After-hour holiday shopping at Toy Chest
Visit the Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St. after hours on Tuesday, Dec. 17 to do holiday shopping at the second annual Sip n’ Shop. Complimentary beer and wine will be served while shoppers browse the store from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information, call 812-988-2817.
Make holiday cocktails at distillery
Join Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46, for a two-hour interactive experience with cocktails, trivia, gingerbread decoration, gift-wrapping races and a white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 18, 19 and 20.
For $35, each guest will learn how to make four holiday-themed cocktails while keeping warm with two cocktail samples, two full drinks and a buffet of holiday snacks.
To participate in the white elephant gift exchange, guests are asked to bring a silly, inexpensive — $5 or less — gift.
Mixology classes are for guests 21 and older. Reservations are required. Guests must bring valid I.D. and the credit card on the reservation to check in for the event.
To make a reservation as a gift, call the tours and tastings center at 812-720-4840.
Holiday open house happening at pantry
Mother’s Cupboard, 646 Memorial Drive, will host a holiday open house on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m.
All are welcome to visit Santa Claus and receive candy treats, festive appetizers, desserts, gingerbread cookies, egg nog and fruity punch, door prizes and stocking stuffers.
Story Inn hosting special holiday dinners
STORY — The Story Inn, 6404 State Road 135 South, will host Victorian candlelight holiday dinners on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20 and 21 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Guests can enjoy the special dining experience in a dining room illuminated exclusively by candles and oil lamps. Inn staff will be dressed in authentic Victorian garb and traditional Christmas music will be played from the piano.
For more information, call 812-988-2273 or visit storyinn.com.
Live Christmas show set at Playhouse
All through December, the annual holiday show “Believe: The Magic of Christmas” will be at the Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. The family-friendly production features singing, dancing, special effects lighting and more. Dates include:
- Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $21.50 for adults and free for children 10 and younger. Beer, wine, champagne, mixed drinks and concessions are sold in the auditorium.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit browncountyplayhouse.org.
Winter hike series beginning at state park
Meet at Strahl Lake in Brown County State Park on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. for the first hike of the park’s Winter Hike Series.
Hikers will visit Kelp Village, a small village once existing in the boundaries of the park. The hike is approximately 1 1/2 miles on easy terrain. Participants need to dress for the weather and “bring their archaeologist’s eye” as they explore the area in search of ruins.
For more information, call 812-988-5240.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Free treats, photo station outside store
Mulberry Cottage is offering free cider, hot chocolate and candy canes, free fun photos and free dog treats outside the store this Saturday at 46 W. Main St. It’ll all be available between 10 a.m. and 4 or 5 p.m. on Dec. 21.
Owner Ted Hayes did the same thing on Dec. 7 before the Christmas parade downtown and on Dec. 14.
“I made this out of plywood and stuff I had laying around,” he said about the VW bus cutout that’s set up for photos, which visitors can snap with their own phones.
“It’s just fun, and the customers love it. We need more things like this in Brown County to entertain the crowds. That’s what they come here for. We are supposed to be here for them.”
Santa Claus to visit Hard Truth Hills
Visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46. No reservations are required. For more information visit hardtruthhills.com.
Local church to host Christmas service
BEAN BLOSSOM — Bean Blossom Community Church, 5046 State Road 135 North, will host “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
The community is invited to join for an evening of scripture reading, singing, candlelight and worship. A reception will follow. The event is free for the community.
Christmas Eve service at local church
VAN BUREN TWP. — Becks Grove Christian Church, 8009 Becks Grove Road, will host a Christmas Eve service on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. It will include communion and special choir music.
For more information, call 812-988-1088.
Comedy show set at Story Inn
STORY — Story Inn restaurant, 6404 State Road 135 South, will host comedians David Brooks, Patrick Murray and Peter Hienz for a holiday comedy show on Saturday, Dec. 28 from 8 to 11 p.m.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $15 for online pre-sale or $20 at the door. Call 812-988-2273 or email [email protected] to reserve a space.
This event is sponsored by Eight One Two Hop Farms.
New Year’s Eve festivities scheduled
New Year’s Eve party plans are developing in Brown County:
- Hard Truth Hills — New Year’s Lumberjack Bash, 9 p.m. to midnight, $10-$35. Tickets and information: hardtruthhills.com.
- The Seasons Lodge — Dan Kirk Band, rock-n-roll music, 9 p.m. to midnight, dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m., $24.95.
- The 19th Hole — New Year’s Eve Bash, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., serving food until 11 p.m., drink specials, party favors and more.
