The peak tourist season at MHV has come to a close. The outdoor buildings are locked for the season, the Livery Barn Restaurant has closed, and the farm animals have gone back to their winter homes. We experience mixed emotions when things start to wind down for the winter.
However, we are still open for business. The galleries, the store, our conference facilities, and our offices remain functional through the winter. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The galleries and the store are open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the same days.
Plans are well underway to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with our annual Touch of Christmas/The Living Nativity on Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1. In keeping with this year’s theme at MHV – A Child’s World: From Slate to Tablet – we have invited children’s entertainers, Mr. Ken and Mr. Ben to present a Christmas show in the Auditorium at 7:00 PM. This will be followed by The Living Nativity outside in the stable. On Friday night after the nativity performance, the Eastman Male Choir will present a 30-minute concert in the auditorium. The concert for Saturday night has yet to be confirmed. Both evenings will also include refreshments and sleigh rides.
We are pleased to have the local Vespers Choir presenting Vespers services at MHV on the first Sunday of each month. Their Christmas service will be presented in the Village Centre Auditorium on Sunday, December 2, at 4:00 PM.
Volunteer Appreciation
We have had a good year in our school program. Kim Plett and Devon Guenther, our school program coordinators, did a marvelous job of scheduling and organizing the groups. The program’s success is also attributed to the countless hours given by our amazing team of volunteers. Without their help, we would be unable to deliver this program. Over 3,400 students came through the doors this summer for guided or self-guided interpretive tours, hands-on activities, and day-camp programs. The majority of these students also enjoyed horse-drawn wagon rides. Schools are already booking for next summer. Thank you to all the volunteers who committed their time and talents to help with the school program.
Reminder: If you have volunteered at MHV this year in any way, you are invited to come join us on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7:00 PM in the MHV Auditorium for refreshments and a short program. “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time because when you are giving someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you will never get back.” (Author Unknown) Thank you, volunteers, for giving us your time.
