Merrymaking

Santa Express

ELDRED, NY — The Santa Express will begin an almost 50-mile trek at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, starting from The Corner in Eldred. Joining Santa on the lighted, musical sleigh will be Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, The Gingerbread Man and a host of other Christmas favorites.

The Santa Express will head down Proctor Road to a stop at Circle Park in Glen Spey, then go on to the four corners in Yulan. The final stop will be at the observation deck on Main Street in Narrowsburg. At each stop, Santa and friends will greet the children and parents, hand out cookies and candy canes and conduct a sing-a-long with the Snow Queen. Letters to Santa will also be collected.

Signs and banners welcoming Santa along the route are encouraged, and there will be updates on Santa’s journey on Thunder 102. For more information call 845/557-8316, ext. 323.

Hawley Holiday House Tour

HAWLEY, PA — Get an inside look at six of the Hawley area’s architectural gems during a one-day-only house tour on Saturday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Each unique home will be decorated in traditional holiday splendor. Begin your self-guided tour at the Hawley Municipal Building where you’ll pick up your official house tour map. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the tour.

Purchase tickets in advance at The Settlers Inn, Hawley Library or Miss Elly’s Antiques, or call 570/226-4064.

Tickets on the day of the tour are available at the Hawley Municipal Building from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Christmas Fun Day

BEACH LAKE, PA — The Kid’s Christmas Fun Day at Beach Lake United Methodist Church will be on Saturday, December 12. Registration is at 8:45 a.m. The event will run until 11:00 a.m. All community children ages three to 10 are welcome. There will be a Veggie Tales movie, “Saint Nicholas,” crafts, music and snacks.

A free will offering will be taken, and will be sent to Heifer International, an organization that develops programs to alleviate hunger and poverty. For more information call 570/729-7011.

Kids can participate in

New Year’s show

LIBERTY, NY — The Cornell Cooperative Extension at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road will host the 4-H Show-in-a-Week from Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

The event gives students six to 12 years old an opportunity to learn about stage presence, vocal projection, performance confidence, set design, costuming and more. Under the direction of former actress and professional singer Amanda Galigher Speer, youth will work to put together an unforgettable New Year’s Eve-themed performance for friends and family. Teen volunteers are also needed for bit parts, assistance and stage management.

A performance for friends and family will be at 3:30 p.m. on December 31, followed by a New Year’s Eve-themed reception for participants and their family. The fee is $100, $75 for 4-H members.

Stourbridge Line revs up for Winterfest

HONESDALE, PA — Riders can climb on board the Stourbridge Line and travel back in time to the Victorian village of Hawley’s Winterfest on Saturday, December 12, at 12:00 noon. See page 20 for information on Winterfest. Tickets for the excursion cost $20 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under, and are free for children two and under if they are lap held. Tickets can be purchased by at waynecountycc.com or by calling 570/253-1960.

Ice carving, world-class music and ornament painting

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — There will be an ice-carving demonstration in Goode & Plenty Park at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12. The Portable Chef will serve samples while creating a chilly masterpiece. At the First Presbyterian Church at 3:00 p.m. there will be a concert with Daryl Henriksen, bass baritone and former member of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and Melissa Wegner, soprano, accompanied on the piano by Bill Glazier, former organist at St. John’s Church in New York City. The concert is free, but donations will benefit the food pantry. On Sunday, December 13 Catskill Country Ceramics will host a free Paint a Tree Ornament event (reservations suggested, 845/796-8786).

Honesdale holidays

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale’s 15th annual Ornament Hunt, co-sponsored by the Greater Honesdale Partnership and Apple Day Spa & Salon, will take place on Saturday, December 12 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Central Park. Children from Pre-K to the 4th grade will get the opportunity to “hunt” for an ornament and win one of the prizes generously donated by local area businesses.

Relieve holiday stress with a scrumptious brunch on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 at the Harvest Inn Bed & Breakfast, 1415 N. Main Street. Tickets are $15 per person and seatings are at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Call Gail at 570/253-5492 or Jane at Art’s for Babies and Beyond at 253-5006 for reservations.

For more information, call 570/253-5492.

