Light a big menorah, stalk a moustache bandit, sculpt a watershed or be dazzled by a Christmas lightshow
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
– President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Holiday lights
Do you delight in holiday-decorated private houses as much as I do? Here are two to include in your excursions this month. Both incorporate music synchronized with lights and are free to visit.
The Sussin Family Christmas Lightshow runs every night through New Year’s Eve, with music until 9 p.m. and without music from 9 to 10 p.m. The Sussin home is located at 123 Patch Road in Saugerties. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/sussinlightshow or @sussinfamilyxmaslightshow on Instagram.
Across the river, the ERDAJT Light Display, named from the first two letters of each of the children’s initials, is open through December 29 from 4:50 to 10:30 p.m. The ERDAJT website lists the times and titles of the songs being played as well as the charity being highlighted that evening, for which donations are collected. The ERDAJT Light Display is located at 8 Patrick Drive in Lagrangeville, with driving directions and instructions on the website as well. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/erdajts-christmas-light-display-125849770812872 or www.erdajt.com.
Mitten tree in Accord
Looking for a way to help neighbors in our community stay warm this season, while you’re already out and about buying your Christmas tree? Here’s a terrific way for all ages to make a difference! Bring your mittens, gloves, scarves and hats and adorn the trees at Bell’s Farm, who will give them to Family of Ellenville, a program of Family of Woodstock, for distribution to area residents in need. The clothing drive runs until December 13.
Bell’s Farm is open seven days a week and located at 647 Mettacahonts Road in Accord. For more information, call (845) 626-7849 or visit www.bellschristmastrees.com.
“See Me like This”
When we give someone love or attention that we needed in the past, part of us heals too. “See Me like This” is a fabulous collaboration between Perfect Ten Afterschool, a program in Hudson to support young women from fourth grade through graduation reach their full potential, and Friends of Clermont and the Clermont State Historic Site in Germantown. The girls learned about the history, marginalized voices and common ground of girls growing up in any era, as well as photography skills and techniques, so that they could create their own self-portraits on-site at Clermont, developing characters inspired by their studies this fall.
The public is now invited to take a look at these photos! The exhibition is on display through January 17 in the Main Hall of the Hudson Opera House. The Opera House is located at 347 Warren Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit www.hudsonoperahouse.org. To learn more about the after school program, visit https://perfecttenafterschool.org. For information about the historic site, visit www.friendsofclermont.org or https://nysparks.com/historic-sites/16/details.aspx.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
Community Yulefests in New Paltz, Woodstock & Poughkeepsie
Here are three communities that sure know how to kick off a season of holiday cheer!
A Holiday on Huguenot Street is a two-day-long celebration in New Paltz on Friday, and Saturday, December 4 and 5, including historic house tours, a Christmas fair, holiday concerts by the Reformed Church Choir and the Big Blue Band, a chocolate pop-up shop, a tree-lighting, miniature donkeys, children’s crafts and horse-drawn wagon rides. Huguenot Street is located off Broadhead Avenue in New Paltz. For more information and a complete schedule and pricing, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org or www.facebook.com/huguenotstreet.
The Woodstock Holiday Open House is an annual tradition in Woodstock that takes place this year on Friday, December 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. Activities around the Village Green on Tinker Street include the village tree-lighting, musical entertainment including Victorian carolers and the Kingston Catholic School Chorus, ice sculpture demonstrations, face-painting by Mrs. Claus, a chance to take photos with St. Nick and viewing of the holiday store window contest, the theme of which is Snowy Evening this year. For more information, call (845) 679-6234 or visit https://woodstockchamber.com or www.facebook.com/woodstock-chamber-of-commerce-arts-335339073181517.
The Celebration of Lights Parade and Fireworks is an evening of festivities in Poughkeepsie, taking place on Friday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. This event begins with a parade at Main Street and Garden Street at 6:30 p.m., which proceeds to two tree-lightings, accompanied by musical entertainment, and fireworks take place along the riverfront at 7:15 p.m. The Bardavon, located at 35 Market Street, screens the movie Miracle on 34th Street at 8 p.m. for $6, with a Wurlitzer organ concert at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (845) 473-2072 or visit https://bardavon.org or www.facebook.com/events/1716174718619638.
Woodstock Playhouse stages A Charlie Brown Christmas
Families are telling me how much they enjoyed The Peanuts Movie. Now you can treat your crew to a live production of these beloved characters! A Charlie Brown Christmas performances take place at the Woodstock Playhouse on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. In addition to the Peanuts gang, each show includes a play of Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester, brought to life with song and dance. Tickets cost $18 for students and seniors, $20 for adults. The Woodstock Playhouse is located at 103 Mill Hill Road in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, call (845) 679-6900 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpengineplayhouse.org.
Half Moon Theatre presents A Christmas Carol at CIA
Here’s a holiday favorite that both kids and adults will enjoy, and why not plan on dinner before the show? Half Moon Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, with performances at the Culinary Institute of America beginning this weekend on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. Additional shows are scheduled through December 19, and CIA dining options are available before most of the performance dates!
Regular tickets for A Christmas Carol cost $45 for adults, $40 for seniors, $22 for children under 18 and $35 for matinées; opening night tickets cost $22 for children, $45 for seniors, $50 for general admission and include a dessert reception. The Culinary Institute of America is located at 1946 Campus Drive, off Route 9 in Hyde Park. For tickets or more information, call (845) 235-9885 or visit https://halfmoontheatre.org. For dining reservations and pricing, call (845) 905-4533 or e-mail ciarestaurantgroup@culinary.edu.
Join the family! 
