Holiday festivities resume in person this year

Community holiday festivities are returning for in-person participation on a limited basis this coming month.

It all starts this weekend with the traditional start of the season — the lighting of the Memory Tree in Conant Square in front of the Brandon Town Hall.

The holidays are a great time for children to exercise their creativity muscles and occupy their hands with seasonal craft activities, and the Bixby Memorial Library is here to help.

See Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy musical performances, craft-making, sweets and treats, story time and much more.

Sales started on Nov. 22 and will continue until all are sold. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 27, Scouts will staff the sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you want to greet the elegant old gentleman, enter off Main Street and drive down School Road to see our beloved Mr. Santa Claus in a drive-through visit.

Thanks to the generous support from American Legion Post 27, New Year’s Eve fireworks and free ice skating will return again this year.

The Middlebury Acting Company will put anyone into the holiday spirit — even Ebenezer Scrooge — with their production of “A Christmas Carol.”

The holidays get off to a sweet start on Friday, Dec. 3, with the return of Bristol’s Annual Chocolate Walk.

Bald Mountain Theater in Rochester will present “Krampusnacht—Stories of Light and Dark for the Winter Solstice” on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4., in a natural amphitheater.

ADDISON COUNTY — As has been the case for all families, the pandemic has been tough for ours. And the holidays won’t be easy, either, with both of our daughters making their way in the world in Massachusetts and quarantine rules and careers meaning unitin … (read more)

VERGENNES/MIDDLEBURY — With the number of COVID-19 cases forecast to rise throughout the holiday season, Vermonters may be wary of doing their holiday shopping in-person. Local retailers are creating alternative shopping methods and working to ensure cust … (read more)

These fir-like trees can adorn the mantlepiece, the holiday table or any other space you reserve for holiday decorating. They’re easy to make, so it can be a great activity to do with your kids. These instructions are basic and leave room for you to adorn … (read more)

Amaryllis, a popular holiday plant, is cherished for its showy flowers in hues ranging from stark white to dazzling red.  This species was discovered in 1828 by a German botanist in Chile and classified as Hippeastrum, a genus of the Amaryllidacaea family … (read more)

BRANDON — The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Brandon Recreation Department and The Reporter newspaper to sponsor a Holiday Decorating Contest. All Brandon residents are invited to join in the holiday fun.  There will be six catego … (read more)