Ready your fruitcakes, it's Christmas in Port Gamble | Port Gamble Gazette | December

With Christmas approaching and 2010 just around the corner, it is hard to believe that 2009 is almost over – where does the time fly?

The years seem to go by very quickly and with so many new things happening in Port Gamble.

We want to thank everyone who has been supporting the businesses in Port Gamble by visiting them, bringing friends and guests, and of course, shopping in the stores.

Here are our December events, and a few coming up in the new year:

Mike’s 4Star BBQ

Grand Opening

Date: Dec. 2

Join us as Mike and Stefanie Richman open their new barbecue restaurant in the old Service Station building at 4719 NE State Route 104.

For more information visit their Web site, www.mikesfourstarbbq.com or call at (360) 297-4BBQ

Port Gamble

Ghost Walk

Date: Dec. 5

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Begins at the Port Gamble Historic Museum. Reservations required and reservations are closed.

Port Gamble Historic Walking Tour

Date: Dec. 5

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Begins at the Port Gamble Conference Room, located on the north side of the General Store building. Enjoy a stroll through Port Gamble narrated by the town’s museum curator.

Cost: $15/person; Reservation required, call (360) 297-8074.

Tea Cup Exchange

Date: Dec. 12

Enjoy the fourth annual Tea Cup Exchange at the Tea Room in Port Gamble. Bring in a wrapped teacup to exchange and leave with a new one as your own.

Tea and scones will be served during the event. A fun time will be had by all as the teacups are opened, swapped or stolen with the other guests.

Limited seating is available, reservations required, call (360) 297-4225

Port Gamble Country Christmas

Date: Dec. 12-13

Port Gamble Country Christmas events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

This is truly a home-style weekend of traditional Country Christmas activities including handmade crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday music and entertainment and a visit from Santa.

The schedule that is available at press time is as follows:

Saturday, Dec. 12:

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Craft and food vendors open.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Santa and hayride through town.

Noon – 2 p.m. Watch the Sky performs inside General Store.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Fruitcake judging.

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Roasted Chestnut Caroling Contest

5 p.m. Tree lighting with Santa.

Saturday, Dec. 13:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Craft and food vendors open.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Santa and hayride throughout town.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Music – TBA

Gingerbread Houses - TBA

This year we are very excited to have five well known authors judging our Annual Fruitcake Contest. The authors will also be signing their latest books at the Dauntless Bookstore. The judges will be Susan Wiggs, Carol Cassella, Mary Guterson, Sheila Roberts and Suzanne Selfors.

WANTED: homemade fruitcake, last seen on your grandmother’s Christmas buffet table.

Put your recipe to the test. In a closed tasting, our fruitcake experts will pick the best local recipe. Each entry must include a hard copy of the recipe in addition to the cake.

Submit fruitcakes to the Port Gamble Conference Room on Dec. 12 by 12:30 p.m., just below the General Store on the north side – follow the signs.

We will also be having our second Annual Roasted Chestnuts Caroling Contest from 2-5 p.m Dec. 12, with proceeds benefitting the “Toys for Tots” program. Awards will be given in the following categories: Most “Toys” Donated; People’s Choice; Best Dressed; Best All Around.

A Visit From Mrs. Claus

Date: Dec. 19

Once again, the Tea Room at Port Gamble will invite the cherry Mrs. Claus to join us with her jolly stories of Santa.

There will be children’s and adult tea with different times. Limited seating is available and reservations are required. Call (360) 297-4225

‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ Reading

Date: Dec. 20

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there … .”

Re-live the magic of holidays past, enjoying holiday cookies and treats, hot cider, hot chocolate and tea while listening to a guest theatrical reader recite Clement Moore’s famed poem, as well as other Christmas time treasures. This is a great activity for both young and old.

Limited seating is available, reservations required. Call (360) 297-4225

Port Gamble Ghost Walks

Dates: Jan. 9, Feb. 6. Reservations are closed for these dates.

Oscar Night Party

Date: March 7. Details to be announced.

Port Gamble Ghost Walk

Dates: March 13

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Begins at the Port Gamble Historic Museum. Reservations required, call (360) 297-8074.

For more details on 2010 events check the Port Gamble Web site at www.portgamble.com.

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