit of the Roman Catholic mayor of Bethlehem during Joplin's second annual "Joplin Holiday Experience." Working with Mike Jennings (think McDonald's?), Gladden formalized plans for the visit during a trip they made last September. The trip was a special occasion for Jennings who exchanged marriage vows on the balcony of the Bethlehem mayor's office overlooking Manger Square.

A retired executive from Leggett & Platt, Gladden has been involved in mission work that has gifted ministries and children's centers in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Nazareth and Bethlehem. With Christ as the example Gladden's group works to promote better understanding between Jews and Arabs. During a chance encounter with President Barak Obama's peace envoy, Sen. George Mitchell, Gladden reports that after recounting a brief overview of CWP, he was asked by Mitchell for prayers to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

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