SANTA IN THE CABOOSE | Griffith

Spike the Reindeer Engineer is inviting everyone to visit with Santa in a real caboose from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 20 and from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Griffith Historical Park, 201 S. Broad St. Low-cost digital photo packages are available and visitors are treated to complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

FYI: (219) 924-4026

A CHRISTMAS STORY COMES HOME | Hammond

The Indiana Welcome Center will feature six animated displays featuring scenes from the movie, "A Christmas Story" through Jan. 11. The displays include; Higbee's Department Store Window, Flick's Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare, It's a Major Award, Santa's Mountain at Higbee's, The Bumpus Hounds and the Parker Living Room. The displays were first showcased in 2003 in the windows of the Macy's in New York City. Have your picture taken with Santa on top of Santa's Mountain, a replica of the one featured in the movie. Photos with Santa on Santa's Mountain are available every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr. Children have the opportunity to slide down the big red slide into a pillow of snow. Photos are $5. Hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m Sundays through Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

FYI: (219) 989-7770

COOKIE SALE | Merrillville

Thrivent Financial and Emmanuel Lutheran Church will have a Cookie Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 5375 Harrison St. Stop in for favorite homemade Christmas cookies for $6 per pound.

FYI: (219) 791-0216

WILDLIFE HOLIDAY | Hammond

Make edible ornaments for the wildlife visitors Dec. 13 at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, 6201 Parrish Ave. Stop by from 1 to 3 p.m. to make popcorn garland, peanut butter pine cones and other treats to hang on the trees and shrubs outside the windows of the wildlife observation area, then sit back, relax and enjoy watching the animals feast on the goodies. Registration is required.

FYI: (219) 844-3188

TACO DINNER | Portage

American Legion Post 260 will hold its SAL 260 fundraiser Dec. 17. There will be a taco dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the post, 5675 Mulberry Ave.

FYI: 9219) 762-3541

BREAKFAST SERVED | Merrillville

American Legion Post 430 will hold its monthly all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 at 7430 Broadway. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Menu includes French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee.

FYI: (219) 769-3071

HOLIDAY PARTY | Valparaiso

Friends & Newcomers club will hold a holiday party at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. it will include a dinner, holiday cookie exchange and meeting. women of Porter county who are interested in meeting new people and developing a social network of friends are invited.

FYI: (219) 548-8518 or (219) 465-0621

FREE BREAKFAST | Portage

Free Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5402 U.S. 6. There will be a pancake breakfast, cookie decorating, singing, crafts and Santa.

FYI: (219) 763-6343

SANTA AND MORE | Hobart

Santa Claus will be at County Line Orchard, 200 County Line Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 arriving by fire truck and handing out gloves to the first 350 kids. There will be games and concessions available. Mrs. Claus also will be on hand. People will be able to take their own pictures or purchase photos of their children with Santa. Donuts also will be on sale.

FYI: (219) 947-4477

COOKIES WITH MRS. CLAUS | Chesterton

The Parents As Teachers of Porter County will host their third annual "Cookies with Mrs. Claus" from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21at The Waterbird Banquet Center in Chesterton. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 and up. Enjoy a light brunch, decorate holiday cookies, make a special craft and enjoy a story, songs and face painting and of course photos with Mrs. Claus. Don't miss this unique holiday celebration.

FYI: (219) 395-8412 or patpc.org

HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Whiting

St. Paul's annual holiday bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at 1801 Atchison Ave. Pancake breakfast will be served for $6 for adults or $3 for children 10 and younger. The Deborah Guild Ladies will have a bake sale. There will be crafts and cookbooks for sale.

FYI: (219) 659-0303

HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Munster

Humane Society Calumet Area will have a holiday bazaar and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 13 and 14 at the shelter, 421 45th St. Crafts and baked goods will be sold and Santa will be available for photos with kids and pets. Anyone wishing to donate crafts or baked goods can bring them to the shelter beginning Dec. 9.

FYI: (219) 922-3811

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA | Lansing

St. Ann School, 3010 Ridge Road, is holding a pancake breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14. The price for the breakfast is $6 for adults and $4 for ages 10 and younger. Santa will be available for pictures. A bake sale will be held at the same time.

