Last Updated: Friday, December 14, 2007 9:44 AM CST
Make sure you catch Santa before it's too late
by Julie Holperin - Special to the daily news
Santa and his helpers are very busy this time of year having their photos taken and collecting children's Christmas wish lists. Don't forget to charge your camera batteries, take your camera wherever you go and take your memory cards to the store when you are done. Making your own photo cards has never been easier with the new photo centers located in many of our stores. The Christmas photo cards I am receiving every day are so creative using all this great technology and so simple and inexpensive to make.
Santa will be visiting the YMCA tonight for Family Night. Family night includes use of the pool, gym, crafts and snacks; it's free to members or $8 for a family pass for non-members. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1, join Santa as he takes a break from his work to play and swim in the YMCA pool. Enjoy the pool, the slide, the waterfall mushroom and water games with Santa. Children under 5 must have an adult in the pool with them and children under 10 must have an adult in the pool or on the deck. The event is free to members and a Family pass is $15 for the entire day for non-members. Great family entertainment and exercise at the same time! Call 362-9622 for more info.
It's “Santa's on Parade” Weekend at Winter Park cross-country trail in Minocqua this Saturday and Sunday. Winter Park features 75 km of perfectly groomed trails through Northern Wisconsin's spectacular terrain with three specially groomed loops for children. Skiers dressed head to toe in Santa attire will receive half-price trail passes. Free milk and cookies will be served. There will be a special Santa parade. Call 356-3309 for schedules and prices.
The Northwoods Wildlife Center in Minocqua is holding a Dream Catcher class on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2. The cost for the class, which includes making your own dream catcher, is $15. Call the Center at 356-7400 to make reservations.
The Discovery Center Bird Club in Arbor Vitae will be monitoring the abundance of our local winter bird species on Saturday. The all-day activity at the Discovery Center starts at 6 a.m. Call Zach for more info about the Center at 715-543-2085.
Minocqua is hosting a Holiday Enchantment on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Santa will be at the Clock Tower Centre to talk to the kids and there will be sleigh rides for the entire family. Come listen to the carolers as you watch the ice sculptures being created downtown. Go to www.minocqua.org for more info.
Plan on staying in Minocqua for the evening to watch the performance of Louisa May Alcott's “Little Women” at the Campanile Center for the Arts. The performance starts at 7:30 and tickets are available at the door. Call 356-9444.
Granite Peak Ski Hill in Wausau is open for skiing and this Saturday is “Santa Saturday.” Santa and several of his reindeer will be visiting from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday is “Ski for Youth” where kids can learn to ski for $20. Starting Monday it's “Spirit of Christmas Week.” Kids can get $5 off window price lift tickets when they bring a child's unwrapped present for other children who may miss out on getting presents otherwise. Call 715-845-3536 for more info on these events.
The Rhinelander District Library is showing the full-length children's movie “Santa Clause 3, the Escape Clause” (rated G) after school on Tuesday starting at 3:15 to 4:45. Call the library at 365-1050 for more info.
Grammy-winning singer Kathy Mattea will be performing a concert, “Joy For Christmas Day,” at Wausau's Grand Theatre on Thursday evening. Call the Theatre to reserve your tickets at 715-842-0988.
If you are looking for something special to do with your family in the beautiful Northwoods this holiday, think about a horse drawn sleigh ride. Several area ranches offer this service, including the Western Connection Ranch on Highway K. Call 282-5619 for more info.
Remember the Crystal Rock Ballroom has roller-skating on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Call 282-5230 for more info. Rhinelander Ice Arena offers some Open Skating time each week also. The schedule varies, so go to www.rhinelanderice.com for their schedule.
Don't forget our outside-feathered friends this winter. A fun way to spend time with your kids and grandkids is to make peanut butter and bird seed-covered pinecones to hang from the trees. Kids love making the messy natural feeders and the birds will be so thankful!
I am sure many of you will be searching for the perfect Christmas tree this weekend, hoping it will stay fresh for a couple of weeks. I put up an artificial tree 3 years ago and loved how nice the ornaments hung, loved the lack of needles to vacuum up, and loved decorating it so early. The rest of the family hated it and the next year they all put their boots on and said “See you later, we're going to get a real tree.” Fa-la-la-la-la!
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