On-going

Window Display of Village - Bev's Corner 

For the Christmas Season starting Dec 6.l 

Friday December 5, 2008

7 PM   Jacobs Well & Bev's Corner

www.JacobsWellCoffeehouse.com

Saturday, December 6, 2008

    8 & 10 AM      Breakfast with Santa
                St. Bernard’s Church 

  “Free” Victorian Weddings Town Hall Lobby
  Probate Judge Jim Purnell
  For more info: 870-3685 - Chris

  Organ Music 15 min on the hour
  Probate Judge Jim Purnell
  Union Congregational Church

9 AM – 5 PM in Vernon Town Hall

·         Holiday Sales 

·         Explorers - Finger painting

·         Vernon Bicentennial items for Sale

·         Future Farmers of America (FFA)
                   Wreaths for  Sale

·         Poinsettias - Sale

·         Face painting

9:30 AM – 5 PM in Bev’s Corner

·         Crafters - 17 vendors!

       10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Victorian games and crafts for kids

10 AM - 2 PM - Vernon Senior Center
Mrs. Claus Bake Shoppe

      10 AM - 4 PM Horse & Carriage Rides

2 PM    Dickens' Day Stroll

A 1.5 mile walk/jog event. 
There is no winner, we are looking for participation and fitness!

This is the 3^rd event of the Mayor’s Cup Fitness Challenge.  All participants will meet at the beginning of St. Bernard’s Terrace and follow the route of St. Bernard’s Terrace, cut through St. Bernard’s parking lot, take a left onto School Street, take a right onto Park Street, circle around Talcott Park onto Elm Street, left onto Park Place then do another lap.  
The event should be over in approximately 20 minutes.

We will be distributing a small token to each child for their participation in this event.

Sponsored by the Vernon Park & Recreation Dept.

870-3520

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Two special Victorian presentations 
(Cost $10.00 or both for $15.00)
For more info & Tickets-Pam Didio
646-5320
thomas.didio@snet.net 

-------------------------------------------------

  1:30 PM          "They call me Lizzy"  
                        Union Congregational Church

-------------------------------------------------

  2:30 - 3:45 PM  "Informal Victorian Tea" 
               for ticket holders only of either program                               Senior Center

-------------------------------------------------  

  4 PM           "Victorian Lady" 
                               Senior Center   

DICKENS' DAY SHOWS

THYME FOR TEA -- TEA PARTY

           Thyme for Tea

Ever feel like the holidays are just a blur? Are the running around and preparations getting to be too much for you? You need to take a breather (a “thyme out”) and we have just the answer for you-

     A VICTORIAN TEA PARTY!

Despite the name, there will be no running around or playing games, just some time to sit with friends, relax, enjoy some hot, soothing tea and delicious sweet and savory “goodies” (that you didn’t have to make!).  Where else to have such a party but in a real Victorian house?

 The best part is it’s FREE – 

we kid you not!  All you have to do is call and reserve a place –or places – by November 30^th.

All are invited, but space is limited, so you’d better hurry!  Young ladies and gentlemen with good manners are welcome!

DATE:       December 6, 2008

TIME:         2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

PLACE:      46 Park Street, Rockville

                          (MUST have ticket for admission)

CALL:  PAM at 646-5320 (Leave a message if no answer – be sure to spell your name and please leave a telephone number where you may be reached.)

TWO NEW PROGRAMS TO BE PRESENTED 

FOR DICKENS’ DAY

     If you’re looking for some different kind of entertainment on Sunday, December 7^th, then come to the Union Congregational Church and/or the Senior Center.   The Dickens’ Day Committee will be presenting “They Called Me Lizzy ….from Slavery to the White House” (Union Congregational Church) and  “The Victorian Lady” (Senior Center).  Both shows are the creation of Kandie Carle of East Haddam Stage Company.

     The 1:30 PM showing of the “Lizzy” program centers around an almost unknown historical figure, Elizabeth Keckley, who was born a slave and through her own talents as a seamstress became the personal dressmaker and designer to Mary Todd Lincoln.  This is a one-woman theater performance of Elizabeth Keckley’s fascinating life and it will take place at 1:30 pm in Union Congregational Church in Rockville.

     Born in Dinwiddie Courthouse, Virginia, Lizzy lived through the harrowing experience of slavery, to emerge triumphant.  A talented seamstress, this proud and resourceful woman achieved freedom, opened a business in Washington, D.C. in the dressmakers trade, and met with great success.  She caught the attention of Mary Todd Lincoln, who immediately hired her.  Lizzy also became Mary’s confidante, as well as the intimate of the entire Lincoln family.  It was Lizzy’s connection to the family that defined the rest of her life.

      During the Civil War, Lizzy created the Contraband Relief Association, which provided for newly freed men and women pouring into the Capitol area.  She was instrumental in other charitable causes, including the Home for Destitute Colored Women and Girls.  Early in the war, she lost her son George, who had passed for white when joining the Union Army.

     Lizzy was at the White House daily during the Lincoln presidency, including the aftermath of the assassination.  In defense of Mary, Lizzy wrote a book “Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House.”  It was met with scorn and rejection by most, including Mary, who saw it as a betrayal.  She severed all connections with Lizzy.

     Lizzy, while not formally educated, went on to become the head of Wilberforce University’s Department of Domestic Arts and Sciences at Xenia, Ohio.  In the early 1890’s, she suffered a mild stroke and had to resign her position.  She returned to Washington, D.C., where she lived in solitude and poverty at the very Home for Destitute Women and Girls she had helped found years earlier.

      Due to some discussion about forced sexual abuse (while couched in genteel terms), this program is not recommended for children under the age of twelve.

     At 4:00 PM in the Senior Center – 26 Park Place, Rockville - a show of a different nature will unfold.  Kandie Carle is The Victorian Lady – Dressing from Corset to Gloves.  She will present the fashion, life and etiquette of the 1860’s from the Civil War to mid-Victorian era.  A  program of humor, history and intriguing anecdotes. The Victorian Lady brings to light some of the differences as well as some of the similarities between us and  our Victorian ancestors.  It is a visual delight resplendent with wit, grace and a refreshing view of a magnificent era in history.  Program includes audience participation and is appropriate for all ages and genders, men women and children (best over the age of 10).  

    Kandie Carle has regaled audiences throughout the state with her wit and knowledge of all things Victorian   -- from schools to historical committees and from  women’s clubs to museums.  You don’t want to miss this informative performance!!

Both shows will have time for questions and answers.  The cost of each performance is $10.00; however, there is a price break – both shows for $15.00.   The ticket price includes a modest tea between shows (starting at 2:30 PM and lasting until 3:45 PM) – so save your ticket in order to partake of some liquid refreshment and some sweet and savory  goodies (cucumber tea sandwiches and lemon cookies – and that’s just for starters!)

     To obtain  your tickets, please send a check or money order (no cash, please) made out to:  Dickens’ Day 2008 (mark “show(s)” in the memo part) and mail to:  Pam DiDio, 112 Box Mountain Drive, Vernon, CT  06066. .  Please be sure to include your phone number in case we have any questions.  For inquiries, please contact Pam at 646-5320.  thomas.didio@snet.net

Stephanie Jackson as Elizabeth Keckley

Kandie Carle as The Victorian Lady