Holidays in the Rogue Valley by Rosebud Media

| Friday, November 17, 2017

PROVIDENCE FESTIVAL OF TREES

Expect surprises around the corner By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune

Encountering an “unexpected wonderland,” visitors will tour a new floor plan and remodeled venue at this year’s Providence Festival of Trees. “This year is going to be a big surprise,” says event committee member Kim O’Gara. Organizers for several years have brainstormed strategies for infusing yet more excitement into the annual holiday benefit for Providence Community Health Foundation, says O’Gara. Changing the 26th annual event’s layout at the Medford Armory will enhance the visibility of each tree’s myriad details. “We always try to have something new and fresh, and that surprise around the corner,” says O’Gara, who has been involved with the festival since its inception. Also new this year, the Children's Holiday Store, presented by Cascade Wood Products, offers kids an opportunity to complete their holiday shopping with items priced at about $5 or less. The children’s store complements the crowd-pleasing Teddy Bear Hospital, where kids 12 and younger can run a full checkup on stuffed companions using an X-ray image box to see its heart and a broken bone for bandaging. Themes that appeal to young and old alike will be evident this year in trees inspired by “Beauty and the Beast,” “Harry Potter,” Snoopy, unicorns and the DreamWorks movie “Trolls,” says O’Gara. Plenty of lavishly, traditionally decorated tannenbaums will be on hand, with more than 30 large trees and about 40 tabletop and miniature trees, says O’Gara. Holiday mantelpieces and wreaths will also adorn the

IF YOU GO What: 26th annual Providence Festival of Trees to beneﬁt Providence Community Health Foundation When: Opening-night gala is from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 (reservations required); holiday party is from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30; public tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 Where: Medford Armory, 1701 S. Paciﬁc Highway Cost: $150 for the black-tie gala, $75 for the holiday party, $5 for the tour (kids 2 and younger get in free) For reservations: Call 541-732-5193 For more information: See http:// oregon.providence.org/our-services/p/ providence-festival-of-trees-medford

Kalynn Breedlove and her great-grandmother Eloise Kausler admire the Race to the Finish tree designed by Ian Lambert at the 2009 Providence Festival of Trees. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTOS]

festive forest. Trees designated for several special causes — cancer, charity care and the Swindells Resource Center — have been a tradition for the past three years, since the Providence foundation became the overall festival beneficiary. Last year’s effort raised more than $555,000 for programs and services at Providence Medford Medical Center. Total event proceeds have exceeded $8.5 million. Previous beneficiaries include Providence’s interventional recovery unit, Palliative Care, Spine Institute, BirthPlace, Carl Brophy Stroke Program and the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Most trees go up for live and silent auction at the festival’s black-tie gala, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29. Tickets cost $150 per person with advance reservations. Call 541-732-5193. After the 25th anniversary’s “glitz and glamor,” this year’s gala will be more “organic and simple,” says O’Gara. Guests will see a ticket price increase, however, for the holiday party, from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Acknowledging that raising the fee

The Providence Festival of Trees, held at the Medford Armory, is open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

from $50 to $75 helps to offset costs, O’Gara says that paying a bit more to attend the “best cocktail party of the year” will heighten the spirit of contributing to a worthy cause. The evening of food, wine and beer also features raffle drawings, music and dancing. Still more merrymaking and live performances — courtesy of local school and community bands, choirs and dance troupes — await at the festival’s public event, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 1-3. Among mainstay attractions are visits with Santa Claus,

free of charge during all public-event hours. Photography with personal cameras is permitted; professional photos with Santa cost $5 apiece. Adults 60 and older get in free Friday, sponsored by Southern Oregon Orthopedics. On Saturday, veterans and members of the military (with valid identification) will gain free entry, courtesy of Verizon Foundation. Kids 12 and younger get in free Sunday, sponsored by Lithia Motors. — Reach freelance writer Sarah Lemon at thewholedish@gmail.com.

