Holiday Happenings

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go the weekend before Thanksgiving; but first shop for bargains to fill your sleigh at the annual Pumpkin and Holly Bazaar at Christ Episcopal Church, 526 Amity Road, Rte. 63, Bethany.

A beautiful blend of a Thanksgiving harvest festival and a Christmas fair, the bazaar will feature a gala opening on Friday, Nov. 20, 5 to 8p.m. The festivities will continue on Saturday, Nov. 21, f9 a.m. to 2 p.m/

The first of three new fair features is â Fill the Pantry for the Holidays, raffle of kitchen staples which you can win for yourself or a needy family. Second is Custom Made Birthstone Necklaces for mother or grandmother. Third is the desirable vintage china plates the delicious Homemade Cookie Assortments will be on this year, making perfect Thanksgiving hostess presents.

Bargain hunters can flock to Grannys Attic Treasures where many tables will be overflowing with new, gently used, and vintage articles for the home and for gifts. Included will be a large selection of heartwarming Christmas ornaments and decorations. Fabulous finds for ladies will also be abundant at the Twice Nice Holiday Clothing Boutique which will offer new and lightly used stylish party attire for holiday get-togethers.

Baskets with a Theme Raffle will feature 25 highly creative, impressive, and upscale baskets brimming with a wide range of quality items which revolve around sure-to-please themes. At Deck the Halls, a professional florist parishioner will spotlight one-of-a-kind holiday arrangements which will bring the warmth and beauty of Thanksgiving and Christmas into your home. Among its impressive collection, Jingle Bell Needlework and Crafts will include unique gifts enhanced with yo yos. Christmas Cutlery and Merry Mixes will also offer many present possibilities, including delicious homemade mixes in imaginative gift containers.

At The Bountiful Harvest Bakery shoppers can buy all their Thanksgiving pies plus additional goodies to make the holiday weekend relaxing.

Hearty pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and festive holiday ice cream pies will delight Friday bazaar-goers at the Christmas Tree Café.

Horesdrawn wagon rides with Santa

Maple View Farm will be offering Horsedrawn Wagon Rides with Santa on Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is by reservation. The cost is $5 per person. There will be refreshments as well as a favor from Santa for the kids.

There will also be a Holiday boutique in the barn provided by the Orange Arts and Crafts Guild. The proceeds from this sale will benefit a scholarship to an Amity Art student this coming year. You are welcome to come to the boutique without taking part in the ride.

Come enjoy some time at one of the oldest farms in central Orange. Built in the 1790's Maple View Farm was a working dairy and produce farm. The main house is registered in the National Registry of Homes. Today Maple View Farm still retains the appeal of historic yesteryear with today's modern conveniences. The farm offers a Birthday Party Facility as well as animals and a playground to enjoy. Call 203-799-6495 for your reservations. 603 Orange Center Road, Orange.

Pop’s Restaurant offers free Thanksgiving dinner

Gus Grigordiades, owner of Pop’s Restaurant, 587 New Haven Avenue, has again graciously offered to serve a free turkey dinner to less fortunate residents on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Dinner will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. Gus and his family have been hosting this event for many years and, “We really look forward to hosting and meeting the people that visit our restaurant for this dinner.”

Wreath making

Sunday, Nov. 22, the Firehouse Art Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, will hold a workshop for adults making Christmas Wreaths from 1 to 3 p.m. Basic unadorned wreaths will be supplied for $15. However, feel free to bring your own wreath to decorate. Some ornamental items will be available for sharing. Anyone who wishes to be creative with a certain theme would need to bring their own necessary items. Wire, glue gun, and some ribbons will be available; it would help if everyone could bring their own wire cutters and scissors.

Making your own wreath for your front door or window can be a very rewarding experience and a fun activity. One can be as creative as one wishes. There are various ways of making your home festive for the holidays. If your front door does not lend itself to hanging a wreath one might wish to make a smaller version which could be the centerpiece of the dining table. A garland for the mantel of a fireplace is also a decorative consideration. Creating Christmas decorations for your home will give everyone involved joy and a holiday spirit.

Workspace at the gallery is limited therefore the number of participants is limited to fifteen. It would be wise to reserve your spot by calling the Gallery at 203-306-0016 during the hours noon to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday.

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Offered by Boy Scouts!

The annual Christmas Tree Sale run by the boys of Scout Troop 63 of Woodbridge will begin Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. The sale is held in the back of the Woodbridge Fire House at the corner of Center and Newton Roads. Parking for the sale is available in the senior center parking lot. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 3: to 8 p.m. on weeknights.

This year, the Boy Scouts have made arrangements with growers to provide wonderfully fresh Balsam Christmas trees, all beautifully shaped. Free delivery is available . just ask one of the scouts when you buy your tree!

Wreaths, created locally, are also available for $18 each. Each 16” wreath is individually distinctive, decorated with pinecones and a festive red all-weather ribbon. 48” plain or decorative wreaths will also be available for $65.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Woodbridge, has graciously allowed Troop 63 to sell Christmas wreaths at the chapel and rectory starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. All proceeds will benefit the Boy Scouts of Troop 63.

Inquiries for volume discounts, special circumstances or size requirements can be made to

Charles Whiting, Troop 63’s committee chairman at 203-387-5678.

Buy the freshest tree available and support the Boy Scouts this year!

December

Christmas fair

Notre Dame High School will hold its annual Christmas Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured will be Hummels, Lladro, David winter Cottages, Belleek china, Christmas cards and ornaments, jewelry and much more. Many selected gift lines will be at reduced prices. Drawing for a raffle of 50 prizes will also be held.