FYI: (708) 895-1661

COOKIE WALK | Portage

First Presbyterian Church, 6225 Lute Road will hold their annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. until noon Dec. 13. You may choose from a large assortment of home made cookies and candy for $6 per pound. Also available will be nut rolls and pumpkin rolls. Come early as we sell out fast.

FYI: (219) 762-4914

COOKIE WALK, BAZAAR | Porter Township

Salem United Methodist Church will hold a cookie walk and bazaar from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 at 756 W. County Road 350 South. Cookies are $5 per pound. Containers and plastic gloves will be provided.

FYI: (219) 988-4700

CHRISTMAS FOOD & BAKE SALE | Merrillville

St. Helen's Philoptochos Ladies Society of SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., will be hosting its sixth annual food and bake sale from 9 a.m. till noon Dec. 13 and after Liturgy from 11 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Dec. 14. There will be many delicious greek and other pastries.

FYI: (219) 696-4851 after 5 p.m.

WINTER DANCE WORKSHOPS | Portage

Winter dance workshops are offered at Woodland Park. The chacha and tango will be featured Dec. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. The foxtrot and swing will be featured Jan. 5 beginning at 7 p.m. More workshops will be held at 7:15 p.m. at Long Beach Community Center in Michigan City. They will be Dec. 9, waltz; Dec. 10, Argentine tango; Dec. 16, rumba; Dec. 17, Chacha; Jan. 6, swing; Jan. 7, West Coast swing. Workshops at Toni's Dance Academy in Portage will begin at 9:45 and 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 20 and Jan. 10 featuring swing, waltz, rumba, salsa, samba and tango. Workshops are $15 per person per workshop and all workshops are one hour. No partner necessary. Beginner to advanced levels welcome. Call to register.

FYI: (219) 680-9261

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Westville

The Westville American Legion Post No. 21 hosts an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Dec. 14. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk and coffee. The cost is $5.75 for adults, $4.75 for senior citizens, $4.25 for ages 12 and younger and preschoolers eat for free.

FYI: (219) 785-2923

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA | Portage

Families will have an opportunity to have professional photos taken with Santa Claus at a Pancake Breakfast with Santa set for Dec. 13 at Portage high School. Hosted by the Portage Porpoise Swim Club (PPSC), the event will also feature a raffle drawing for boys and girls bicycles as well as other prizes. Tickets are $5 per person. The event will be held in the west cafeteria of Portage High School, which may be entered through Door F. Tickets may be purchased at the door or from 6 to 7 p.m. during swim practice, which is held Monday through Friday on the north side of Portage High School, just inside Door O.

FYI: (219) 763-8100

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA | Chicago

The General Pulaski Council 3323 Knights of Columbus will host a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus Dec. 14 at St. Columba Social Center, 13323 S. Greenbay Ave., in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. All kids will receive a free gift and photo with Santa Claus.

The breakfast is an all-you-can-eat with pancakes, eggs cooked to order, French toast, sausage, milk, coffee and orange juice. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults eat for $7, children 10 and younger pay $3.

FYI: Call John Rydzewski at (708) 841-1904

FREE BREAKFAST | Chesterton

Breakfast with Santa will take place at the Third Coast Spice Cafe from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at 761 Indian Boundary Road, suite 6. Event is free of charge.

FYI: (219) 926-5858

TOYS FOR TOTS | Hammond

Napleton River Oaks Cadillac, 6131 Hohman Ave., has teamed up with Toys for Tots. The site will accept new and unwrapped toys for boys and girls through Dec. 15. Those who donate, will receive a $10 coupon redeemable in the service department. Toy drop-off hours are 9 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

FYI: (219) 933-0600

MITTENS & TOYS | Merrillville

Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave., will sponsor both a Mitten Tree in cooperation with the Visiting Nurses Foundation and "Toys for Tots" in cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps League. All donations go to children in need during the winter season. Patrons are encouraged to bring in hats, gloves, scarves or new and unwrapped toys through Dec. 18.

FYI: (219) 769-3541

COOKIE WALK | Valparaiso

St. Iakovos Church will have their annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 13th from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Dec. 13 at its temporary home at the Old St. Paul's School on the corner of Campbell and Chicago streets. Cookies from all ethnic backgrounds especially Greek, plus nut rolls and baklava.