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

SOROPTIMIST HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

Annual tour gets Christmas spirit going By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune

Golf-course and poolside views framed by family heirlooms greet guests at Butch and Ellen Naumes’ east Medford home. Yet Ellen laughs off inquiries about her aesthetic. The decor, she jokes, is “Early American yard sale.” The hand-me-downs of prominent Rogue Valley orchardists, however, are likely to pique plenty of interest on the annual Holiday Home Tour. The Naumes home, situated behind Rogue Valley Country Club off Hillcrest Drive, is one of four featured for the annual event organized by Soroptimist International of Medford. “They fund a lot of projects with the money they get from this,” says Ellen Naumes, a Soroptimist member for 40 years. Raising approximately $12,000 annually for programs primarily serving women, children and families in need, each home tour hosts between 500 and 600 people, says Kathy McCullough, the Soroptimist chapter president. This year’s self-guided itinerary takes ticket holders to various points in Medford: a charming, contemporary home in southwest Medford; elegant two-story and contemporary homes in east Medford; and a Colonial-style home in the older area of the city’s east side. Each is commemorated in a keepsake program, included in the tour’s $15 minimum donation. Just in time for the tour, Ellen Naumes hopes to have new stainedglass windows installed depicting dragons. Those stand to enhance the medieval sensibility of her home’s 15-foot wood and beam ceilings throughout its nearly 3,000 square feet. Built in 1965 by Butch Naumes’ parents, Robert “Nooks” and Jarvie Naumes, the concrete structure painted to mimic brick has a red tile

IF YOU GO What: 26th annual Holiday Home Tour presented by Soroptimist International of Medford When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 Where: Four private homes around Medford Cost: Minimum $15 donation for the selfguided tour For ticket outlets and more information: See www.si-medford.org and www.facebook.com/SIMedford

roof in the Spanish Colonial style, says Ellen Naumes. Over the front door is a stained-glass window that her mother-in-law commissioned to honor her five sons, each represented by a rose, adds Naumes. More than 40 years of marriage, says Naumes, are the impetus for her holiday decorating, which incorporates a variety of heirlooms and collectibles. Nativity scenes, Christmas-themed table settings and other knickknacks will be arranged throughout the house, she says. “I’m a china and crystal nut,” says Naumes, adding that she’s “over-collected.” Among the family’s collection of antiques are several pieces dating to the 1840s, previously owned by Butch Naumes’ great-great-greatgrandmother, whose portrait in oil paint presides over the living room. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the space houses a towering Christmas tree. “I like real trees, but I have a fake one,” says Naumes. Authentic Western-themed art by Naumes’ cousin fills the hallway off the front entryway. The “mini art gallery” showcases 10 scenes of nature and Old West life painted at

her cousin’s Montana studio, says Naumes, adding that about 20 other canvases also are displayed in her home. Serving as a host on past Holiday Home Tours, Naumes says the event always “gets a little Christmas spirit going.” Home Tour tickets can be purchased in Medford at Essentials Home Decor and the Medford Visitor Center, in Jacksonville at Country Quilts & Crafts, and at Judy’s Florist & Gifts in Central Point and Grants Pass. Raffle tickets also support Soroptimist causes and can be purchased at each of the tour’s homes. Essentials, 114 W. Main St., offers a discount on Christmas items to ticket holders during the tour, and Dancin' Vineyards is a new sponsor in 2017. In addition to providing scholarships, past tours have benefited ACCESS, Community Works’ Dunn House Shelter, Family Nurturing Center, Hearts With a Mission, KidSpree, Wilderness Trails, Magdalene Home, Maslow Project, Rebecca Bender Initiative and Sexual Assault Victims Services. — Reach freelance writer Sarah Lemon at thewholedish@gmail.com.

Ellen Naumes's home will be part of the Soroptimist holiday home tour in Medford. [MAIL TRIBUNE / JAMIE LUSCH]

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

The annual candy-cane hunt at Pear Blossom Park is one of the most popular parts of the Medford Winter Lights Festival. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

The 2017 Winter Lights Festival is planned for Saturday, Dec. 2, at The Commons at Pear Blossom Park. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

The jolly old elf will be at Pear Blossom Park Dec. 2, for the 2017 Medford Winter Lights Festival. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

MEDFORD WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL

Candy canes, lights and Santa With the help of Jolly Old St. Nick, a few thousand candy canes and a traditional Christmas Tree, the Medford Commons will shine brightly when the city's annual Winter Lights

Festival kicks off Saturday, Dec. 2. Celebrating its fifth year at Pear Blossom Park, Medford's holiday festival features an afternoon of kidfriendly activities and performances,

plus lights, lights and more lights. Kids can get their peppermint fix as they try to grab as many of the 5,000 miniature candy canes spread over the park grounds as they can during the

annual candy cane hunt at 4:30 p.m. Then revelers can check out live holiday entertainment starting at 4:50 p.m., with performers including Discovery Preschool and others. It all builds to an appearance by the big man himself at 5:45 p.m., where with the help of Mayor Gary Wheeler they'll light up the city's Norway spruce and two flanked Nordmann fir trees with thousands of colorful LED lights.

| Friday, November 17, 2017

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

Santa makes his way through downtown Ashland during the Festival of Light Parade. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

