Christmas

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)

Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

 

Wrangell’s Artha DeRuyter is one of 300 volunteers from around the country who will go to Washington, D.C., later this month to help decorate the White House for the Christmas season. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

Wrangell florist invited to help decorate White House for Christmas

For Artha DeRuyter, flowers have always been a passion. She’s owned flower shops in Fairbanks and now Wrangell. Sometimes she operates seasonally — other times,… Continue reading

 

Steven Kissack and Jennifer Ross accept pizzas from a person who dropped them off anonymously where they were sitting at the sheltered entrance to a building on Front Street on Sunday evening. Ross and Kissack, accompanied by his dog Juno, were among a group of people gathering at the entrance who said they might spend some of Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day at the warming shelter south of downtown, but were uncertain about their plans. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Just a typical Christmas Eve among homeless friends on Front Street

Food, drink, stories and dog adoration share much of the spirit as multitude of gatherings indoors.

 

A classified “Operation Gift Force” chart warns people in Southeast Alaska about strong winds expected throughout much of the region on Christmas Eve. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Is Juneau going to have a white Christmas? No. (But expect a peak performance for the holiday)

Rain and wind forecast during Santa’s overnight visit, with both increasing in strength on Monday.

A classified “Operation Gift Force” chart warns people in Southeast Alaska about strong winds expected throughout much of the region on Christmas Eve. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,

Santa’s helpers for the needy can use some holiday help

Annual gifts and meals for Juneau’s struggling continue their traditions, but limited by high demand

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,
Last year’s haul of donated socks to the Mountain View Senior and Disable Housing is laid out on a table in this undated courtesy photo from Briana Heller, the home’s services coordinator. Heller said the home is running a donation drive for socks and slippers as Christmas gifts for the home’s 67 residents. (Courtesy photo / Briana Heller)

Home seeks slippers and socks for seniors

Slippers for seniors.

Last year’s haul of donated socks to the Mountain View Senior and Disable Housing is laid out on a table in this undated courtesy photo from Briana Heller, the home’s services coordinator. Heller said the home is running a donation drive for socks and slippers as Christmas gifts for the home’s 67 residents. (Courtesy photo / Briana Heller)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneauites fill Governor’s Mansion as annual open house returns

Kids more interested in cookies than governor.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Coast Guardsmen and state employees load the Together Tree bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion on a truck on Nov. 29, 2021. The annual open house at the governor's mansion is back this year, after having been suspended last year due to COVID-19. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

Christmas open house at governor’s mansion returns

Open to all.

Coast Guardsmen and state employees load the Together Tree bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion on a truck on Nov. 29, 2021. The annual open house at the governor's mansion is back this year, after having been suspended last year due to COVID-19. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
The U.S. Forest Service suggests areas off of Fish Creek Road leading to the Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen here on Friday, Nov. 27, as an area suitable for Christmas tree harvest. Households are allowed to harvest one tree a year, but there are certain guidelines to be followed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cutting your own Christmas Tree? Here’s what you need to know

Tips for timber.

The U.S. Forest Service suggests areas off of Fish Creek Road leading to the Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen here on Friday, Nov. 27, as an area suitable for Christmas tree harvest. Households are allowed to harvest one tree a year, but there are certain guidelines to be followed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Christmas Extravaganza packs theater, draws laughs

Christmas Extravaganza packs theater, draws laughs

Collette Costa’s annual show is a hit.

Christmas Extravaganza packs theater, draws laughs
An amazing Christmas in France

An amazing Christmas in France

Family, friends and late dinners.

An amazing Christmas in France
FuBao Goldsberry, 19, rings the bell for The Salvation Army at Foodland IGA on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Every donation counts: Bell ringer brings unmatched energy to volunteer work

You might have seen and heard him at Foodland.

FuBao Goldsberry, 19, rings the bell for The Salvation Army at Foodland IGA on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest seen in this Jan. 6, 2017 photo will be the site of Christmas Day luge sledding. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Luge sledding at Eaglecrest on Christmas

It’s going to be a luge deal. There will be Juneau 4-H luge sledding at Eaglecrest 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Christmas Day. The event is… Continue reading

Eaglecrest seen in this Jan. 6, 2017 photo will be the site of Christmas Day luge sledding. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Just about all of Juneau is closed for Christmas

Just about all of Juneau is closed for Christmas

Buy groceries, and prepare your Netflix list.

Just about all of Juneau is closed for Christmas
Merry Gluten-Free Christmas

Merry Gluten-Free Christmas

Santa is now gluten-free.

Merry Gluten-Free Christmas
Gingerbread fundraiser has sweet payout

Gingerbread fundraiser has sweet payout

Desserts helped deserving organizations.

Gingerbread fundraiser has sweet payout
Super Bear/Foodland IGA employees Whitney Oudekerk, center, and Michael Stults, right, hand off bags of food for Super Bear IGA Director Tony Demelo to box at Super Bear IGA on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 20128, as part of the grocery store’s Project 3 Squares. (Michael Pernn | Juneau Empire)

Program makes hunger take a winter break

It’s hip to 3 Square.

Super Bear/Foodland IGA employees Whitney Oudekerk, center, and Michael Stults, right, hand off bags of food for Super Bear IGA Director Tony Demelo to box at Super Bear IGA on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 20128, as part of the grocery store’s Project 3 Squares. (Michael Pernn | Juneau Empire)
Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Trading in a sleigh for a fire truck

Christmas carols mingled with the sound of fire truck sirens.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Marti Fred, facility coordinator for the Glory Hall, puts away donations of wool socks and hand warmers at the local soup kitchens and homeless shelter on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Here’s how to do some good this holiday season

Find out where, how and what to give this month.

Marti Fred, facility coordinator for the Glory Hall, puts away donations of wool socks and hand warmers at the local soup kitchens and homeless shelter on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The parade route for Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. (Courtesy photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Santa Claus is coming to downtown

Sleigh bells meet fire bells. The Capital City Fire/Rescue’s annual Santa Parade starts at 6 p.m. tonight at the Mount Roberts Tramway and will make… Continue reading

The parade route for Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. (Courtesy photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)