MINI CAMPS | Valparaiso

A Winter Wonderland Mini-Camp for kids ages 4 to 8 will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 at Horizon Gymnastics Center. Each day features a gymnastics lesson and a variety of age-appropriate crafts, games and activities that go along with the theme. Cost for the mini-camp is $35 plus bring a sack lunch each day. Beverage is provided. Preregistration is required and needs to be completed by Dec. 23. The center is located at 1254 Horse Prairie Ave.

FYI: (219) 477-6542

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY | Cedar Lake

6 p.m. New Year's Eve all adults are invited to ring in the New Year at a New Year's Eve Party co-hosted by Knights of Columbus Marian Council 3840 and Jane Ball School Parent Teacher Organization at Knights of Columbus Hall, 13039 Wicker Ave. Discount tickets available thru Dec 26: $60 a couple or $32 for single. Tickets purchased after Dec. 26 $70 a couple or $35 for single. Ticket includes: an open cocktail hour, dinner, D.J. and dancing, open bar, party favors, champagne toast and continental breakfast Proceeds to benefit K of C 3840 & Jane Ball PTO.

FYI: (219) 384-0416, (219) 374-2083 or (219) 696-4014

CHESS TOURNEY | Gary

The final Gary Public Library Centennial Chess Tournament is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 30 at the main library, 220 W. 5th Ave. The tournament will include 15-minute games and is for ages 18 and older. Register.

FYI: (219) 886-2484, ext. 335

SINGLES MEET | Oak Lawn

Southwest Archdiocesan Singles will have a New Year's dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Papa Joe's Restaurant, 10745 S. Cicero Ave. Reservations are needed by Dec. 29. The group benefits Catholic and non-Catholic singles on the south side of Chicago and in the southwest suburbs. Members must be 21.

FYI: (708) 423-4271 or (773) 229-2273

ROCK IN THE YEAR | Hobart

Rockin' New Years Eve Party will be held Dec. 31 in the dining room at Elks Lodge 1152, 3580 W. 61st Ave., with a buffet of carved beef and ham, salad, potato and vegetable and a continental breakfast, champagne toast with party favors, and open bar. Dance to classic rock music. Cost is $55 per person. Tickets must be reserved and paid by Dec. 29.

FYI: (219) 942-1152

SUNDAY BREAKFAST | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 hosts a Sunday breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 4 at the post, 429 W. 750 North. The cost is $6 per person for the all-you-can-eat breakfast that includes biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns, pancakes and drinks.

FYI: (219) 759-2121

TAKE A HIKE | Monee

Hiking is a year-round sport and provides opportunities to explore, experience and discover the quiet beauty of winter. Life abounds during the cold winter season. Join a guide on a winter walk exploring nature's wonders of the season from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec 30 at Monee Reservoir. The explorations will take place on snowshoes, if conditions permit. Dress warmly and be prepared to hike off-trail in snowy conditions.

FYI: (815) 727-8700

RING IN THE NEW YEAR | Schererville

New Year's Eve at the Halls of St. George, 905 E. Joliet St. Doors open at 7 p.m. with plated dinner, a champagne toast and party favors and breakfast after midnight and an open bar. The band Together start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. Call for reservations.

FYI: (219) 865-9411

NEW YEAR'S PARTY | Merrillville

A family friendly New Year's Eve celebration with Paddles T. Otter will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Ice Skating Plaza at Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E. U.S. 30. Admission is $5 per person and regular skate rental fees apply for those who need to rent skates. Make a sparkling New Year's Eve pennant, hat or sash at Kid's Crafts from 5 to 8 p.m., count down to 2009 with a sparkling juice toast in the plaza with Paddles in "Paddle's Time Zone," which is 8 p.m. and enjoy music with a deejay, ice skating and concession items for sale throughout the event.

FYI: (219) 947-7850

FISH FRY | Portage

American Legion Post 260 holds a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. every Friday at the post, 5675 Mulberry Ave. the all-you-can-eat specials change weekly.