ASHLAND FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

A quarter century of holiday cheer A million lights, a holiday parade, and magic that Hollywood couldn't reproduce By John Darling for the Mail Tribune

Ashland's much-beloved Festival of Light — the celebration where Santa and his wife ride a sleigh down the city's main drag and then ascend to the Brickroom balcony, where they throw the switch on a million (literally) holiday lights — will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. The holiday parade runs from the library to the Plaza, with elves, reindeer and the Rockettes, all played by people, of course, trailing behind Santa. It’s a joyous event where delighted children sit on the laps of Santa and Mrs. Claus, disclose their wish lists (to eavesdropping parents), get their pictures taken, carols are sung and, on rare occasions, a few noses are nipped by Jack Frost. Afterward, a large number of the

10,000 attendees flock to the town’s restaurants and unique shops to start whittling down their gift lists — finding special toys and gifts not generally for sale within hundreds of miles. “A lot of retailers get such increased business during the holidays that it can make up half their sales for the year,” says Dana Preston, membership and business development director for the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. Standing above the Plaza, Santa reminds everyone to stay on his “good list” for the whole year ahead, then, as "Jingle Bells" plays, the countdown commences. All voices slowly rise to a pitch in the final 10 seconds, then everyone explodes in oohs and ahhs, as the legendary million lights flash on, welcoming the joy, gifting and togetherness of the Yule season.

It’s quite a moment, and it couldn’t be created by the most expensive Hollywood producer, because it’s the real stuff of a little town, nestled in the snow-covered mountains in Southern Oregon. Many come from all around the state and Northern California for one simple reason — it ain’t like this where they come from. “It’s a wonderful start to the holiday season,” says Preston, stating the obvious to thousands of Ashlanders who already know Ashland’s knack for putting on nostalgic, heart-warming holidays, including the 4th of July and Halloween. “It brings people together, and it’s part of why we love living here,” she adds. “We welcome people who want to see and experience the community. It’s such a special moment — absolutely magical.” Carolers sing all day in the Plaza before the Grand Illumination, and

the festivities continue for a month, with caroling groups of locals dropping into any store, tavern or coffee house, welcoming people to sing along. Do you find that in just any burg? Unlikely. Locals play a big role in the drama, as you would expect in a major theater town. The prancing, leg-kicking Rockettes are a local dance troupe and look for all the world like the Radio City entertainers, says Preston. The Claus couple are a well known pair of locals, but they’d rather not let it be known who. It adds to the mystery not to know who they are. Could it be the actual Santa and wife from the North Pole? There’s a gleeful, childlike — but secret — spot in all of us that hopes so. — John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Email him at jdarling@jeffnet.org.

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

GINGERBREAD JUBILEE

Gingerbread

M AGIC The annual event is going bigger than ever before By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune

In a long-running baking contest of seasoned competitors, Kate Sharbono is proof that anyone can take the cake. As a first-time entrant in the annual GingerBread Jubilee, Sharbono elevated her cake-decorating

IF YOU GO What: GingerBread Jubilee, an annual exhibit beneﬁtting Craterian Performances; admission costs $3 per person When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 Where: Collier Center for the Performing Arts, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford For more information: Call 541-779-3000 or see www/craterian.org/support-us/ gingerbread-jubilee/

Julie Schrick and Hartlie Holte, 9 months, of Eagle Point, check out King Kong on top of the Empire State Building during a past Gingerbread Jubilee at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

hobby to the 2016 event’s top tier, claiming Best in Show and the $1,000 cash prize. Her “Butte Creek Mill” — sculpted entirely in gingerbread and other edible materials — was a sweet tribute to Eagle Point’s most beloved landmark, which burned on Christmas 2015. “It’s go big or go home for me, I guess,” says Sharbono, a 43-yearold Eagle Point native who manages Medford’s Red Lobster restaurant. She says she’s tapping into a familiar holiday theme, Santa’s workshop, for this year’s Jubilee. Decked out in crystal decor, the Jubilee itself is going bigger than ever before, says Aspen Droesch, development director for Craterian Performances Company. The 15th annual fundraiser for the Craterian restores the three-day community tour of gingerbread creations after