FYI: (219) 462-4052

RED AND PURPLE BALL | Gary

Classy Ladies United Chapter 6053 of the Red Hat Society will host the Red and Purple Ball Dec. 13 at Majestic Star Hotel ballroom, 21 Buffington Harbor. All Red Hatters and the general public are invited for cocktails, dining and entertainment. The attire is black tie and attendees must be 21 and older. Cash bar is available. Tickets are $40.

FYI: (219) 944-3412 or (219) 949-9683

BARKER MANSION CHRISTMAS | Michigan City

The winter holiday season is considered by many to be the most wonderful time of the year. Barker Mansion celebrates the season with "Barker Mansion Presents: Christmas at the Movies." Hollywood has produced many movies to mark this season and ten are presented in the rooms of the Mansion, 631 Washington St. Enjoy the old fashioned warmth of "Miracle on 34th Street" as a department store Santa claims to be the real Kris Kringle. A ragged Christmas tree and Snoopy's dog house in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" are featured in the Butler's Pantry. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye starred in the glamorous movie "White Christmas" and a winter wonderland is created in the Dining Room. The value of family is underscored in "Home Alone II" and "It's A Wonderful Life". Also featured is LaPorte County's own "Prancer" about an 8-year-old girl who rescues an injured deer, believing he is one of Santa's team. Self-guided tours are noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 through 20 on Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 3 p.m.

Monday to Friday. Guided Christmas tours resume noon and 2 p.m. Dec. 22 through Jan. 15 on Saturdays and Sundays and10, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for youth under 18. Children 3 and under are free. The Mansion is closed Dec. 24, 25, and Jan. 1.

FYI: (219) 873-1520

PARK PROGRAMS | Hobart

Hobart Parks and Recreation Department has a full schedule of classes and programs starting now and detailed in a brochure available at the park office, 111 E. Old Ridge Road, as well as other locations in he community. Included are fitness classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the community center, porcelain painting classes on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings at the park annex building, a duplicate bridge learning program and scrapbooking classes for adults, as well as an activity program for preschoolers and a cheerleading program for youths.

FYI: (219) 942-2987

OPEN-SKATE | Flossmoor

H-F Ice Arena has open-skate sessions for practice or recreation from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $6 per person. Families can attend open skate from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sundays. A family of four can skate for $20. Skate rental is available. The H-F Ice Arena, 777 Kedzie Ave., also offers youth hockey leagues, adult hockey leagues and clinics, a women's-only and girls-only hockey team (the H-F Novas), birthday parties and private rentals.

FYI: (708) 957-0100 or hfparks.com

STEPPIN' CLASS | Merrillville

Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a Chicago-style Steppin' Dance class at the Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler Place. Chicago-style steppin' is an urban-style ballroom dancing with intricate spins and turns to an eight-beat count. Wear leather-soled shoes to class. Cost is $45 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

FYI: (219) 980-5911

NEW HORIZONS SINGLES CLUB | Hobart

8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Hobart Elks, 3580 W. 61st St. Admission is $5.

FYI: (219) 942-1152

DANCE LESSONS | Valparaiso

Just Us & Friends Dance Club is holding Beginners Line Dance Lessons from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Valparaiso American Legion, 4 Monroe St. Cost is $3 per class per student. Classes will be ongoing and geared to the student who has little or no experience in this type of dancing. Jack and Roxanne Anderson will teach basic steps and beginner choreographed dances.

FYI: (219) 462-3874 or linson5678@verizon.net

FISH FRY | Westville

Westville United Methodist Church hosts Chef Charley and Crew's all-you-can-eat fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday. The menu is Alaskan pollock (baked or fried), French fries or baked potato, coleslaw, roll with butter, a drink (coffee, punch or water.) Shrimp, chicken strips and hot dogs also available. The United Methodist Youth will sell soda for 50 cents to fund mission projects. The United Methodist Women will have a variety of desserts for $1 each. The cost is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4.50 for children ages 3-10, and free for children younger than 3.

FYI: (219) 785-2314

NATIVITY BINGO | Portage

Nativity of Our Savior offers bingo Monday evenings at the church hall, 2929 Willowcreek Road. Early-bird games start at 6 p.m., followed by regular bingo at 6:45 p.m.

FYI: nativitybingo.homestead.com