Above: Santa Claus in Woodstock. Photo by Julia Reischel.
On Saturday, Dec. 19, Woodstock Town Historian Richard Heppner will discuss his brand-new book, “Woodstock: Everyday History,” at the Catskill Interpretive Center in Mount Tremper from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free.
Heppner, who is the author of several other books about Woodstock and the Catskills, uses this book to explore the lives of not-so-famous Woodstockers like Elias Hasbrouck, Woodstock’s first town supervisor, and Alf Evers, the definitive historian of the Catskills, and Phillip Buttrick, a soldier who served with the French army in WWI.
Heppner has an encyclopedic knowledge of Woodstock history. He'll regale you with tales lesser-known episodes in the town's history, like the great Swim-In of 1922 and the history of the Woodstock Playhouse, which burned down in 1988.
Other events this weekend:
DELAWARE COUNTY
Santa will visit the Cannon Free Library in Delhi on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m. for some good old fashioned crafts and snacks.
In Stamford, farmers, crafters and food producers will bring their locally-made products to the Historic Delaware Inn during a Holiday Pop-Up Farmers’ Market. Santa himself will stop by to check out the baked goods, cheeses, meats, jams and handcrafts.
On Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., artisans will gather at the Bovina Center Community Hall for a pop-up Craftskills Christmas Market. Get your last-minute shopping done.
Later night at at Russell’s General Store in Bovina, there will be music, a reading of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” and treats available during A Russell’s General Holiday.
On Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m., the United Methodist Church Choir in Deposit will present "Christmas is Forever,” a Christmas Cantata, in the church sanctuary.
SULLIVAN COUNTY
The Narrowsburg Union celebrates its grand opening in the former Narrowsburg School building with a tree lighting and plaque dedication ceremony in the town of Tusten at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19.
ULSTER COUNTY
On Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa is coming to Woodnotes Grille at the Emerson Resort in Mount Tremper, which is serving $6 mimosas to celebrate the occasion. Bring an unwrapped item for Marines Toys for Tots.
At the Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville, director Brendan Burke has a lesser-known holiday play on offer: "Greetings!," a tale of Christmas dinner with the family getting awkward -- and then getting interrupted by an Entity. Performances are ongoing until Dec. 20, happening Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 19, the Stone Church in Cragsmoor will observe the season with a Festival of Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m., followed by a reading of A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. celebrate the annual service of Lessons and Carols with Kairos: A Consort of Singers at the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park.
There will be a Living Nativity scene in front of Kingston’s Old Dutch Church between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 21.