reduced schedules in recent years to accommodate other events at downtown Medford’s Collier Center for the Performing Arts. Last year’s Jubilee raised more than $234,000 for the nonprofit theater’s operations. “The GingerBread Jubilee is not only a special holiday tradition for many in the valley, but a vital resource for our theater,” says Droesch. The Jubilee has generated approximately $1.2 million throughout its 14-year history and has drawn nearly 30,000 visitors from around the region. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at the Collier Center. Admission is $3 per person. “The most amazing thing about this event is that each year is so unique and special,” says Droesch. “You never know what kind of GingerBread masterpieces you’ll find.” Spectators this year can look forward to such titles as “Charlie Brown’s Tree Lot,” “Once Upon a Dream” and “Ginger Comes Clean,” says baker coordinator Kali McKee. Entries typically number between 35 and 50, and they are auctioned the evening before the tour. More than $3,500 in prizes are bestowed upon winners in three categories. “Jack and the Beanstalk” climbed above adult-category counterparts

in 2016 to capture first place and $500 for Sheree Cox and Theresa Peplinski. “Nibble, Nibble” by former Harry & David baker Shannon Haptonstall won second place and $250. The 2015 People’s Choice baker Naomi Bell was 2016’s repeat thirdplace winner for “Once Upon a Christmas,” which earned $100 in the adult category. Among students, seasoned baker Samantha Hyde conjured “The Land of Oz” to win first place and $500 last year. Aubrey, Julia, Grace and Nathan Millar reaped the sweet rewards of second place and $250 for “A Year of Living in Candy Land.” Third place and $100 went to Daisy Troop No. 10266’s “Daisy Vet Office.” The mixed-age-group team of Lily Cusumano and Nichole and Jolene Steward delved “Under the Sea” in 2016 for first place and $500. Second place and $250 went to “Watt’s Steam Engine” by Ashland Classical Conversations Home School. “Snow Much Fun at the Lodge,” submitted by Lonna Jergensen, Sunni and Whitney West and Shanee and Abigail Von Strahl, won third place and $100. Painstaking details typically distinguish the top entries in each year’s

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

The Jubilee has generated approximately $1.2 million throughout its 14-year history and has drawn nearly 30,000 visitors from around the region. field. And experienced Jubilee bakers know that the biggest payoff resides in the event’s namesake medium, rather than icing or commercially made treats. Tempered chocolate forged edible metalwork — including wagon wheels, a flagpole and a weather vane — for Sharbono’s miniature replica of the historical grist mill. Little Butte Creek flowed as aquahued gel under the mill’s gingerbread waterwheel. “You have to kind of walk away and go, ‘I’m done,’ or you go crazy,” says Sharbono, adding that she spent about 40 hours on last year’s entry. “It’s exciting to see it start from nothing.” Farms, churches, a bakery, lighthouse, iconic landmarks and other architectural examples have earned high scores in previous Jubilees. Movies, books, video games and other elements of pop culture also have garnered plenty of success and crowd appeal. — Reach freelance writer Sarah Lemon at thewholedish@gmail.com.

Kate Sharbono’s replica of the Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point was the 2016 “Best Of Show” entry at the Gingerbread Jubilee in Medford. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

| Friday, November 17, 2017

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

HOLIDAY BAKING

Stress-free baking tips from a pro Larks pastry chef Allison Brummet shares some holiday secrets By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune

Pastry chef Allison Brummet is adept at staying a step ahead of the holiday rush. In her first season at Larks restaurant, working 70 to 80 hours per week, Brummet served 14,000 desserts. Her saving grace as she soldiered on solo, after her assistant quit, was a repertoire of easy recipes adaptable to special diets in quantities that can feed a crowd. “These are items I’ve done hundreds of times,” she says. “The recipes are well tested.” Biscotti, apple crumble, Parmesangarlic rolls and coconut caramel sauce all play roles in Brummet’s strategy for stress-free holiday baking. The 29-year-old graduate of Culinary Institute of America planned to demonstrate the dishes and explain her approach at a mid-November class for Ashland Food Co-op. “It’s kind of a foreign skill … it’s passed down usually,” she says. “All my memories are tied to food.”

Larks pastry chef Allison Brummet drizzles a banana cheesecake with coconut caramel sauce, which adds decadence to a wide range of treats. It also makes a great gift when presented in a decanter. [MAIL TRIBUNE / ANDY ATKINSON]

