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Holiday
Happy Holidays from rhinecliff.org
By Clement Clarke Moore
(not Henry Livingston)
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
Sinterklaas Parade and Pageant December 6th Rhinebeck- Video
On Saturday night Rhinebeck experienced the Sinterklaas festival in all its glory. Thousands of people gathered to watch the parade of giant puppets and bagpipers march to the town parking lot where the stage was set for the "starlight grand finale pageant." The stage featured the dancing bears, fire juggling, the Abbots Bronley Deer Dance, Woodstock Renaissane Singers, Father Charlie Coen, the Wildman, the 4 Seasons, the on the Lam Street Band, The Mystic Minstrels, Creatures from the Wood and much more. Below is raw video footage of the entire parade and pageant. ENJOY!
Local Boxing Day Festivities
Friday
December
26
Holiday Open House at Home of Franklin D Roosevelt
Start Time 9:00am - End Time 5:00pm - Springwood, the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, is decorated according to Roosevelt family tradition! An FDR impersonator reads excerpts from Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" as he did for his family. $14.
Location: FDR Home National Historic Site, 4079 Albany Post Road, Route 9, Hyde Park
Holiday Open House at Vanderbilt Mansion
Start Time 9:00am - End Time 5:00pm - Come and enjoy the Vanderbilt Mansion, lavishly decorated for a "Gilded Age" holiday season! 11/29-12/31, tours daily 9am-5pm except Christmas Day & New Year's Day. $8.
Location: Vanderbilt Mansion, 4097 Route 9, Hyde Park
Contact (845)229-6432 for more information
A Gilded Age Christmas
Start Time 12:00pm - End Time 4:30pm - Guided tours of the lavishly decorated 79-room Mills family mansion highlight family history and showcase turn-of-the century decorations. Many Christmas trees, floral arrangements and spectacular dining room decorations. $5.
Location: Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Old Post Road, Staatsburg
Contact (845)889-8851 for more information, susan.delorenzo@oprhp.state.ny.us
Boxing Day
Start Time 1:00pm - End Time 8:00pm - Boxing Day: Children’s activities. 1-4pm, open noon-4pm. Additional evening hours 6-8pm.
Location: Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Old Post Road, Staatsburg
Contact (845)889-8851 for more information, susan.delorenzo@oprhp.state.ny.us
Rags, Blues And All That Jazz!
Start Time 8:00pm - Rags, Blues and All That Jazz with Peter Muir and The Diamond Jubilators
The Diamond Jubilators is an internationally acclaimed jazz band performing music of the 1920s-1940s in an unforgettable way. Since their formation in 1993, they have given thousands of performances in America, Europe, Britain and Australia, enthralling audiences everywhere with their special brand of musical delight. The quartet features the ever-popular Peter Muir on piano, vocalist Susan Burghardt-Diamond, Ivan Hunter on trumpet, and is led by the great Dr. John Diamond on drums. A holiday treat for the whole family!
Tickets: $18 adults; $16 seniors & children.
Location: Center For Performing Arts, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck
Contact (845)876-3080 for more information
Join the Sinterklaas Festivities - All Day, Saturday, December 6
Dec 6 2008 - 8:00am
Sinterklaas Schedule of Events
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Things Happening All Day Around Town
9 am -5pm:
Annual Craft Fair at the Astor Home
Giant Cookie Tree and Illuminated Book at the Beekman Arms
Cookie Tree by Jessica Bard. The Illuminated Book by Nadine Robbins, Molly Ahern, Grace Gunning, Jim Gurney, and Richard Prouse
ALL AROUND THE TOWN
Fire Jugglers, Grumpus Dance, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance by the Pokingbrook Morris Team, Bond St.Theater Coalition Stilt Band, The Bard Shape Note Singers, Ukrainian Singers, The Black Sea Hotel and The Zagnut Circus Orkestar
THE BAKER’S DOZEN
Holiday Treats from Rhinebeck’s Best Bakers and Goodie Makers in the Savings Bank Plaza Lot
Sinterklaas Chocolates and Speculaas at Samuel’s
Hot chocolate and STAR Cookies at the Starr Bar all day and MUSIC
Cookies at Gigi Trattoria
HOT MEALS ! from 11 am to 6 pm
Lunch 11 - 3 at Church of the Messiah
Lunch and Dinner at The Reformed Church
THE DAY'S EVENTS
10:00 am - 1 pm, Northern Dutchess Mother’s Club presents Santa at the Town Hall
11 am, Bear Beauty Contest
Dress your bear up in anything you wish and bring it to Samuels to meet other bears and maybe to win a prize. All children and adults are invited to submit entries! Many categories! $25 Grand Prize and a special guest appearance on stage for the winning bear at the Starlight Pageant.
11:30 am, Opening at Beekman Arms
Opening: Words Before We Speak by Donna Coane, Native American name Coyote Fever and a Story of the BEAR
(the honored animal of this year's event) followed immediately by Story Telling by famed storyteller Jonathan Kruk at the Historic Beekman Arms. Hear the legend of St. Nicholas and Dutch New York. A special performance of St. George and the Dragon.
12 - 5 pm, Crowns and Branches Workshop at the Reformed Church
All Children need to make a Crown and decorate a Branch to wear and carry in the Parade. Visit the WISH LADY before you leave!
