Thursday, Dec. 11
An Evening Tea with Harriet Beecher Stowe, part of Andover Historical Society's Tastes & Treasures event, Andover actress and storyteller Susan Lenoe will portray famous Andover resident Harriet Beecher Stowe in this intimate evening event, 7 p.m. Learn about Stowe and her role in bringing Christmas trees to Andover, $30 per person, 97 Main St., Andover; 978-475-2236.
Holiday Skating Show 2008 and Toys for Tots Drive, the Skating Club of Andover, 6 to 8 p.m. with free family skate at the show, Valley Forum Rinks, Bradford/Haverhill Industrial Park; admission: $3.
Toys & Games: More than Amusement, includes toy prototypes by MIT's Toy Design student and paintings, closing reception, 7 to 9 p.m., all ages, free admission, The Revolving Museum, 22 Shattuck St., Lowell, refreshments will be served and live music will be performed by UMass Lowell music students; 978-YES-ARTS (Snow date is Dec. 13).
"Five Things You Need to Know to Ride Out a Volatile Stock Market," an educational seminar, 7 p.m., Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park St., North Reading, with Financial Planners Joseph D'Amore and Steven L. Padulsky.
"An IEP for My Child" WORKSHOP, 7 to 9 p.m., The Professional Center for Child Development, 32 Osgood St., Andover, Presented by a facilitator from The Federation for Children with Special Needs, RSVP to Ellen 978-475-3806 ext. 217.
Friday, Dec. 12
The Nutcracker Ballet, New England Civic Ballet, Rogers Center for the Performing Arts, Merrimack College, 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the studio at 4 Dracut St., Lawrence, 978-975-0289 or www.newenglandcivicballet.org. Adults are $24 and children and senior citizens are $22.
Holiday art and fine crafts show, 5 to 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport; 978-462-0713.
A Christmas Carol, performed by Top Notch Theater of Northern Essex Community College, cast includes Ryan Jennings and Dick Wilkins, both of Andover, third floor of the Spurk Building on the college's Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St., 7 p.m., $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for 6 and under, tickets can be purchased at the door or online at MVArts.info.
Saturday, Dec. 13
A Traditional 19th Century CHRISTMAS Dinner, served in Victorian style at the Main Gallery and period rooms of the Blanchard House, 97 Main St., Andover, special raffles will be available, 6 p.m., $125 per person; 978-475-2236.
Alice Peacock of chicago, Crossroads Coffeehouse, second floor of Old Center Hall, 3 Great Pond Road, North Andover, $18. Advance ticket purchases are available at www.crossroads-coffeehouse.org. Tickets are also available at the door on the evening of the concert. Doors open at 7:30, concert starts at 8 p.m.; 978-687-3960 (978-687-7948 evening of the concert) or www.crossroads-coffeehouse.org
Holiday art and fine crafts show, 5 to 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport; 978-462-0713.
Frosty Festival, hosted by The Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Market Square. Festival tickets are $10 and include a movie and several other activities, 978.462.7336, from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday or up until curtain time.
A Christmas Carol, performed by Top Notch Theater of Northern Essex Community College, cast includes Ryan Jennings and Dick Wilkins, both of Andover, third floor of the Spurk Building on the college's Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St., 3 and 7 p.m., $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for 6 and under, tickets can be purchased at the door or online at MVArts.info.
The Nutcracker Ballet, New England Civic Ballet, Rogers Center for the Performing Arts, Merrimack College, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the studio at 4 Dracut St., Lawrence, 978-975-0289 or www.newenglandcivicballet.org. Adults are $24 and children and senior citizens are $22.
Santa's Breakfast, at the Andover/North Andover YMCA, 165 Haverhill Str., Andover, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m Enjoy a light breakfast, make an elf craft and have your picture taken with Santa. Breakfast seating times are: 8:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; and 10:30 a.m., $10 and nonmembers, $15; 978.685.3541.
Sunday, Dec. 14
THE FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS, performed by Brooks School students and faculty, 4 p.m., free. Brooks School, 1160 Great Pond Road, North Andover. www.brooksschool.org.
The Homegrown String Band, at Memorial Hall Library, 2 p.m. Family-style original and neo-traditional acoustic American roots music. Sponsored by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 978-623-8401, ext. 31, or visit www.mhl.org.
Annual Children's Chanukah Party, Temple Emanuel, Social Hall, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, hosted by the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel, 1 p.m., crafts, games, latkes and live music, bring a gift for the Share The Light gift donations box, $5/per person for Sisterhood Members and $6/per person for Non Sisterhood Members; www.templeemanuel.net or 978-470-1356.