FYI: (219) 762-3541

HOLIDAY LIGHTS | Merrillville

Ross Township's annual Holiday Lights at the Lake will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 27 at Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway. Almost 100 lighted displays feature 10 drive-thru arches, more than 20 animated displays and the 120-foot long Tunnel of America, featuring the largest U.S. flag in Northwest Indiana. Santa Claus will greet children at the gate nightly through Dec. 23 and Christmas music can be tuned in at FM 88.9 on the car radio.A fireworks display will be featured at 8 p.m. every Saturday. Cost is $5 per car or mini-van, $10 for a large van and $25 for a bus or RV. Advance tickets at $4 per car are available at the Ross Township trustee's office, 24 W. 73rd Ave.

FYI: (219) 769-2111

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY | Washington Township

Porter County Expo Center will hold a New Year's Eve party beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 215 E. Division Road. cost is $50 for dinner, open bar, dancing.

FYI: (219) 464-0133

ORIGAMI DROP-IN | Valparaiso

The Youth Services Department at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St., will offer techniques on learning origami between 10 a.m. and noon or 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 30. Participants will fold modular units to create a variety of 3-dimensional geometric shapes. The program is free and open to all ages.

FYI: (219) 462-0524, ext. 4

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 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

WINTER DANCE WORKSHOPS | Portage

Winter dance workshops are offered at Woodland Park. 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 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. 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

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 on Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Guided

Christmas tours are noon and 2 p.m. 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 Jan. 1.

FYI: (219) 873-1520

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING | Lake County

Cross country ski rentals are available at Lemon Lake, Oak Ridge Prairie, and Stoney Run county parks (when snow conditions allow). Weekday hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The last rental is at 4 p.m. and all equipment must be returned by 5 p.m. Closing times may vary due to darkness. Daily rentals are on a first come, first serve basis through Feb. 28 (March 31 at Lemon Lake). All equipment must be used on the park site only. The rental fee of $5 for two hours includes the use of skis, boots and poles. A valid driver's license or credit card is required as a deposit. Lemon Lake County Park, 6322 W. 133rd Ave. between Crown Point and Cedar Lake (219) 663-7627,) offers eight miles of easy to moderate trails in wooded areas with hills and flat open fields, ideal for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. Oak Ridge Prairie County Park, 301 S. Colfax St. in Griffith (219) 884-7238), offers three miles of trail through flat open prairie and

wooded areas, good for those looking for an easy to moderate challenge. Stoney Run County Park, 142nd and Union Street in Leroy, (219) 996-6500), has seven miles of easy to moderate trail winding though a wooded hilly area and flat open space, designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. Skiing is also permitted at Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Deep River Wood's Mill area in Hobart, and at the Grand Kankakee Marsh in Hebron after hunting season

FYI: (219) 769-PARK

ICE SKATING | Merrillville

Ice skating will be available through Feb. 22 (weather permitting) at Deep River Waterpark at 9001 E. U.S. 30. Admission fees are $4 for adults, $3 for ages 14 and younger and 62 and older, and free for spectators. Skate rental is $5, with a $1 discount on admission and skate rental to waterpark season pass holders. The rink will be open 2 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays, and it will also be open on school holidays. Group discounts are available. Parking is free. Hockey games and hockey sticks are not permitted on the ice. Food, beverage and coolers are not permitted into the park. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere on park property. The park may be closed due to inclement weather at management's discretion. Inclement weather is considered to be weather warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, rain, severe cold and/or extreme winter conditions

FYI: Call (219) 769-PARK or visit www.deepriverwaterpark.com.

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

Senior adult dance classes | Valparaiso

Dance Unlimited will be offering daytime adult ballroom classes for seniors. The studio is located at 1705 LaPorte Ave., across from the VU Career Center.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4669 or visit www.danceunlimited.us.

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