DEC. 1
• A Christmas drive-through featuring scenes from Jesus’ life with painted backdrops, live actors and animals is 6-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ozark Baptist Church. The free activity is on the church grounds five miles east of Houston on Highway 17.
DEC. 2
• A solid waste recycling event is 9-11 a.m. at Houston City Hall. There is no charge.
• The “Country Christmas” cookie walk, tea and tour hosted by Mountain Grove Christian Academy, 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the school.
DEC. 3
• The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will present “Sounds of Joy” at 3 p.m. at the Star Theater in Willow Springs. The Christmas concert will feature famous holiday songs. Tickets are $7 and available at the door. Children under 12 are free.
DEC. 4
• University of Missouri Texas County Extension Council meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lone Star Annex in downtown Houston.
• Licking Lions Club meeting, 6 p.m. at the Licking Bridge Builders Senior Center, 116 Green St.
• Roubidoux Township meeting, 7 p.m at the township building.
• Plato Lodge #469 AF&AM meeting, 7:30 p.m.
DEC. 5
• The Texas County Democratic Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at Pizza Hut in Houston. Kathy Ellis, who is running in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District, is the guest speaker.
• A Christmas craft day for adults is 1 to 3 p.m. at the Summersville branch of the Texas County Library. To pre-register, call the library at 417-932-5261 or stop by.
• Piney Township meeting, 6 p.m. at the township maintenance building on Forrest Drive in Houston.
DEC. 7
• Lynch Township meeting, 6 p.m. at the township shed, 14472 Boiling Springs Rd., Licking.
• Public Water Supply District #2 meeting, 6 p.m. at the well house on Morton Road, Houston.
• Texas Lodge #177 AF & AM of Houston monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge Hall, 812 Dooley, Houston.
DEC. 8
• The Star Dramatic Club will perform “A Christmas Story” at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the Melba Theatre. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Tickets are available at Landmark Bank, Houston Visitors Center, community betterment members, TCMH Auxiliary gift shop and the health food store (Grand Avenue).
• The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. at its fairgrounds.
DEC. 9
• Houston’s annual Christmas parade – hosted by the chamber – begins at 2 p.m.