Cobblestone Museum plans ‘Simply Christmas,’ welcomes author for December events

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will sponsor two holiday events during the month of December, beginning with “Simply Christmas” on Dec. 7.

During the day, the Holiday Shoppe will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lower level of the Cobblestone Church, where shoppers can browse for a wide variety of low-priced new and gently used Christmas-themed merchandise, according to Museum assistant director Sue Bonafini. Visitors will be able to find décor galore, including replacement lights and light strings, paper goods, holiday books and more for themselves or gift-list recipients.

The Holiday Shoppe is conveniently located near the Gift Shop, where visitors will find old-fashioned toys, mini hurdy-gurdy instruments, new Cobblestone Museum logo T-shirts and caps, half-priced Merle maple products, scented candles and more for sale. Most books for sale are written by local authors and inspire reading related to Orleans County history, Bonafini said. Another item to be found in the Gift Shop is Cobblestone Candy, which makes a great stocking stuffer or sweet treat.

At 11 a.m., Simply Christmas, a program celebrating the traditions of St. Nicholas Day at the Cobblestone Church will begin, with stories, songs, readings and carols guaranteed to put visitors in a festive mood. A free will offering will be received, and light refreshments will follow in the Proctor Room, near the Holiday Shoppe.

Special pricing will be in effect inside the Used Books Building behind the brick house. Readers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to take advantage of this special half-price savings on hundreds of selections of fiction and non-fiction titles before the winter season ushers in a temporary closing of this self-serve operation. All sales benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum.

Following the Simply Christmas program, the Orleans County Historical Association will hold its annual luncheon meeting and program at Tavern on the Ridge, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Membership in OCHA is not required, so attendees from the Cobblestone event are invited to participate for a full day of activities.

A brief business meeting will follow lunch, with speaker and author Mike McFarland, who will present “The Civil War and the Erie Canal.” Lunch options are $20 and include rolls, beverage and gratuity. Choices are beef on weck and fries, bowl of French onion soup and Caesar salad or chicken parmesan and pasta. Call (585) 589-6015 to make a reservation.

Dec. 14 will feature Create a Keepsake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center across the road from the Cobblestone Museum at 14386 Ridge Rd. Shirley Nigro, a local artist of world renown will head the event. A charge of $10 includes a seat, paints and brushes. A wide array of ornaments and decorations will be available for purchase, starting at $4, to paint on site or take home for painting later.

Space is limited, so reserving a space early is recommended. Those attending are urged to bring a friend or family member to enjoy the day with them. Registration can be made at CobblestoneMuseum.org or by calling (585) 589-9013.