Things to do: November 2008 Archives

Thanksgiving's over. The Black Friday shopping rush is done. So what does that mean? It's time to start thinking about CHRISTMAS!

And nothing says a York County Christmas like Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge County Park. The event is celebrating its 25th year in 2008, and it's officially open as of last night.

And today is my 26th birthday, so I'm going to wish both Christmas Magic and I a WONDERFUL next year and more to come!

(As a side note, I've never been to Christmas Magic. I HATE the cold. I'm really thinking of going this year, because how can I call myself a Yorker if I don't??)

So, you might remember that I'm going crazy over the fact that Hubby and I are seeing David Byrne at the Strand on Dec. 4.

Well, guess what? The newspaper company is giving away two pairs of tickets - and the grand-prize winner will also get to meet and greet with David. I'm soooo jealous! (I can't enter because I work here, of course.)

You can enter to win here.

If you win the chance to meet him, you have to let me know so I can pick your brain. Sorry, I'm that obsessed!

For my friends who like all things Pennsylvania Dutch... just finished editing this item for the Weekly Record. It's a couple of weeks away, but this way you can plan ahead!

"A Little German Christmas" program will be noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Collinsville Library in Chanceford Township.

Gerry Kershner, author of "Pennsylvania Dutch Christmases," will be available to answer questions. There will also be Amish carriage rides, jewelry making, German hand arts of wheat-weaving and paper-cutting, and primitive gourds. There will be entertainment, a bake sale and a soup-and-sandwich sale, a book sale and children's crafts.

For details, call 927-9014.

I've got a soft spot for big, fuzzy animals. (If you've met or seen photos of my dog, you shouldn't be surprised.) So it's no wonder I just love alpacas.

Well, one local alpaca farm is having an open house this Saturday, so if you like these amazing creatures as much as I do, maybe you should check it out.

Alpacas of Sunset Fields, in Codorus Township, near Glen Rock, is having the open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The day will feature a seminar on raising alpacas, and owner Kate McKelvie will display and sell all sorts of alpaca items, she said.

Want your own alpaca? Breeding stock will be available at reduced prices for the day, and those who are new to raising alpacas or interested in getting started can purchase a DVD with instructions on the care and maintenance of these animals. And if you want to find out more about the open house, including directions, visit www.sunsetfields.com or call 235-5661.

Want a peek at the farm's alpacas? Check out these photos, submitted by Kate:

Guess where I'm going in exactly a month?

On Dec. 4, I get to hear David Byrne play at the Strand!

Hubby got tickets for us as a joint birthday present.

For those of you who don't know, David is a co-founder of the Talking Heads, and he's done some great solo work musically and in art. I last heard him in Harrisburg in 2004 as part of his last concert tour.

He's seriously my favorite musician ever. I'm seriously debating getting a tattoo in the coming months, and the top choice right now is a line from one of his songs.

Don't suppose there are other Byrne fans out there reading this, are there?

If you read this blog, you're probably interested in York County. And if you happen to have lifelong ties to York, you might be interested in the South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, which happens to be holding its November meeting today.

The group is going to meet at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 309 S. George St. in York. Business meeting is at 2:15 p.m.; then, at 2:30, there's going to be a program on the history of St. Mary's Parish, from 1852 to the present day, presented by longtime parish member James Geubtner.

The society says anyone is welcome. If you want details on today's event or want to learn more about the society, you can call Cynthia Hartman at 927-9396.