• Festivities for the Lighting of the Jasper County Courthouse will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, 113 First Ave. W. in Newton. Kicking off the evening is the Fifth Annual Chili Cook-Off. Chili judging begins at 4:30 p.m. The Haven Vineyard Church will be handing out hot cocoa. There will be food and festivities beginning on the courthouse square at 5 p.m. with the courthouse lighting will be lit at 6 p.m. Highlights of downtown festivities will include the lighted business displays, DJ, Christmas Carols, the 4-H Festival of Trees and Santa in the Jasper County Courthouse. Santa arrives at the courthouse via a Newton Fire Truck at 6:15 p.m. Contact the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce at 641-792-5545 with questions.
• South Skunk Blues Society Volunteer Appreciation Night will begin at 8 p.m. Friday at Izaak Walton League upper level, 889 Highway F36 in Newton. South Skunk Blues Society & Izaak Walton League presents The Kilborn Alley Blues Band. Bowlful of Blues volunteers get in free, current Blues Society members $5, or pay the $7 cover, if not a member and want to enjoy the party.
• Main Street’s Shop Small event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown Newton. Customers receive the coupons for purchases made at participating businesses between Nov. 28 and Dec. 8. Customers can only redeem the coupons at the same store between Dec. 9 and Dec. 24.
• Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.
• Peer Support for those living with mental illness will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday at Optimae Life Services, 1730 First Ave. E. in Newton.
• Meet and Greet with presidential candidate Ted Cruz will begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Pizza Ranch, 1500 W. 18th St. S. in Newton.
• Narcotics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newton.
• Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at noon and 7 p.m. Monday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.
• Celebrate Recovery women’s study will meet at 1 p.m. Monday at Hephzibah House, 721 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.
• Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at 219 N. Second Ave. W. in Newton.
• The Newton Children’s Choir, also known as BETCHAW & Friends, will present a free concert of holiday music at 7 p.m. Monday in the Berg Elementary cafeteria. Singers come from the greater Jasper County area and are directed by Jane Johnson. Juli Bey accompanies the group which is affiliated with Iowa Youth Chorus out of Des Moines.
• Newton Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Newton Village for social time, coffee and a program. Anyone interested in the program or learning more about Golden K Kiwanis is welcome to come as a guest. For more information contact the Rev. Thomas Lloyd at 641-792-3612.
• Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at noon and 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.
• Chapter HS of PEO will meet at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sandra McNeer’s home, 2935 N. 18th Ave. W. in Newton. “La Navidad Celebrajdo” Christmas luncheon and White elephant gift exchange.
• Bible Study for women will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hephzibah House, 721 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.
• Discover Hope faith based addiction support group will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 219 N. Second Ave. W. in Newton.