Making holidays memorable for kids doesn’t necessarily mean laboring over elaborately decorated sugar cookies, says Brummet. Little hands can mix apple-crumble topping, which also can double as granola. Children can select and sprinkle fruits and other flavorings into Make It Your Way Biscotti. “There are endless combinations for the biscotti,” says Brummet, adding that the dense, toothsome slices can be packaged days in advance of gift-gifting. “Biscotti will last a month or two in an air-tight container.” Stashing away desserts in advance of the festivities is among Brummet’s specialties. Her apple crumble — served to hundreds attending holiday banquets booked at Larks in Medford — can be refrigerated for several days before baking or, wrapped tightly, frozen for a month or so before it’s needed. “You’re so busy anyway; you feel rushed,” says Brummet. Another long-keeping confection, coconut caramel sauce, drizzles decadence onto ice cream, brownies

or other simple sweets. Brummet’s adaptation gives vegan diners an unexpected option, along with her vegan, gluten-free apple crumble. Accommodating food allergies and sensitivities of guests or family members can add another layer of holiday stress, adds Brummet, who’s been vegetarian for a decade. “You’re either divided by that, or everyone’s brought together,” she says. “(For) kids with allergies, it’s a little less magical at the holidays.” The magic trick of reviving stale baked goods, including chips and crackers intended as holiday appetizers, is obvious to Brummet. Many people don’t know that staleness is an indication that food has absorbed additional moisture, she says. A few minutes in a hot oven will restore items’ crunch. A stint in the oven also transforms an extra batch of oatmeal-cookie topping for fruit crumble into granola, says Brummet, touting the mixture as a wholesome gift. Decanted into decorative jars, coconut caramel sauce is another of the chef’s festive favorites. “It’s makes super-cute gifts.”

Coconut Caramel Sauce Vinegar, as needed 1¼ cups natural or white sugar 1 can full-fat coconut milk (or 1 cup heavy cream for regular caramel) Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract With a clean paper towel, wipe a large, heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan with neutral-tasting vinegar, such as apple cider (this prevents sugar from clumping). In pot, combine the sugar with ¼ cup water, stirring with a clean spatula or spoon. Cover pot and cook over high heat until sugar comes to a boil. Do not stir mixture once it reaches a boil. Let boil, covered, for 5 minutes. Boil, uncovered, until sugar turns a medium- to dark-brown (darker-colored caramel will taste more bitter), swirling pot to evenly spread color. Watch it carefully at this stage, as it will go from caramel to burned sugar very quickly. A little bit of smoke is normal if you like your caramel a little bitter. Turn off heat. Stand back to avoid splattering and gradually add the coconut milk or cream, then the salt and vanilla paste or extract. Stir gently with a whisk or heatproof spoon. Simmer over medium heat until caramel dissolves and sauce is smooth and thick, for about 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Cool quickly by carefully placing pot into a bowl of ice or kitchen sink filled with ice. Stir every 10 minutes or so until cold. Transfer sauce to a jar or other sealed container and store in refrigerator for up to 1 month. — Reach freelance writer Sarah Lemon at thewholedish@gmail.com

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

Lark’s pastry chef Allison Brummet’s hazelnut biscotti. Brummet likes biscotti as a low-stress holiday addition because there are endless combinations, and it will keep for a couple weeks in an airtight container. [MAIL TRIBUNE / ANDY ATKINSON]

| Friday, November 17, 2017

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

Holiday events in the Rogue Valley Clayfolk Show & Sale The 42nd annual Clayfolk Show and Sale is held every year the weekend before Thanksgiving, which this year runs from Friday, Nov. 17 to Sunday, Nov. 19. The show is the signature event of the Southern Oregon Potters Association, and it features a variety of functional, sculptural and whimsical work by more than 65 artists from across Oregon and Northern California. Admission is free, and the venue is the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway, Medford. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The show will open with live music and light refreshments Friday, with a kids clay area and artist demonstrations running Saturday and Sunday. For details, see www.clayfolk.org/ clayfolk.

Turkey Trots The 12th annual Southern Oregon Turkey Trot 8-mile run kicks off at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 — Thanksgiving Day — at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point. The popular event, which makes it possible to eat even more than usual without guilt, includes a 2-mile fun run/walk that starts at 8:30 a.m. The event benefits ACCESS, so all runners are asked to bring cans of food to the race to help support the food bank. There is no race-day registration. For details, including registration and course maps, see www.soturkeytrot. com. Grants Pass also holds a Turkey Trot — this year is the fourth annual — featuring 5K and 2-mile runs. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. at the YMCA, 1000 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass. For details and to register, see www. grantspassymca.org/runs/

Magical Christmas Murals in Grants Pass From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, downtown rants Pass will sparkle with the fiberoptic dazzle of 18 gigantic, musical Christmas murals presented by Evergreen Federal Bank. The murals weigh 400 pounds each and include sound systems that play the old-fashioned Christmas music. The murals, created by local artisans, are 12 inches thick, 10 feet tall, 5 feet wide and are wired with miles of fiber optic cable and thousands of points of lights. A map of mural locations is available in the Downtown Welcome Center.

