Area holiday happenings

The following holiday happenings are scheduled over coming days and weeks in the towns of Lewiston, Porter, Niagara, Wheatfield, the City of Niagara Falls, and North Lake country areas:

'A Winter's Fest Eve'

The History Center of the Niagara County Historical Society invites the whole family to get in the mood for the holidays at a fantastic annual event, "A Winter's Fest Eve," at the Col. Wm. Bond-Jesse Hawley House on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Col. Bond/Jesse Hawley House Museum, located at 143 Ontario St., Lockport, is a National Register museum-home, and is dressed up for the holidays by co-curators Gloria and Becky Pittler.

The event includes a full tour of each of the 12 rooms, which are beautifully adorned for the season in period decoration. Enjoy Christmas music performed by Randy Andropolis and friends, as they sing and play timeless Christmas carols. Feast on the delicious delicacies of fancy cookies and hot-mulled cider.

The younger set is welcome to take part in special children's activities in the library while mom and dad tour all of the other rooms. All tours and events are open to the public and families, with children age 8 or older, are encouraged to attend.

History Center officials report this event is a celebration for all of the senses, highlighting an amazing local architectural treasure that pre-dates the completion of the Erie Canal.

WNY Heritage Magazine described the Col Bond House as the "place where time stands still." Once inside, visitors have remarked that the home still feels "lived in." Winter's Fest Eve is a chance to walk in the footsteps of former owners Col. William Bond, Jesse Hawley or Kate Chase Seymour.

A donation of $3 per person will be requested at the door to help the History Center with this and other programs presented throughout the year. The History Center is finishing up its 91st anniversary year with a taste of 19th century Christmas.

For those who are unable to attend "Winter's Fest Eve," additional open house hours are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-18.

For more information, call 434-7433.

Breakfast with Santa

Better watch out and better not cry, because Santa Claus is coming to the Conference Center Niagara Falls from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. He'll be on hand for a jolly holiday buffet with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and home fries.

Join in on all the fun with a kids craft area, cookie decorating, face painting and pictures with Kris Kringle himself. Bring a pair of mittens or socks to receive $1 off your picture with Santa.

The event, along with the clothing donations, will benefit the United Way of Greater Niagara.

To purchase tickets, call 278-2100, or stop by the Conference Center Niagara Falls. Cost is $8 for children and seniors, and $12 for adults and children ages 13 and up.

DAR luncheon

Members of the Niagara Falls Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will hold a noon luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Shawnee Country Club, 6020 Townline Road, Sanborn.

The program will feature details on the life of Niagara County's own Belva Lockwood, a lawyer who ran for president in the late 1800s. Re-enactor Marcia Zimmerman of Lockport presents it.

Join 'Santa on the Carrousel'

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda, invites area children to join "Santa on the Carrousel," Saturdays, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

Lunch is at 11 a.m. each day, and activities and entertainment offerings run from noon to 3 p.m. Cost is $8 per person and includes lunch, or $5 per person for the activities.

Featured will be plenty of fun, festive crafts and games, hot chocolate and treats, and many chances to ride the carrousel. Also featured is a holiday performance each Saturday. The schedule includes: Nov. 26, "Holiday stories with Tiger Tom Walsh"; Dec. 3, "Holiday concert with Matt James' Cool Music for Kids"; Dec. 10, "Holiday concert with Glenn Colton"; and Dec. 17, "Holiday stories with Lorna Czarnota."

The program is made possible, in part, with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas' Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center, and by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

For further information, call the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum at 693-1885, or visit its website at www.carrouselmuseum.com.

Niagara Falls Holiday Lights Trail

Niagara Hospice will hold its annual Light-A-Life Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Road, North Tonawanda.

The non-denominational tree lighting service will be lead by the Niagara Hospice Outreach Department. Following the ceremony all are invited to remain for fellowship, music and light refreshments.

The community is invited to memorialize loved ones and have their names displayed on the Light-A-Life tree by calling Niagara Hospice at 280-0766 or by visiting www.NiagaraHospice.org. Other commemorative memorial items are also available for a small donation. Orders will be taken through Nov. 28.

Handling holiday stress

The Dale Association's Outpatient Counseling and Treatment Center at 89-B River Road, North Tonawanda, is offering "Managing the Stress of the Holidays," as part of its "Healthier You" groups session from 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 through 22.

Learn to manage the stress of holiday family dynamics, holiday budgeting and finance, grief and loss during the holidays.

This group is reimbursable through most major insurances and open to adults 18 and older. Call 693-9961 to register.