CHILDREN/TEENS

LUNCH WITH SANTA

LONG LAKE—Santa is making his way down to Long Lake during his busy season for a special lunch date with the town’s children aged birth to sixth-grade. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Town Hall.

Penelope the Clown will paint faces and pizza will be served at noon. Santa brings presents, but parents must pre-register children by Dec. 9 to make it onto Santa’s List. Call (518) 624-3077 to register with Santa’s Long Lake elves.

CLASSES

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

INDIAN LAKE—A Defensive Driving Course sponsored by the National Safety Council is being offered Saturday, Dec. 17, at Tower Ski Hill off Rt. 30 just south of Indian Lake starting at 4 p.m.

Those who successfully complete the class can see savings of 10 percent on their car insurance premiums. For more information and to register for the class contact John Rathbun at 648-5306.

CRAFTS & FLEAS

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

LONG LAKE—The annual Holiday Craft Fair sponsored by the Friends of the Long Lake Library will be held in the Long Lake Central School Gym Saturday, Dec.10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Crafters and vendors from around the area will present candles, soap, jewelry, pottery, scarves, pocketbooks, baby clothes, note cards, toys, photography, fudge, floral arrangements, quilts, blankets, rustic furniture and more. Cyber Creek Café will serve lunch, and there will be a bake sale, drawing for art and craft items and a Christmas tree and wreath sale. There will also be an arts and crafts table where children can participate.

The craft fair is part of the Town of Long Lake “Celebrate the Season” Weekend, which also includes a concert and open houses at area homes and businesses.

CRAFTERS WANTED

LONG LAKE—A call is out to all crafters and vendors who would like to have a booth at the Holiday Craft Fair sponsored by the Friends of the Long Lake Library Saturday, Dec. 10.

The craft fair will be part of the town-sponsored “Celebrate The Season” weekend, which will also feature open houses at businesses, homes and churches as well as a concert. For more information and an application contact Jackie Mallery at (518) 624-2056.

EVENTS

ADK. HOLIDAY STROLL

SPECULATOR—The Adirondacks Speculator Region Chamber of Commerce’s annual Adirondack Holiday Stroll will be Friday, Nov. 25, from 4-7 p.m. Kick off the holiday shopping season right here in Speculator. Stop by local merchants for sales, giveaways, raffles and holiday specials.

KICK OFF THE SEASON

WELLS—The Town of Wells Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be Saturday, Nov. 26, at Wells Community Hall, Main St. The Wells Improvement Group Craft Fair and the Virginia Hosley Free Library Book Sale will begin at noon.

Vendors will offer an assortment of seasonal and gift-worthy treasures to holiday shoppers while library volunteers sell a variety of books. Enjoy refreshments sold by Wells Volunteer Ambulance Corps while shopping.

The Community Christmas Tree will be lit at 6 p.m., kicking off the magical season. The caroling of youngsters from Wells Central School’s Morning Program will follow the annual ceremony, and then Santa Claus will arrive.

EXHIBITS

THREE NEW EXHIBITS

BLUE MT. LAKE—Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts here has three new exhibits running to Dec. 17.

“Expressions Inside” _by consumers of Sunmount and Dayhab in Tupper Lake and Long Lake_ showcases selected artworks in various mediums.

“Dreamscapes” - water media paintings by Darcy Scott - make viewers feel as if they are stepping into a surrealistic world. Wooden stools symbolize humans and how they interact with nature.

“This Beautiful World”_is a compilation of photographs by Robert Radin collected from around the world. The artist’s vision is “To Show the World the World” with an emphasis on the journey of life.

Gallery hours are Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A gallery reception will be held Dec. 17 from 5-6 p.m. For more call 352-7715 or visit the website at www.adirondackarts.org.

FOOD

CHICKEN AND BISCUITS

WELLS—Wells United Methodist Church will hold a Chicken and Biscuit Dinner Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4-6:30 p.m. (or until the food runs out).

The menu is chicken in gravy, George Chamberlain’s “famous” biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, homemade desserts and beverages. Take-outs will be available.

Meals cost $8.50 per adult and $4 per child age 6-12. Children under age 6 eat free.

