Christmas past and presents perfect

Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, November 29, 2006

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to shop locally, particularly during the holidays, here’s your chance.

Christmas in the Country runs Dec. 1, 2 and 3 on Bainbridge Island, with 10 venues and dozens of artists offering arts, crafts and homemade goodies.

The event not only keeps holiday dollars in the community, it is also a fund raiser for the Tiny Tim Adopt-a-Family Fund, which provides help for local families in need.

This is the 13th year of the event, which is sponsored by a consortium of Bainbridge Island arts organizations, under the direction of Sharon Soames. The tour is free and family friendly.

In addition to unique Christmas gifts, there will be live music at several of the stops, as well as food and beverages.

Stops on the tour are the Stephens House, on Winslow Way; Countryman Stables, on McDonald; the Beverly Hooks Gallery and Treehouse Café at Lynwood Center; Sweetlife Farm, on Summerhill Lane; The Little Yellow Farmhouse, on Manitou Beach Drive NE; the Duncan House, on Sunrise Drive NE; Hazel Creek Farm, on NE Koura Road; Port Madison Design and The Christmas House, both on Washington Avenue NE.

Hazel Creek Farm is a popular stop, with a convergence of 16 area artists. Items available include handmade furniture by Steve Boyce, art glass by Al and Ben Philips and glass and metal sculptures made from discarded typewriters, created by artist Dan Spence.

At The Christmas House, 15060 Washington Ave., NE, Bob and Carolee Pedersen are getting into the holiday spirit by matching all Tiny Tim fund donations made at their Port Madison cottage, up to $200.

Rick and Kathy Countryman (yes, that’s their real name) want kids 12 and younger to have the opportunity to experience what may be their first time on a horse or pony. They are offering free pony rides, as well as hot food and drinks, roasted nuts and bratwurst sandwiches.

The pony rides will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors will find 10 artists set up at The Little Yellow Farmhouse, 10669 Manitou Beach Dr. NE, home of Lucia and Carly Olson.

Artists and their offerings range from Pamela Belleson’s high-karat gold, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry and Doug and Linda Henderson’s wood crafts to Gingers’ jewelry, candles and soaps and Marcia Randall-Debard’s beaded gemstone jewelry and silk pillows.

The Duncan House is new on the tour this year and Dennis Duncan will be debuting his watercolors which he calls “painting the Island the way I see it.”

Here you will also find handmade chocolates by Amy Jablonski, Christmas stockings and ornaments by Alicia McIntosh and creations by five other artists.

Santa will make an appearance for photos 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hazel Creek Farm’s heated barn, which will also feature live music throughout the weekend.

Christmas in the Country takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. It is a self-paced driving tour, with maps and full details available online at www.christmasinthecountry.info.