Holiday season program schedule at Grey Towers
MILFORD Grey Towers National Historic Site will once again offer its many seasonal programs throughout December, including the Christmas Carol theatrical readings, holiday musical performances, a visit from Santa and the beautifully decorated mansion open for visitation. Tickets are on sale now for the traditional and very popular theatrical reading of “A Christmas Carol,” performed by Joe Plummer and son on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 in the Great Hall. Tickets are $15 per person and available now by calling 570-296-9630 or visiting Grey Towers. Visitors can see all three floors of the 1886-mansion beginning Friday, Dec. 12, when a public event kicks off the season with caroling and hot chocolate from 6-8 p.m. The Milford Garden Club decorates the home and traditional luminaries light the walkway to the mansion. Guided tours are offered on weekdays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 15-19, 22, 23; on weekends and holiday week (Dec. 13-14, 20-21, 27-30) visitors can wander all three floors from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $4 per person; free for children 12 and under. Sorry, but we do not accept passes with this special fee. Additional activities include: Saturday, Dec. 13: The sounds of traditional holiday music will fill the mansion as the River Gap Recorders Consort plays traditional holiday woodwind music and the Dingman-Delaware Elementary Chorus sings traditional holiday songs. Saturday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. (snow date Sunday, Dec. 14): The Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society Annual Tea, with guest speaker and program on “Global Warming and Bird Migration” and “How To Have A Green Holiday.” The Audubon Society members will provide tea, sandwiches and desserts to all who attend. The event is free and open to the public. Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m.: Visitors can watch as the Lost Art Lacers of North Jersey create their fine and delicate lacework and children can enjoy a visit from Santa, with a forest-related gift for youngsters. Saturday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m.: Holiday vocal concerts, co-sponsored by Kindred Spirits Arts Program. Tickets are $20 per person. Call 570-296-4299 or visit www.KindredSpiritsPrograms.org for more info. Grey Towers has been hosting seasonal programs for more than 25 years. The mansion is beautifully decorated by the Milford Garden Club, which has a long-standing relationship with Grey Towers. The Garden Club chose colors that enhance the dark and paneled areas of the home and complement the home’s vivid colors from the 1920s. Flowers, grapes, fruits and berries reflect the landscape and orchards from the grounds. Grey Towers Horticulturist Elizabeth Hawke, who also is a member of the Milford Garden Club, coordinates the decorating. “Without the help of the Garden Club, we would never be able to do as thorough or creative a job as they do,” said Hawke. “Their contribution really enhances the public’s experience at Grey Towers.” For more about the seasonal traditions at Grey Towers, call 570-296-9630 or visit the Web site at www.fs.fed.us/gt .