Enjoy a night out, camaraderie, friendly conversation, a good meal and no dishes to wash.

PARTY AT ALCA

BLUE MT. LAKE—Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts _will host a Holiday Soup Social, Fall Gallery Reception and Cast Party Saturday, Dec. 17, starting at 5 p.m.

Bring a pot of your best home-made soup and join us for a celebration of the year that was. The party will feature the AC’s end-of-year gallery reception as well as the cast party for its production of “Cinderella.”

It’s also a great time to shop the gallery for holiday gifts, as all gallery items are 30 percent off. Don’t miss one of the best parties of the year.

For more information call (518) 352-7715 or visit the website at www.adirondackarts.org.

HISTORY

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS

SPECULATOR—Lake Pleasant Museum will be open all day Friday, Nov. 25, starting at 10 a.m. for anyone to come in and see this year’s new exhibits and to buy Christmas presents.

Bicentennial T-shirts and hats; the 2012 calendar; and the Lake Pleasant / Speculator Book which will be on special for $18.12 for the Bicentennial, will be sold. There will be a fire and hot chocolate out front for anyone stopping by between 4 and 7 p.m., sponsored by the Lake Pleasant / Speculator Historical Society.

MUSIC

WINTER IN SONG

LONG LAKE—Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone George Cordes and pianist Elizabeth Cordes will present a concert at the United Methodist Church here Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7.30 p.m. Their performance, “A Winter’s Journey in Song,” will present a program of seasonal music including excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” and Shubert’s “Wintereise,” as well as more familiar holiday favorites.

George Cordes has been a principal artist with New York City Opera for six seasons and was a Metropoli-tan Opera artist for four seasons.

Elizabeth Cordes spent seven years with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton and six seasons with Ohio Light Opera. Together they founded High Peaks Opera Studio in Tupper Lake.

A reception to meet the artists will follow the concert.

NEEDLEWORK

QUILTS UNLIMITED OPENS

OLD FORGE—The 25th Annual Quilts Unlimited Exhibition at View on Rt. 28 here runs to Nov. 30. This competitive exhibition features both traditional and eclectic quilts and wall hangings.

Exhibition admission is $8/$4 members and groups of six or more; children under age 12 are admitted free. For more call (315) 369-6411.

OUTDOORS

GEAR UP FOR WINTER

BENSON—Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center here will host its two-day annual Open House, Sale & X-C Ski Swap Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Open House is free, as are coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cookies. Regular use rates apply for skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating and junior tubing.

Those wishing to have their used cross-country ski gear displayed for sale should bring their equipment to the resort any day prior to Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Door prizes will be offered. The Grand Prize is a two-night midweek stay in one of Lapland’s housekeeping cottages. Prizewinners need not be present at the drawing.

Visit online at www.laplandlake.com or call (518) 863-4974 for further information.

PERFORMING ARTS

ENCHANTED CINDERELLA

BLUE MT. LAKE—The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts’ regional holiday production of “Cinderella: The Enchanted Edition,” opens Nov. 25 at Indian Lake Theater.

The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with more than a touch of hilarity. Admission to this family friendly event is $15 / $10 members. Children under age 12 are admitted free.

Shows will be Nov. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Indian Lake Theater, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Long Lake Town Hall, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at View in Old Forge (for this show only children under age 12 $5 with parent), Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek and Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Newcomb Central School.

For more information or tickets call (518) 352-7715 or visit the website at www.adirondackarts.org.

CASTING CALL ISSUED

BLUE MT. LAKE—The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts here will host an open casting call for its production of the classic play “On Golden Pond,” by Ernest Thompson. Performances will run in a variety of venues from March 1-3 and March 8-10.

Roles include Norman, an older man in his 60s to 80s; Ethel, an older woman in her 60s to 80s; Charlie, a man in his 40s; Chelsea, a woman in her 40s; and Billy Ray, a teenage boy. Mary Frasier will direct, as part of the AC’s Theater Experience Program. Rehearsals start Jan. 25.

Casting meetings will be Monday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. at Byron Park in Indian Lake; Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. at Long Lake Town Hall; and Saturday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. at the AC. For more information call (518) 352-7715.