‘Christmas Carol’ at the college

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — There will be a theatrical performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan at Sullivan County Community College’s Seelig Theatre on December 11 at 7:00 p.m.

The Broadway-style production boasts a cast of 27 performers and live musicians. The event is co-sponsored by the Sullivan County Democrat, and WSUL and WVOS radio stations.

Tickets cost $25 general admission, $23 for senior citizens and students and $15 for children under 12 years of age. Tickets can be reserved and will also be available at the door. For more information call 845/434-5750, extension 4303.

Make your own gifts at library

SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Western Sullivan Public Library will be hosting craft classes on how to make handmade gifts. At the Callicoon branch on Tuesday, December 15 there will be a class called “Forest Frames and Plaques for Him,” from 4:50 to 5:30 p.m. Make a birchbark frame and a handmade wooden plaque for the man on your list.

At the Narrowsburg branch on Wednesday, December 16 there will be a class on making handpainted silk scarves. Crepe silk scarves will be provided as well as paints and special effects like salt and metallics. The class is limited to eight people.

Both classes are open to ages seven to adult. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Festive Holiday Craft Fair

WAYMART, PA — The seventh annual Festive Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, December 12 at the Salvation Army/Ladore Conference Center at Ladore Camp, Owego Turnpike, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Crafters will have a wide range of products available for decorating and gift-giving. Parking and admission are free. Lunch will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Salvation Army, Ladore Program.

Caroling and chocolate

MILFORD, PA — Safe Haven of Pike County will be caroling on Tuesday, December 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The community is invited to join the festivities beginning with light refreshments at 5:30 at the Safe Haven office, located at 500 West Harford Street. Carolers will warm up with hot chocolate and cookies and begin caroling at 6:00. Holiday music booklets will be provided. For more information call 570/296-2827.

City Lights Tour

PORT JERVIS, NY — Port Jervis’s annual City Lights Tour will take place on Tuesday, December 15; Thursday, December 17; Monday, December 21; and Wednesday, December 23. The Port Jervis Dial-A-Bus will tour the decorated homes in the city. Pickup is between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.; return between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. The last stop will be Dunkin Donuts for refreshments.

Reservations must be made by 12:00 p.m. the day before scheduled run. For more information call 845/856-7999.

Music, music, music

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West Central School District will present three winter concerts in the auditorium of Sullivan West High School. The junior high concert will be held on Thursday, December 10, the senior high concert on Tuesday, December 15 and the elementary concert on Thursday, December 17. All programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and admission is free. A holiday cookie sale will be held at each concert to benefit the annual senior high band and choir trip. The snow date for all concerts is Monday, December 21.

Contact 845/932-8401, ext. 1276.

Seniors holiday gathering

MONTICELLO, NY — The Senior Legislative Action Committee of Sullivan County will hold its Winter Holiday gathering on Friday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ted Stroebele Recreational Center, 2 Jefferson Street. There will be a short meeting and a showing of “Sick Around the World,” a Frontline feature with T. R. Reid about the health care system. Refreshments will be served compliments of Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring a non-perishable item for the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless.

Holiday B & Bs

BETHANY, PA — The E. Kellogg Bed and Breakfast, 403 Wayne Street, will host a winter open house and art show featuring the work of Jane Herzog McNulty on Saturday, December 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be door prize drawings. Call 570/253-5368 or visit ekelloggbandb.com.

Round out your holiday weekend with an open house and old-fashioned carol sing on Sunday, December 13, at the historic James Manning House Bed & Breakfast, 421 Old Wayne Street (Route 670). Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and light refreshments as you continue the spirit of the season through song and good cheer. Call 570/253-5573.

County tree and menorah lightings

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sullivan County invite county staff and the public to join them in decorating the Christmas tree in the atrium of the Government Center on Thursday, December 10, at 3:00 p.m. With assistance from a private donation, the Boys & Girls Clubs have been making ornaments in their after-school programs to adorn the tree. The public is also invited to join in a “Ceremony of Lighting,” a Hanukah ceremony that will include songs and giving of the Hanukah gelt on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. The synagogue will also provide free menorahs and candles to anyone in need.