Miller Minutes
Miller Minutes with Butler Eagle reporter, Molly Miller
I don’t put titles on Miller Minutes columns, but if I did, this one would be called: Icebreakers for Thanksgiving.
“Icebreakers” is a loose term, since I would hope you know who’s coming to dinner … or you know their names, at least.
Instead of asking the basic “What’s new?” try these questions on your extended family and maybe even make a new connection.
- What’s the best movie you’ve seen this year? Or, the best book you’ve read?
- What’s the funniest joke you’ve heard this year?
- What’s a strange fact you learned recently?
- Who do you think your top artist will be when Spotify Wrapped comes out?
- If you could time travel back to any Thanksgiving over the course of history, which one would you go to and why?
- Have you picked up any new hobbies?
- Are you attending any of the events in Miller Minutes while you’re in town?
If the answer to that last question is “No,” maybe you can take someone you know to a holiday parade, or to meet Santa this weekend. There are plenty of opportunities to do so, and they’re all detailed below.
- A Stuff the Cruiser event is taking place at several locations in the county over the weekend. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, bring a new book, toy, or clothing item to Saxonburg Coffee and Tea on Main Street. Then, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, bring donations to either Glade Run Church in Valencia or the South Butler Community Library. All donations support the Lighthouse Foundation of Butler County’s annual Toy Shop.
- The Saxonburg Holiday Parade kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, on Main Street. That evening, you can also enjoy a holiday market and cookies with Santa at South Butler Community Library, see decorated trees at Saxonburg Memorial Church, or take a free horse and buggy ride.
- Butler Two Steppers are holding a dance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at the Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Avenue.
- The Fall Craft Show at St. Peter’s Reformed Church, 320 East Grandview Avenue, starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25.
- Saxonburg’s Turkey Trot (or “Truthahntrab,” meaning “Turkey Trot” in German), starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at 147 North Rebecca St. Admission is $25 and benefits Knoch High School’s cross country and track and field programs.
- Purchase some Christmas Gifts at the Butler Art Center’s Artisan and Vendor event from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. There will be live music, food and photos with Santa.
- Light Up Mars is from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in the borough’s downtown. Watch the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., grab some food or gifts from the vendors, donate to the borough police’s Toys for Tots drive, and watch the parade at 7 p.m.
- Evans City’s Light Up Night will feature a tree lighting in the town square at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Santa and his sleigh will be there as well! Afterward, head to 124 North Jackson Street for pictures and refreshments.
- The Spirit of Christmas Parade will light up Butler’s Main Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25.
- Chicora Light-up Night is planned from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, along West Slippery Rock Street. The theme is “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
- Get tickets to the Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert titled “Holiday Traditions: Christmas at the Movies.” The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Butler Intermediate High School Auditorium. Presale tickets cost $30 for adults, $10 for students and children, and tickets at the door cost $35 for adults and $12 for students and children.
