COMPILED BY MARGE KULLERSTRAND

margek@nwitimes.com

219.933.3244

SING CAROLS | Lake Village

Village Baptist Church invites the public to "A Country Christmas," a Christmas carol sing-a-long for the whole family, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Lake Village Firehouse. Enjoy homemade Christmas cookies, sing favorite carols, hear the story of the first Christmas and have a photo taken as a gift from the church.

FYI: (219) 992-3775

YULETIDE EVENT | Lowell

Lowell Downtown Merchants Association will host its annual Yuletide Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in the downtown shopping and dining district on East Commercial Avenue. This free community event includes carolers along the sidewalks, a variety of Christmas characters including Frosty the Snowman strolling along the sidewalks, store and restaurant specials, and complimentary refreshments in many of the businesses.

FYI: (219) 696-6487 or www.ShopLowellIndiana.com.

SANTA IN THE CABOOSE | Griffith

Ozzie, the Yorkie, gets a nose-to-nose visit with Santa last week during the Griffith Historical Society's Santa in the Caboose event at the Griffith Historical Park, 201 S. Broad St. The event was snowed out last Sunday, but is rescheduled for from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Visitors get a private visit with Santa in a real caboose and low-cost digital photo packages are available for purchase. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies are served in the Depot.

FYI: (219) 924-4026

BAKE SALE | Merrillville

St. Elijah Orthodox Church will hold its annual Christmas bake sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday at the church, 8700 Taft St. The sale will include fresh, homemade strudels, nutrolls, cookies and pastries. Call ahead to order strudel.

FYI: (219) 769-4375, (219) 696-9314 or (219) 942-6230

WINTER WONDERLAND | Hammond

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 31 is a display of 40 trees decorated by local not-for-profit organizations at the Indiana Welcome Center in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall, 7770 Corinne Drive. The holiday display also will feature live entertainment and free photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 31. Schedule of performers can be found online.

FYI: (219) 989-7979 or www.alllake.org

TREES FOR SALE | Hobart

Hobart Jaycees have opened its annual Christmas Tree Lot at Lakefront Park.The lot will be open from noon to 8 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds will benefit the annual Needy Kids Shopping Spree.

FYI: TNissan_2@msn.com

A CHRISTMAS STORY | Valparaiso

The holiday classic written by Jean Shepherd and directed by Jonni Pera will be performed by the Chicago Street Theatre at the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, 1709 Chapel Drive. Any time you have a chance to see a Red Ryder BB-gun, a tongue stuck to a flagpole, a lamp in the shape of a saucily-clad leg and the Bumpuss hounds next door… you should go. Performances are at 2:30 and 7 p.m. today and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets are available at the Chicago Street Theatre box office, 154 W. Chicago St. Call to reserve seating.

FYI: (219) 464-1636 or www.ctgonline.org