Trees of West Haven

Come see beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and floral arrangements on display at the Ward-Heitmann House Museum’s Trees of West Haven. All items will be raffled off through a Chinese raffle, and crafters will be there to help you find that perfect Christmas gift. The event will be held at St. John Vianney Parish Hall, 300 Capt. Thomas Blvd., West Haven on Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4:45 . to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 6 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa will visit on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Holiday Wreath Workshop

“Go Green” with the Garden Club of Orange and create a unique holiday wreath at a workshop on Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in Room 2 at High Plains Community Center. The Club will provide fresh greens and ribbon for bows and all the know how necessary to decorate a wreath. Space is limited so reserve your spot by calling Nettie Bartocetti at 795-3692 or Nancy Becque at 795-9425. There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of materials.

Christmas Bazaar Dec. 5th in Bethany

Bethany’s UCC Congregational Church, located at 511 Amity Road, invites the public to attend their festive annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to noon. This very popular, traditional bazaar will feature fragrant, fresh wreaths and greens, beautiful handcrafted items, homemade candies, jams, vinegars and other preserves. There will be tables laden with fresh baked breads, cookies, cakes and pies - perfect to freeze for upcoming holidays. You will also find one of a kind jewelry, clothing, accessories and woodworking as well as the ever popular Ivory Elephant table - full of new or gently used items. Come early to enjoy coffee, apple cider, egg sandwiches and donuts. Browse two floors of gift ideas, including an area of gently used contemporary books. Take a chance in our basket raffle. Plan to stay for lunch and sample delicious soups and sandwiches. There’s something for the entire family!

Cookie walk

The Annual Cookie Walk sponsored by Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church takes place Saturday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. until all the cookies are gone. Proceeds support the Mission work of the church. Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church is located on the Green, 176 Broad Street, Milford.

JCC Crafts fair set for Dec. 6

The 6th Annual Crafts Fair at the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven takes place on Sunday, Dece. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center is located at 360 Amity Road (Route 63) in Woodbridge, and admission to the Fair and on-site parking are free of charge.

With a wide variety of items for every age and artistic taste, the JCC Crafts Fair is a fun experience for everyone. Some of the vendor and artisan categories include jewelry, wooden ware, pottery, handbags, knitwear, hand blown glass art, relaxation and stress reduction products, note cards and invitations, Shaklee natural health products, toys, dolls and doll clothes, books, Feng Shui items, skin care products, hair accessories, home décor, clothing, personalized gifts, Tupperware, mineral and fossil jewelry, and much more.

There is still room for additional vendors and artisans. For more information about vendor space, please call the JCC at 387-2522, Extension 276, or visit the JCC Web site at www.jccnh.org.

Lamplight stroll

The Eighth Annual Downtown Milford Lamplight Stroll, sponsored by Downtown Milford Business Association will take place Friday, Dec. 4th, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit 30 of downtown's finest shops! Collect your passport for the stroll at any participating shop, beginning Thanksgiving weekend. During the two-day event, stroll from shop to shop and have your passport stamped. Once the passport is complete, fill out the back of the passport and leave it at any of the participating shops to be eligible to win one of four baskets filled with downtown Milford surprises.

On Friday, find horse and carriage rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. around the green. The Yuletide Carolers will be strolling and around downtown. Watch for the Town Crier who will be announcing store specials and events. Cornerstone Christian Church Choir will be performing on the steps of Milford Photo. Saturday events include an Early Bird Sale and Pajama Party. Set your alarm early and shop downtown Milford from 7 to 10 a.m. for blowout door buster specials and sales.

Annual holiday festival

The town of Orange Annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting will take place Sunday Dec. 6, 3 to 5:30 p.m. on the town green on Orange Center Road.

Festivities include: Children’s activities in the Case Memorial Library, The Orange Congregational Church Bell Choir, gingerbread contest in the Clark Building, ice carver, roaming carolers, the lighting of the tree (5:30 p.m.) and a visit with Santa after the tree lighting.

For more information please visit us at www.orangespecialevents.com !

Festival of trees

The Ninth Annual festival of trees will take place at Laurel gardens, 245 Indian River Road, orange of Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5 to 7 p.m.

Laurel Estates will provide 3 foot Christmas tress and is asking businesses and individuals to decorate the trees, including lights and return them to laurel Estates by Nov. 30. The trees will be on display until Dec. 8. On that date the festival of trees takes place including a silent auction. Plan on attending even if you have not decorated a tree. All proceeds benefits the town of Orange fuel bank.

Any individual or organization wishing to decorate a tree is asked to call Laurel Estates at 795-3117.

Ornament sale

The Bethany Volunteer Firemen's Auxiliary is hosting its annual ornament and calendar fundraisers. The holiday ornament this year has been beautifully designed by Bethany student Leanne Beedle. The 2009 ornament will be a wonderful addition to your holiday ornament collection. The ornament this year costs $10. Missed out on previous years ornaments? If you purchase the 2009 ornament you can also purchase any previous year ornament for $1. Ornaments can be purchased at Bethany Florist on Amity Road or by contacting Jenn Uscilla at 393-9367. The Bethany Volunteer Fire Department annual calendar is ready! This years calendar includes pictures of the BVFD at work. All proceeds from the calendar help purchase essential equipment as well as provide training for all fire department members. Information on purchasing the calendar is available online at www.bvfdct.com or by contacting Kathy Smith at 203-996-8363 Purchase your calendars early! The BVFD and Auxiliary would like to thank you for your continued support.