Ashland Festival of Light The 25th annual Ashland Festival of Light begins every year the day after Thanksgiving, which this year is

Young runners take off at the start of the 2016 Turkey Dash, one of the races at the annual Turkey Trot. [MAIL TRIBUNE / ANDY ATKINSON]

Friday, Nov. 24, to kick off the holiday season. There is entertainment on the Plaza, followed by Santa’s Parade at 5 p.m. and the Grand Illumination, with a countdown led by Santa and Mrs. Claus, who flick the switch on more than a million lights all over downtown. For details, see the Ashland Chamber of Commerce website at www.ashlandchamber.com/Page.asp?NavID=781

Grants Pass Christmas tree lighting The public is invited to watch the lighting of a nearly 50-foot yule tree in downtown Grants Pass. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at Fifth and G streets, and the tree will be lit around 7 p.m. by Santa after he arrives by fire engine. This year's festivities will include a sing-along with the RCC Redwood Chorus and a live reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Santa will then be available in his workshop for children's visits until about 9 p.m.

‘The Snow Queen’ The Collaborative Theatre Project will stage "The Snow Queen," a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fantastical coming-of-age adventure that inspired the hit Disney

movie "Frozen." Audiences will join Gerda on a dangerous and whimsical quest to save her best friend Kai before he is trapped forever in the Snow Queen’s palace. It's a world where flowers sing, animals talk and riddles yearn to be solved. The show will be staged at CTP's theater space at the Medford Center, across from Tinseltown and Stone Cold Creamery. The runs from Friday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 31. For ticket prices and more details, see www.ctporegon.org or call the box office at 541-779-1055.

Jacksonville Victorian Christmas Jacksonville celebrates the holidays with Victorian Christmas, a celebration that begins with a tree-lighting ceremony the Saturday after Thanksgiving and continues the first three weekends in December, with some activities the weekend after Christmas. The town is decorated in natural greenery with white lights and red bows to evoke Christmases past. On weekends there are pictures with Father Christmas, strolling carolers, some in vintage costumes, and complimentary hot cider. The treelighting and community caroling

are at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, on Third Street between California and C streets, and the parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, along California Street. The town's Jolly Holly Trolley offers on-off service at various locations around town to enable people to see everything that is going on. For details, see http://jacksonvilleoregon.com/victorian-christmas/

Harvest Show of Fine Woodworking The Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild will hold its 38th annual show Friday through Sunday, Nov. 24-26, at The Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, 30 S. First St., Ashland. It is a juried show that features selected works by members exhibiting a variety of beautiful furniture, tables, boxes, carvings, turned bowls and more. The artists are present and available to discuss their work and generally talk shop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For details, see www.siskiyouwoodcraftguild.org or call Jens Sehm at 541-301-8086. SEE PAGE 18

| Friday, November 17, 2017

From page 17

‘Nutcracker Ballet,’ Medford Civic Ballet Medford Civic Ballet will present its two-act “Nutcracker Ballet” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at North Medford High School Auditorium, 1900 N Keene Way Dr., Medford. A meet and greet will follow the Sunday matinee, where attendees can get photos and autographs from the dancing stars in the lobby. Tickets are available at the door one hour before showtime. For information, call 541-772-1362 or see www.medforddanceartscenter.com.

Wreath-making at Hanley Farm Learn to make your own holiday wreath from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Hanley Farm, 1053 Hanley Road, Central Point. Wreathmaking kits will available for $15 for nonmembers or $10 for SOHS members. Kits include a grapevine base, choice of greens and berries, wire and clippers, and volunteers will be onsite to give wreath-making advice. Some ribbon will be available, along with warm drinks and snacks for purchase. Santa and one of his elves will be there, with activities for children. Wreaths are a symbol of welcoming,

and the circle represents eternity. It is a long tradition in the darkest time of the year to make a circular wreath from evergreens. At Hanley Farm, the wreaths are made from all-natural materials, with grapevine bases from the farm's grapes and greens clipped from the trees and bushes that grace the historic landscape. For details, see www.sohs.org/node/183147

'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' live onstage Since 1965, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning animated classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," has held a special place in the hearts and memories of millions. The stage adaptation, featuring a jazz score by Vince Guaraldi, brings to life the beloved tale of a melancholy Charlie Brown discovering the true meaning of Christmas, with the help of a Christmas play, one scraggly tree, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang. The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., in downtown Medford. For ticket information, see www.craterian.org or call 541-779-3000. To make sure you’re really in the Christmas spirit, join in the post-show holiday singalong featuring Schroeder’s band. SEE PAGE 20

