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A Mystic Seaport Christmas: quiet holiday interlude in the 19th century J982 south of CT 1-95 at Exit 90. A special parkmg area for buses in the South Parking lot sim­ plifies group arrival proce­ dures. Peaceful holiday scenes, a quiet change from the hustle- bustle world outside, draw visitors to Mystic Seaport Museum at Christmastime. Evergreen trees top the ships' masts, period decora­ tions enhance the 19th-century village area, and creations by local garden clubs grace door­ ways of the Seaport's formal exhibit buildings. Holiday activities for chil­ dren. adults and family groups at the Seaport recapture the 19th-century aspects of Christmas -- the ambiance of Christmas past which may be lacking in 20th-century life. "Christmas At Sea & Ashore" guided daytime tours, give pre-registered groups a sense of Christmas customs at sea and ashore during the past century. Museum teachers, costumed in 19th-century clothing, explain Christmas celebrations at sea during stops at the Chil­ dren 's Museum (which is de­ signed to resemble a captain's cabin aboard ship), the fishing schooner L.A. Dunton and the captain's quarters of the ship Benjamin F. Packard. Watch history unfold The development of Christ­ mas customs from the 1840s (when Christmas was not con­ sidered a holiday) to the 1880s is shown during visits to the Buckingham House. Thomas Greenman House, Stone Store and the chapel. The 1 '/4-hour walking tours are offered daily Dec. 1-22 to groups of at least 10 persons. Advance reservations are required through the Educa­ tion Dept. (forchild groups) of the Group Sales Office (for adult groups). "The Star of Bethlehem," a half-hour Planetarium show illustrating the historical and astronomical theories about the origin of the Christmas Star, will be given Dec. 5-26. Private group showings for more than 20 persons may be arranged. Past comes alive Lantern Light Tours, offered evenings Dec. 10-22. offer a glimpse of Christmas customs of the 1800s. Cos­ tumed guides with lanterns escort visitors to selected ships, shops and homes where they see and hear St. Nicholas (circa 1850), sailors, ship cap­ tains, housewives, tradesmen and revellers portraying vignettes from Christmas Past. Advance reservations are required for the one-hour walking tours which begin and end at the Seamen's Inne. On Lantern Light Tour evenings, the seamen's Inne offers hot wassail, plum pud­ ding and other Christmas treats in its Oyster Saloon. A traditional Roast Goose Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings will be featured in the dining rooms of the Sea- men's Inne Dec. 10-22 in addition to the regular menu. No advance reservations are necessary. Traditional decora­ tions at the Inne will center around a striking evergreen tree trimmed with exotic sea shells. Youngsters may participate in 19th-century Christmas pastimes during "Victorian Christmas Children's Tours" offered Dec. 4.11 and 18. g Making pomanders, roast­ ing chestnuts over an open fire, fashioning gifts from tra­ ditional materials, and view­ ing a Planetarium show are included in the four-hour pro­ gram. Advance reservations are required. Throughout the month of December, the pungent smell of fresh evergreen boughs, the ruddy glow of coal stoves and wood fires and the crunch of snow underfoot set the scene for a tranquil Christmas sea­ son at Mystic Seaport. Garlands and wreaths of evergreens, cranberries, holly and mistletoe bedeck the buildings in the Seaport's re­ created 19th-century village area. Toys, circa 1870, tempt window shoppers in Stone's Store. Work continues as usual in the weaver's, shipcarver's, and shipsmith's shops, but the craftspeople are willing to put down their tools and talk about their crafts or about Christ- mases past. Reflect 19th century The three historic homes on the Seaport grounds reflect the changes in Christnfas customs through the 19th-century. The Buckingham House is undec- orated, because in 1840 its strict Congregationalist resi­ dents considered Dec. 25 as just another workday, not a holiday. By the 1860s Christmas was a recognized and cele­ brated holiday in Connecticut. The preparations made for St. Nicholas's visit, and hand­ made decorations, ornaments and presents -- typical of the period -- are visible in the Burrows House. In the Thomas Greenman House, home of a wealthy shipyard owner of the 1880s, some of the earliest mass-pro­ duced ornaments, purchased presents and Christmas cards decorate the parlor. Towering over the homes and shops of the Seaport are the masts of the historic sail­ ing ships, topped by un­ adorned evergreen trees -- an old nautical holiday tradition. PANTS PLAC ** HOLIDAY SPECIALS •• LEVIS CORDUROY STRAIQHT LEGS MEN'S 28-38 95 CORDUROY BELLS MEN'S 28-38 *14 *12" SEDGEFIELD JEANS BOYS & 25°/i%OFF r MENS W OSHKOSH HE? BOY'S 8-16 '15" MEN'S 27-36 M995 LOCATED JUST EAST OF McHENRY U~| ONRT. 120 385-6788 Talking shop Mystic Seaport Store, out­ side the south gate, makes Christmas shopping easy. Unusual nautical gifts, cloth­ ing, scrimshaw jewelry. New England "foods, fresh baked goods, maritime books and original art are featured in its 12 departments. A holiday lunch is available at the Seamen's Inne to groups pre-registered with the Inne. (203) 536-9649. Individual diners may choose the Gal­ ley's fast food or a more lei­ surely meal in the Seamen's Inne dining rooms. Mystic Seaport, in south­ eastern Connecticut, is open daWy 9 AM - 4 PM throughout they'inter, except Christmas Day. Information may be obtained from Mystic Sea­ port, Mystic. CT06355. (203) 536-2631. Ample free parking is avail­ able at the Seaport, which is located on Rt. 27 one mile FROZEN MINCEMEAT CREAM 2 cups prepared mincemeat 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons rum flavoring 1 pint heavy cream, whipped Pecan halves, "petals'.' cut from orange peels In a large glass bowl, mix mincemeat, pecans and rum flavoring. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon mixture into a 1 quart French White casserole. Cover lightly and freeze until hard. Garnish with pecan halves and orange "petals." Serves 10 to 12. amrock CLEANERS a§ t . # A n "JhtL tjsnJtlfL Jpudt of* fchqanoL McHENRY MARKET PLACE 4400 West Elm Street McHenry | CONVENIENT 385-1944 j HOURS: MON-FRI7-6 SAT 8:30-4:30 SMITH'S Children's Shop To help you in finding the right gift at the best possible prices, we've selected special gift ideas and reduced them to fit your budget. Shop now for best selections in regular priced and special­ ly priced apparel, in a wide range of this season's popular fashions, colors and fabrics. Our friendly, courteous staff is always available to help you with your shopping. Infants thru Boy's & Girl's Size 14 105 Van Buren. Woodstock S u n 1 2 - 4 D a i l y 9 - 5 : F r i 9 - 8 1 3 2 6 N o r t h R i v e r s i d e D i t v e M c H e n r y S u n 1 0 4 M o n - S a t 9 - 5 FREE CARRIAGE RIDE and MOVIE TICKETS AVAILABLE Woodstock Location Only HOLIDAY SPECIAL DENIM JEANS Boys Sizes 6-12 Student Sizes 25 Men's Sizes 28-42 Man!it Sizes 32 This Special Available Only At The Pants Place 2913 W. Rte. 120. McHenry 3S5-47SS