Gingerbread house parties at Farm Kitchen
Just after Thanksgiving, the eighth annual gingerbread house party season begins at Farm Kitchen on Port Gamble Road. Parties are scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Nov. 24, and Dec. 2, 8, 9 and 15.
In preparation, a group of local mothers, students and friends get together for weeks ahead to roll, cut and bake six large, edible gingerbread house sections per house. Farm Kitchen orders more than 500 pounds of candy, makes gigantic batches of Royal Icing “mortar” and constructs the gingerbread pieces to make the framework for each house.
At the parties, Farm Kitchen “elves” keep candy selections stockpiled as creative designs are planned and executed. After each gingerbread house and its surrounding garden are decorated, the house is dusted with a light snow of powdered sugar. In the final step, the totally edible house is boxed for safe transport home.
The house parties have become an annual tradition for many families. Hot cider is served during the parties, and the 15-foot tall Christmas tree is a festive backdrop for holiday family photos. The fee for house and party is $30. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.farmkitchen.com or by calling (360) 297-6615.
Taproot Theatre brings Christmas performance
Taproot Theatre Company is coming to Kingston on Sunday, Dec. 16 for two performances of “The Other Wise Man.” Show times are 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Bayside Community Church, 25992 Barber Cut Off Road, between Highway 104 and West Kingston Road.
“The Other Wise Man” is a Christmas story about Artaban (the other wise man) who hastens through the desert to reach the Christ child in Bethlehem but is delayed on his journey along the way, helping other people. Adapted by Jenny Cross, “The Other Wise Man” is based on Henry Van Dyke’s classic tale.
Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit group with a multi-faceted production program that has reached over 60,000 students and over 40 churches.
Tickets are $5 for children 12 years and under, $7 for all others. Advance purchase is recommended, as seats are limited. Dessert will be provided between performances.
Tickets are available at Bayside Church on Sunday mornings, in the church office from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by mail (make checks payable to Bayside Church and enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Call (360) 297-2000 for more information.
Stillwaters Yuletide Auction moves to Port Gamble
The annual Stillwaters Yuletide Auction moves to the Port Gamble Theater this year and takes place 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1. The theater is located on the second floor of the post office building across the street from the General Store in Pt. Gamble. It is not usually open to the public, but when the Pope & Talbot Mill was in operation, the theater was used for dances, movies, basketball games and parties for millworkers and their families.
Stillwaters Environmental Education Center will continue the party tradition in this room with an old- fashioned holiday theme for the auction. In addition to live music, hors d’oeuvres, local wine and desserts from Sweets & Savories, auction-goers will be able to bid on hundreds of wonderful and useful items, donated by generous supporters of Stillwaters, including quality items from wine baskets to stays in Mexico. Additional donations are welcome.
All proceeds benefit environmental education programs at Stillwaters in Kingston. Tickets, available at Sacks Feed & Garden in Kingston or at Stillwaters, are $20; $30 tickets are available which include a limited edition Stillwaters wine glass and complimentary glass of wine. For more information, tickets or to donate, contact Stillwaters at (360) 297-2876 or info@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.
Hansville Holiday Home Tour
The Hansville Ladies Aid Holiday Home Tour takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 and features six homes in the Hansville area.
Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance, $12 during the tour, and are available at the Hansville Store and from members of the Ladies Aid. Maps for the tour are printed on the back of the tickets.
The home tour is a fund-raiser for the Ladies Aid, which maintains the Hansville Cemetery, and the Helping Hands program for people in need.
The Hansville Ladies Aid has about 38 members, and more are always welcome. The group meets at 9 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Driftwood Key Clubhouse. A pre-Christmas get-together for coffee and tea takes place 2-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at the Driftwood Key Clubhouse. Everyone is welcome to come learn more about the Ladies Aid.
For more information, contact president Marian Malonson at (360) 638-1204.
Celebrate the holidays in Eglon
The 12th annual Eglon Holiday Bazaar takes place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Eglon Schoolhouse and features local artwork, handcrafted items, fresh greenery and home baked goods including cinnamon rolls and coffee.
For more information, contact bonnie Bryant at (360) 697-5577.
The Eglon Christmas Program is just around the corner and children of all ages are invited to help decorate and participate. Gather at the Eglon Schoolhouse from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 8. The program takes place at 7 p.m. with caroling, a children’s show, an appearance by Santa and holiday desserts.
For more information, call Jackie Holbrook at (360) 638-9310.
Sunshine Ladies host holiday bazaar
The Redeemer United Methodist Church Sunshine Ladies’ annual Holiday Craft Bazaar takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. In addition to the craft bazaar, there will be ‘Grandma’s attic tables’ to browse and a slice of pie and coffee corner as part of this year’s fund-raiser.
The church is located at 9900 NE Parcell at the corner of Shorty Campbell Road in Kingston, just off Highway 104. A portion of all funds will be donated to community programs in need.
“The Nutcracker” in North Kitsap
Olympic Performance Group presents a new production of “The Nutcracker,” featuring students age five through adult and pre-professional dancers from Kingston, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. “The Nutcracker” opens Dec. 14 and runs through Dec. 22 at venues in Poulsbo and on Bainbridge Island.
The first performance is at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in Bainbridge High School’s LGI Theatre, 9330 N.E. High School Road, to benefit retirement homes. Tickets to this performance are discounted at $14 each and only available at the door. Other performances at the high school take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16.
Performances will also be held at the North Kitsap Auditorium, 2003 N.E. Hostmark Street in Poulsbo at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22.
Tickets are $18 for students age 18 and under or with a valid student ID, and $24 for adults. Ticket outlets include: Windermere Real Estate, 10373 Highway 104, Kingston; The Book Stop, 18954 Front Street, Poulsbo; and on Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Ballet, 945 Hildebrand Lane N.E.; Island Health Foods, 764 Winslow Way E.; and Winslow Drugs, 290 Winslow Way E.;
Tickets may also be ordered by phone at (206) 842-1205.
Port Gamble Country Christmas
Port Gamble’s Country Christmas takes place Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 with traditional activities that include handmade crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, roving carolers, Celtic music, a Christmas play and visit from Santa.
Toys for Tots, live music, great food, lots of children’s activities and more are in store.
The annual Fruitcake Contest is Dec. 8 with judges will be Debbie Macomber, New York Times best-selling author, and hopefully John Curley from “Evening Magazine.”
For a schedule of all events, go to www.portgamble.com.