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

From page 18

Rogue Winterfest Josephine County’s largest holiday festival, Rogue Winterfest, runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, at Evergreen Federal Bank’s Bear Hotel, 2101 Spalding Ave., Grants Pass. Each year, the venue undergoes a transformation into a winter wonderland, bringing the community together to help support local mental health organizations. Winterfest kicks off with the Gala Event and Grand Auction, for ages 21 and older, from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, featuring a selection of creatively decorated trees, artwork and outdoor displays. The Golden Social, for ages 55 and older, runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Family activities take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, during the Weekend Holiday Event, and the Culinary Christmas Classic, featuring tastings from Southern Oregon restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. For details, see http://roguewinterfest.org/

Dickens’ Christmas Feast The Winchester Inn, 35 S. Second St., Ashland, will hold its 35th annual Dickens’ Christmas Feast Dec. 1-3, 5-10, 13-17, and 19-24. The feast consists of a local take on a traditional six-course Christmas feast. Carolers in Dickens’ Christmas costumes entertain as they stroll through the restaurant singing traditional carols. The restaurant will take your orders when you make your reservation. Cost is $80 per person, with tax and gratuities included. A $40 per person deposit is required with a guaranteed number for your party. Dinner begins at 6:30 each evening. The restaurant recommends arriving by 6:15. For details, call 541-488-1113 or see www. winchesterinn.com/dickens.htm

Rogue Valley Symphony holiday concerts Noted vocalist Laura Portune will accompany the Rogue Valley Symphony for its 2017 holiday concerts in Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass. The shows, Friday, Dec. 1, at the Craterian Theater in Medford, Saturday, Dec. 2, at the SOU Music Recital Hall in Ashland, and Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Grants Pass High school Performing Arts Center in Grants Pass, will include "Prelude to Hänsel und Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck, "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach, "Exsultate jubilate" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Concerto for Coloratura Soprano" by Anna Netrebko Gliere, "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson, and "A Christmas Carol Fantasy" arranged by Paul Campbell. The

Conductor Paul French leads the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers during the group’s 2016 holiday concert at SOU. [PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BRISCOE]

Rogue Valley Children’s Chorus will also perform. For details and ticket information, see http://rvsymphony. org/17-18-season/holidayconcerts/ or call the box office at 541-708-6400.

Christmas Showcase at The Expo The fourth annual Christmas Showcase, billed as the region’s largest holiday gift and craft show, is scheduled for Dec. 1-3, at The Expo, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point. The event draws nearly 5,000 attendees and more than 190 vendors. Shoppers will find holiday decorations, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothes, children’s toys, specialty foods and more. Times are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For details, look under "featured events" at http://attheexpo.com

Carolers sing on a corner during a past Victorian Christmas celebration in Jacksonville. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

Central Point Christmas Lights Parade Central Point will kick off the holiday season Saturday, Dec. 2, with the city’s annual parade and tree lighting, with crafts, games, free hot cocoa and cookies, visit with Santa and trolley rides. The parade kicks off at 5:15 p.m. at Central Point City Hall on East Pine Street, and the tree will be lit at 6 p.m. For details, see http://member. centralpointchamber.org/events/ details/christmas-lights-parade-945 SEE PAGE 22

Ashland’s 25th annual Festival of Light is set for Friday, Nov. 24, with a Christmas parade and the Grand Illumination. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

| Friday, November 17, 2017

Pianist John Nilsen will perform five solo holiday concerts in the Rogue Valley in December. [COURTESY PHOTO]

Grants Pass Christmas Parade See the community in action as floats, bands and other entertainment march by in the annual Grants Pass Christmas Parade, which starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Sixth and K streets and heads north on Sixth. For details about the parade and other Christmas events in Grants Pass, see http://travelgrantspass.com/201/ Christmas-in-Grants-Pass

Holiday on Ice The Southern Oregon Figure Skating Club and the RRRink’s Learn to Skate Program will team up with special guest performers Alec Schmitt and Ashley Haywood for a holiday skating event. The performances will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the RRRink, 1349 Center Drive, Medford. Admission is $5. Bring a canned food donation for ACCESS Food Share and receive $1 off admission. Remember to dress warmly. For more information, see www.therrrink.com or call 541-770-1177.

Rogue Valley Chorale The Rogue Valley Chorale's annual holiday show will feature two works:

John Rutter’s "Gloria," with brass, organ and percussion, and Daniel Pinkham’s "Christmas Cantata." Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Craterian Theater in downtown Medford. The shows will also include other seasonal favorites and a merry holiday sing-along with brass. For ticket information, see www.craterian.org or call 541-7793000. For more information, see www.roguevalleychorale.org

Siskiyou Singers Holiday Concert The theme of the Siskiyou Singers 2017 holiday concert is "Alleluia," a celebration of awe and joy. The concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall, 405 S. Mountain Ave., Ashland. For details and ticket information, see http://siskiyousingers.org or call 541-482-5290.

