I know it and you know it, Christmas Shopping is not always fun for men.  This Thursday, however, men have the chance to win a flat screen TV and get all of their holiday shopping done in Cazenovia.  It is the annual Men's night and it runs from 6pm-9pm.  The shops will be open late, and the deals will be very hot.  At 9pm, join your friends for a night cap at the Lincklaen House.  Someone's name will be drawn to win a flat screen TV.  It is all in Cazenovia, Thursday December 10, 2009.  See you there.
 
 
Many downtown merchants in Hamilton will be keeping their doors open late this Friday night.  Maxwell's, Adventure Bikes and Boards, Steph, and more will keep their doors open until at least 7pm to give you a chance to get some local holiday shopping taken care of.  This is your chance to finish off those shopping lists and support small businesses.  The same merchants will be doing the very same thing on the 18th as well.
 
 
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Photo by Christian Phillips Photography
The seasonal sounds and joy of Christmas at Lorenzo will once again be filling the air in Cazenovia this year beginning on Wednesday, December 16 and running through Sunday, December 20, 1-4 pm daily.  Additionally, Christmas by Candlelight will be staged on Friday, December 18 from 7-9 p.m. and sleigh rides (weather dependent) will be also available to and from the be-decked Rippleton Schoolhouse on Family Day, Sunday, December 20.   
With generous program support from The Friends of Lorenzo and the artistry of volunteer decorators, the Neoclassical mansion will be abounding in “Christmas Carol-themed” decorations throughout—and in the spirit of giving, more than 25 volunteer docents will be assisting staff with tours. Whether dreaming of a “White Christmas” or walking in a “Winter Wonderland,” guests will enjoy a number of favorite holiday carols interpreted in spirited decorations by Dan McCann of Five Seasons, Susan Anthony, Nancy and Elizabeth Whiting,  Jill Gates, Nancy Hook, Sara Mitchell, Wendy Van Der Bogart, Sydney Regan, Priscilla Arthur, Diane Voss and Jackie Vivirito. Festive greenery and decorations throughout the site have also been provided by The Cazenovia Garden Club. Another special feature of Christmas at Lorenzo this year includes a display of vintage and collectible dolls from an extensive private collection. A favorite among patrons, wassail and peanut brittle will also be served daily in the kitchen. And guests will also have the opportunity to win Kit, an American Girl Doll and companion book, and a decorative “suitcase” packed with unique gifts and seasonal items from the Lorenzo gift shop.
During the weekend festivities, Friday evening’s Christmas by Candlelight will feature American holiday standards by the John Rohde Jazz Trio; the Belle Aire Handbell Trio will delight visitors on Saturday; and the Bells and Motley Consort will offer the sounds of a “Merry Olde Christmas” on Sunday’s Family Day.  The Friends of Lorenzo will also host a holiday open house on Family Day at the Schoolhouse--replete with live music, holiday crafts and refreshments—and round-trip sleigh rides by Lamplit Farms will also be sponsored by The Friends. Mary Jeanne Bialas, of Victorian Whispers, will present “Over the River and Through the Woods: A 19th C Holiday Journey” on Family Day, and a jolly Father Christmas and holiday music by John Wisniewski will be welcoming patrons at the Visitor Center during Friday night, Saturday and Sunday hours.  
A modest admission price is charged for a holiday visit to Lorenzo--and during weekdays, beginning December 8th, group tours of 12 or more may also be arranged by advance reservation only. A vast array of distinctive gift-giving items is also available for purchase at the museum gift shop throughout Christmas at Lorenzo hours. For more information, please call (315) 655-3200 or visit www.lorenzoNY.org.
 
 
The Christmas Tree Sale at the Great Swamp Conservancy this weekend, December 5th and 6th from 10am-4pm on both days. Don't have a tree yet? Plan on getting your fresh-cut Christmas tree from us this year! We will have a limited quanitity of Balsam Firs available. You may pre-order your tree to ensure supply. We will also have a little gift shop with many great Christmas gifts available! Canastota Cut Glass; Note cards and bird ornaments by Artist Helga Gilbert; Sea shell ornaments by Marine Biologist Deb Louise; and other gift ideas. Stop by for some hot cocoa, coffee and Christmas cookies!!! This Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. We hope to see you then!
 
 
  BABES IN TOYLAND

Performed LIVE
by American Family Theater

A HOLIDAY CLASSIC!

