Troy

Ring in the holidays

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Donna Agusti Troy resident Olivia Wiseman, 4, visits with Santa during the Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting at Troy City Hall last year. Photo by Donna Agusti Troy resident Olivia Wiseman, 4, visits with Santa during the Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting at Troy City Hall last year.

Opportunities abound three-fold for children of all ages to see the jolly old elf and share holiday cheer in Troy. “We get a lot of families at all three events,” Troy Community Affairs Director Cindy Stewart said.

Ever wonder where the tradition of the Christmas cactus or Yule logs came from? Find out at “An Old Fashioned Christmas” at the Troy Historic Village from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1. Revelers may hear traditional carols, taste Christmas fare from long ago amid historic buildings surrounding the village green, as well as visit with Santa Claus from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1.

“We will try to put a special touch in each building with traditions from around the world,” said Loraine Campbell, director of the Troy Historic Village. Genisys Credit Union is a sponsor of the event, and volunteers from the company will be on hand to help during the event. “We’re delighted to have them,” Campbell said. Children younger than 12 are free with a paying adult. The cost is $5 per person and $3 for seniors.

Campbell added that the historic village is a collection point for U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program through Dec. 7.  New, unwrapped toys may also be dropped at Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, Monday through Friday through Dec. 7.

Genisys Credit Union will also sponsor the Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting at Troy City Hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Santa will flip the switch to light the city tree, a 20-foot Colorado spruce, which Scott Sexton and Tom’s Landscape donated in 2006 and planted next to the Veterans Plaza at Troy City Hall. The Athens High School choirs will lead caroling, and the Troy High School Colts Drumline will also perform. Hot cocoa and sweets will be served. Volunteers from Great Clips in Troy will don mascot character costumes to mingle with revelers. Children may also visit with Santa. The event is free.

Take to the open trails and hear Santa’s animal tales at the Lloyd Stage Nature Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 8 for the “Decorate for Wildlife with Santa” event. Sherrill Jackson, an instructor at the nature center, explained that the event is geared toward children ages 3 to 8 with their parents and grandparents.

Each child can make an edible ornament to hang outdoors for wildlife. The event also features a hike outdoors, so dress for the weather, Jackson said. “Most parents bring cameras,” she added. The cost per child to attend is $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Adults are free and must remain with the child.

“It’s very popular,” Jackson said of the event. Register online at www.troynaturesociety.org or call (248) 688-9703.

An Old Fashioned Christmas will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Troy Historic Village, located at 60 W. Wattles. Park at Zion Christian Church, 3668 Livernois, south of Wattles, and ride the free shuttle bus to the village. The Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver.  Decorate for Wildlife with Santa will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Lloyd Stage Nature Center, located at 6685 Coolidge.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.