Parents should purchase their STAR to participate in the evening’s Pageant. (All proceeds go to the WHALEWATCH).
Be sure to grab a flag while they last for the Parade and adults place a promise in the Peace Dove!
1:30 - 2:30 pm, Festival of Light A Holiday Spectacular
Presented by the Vanaver Carvan and the Arm of the Sea Theater. Featuring Giant Puppets, a Holiday story of a Young Girl’s Journey throughout the World searching for the Light. Music and Dances from Holland, Sweden (Santa Lucia with REAL candle crowns!), Israel, Mexico, Ireland and more!
1:30-4:30 pm: Events in Town Hall for Adults and Children
1:30 pm, Magic Show by Andy Weintraub
2 pm, Serpentessa Dancing with LIVE SNAKES
3 pm, Tara Sommervile Sugar Plum Fairy with Krista Nichols
3:30 pm, St. George and the Dragon
4pm, Solas en Lae: A Little Nutcracker
4:15 pm, Wooden Shoes Dance by the Girl Scouts
4:30 pm, Arrival of Santa & Lighting of the Town Tree
Rhinebeck Saving Bank Plaza
4:30 - 6 pm, hot meals at the Church of the Messiah and the Reformed Church
During the Evening starting at 5:30 pm
5:30 pm, Children’s Starlight Parade & Pageant
Bring your Crowns & Branches, Stars & Flags!
Parade begins on West Market St. 5:30
Be in Place for the Start of the Parade (in front of the Dapson/Chesney Funeral Home). Parade will proceed East on Market Street and continue to the Municipal Parking Lot.
5:45 pm, Havdalah Circle
Conducted by Shai Romer, Rabbi Yael Romer's daughter with Priscilla and David Gideon and Leo Cohen and members of the Temple Emmanuel Congregation at the start of the Parade
6 pm, Children’s Starlight Parade
An Historic Recreation of an Old Sinterklaas Parade with St. Nick on horseback, Giant Figures, Music, Stiltwalkers, Dancers and All the Children and Townsfolk.
Bring your Star Lanterns and flags!
Join in as the Parade passes by!
6:30 pm, Starlight Grand Finale Pageant
ON STAGE immediately following the Parade in the Municipal Parking Lot
Featuring the Dancing Bears, Fire Juggling, the Abbots Bronley Deer Dance, Woodstock Renaissane Singers, Father Charlie Coen, the Wildman, the 4 Seasons, the on the Lam Street Band, The Mystic Minstrels, Creatures from the Wood and more.
8 pm, Living Nativity
At the Dutch Reformed Church on Rte 9 across from the Beekman Arms followed by Hot Chocolate and Cookies
8 pm, HOEDOWN in Town Hall for families
9 pm, Dance for Adults
At The Rhinecliff featuring the On the Lam Band LIVE from NYC
Cash Bar
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Holiday high tea at Wilderstein - Dec 6
Dec 6 2008 - 12:00pm
There’s No Place Like Wilderstein for the Holidays
Mark your calendars for our December 6 High Tea
‘Tis the season for a holiday visit to Wilderstein.
There is no better way to experience the Hudson Valley during the yuletide season than a tour of this historic estate in Rhinebeck. Featuring an array of Christmas trees, poinsettias, garlands, holly, sparkling decorations and more, Wilderstein Historic Site is an annual must-see for residents and out-of-town visitors alike. Wilderstein’s holiday season will kick-off Thanksgiving weekend and continue through the end of December.
A Queen Anne Victorian mansion situated high above the Hudson River, Wilderstein truly comes to life for the holidays. Three generations of the Suckley family called the estate their home for nearly 150 years. The last person to reside at Wilderstein was Margaret (Daisy) Suckley, whose extraordinarily close friendship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt has been well-chronicled and is the subject of much interest.
As has been the tradition for close to 25 years, talented florists and designers will transform the first floor of the Wilderstein mansion into a memorable holiday spectacular. The Victorians celebrated the holidays with great enthusiasm, and they are responsible for many of the customs we cherish today. Seeing Wilderstein’s magnificent interiors is a treat anytime, but is especially so when its mantels, doors and stairways are festooned with an eclectic mix of period and modern decorations.
Mark your calendar for Wilderstein’s annual Yuletide High Tea on Saturday, December 6. Those who attend are treated to a festive assortment of homemade cakes, cookies and delicate sandwiches. Over the years, the High Tea has become a favorite outing for Victorian enthusiasts from around the region.
When it comes to holiday gift giving, be sure to save some shopping for Wilderstein. The site’s museum store has a wide range of unique items for just about everyone. Offerings include hard-to-find books, old-fashioned toys, home goods, souvenirs and other items related to the Hudson Valley’s rich history. Best of all, these purchases directly support the preservation of Wilderstein for future generations.
Visitors return year after year because each holiday season at Wilderstein is a new experience. The Wilderstein mansion will be open for self-guided tours from 1 to 4 PM on Thanksgiving weekend (November 22, 23 & 24) as well as December weekends (December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28). For more information, call 845-876-4818 or go online to www.wilderstein.org.
Wilderstein Historic Site
330 Morton Road
Rhinebeck, New York
845.876.4818
www.wilderstein.org
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