1753 House Carol Sing, Dec 23 (MA)

All are invited to the 34th annual 1753 House Carol Sing. Dress warmly and bring a candle to see by. Gail Burns will lead the singing and carol books will be provided.

The 1753 House Carol Sing is a free, ecumenical event for all ages, which focuses on celebrating the miracle of Christ’s birth through song. Carl and Marilyn Faulkner of the Williams Inn kindly donate hot mulled cider to warm the carolers.

The 1753 House is located in Field Park in between the Williams Inn and the Milne Public Library. Parking is available at the Inn and the Library.

Williamstown, MA, Sunday, December 23 at 7:30 pm. For more information call 413-458-4246.

Christmas Eve Service, First Baptist, Dec 24

The First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont, invites you to the Christmas Eve service on Monday, Christmas Eve, December 24, at 7 pm.

The worship service offers the opportunity to sing familiar carols, accompanied by organist Stephen Williams and trumpeter Sue Green. The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, minister, will offer the sermon, and the gathered people will end the service with a beloved candle lighting ritual. A time of hospitality and fellowship will follow afterwards in the newly renovated Della Whittier church lounge.

The First Baptist Church is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Bennington. Questions? Contact the church office via (802) 442-2105 or fboffice@sover.net. Visit the church website at www.fbcbennington.squarespace.com.

Christmas Pagent, St. Peter’s Church, Dec 23

All of the characters that populate the Nativity Story, including angels, shepherds, three kings, Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, appear in the St. Peter’s Church Christmas Pageant and are brought to life through narrative and song. The Pageant has been presented at St. Peter’s every year since 1915 when it was introduced by then-rector the Rev. Thornton Turner. A number of the costumes come from that era.

Some of our parishioners today can recall having been angels and shepherds or pages and candle bearers when they were children at St. Peter’s. Wynn Metcalfe is the director of the Pageant. St. Peter’s adult choir sings many familiar carols and leads the congregation in singing as well.

Sunday, December 23, 10:00 am. Holy Eucharist at 8:00 am and 5 pm.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 Pleasant St., Bennington. For more information call 802-442-2911.

Day Nine: The Mexican Connection

The Mexican Connection is a hidden bit of exotica, at least for Vermont, on the east end of Main Street. This is another store I’d passed by many times before, and happened by chance to go into. Co-owner Rosita is a wonderful guide to the shop, and could probably talk about any subject. She definitely knows her business, and business is fine jewelry, clothing and gifts, predominantly from Latin countries.