Holiday festivities scheduled for NIU students remaining in DeKalb

By Denis Tagler

Students planning to spend Christmas and New Year’s in DeKalb will not miss out on the holiday spirit with all the festivities scheduled.

McCabe’s Lounge & Entertainment, 323 E. Lincoln Hwy., will carry on its traditional Christmas Day dinner which includes turkey, yams, corn, cranberries, desserts and beverages, but no alcohol. Several hundred pounds of turkey will feed over 400 people and McCabe’s will not profit from the event, said Glen Goering, McCabe’s owner.

“I do it to thank the community for a good year,” said Goering. “I don’t want anyone in DeKalb spending Christmas alone.”

Goering said over 10 percent of NIU students are from foreign countries and cannot make it home for the holidays because of financial reasons. “We offer a festive atmosphere for those stuck in DeKalb for the holidays.”

The doors will open at noon Christmas Day and dinner with all the trimmings will be served at 1 p.m. Hot meals, care packages and canned goods will be delivered to the homes of shut-ins, people who are unable to leave their homes, Goering said. Santa also will be on hand to pass out presents to the children.

Goering has set up a fund for donations at the National Bank and Trust in Sycamore. Checks should be made out to the “Christmas Dinner Fund.” Anyone wishing to donate time or money can call Goering at 758-1896.

Other events planned for the holiday season in DeKalb include a “special New Year’s Eve package,” said a representative from the Crystal Pistol Beach Club, 1312 W. Lincoln Hwy. The limited menu includes special entrees accompanied by a bottle of wine.