Christmas celebration
George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, on Saturday, December 14, will host Church and State in Colonial & Revolutionary Virginia with Robert Teagle at 1 p.m.
On December 15, Ampersand will perform a free concert at 1 p.m. in the visitor center, followed by a greenery demonstration from 2-5 p.m. in the craft shop, as well as a Holiday Ornament Hunt
Sold out
The Northern Neck Orchestra Holiday Pops concert Saturday, December 14, at the Lancaster Elementary School Theater, 191 School Street, Kilmarnock has sold out.
Tickets may be purchased for the March 1, 2025, concert celebrating music by George Frideric Handel, and the April 26 concert, featuring music by Ludwig van Beethoven. Admission is by season subscription or $40 per concert. Tickets for these two concerts are available at www.northernneckorchestra.org, or the door, if still available. Students are admitted free.
House tour
The Urbanna Holiday Home Tour will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, December 14. Tour sites will include the Middlesex County Woman’s Club, The Cottrell’s House, The Old Town Hall Building, The Quilter’s House and The Jessee’s House. Ticket options are offered from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.
Tickets are $40 per person if purchased online by Friday, December 13, and $50 per person the day of the event. Guests will check-in at The Chesapeake Inn, 250 Virginia Street, Urbanna. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urbanna-holiday-home-tour-2024-tickets-1064397023149?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Christmastide
A colonial Christmastide celebration will be held from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, 483 Great House Road, Stratford. Enjoy the historic buildings and grounds decorated in holiday spirit, music by Ampersand or African Diaspora Ensemble, a cooking demonstration and wagon rides.
Program tickets are $25 for ages 14 and older, $12 for ages 6-13, and free for ages 5 and younger as well as Friends of Stratford members. Purchase tickets at StratfordHall.org/Christmastide2024.org/. Online ticket sales will close at 4 p.m. Saturday; tickets also will be available at the door.
Wine & wreaths
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve will host Wreathmaking Workshops at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, at Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford. Stratford gardener Lindeve Hostvedt will guide participants in creating a wreath with greens sourced from the historic grounds.
The fee is $100 per person, including a tasting at the Estate at White Hall Vineyard Wine Bar. Reservations are required, StratfordHall.org/Christmastide2024.org/.
Chamber choir
The Nouvelet Chamber Choir will present its 13th annual Christmas concert at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 15, at Grace Episcopal Church, 303 South Main Street, Kilmarnock.
The group will perform a variety of music celebrating Christmas. Donations would be appreciated.
Decorate Irvington
On Sunday, December 15, judging will take place to choose the winners of the annual outdoor Christmas decorations contest for Irvington businesses and residences. Winners will be announced Thursday, December 19.
Angel Tree
The Rivah’s “Local Angel Tree Project” is underway. The public is urged to pick up an angel in need from The Rivah, 49 South Main Street, Kilmarnock. Each name on the Angel Tree will have a list of needed or desired items.
Items can then be delivered to The Rivah by Wednesday, December 18. Use gift bags and attach the angel from the tree onto the bag for ease of delivering. Commonly needed items include snacks, blankets, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletries, washcloths, toys, soccer ball, basketball, clothing, shoes and coats.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia workshop
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia will be offered from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, December 19, at Lancaster Community Library, 16 Town Centre Drive, Kilmarnock. Mary Arthur, lead options counselor for Caregiver Support, will make the presentation.
Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s disease stages and risk factors, research and available treatments, as well as Alzheimer’s Association and Bay Aging resources.
Winter Festival
The Addy’s Colors annual Winter Festival will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, December 22, at the DCA Building, 17147 General Puller Highway, Deltaville. The event will offer free family fun, face painting, a holiday movie, ornament crafts and pictures with Santa.
Families and children may also enjoy the Deltaville lights before or after the event.
Chicken dinners
Chicken dinners will be available from 5-6:30 p.m. on first Mondays at American Legion Post #117, 39 School Street, Reedville.
Meals include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, choice of vegetables, salad, roll, dessert and drink. Dinners are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and younger, at the door.
Wraptastic
Gift wrapping will be offered at Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern (RHHT), 73 Monument Place, Heathsville. Bring unwrapped packages to the Heritage Arts Center Gift Shoppe from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. December 12, 13 or 14, or noon-3 p.m. December 15. If possible, bring boxes as well.
A Tavern volunteer will wrap the presents and call when they are done. Donations to RHHT will be accepted upon pick up. RHHT will supply all gift tissue, paper and ribbons.
Rotary
The Rotary Club of the Northern Neck meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on second and fourth Wednesdays at River Counties Community Foundation, 834 Rappahannock Drive, White Stone.