The Nutcracker Ballet, Rogers Center for the Performing Arts, Merrimack College, 2 p.m., $24 adults, $22 children and senior citizens, may be purchased by visiting the studio at 4 Dracut St., Lawrence or by calling 978-975-0289. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.newenglandcivicballet.org.
Tea with Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, donuts, decorating gingerbread cookies, writing letter to Santa and story reading, Smolak Farms, North Andover, for ages 2 to 12, $12, seatings at noon and 2 p.m.; 978-682-6332.
A Christmas Carol, performed by Top Notch Theater of Northern Essex Community College, cast includes Ryan Jennings and Dick Wilkins, both of Andover, third floor of the Spurk Building on the college's Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St., 3 p.m., $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for 6 and under, tickets can be purchased at the door or online at MVArts.info.
Christmas Concert, of sacred and secular music, 3 p.m., Trinitarian Congregational Church, 72 Elm St., North Andover, free admission, refreshments afterwards.
Holiday jazz vocals and instrumentals, with faculty of Berklee College of Music., 4 p.m., $14 members, $16 non-members, the Firehouse Center for the Arts, One Market Square, Newburyport, proceeds used to support the Firehouse Center for the Arts.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Behind the Scenes Tours: Join a staff member each week for a different behind-the scenes tour to learn more about the programs, decorating ideas and the history of our Victorian inspiration objects that culminated in our Victorian Tree Exhibit. Learn more about the community members and groups that contributed to the display and see where all the creative ideas came from, 1 p.m., free, Andover Historical Society, 97 Main St., Andover; 978-475-2236.
Phillips Academy On-Campus Open House, for prospective day students interested in learning about entering Phillips Academy for grades 10 to 12 or for a postgraduate year, 7 p.m., 11 Salem St., Andover, next to the Shuman Admission Center, RSVP at 978-749-4062, or e-mail Vivien Mallick at vmallick@andover.edu.
Thursday, Dec. 18
Behind the Kitchen Door: Victorian Cooking Secrets, guests are invited to learn about cooking Victorian foods from Blanchard housekeeper Ann Wood alongside a modern cook who will demystify the process for today's kitchens. An exhibit of 12 history-inspired trees provides a colorful backdrop for this special event, 7 p.m., Andover Historical Society, 97 Main St., Andover, $30 per person.
Friday, Dec. 19
Dickens in the Parlor, 4 and 7 p.m., two readings of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol by actress Susan Lenoe. There will be an afternoon matin�©e for the kids and an evening event for adults. An exhibit of 12 history-inspired trees provides a colorful backdrop for this special event. $10 per person, Andover Historical Society, 97 Main St., Andover; 978-475-2236.
Chanukah Night of Music, a capella group, Honorable Menschen. the temple's own vocal groups will also perform, 6:30 p.m., Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, at 8 p.m., there will be a Menorah lighting and light sticks for everyone, an Oneg Shabbat follows, free and Open to the Public; www.templeemanuel.net or 978-470-1356.
SUNDAY, Dec. 21
Tea with Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, donuts, decorating gingerbread cookies, writing letter to Santa and story reading, Smolak Farms, North Andover, for ages 2 to12, $12, seatings at noon and 2 p.m.; 978-682-6332.
Sunday, Jan. 4
Hike or snowshoe, about 2.5 miles at the AVIS Deer Jump Reservation along the Merrimack River. Meet at 1:30 p.m.; Park on Launching Road off of River Road. Trail entrance is past house No. 15 on the right. Heavy rain cancels. Led by Fred Snell, 978-686-3647, fred@snell.com.
Sunday, Jan. 11
Goldsmith Woodlands, snowshoe or hike on easy terrain in scenic woodland, about 2 hours. Meet at 1:30 p.m.; park at Reservation entrance in front of 491 South Main St. Led by Helen Palmer, hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net , 978-657-9153, and Pat Andres, pandres1@partners.org.
Sun, Jan. 25, 10 am
AVIS cross-country ski/hike at the Rafton Reservation. Beginners welcome; one group skis, another group hikes (conditions permitting, rain cancels). Hot chocolate, coffee, muffins and donuts provided. Park on High Plain Rd. at the leaf composting area. No pets. Led by Burt Batcheller, 978-475-3665, and David Dargie, 978-996-4475, david@dargie.com.