Studio Roxander — ‘The Nutcracker’ This holiday favorite will once again

Friday, November 17, 2017 |

light up the stage at the Crater Performing Arts Center in Central Point. Showtimes are 1 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, and 7 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 15 and 16. At the Kingdom of the Sweets, a post-matinee meet and greet, attendees can get autographs and take photos with their favorite characters. For tickets and more details, call 541-773-7272 or see www.studioroxander.com.

Victorian Christmas High Tea & Craft Faire The Prospect Historic Hotel will host its annual Victorian Christmas High Tea and Craft Faire from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10. Each room in the hotel will be decorated in period-specific themes, and live musical entertainment will be presented all day. Local craft and art vendors will have their own room to display their wares for Christmas shoppers. Guests are welcome to “get into the era” by wearing Victorian or Christmas finery. The High Tea will be offered throughout the day in the Hotel Dinner House. Attendees can relax in high fashion while partaking in some of owner Karen Wickman’s homemade tasties. Call 541-5603664 or email info@prospecthotel. com for more information. Reservations are required for the High Tea.

Margaret, granddaughter of Hanley Farms wreath-making coordinator Alice Mullaly, shows off a wreath she made at the 2016 event. [COURTESY PHOTO]

John Nilsen Holiday Piano Shows Pianist, guitarist and recording artist John Nilsen will perform five solo holiday piano shows in the Rogue Valley during the holidays. Nilsen, who graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1979 and spent nearly two decades in the Rogue Valley, will perform at: • 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Upper Rogue United Methodist Church, 18977 Highway 62, Shady Cove; 541-878-2793. Admission by donation. • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Newman United Methodist Church, 132 NE B St., Grants Pass; 541-4795369; $10 at door. • 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Paschal Winery, 1122 Suncrest Road, Talent; 541-535-7957; $10 at door. • 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Roxy Ann Winery, 3285 Hillcrest Road, Medford; 541-776-2315; Free, but not a concert. • Noon Saturday, Dec. 16, at Gold Hill United Methodist Church, 416 Fourth St., Gold Hill; 541-855-7224; $10 suggested donation.

Southern Oregon Repertory Singers The Southern Oregon Repertory Singers will celebrate the holidays with a festive concert of music for organ, brass and choir titled "The Snow Lay Deep on the Ground."

The Collaborative Theatre Project in Medford will stage the pop/rock musical “The Snow Queen” from Friday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 31. [MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO]

Featured works include motets by Renaissance masters Orlando di Lasso and Jean Mouton; Welsh composer Paul Mealor’s ethereal “Ave Maria” for eight-part choir a cappella; English composer Sir Charles Stanford’s tuneful “Magnificat in G” for choir, soprano soloist and organ; and larger scaled works for brass and choir by Giovanni Gabrieli, Leo Nestor, Julian Wachner, and awardwinning American composer, Nico Muhly, the youngest composer ever to be commissioned to compose for the New York Metropolitan Opera. The second half of the program will include the lush, romantic music of

English composer Will Todd, a guest appearance by the North Medford High School Chamber Choir, and sacred and secular carols from around the world. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall, 405 S. Mountain Ave., Ashland. For ticket information, see http://repsingers. org or call 541-552-0900.

Tomaseen Foley's 'A Celtic Christmas' For 20 years, native Irishman (and Talent resident) Tomáseen Foley has

brought his unique brand of storytelling magic to captivate Christmas theatergoers in packed houses throughout the U.S. With warmth and humor, he and a dazzling tribe of world-class performers carry audiences back in time to a wintry night in an Irish “rambling house” where traditional song, dance, music and stories bring a community together for one wondrous evening. You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate this moving and intimate show that reminds us all of the power and joy of the ancient art of storytelling. This holiday treasure is set for 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. For ticket information, see www.craterian.org or call 541-779-3000.

Holiday Open House at Hanley Farm The historic farmhouse will be decorated and open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 26-27, at 1053 Hanley Road, Central Point.

Storm Large's Holiday Ordeal Storm Large, who stepped into the national spotlight as a finalist on CBS’ "Rock Star: Super-nova," will help the Rogue Valley get an early jump on New Year's with a show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. For ticket information, see www.craterian.org or call 541-779-3000.

| Friday, November 17, 2017