  SATURDAY, DEC. 12
1:30-2:30PM

MEET THE CAST AT THE CAST PARTY AFTER THE SHOW!
$7 FOR STUDENTS, CHILDREN AND SENIORS (60+)
$10 FOR ADULTS
FREE FOR CHILDREN 2 AND UNDER IF SITTING ON LAP
VISIT WWW.PALACETHEATER.ORG
CALL 315.824.1420

RESERVE TICKETS TODAY!
 
 
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St. Pat’s Shining Angels
The Madison County Historical Society’s Victorian Christmas Open House is December 13 from 1-4 pm at Cottage Lawn, headquarters of the society, on 435 Main Street, Oneida.  The public is invited to this free event to tour the beautifully decorated period rooms, sample holiday sweets, and delight in joyous Christmas Carols from area school choirs.

Balloons and Blossoms, Oneida Floral and Gifts, and Unique Flower and Gift Boutique, of Oneida are all returning to decorate the period rooms at the society.  Lisa Marshall of Oneida Floral will address the holiday spirit in the music parlor while Denise Goodwin of Balloons and Blossoms will create a holiday scene in the dining room. Diane Gunthorpe, owner of Unique Flower and Gift Boutique will be adding her seasonal touches to one of the bedrooms. Area garden clubs, Green Thumb of Oneida Castle, and the Sherrill Garden Club will also be adding some holiday embellishments to period rooms. 

Holiday music has become an enjoyable tradition in the society’s music parlor. Joining us this year will be Oneida High School’s Select Choir directed by Jeff Welcher from 1:15-1:45.  From 2-2:30, North Broad Street Mini Jazz Machine under the direction of Heather O’Connell will continue to delight the crowd with Christmas Carol favorites.  

Otto Shortell Middle School Choir under the direction of Roselle Lynch will perform from 2:45-3:15. The afternoon will draw to a close with St. Patrick’s Shining Angels under the direction of Pam Maihafer from 3:15-3:45.

Our holiday gift shop will have the many Madison County Historical Society items for sale, such as local area history books, note cards, postcards, mugs, videos, and, shirts, and specialty gift baskets.  Come view the society’s new exhibit Madison County Underground: Cemeteries and Gerritt Smith.

Be our guest this holiday season and join us on Sunday, December 13 from 1 -4 pm at the Madison County Historical Society’s Annual Victorian Christmas Open House.  There is no admission to enjoy an afternoon filled with the holiday sights, sounds, and refreshments for all!

 For more information, please contact the Madison County Historical Society at (315) 363-4136 or (315) 361-9735, or 435 Main Street, Oneida, NY 13421, email: history@mchs1900.org, or visit our website at www.mchs1900.org
 
 

Join Lorenzo State Historic Site this December for “Christmas at Lorenzo,” the annual holiday program featuring festive decorations throughout the 1807 home of John Lincklaen, founder of the village of Cazenovia.
The mansion will be open by advance reservation for group tours beginning Wednesday, December 3. These tours, through each of the beautifully decorated rooms, provide each visitor with background information on the mansion and the generations who resided within its walls. The mansion will also be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. December 17-21 and for Candlelight Night from 7-9 p.m. December 19. And visitors may stop by our gift shop, offering distinctive holiday gifts, during all of these times.
This is a unique and festive outing opportunity for groups this holiday season. Group tours are offered at a discount of $3 for adults and seniors, and we are able to accommodate groups of every size! Please contact Casey Frazee at (315) 655-3200 or Casey.Frazee@oprhp.state.ny.us, for more information. Visit us online at www.LorenzoNY.org.

 
Merry Christmas 12/24/2007
 

Merry Christmas

A great big thank you and Merry Christmas to all who visited Madison County this year to stay in our country inns, B&B's and hotels.  Let's make 2008 the best year ever for the tourism industry in Madison County and New York State.

 
 

For many families, Christmastime is about traditions.  There is still time to visit a longstanding Madison County Christmastime tradition with Christmas at Lorenzo in Cazenovia. This year is a retrospective of past themes, including “Visions of Sugarplums,” “Children and Toys,” “Trains,” “The Night Before Christmas,” “Mother Goose,” and “A Christmas Wedding.” Running through December 29, the mansion will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays for tours. However, through December 29, the mansion will be open by advance reservation for group tours from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.