HOLIDAY CLASSIC | Crown Point

Professional storyteller Grant Fitch will help celebrate the end of a yearlong celebration of 100 Years of Service to Crown Point by presenting "A Christmas Story" at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Crown Point Community Library, 214 S. Court St. Enjoy an evening of the Jean Shepherd stories that formed the movie: Neighborhood Bullies, Indiana Winters, A Lamp in the Shape of a Leg and "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!" The 1983 classic film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be served.

FYI: Call (219) 663-0270.

HOLIDAY CONCERT | Hobart

Begin the holiday season by listening to an afternoon filled with some of your favorite holiday music as The Rusty Pipes - an adult concert band from Hobart, presents its Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Hobart High School auditorium, 86 E. Eighth St. The band, about 50 members strong, will warm your hearts and reduce your stress with an enjoyable concert fit for young and old alike. Band members range in age from 18 to 80-something, come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. The band practices Wednesday evenings at Hobart High School. Tickets are $3 at the door for adults, while students high school age and younger attend free. Don't miss the dessert tray shared with the members of the band immediately following the concert.

FYI: Call Martin Sensenbaugh at (219) 462-5018, Sue Williams at (219) 942n9808 or Mary Bening at (219) 365-6347.

AYCE FISH FRY | Merrillville

American Legion Post 430 will hold a Fish Fry Special from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at 7430 Broadway. Cost is $5:50 for an all-you-can-eat ocean perch dinner with French fries, cole slaw, bread and butter. Other dinners are also available.

FYI: Call (219) 769-3071.

ISRAEL EXPLAINED | Hammond

A program focusing on Israel and its right to exist will be held Dec. 3 at Purdue University Calumet. Social, political and news media commentator Micah Halpern will lead the program titled, "Israel's Right to Exist: A Discussion of anti-Semitism, Terrorism, and the Rights of Nations and Peoples," beginning at 6 p.m. in the university's Calumet Conference Center. Halpern, a specialist on terrorism, is a frequent commentator for CBS, ABC, FOX and MSNBC television networks. Kosher desserts will be served. The Calumet Conference Center is at the far south end of campus.

FYI: E-mail skvantil@calumet.purdue.edu or call (219) 989-2347.

OPEN HOUSE | Crown Point

Everyone is invited to attend a Holiday Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and 18 at Wittenberg Village's Information Center on, 925-A E. Luther Drive. Information will be available regarding the expansion project and construction of the Greenview Terrace Suites and villa homes with additional new floor plans. Drawings will be held and refreshments provided. Call to RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 661-8000.

TREE LIGHTING | Merrillville

Town of Merrillville will hold its annual tree lighting and holiday bazaar from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 at the town hall, 7820 Broadway. Families can enjoy music, craft booths, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus.

FYI: Call (219) 980-5911.

HOLIDAY CRAFTS | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation will hosting its 22nd annual holiday arts and crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at Munster High School, 8808 Columbia Ave. This fair will include more than 112 exhibitors. Fine art, candles, tole painting, gourds, jewelry, wood accessories, florals - wreaths, ornaments, decorated trees, photography, woodcarving, clothing, pet items, soaps and lotions, wall decor and more will be available. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS | Merrillville

Ross Township's annual Holiday Lights at the Lake will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturday and Sunday starting Dec. 5 through 15, then 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: Call (219) 769-2111.

DECORATE NATURALLY | Hammond

Stop in at the Gibson Woods Environmental Awareness Center any time between 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6 to help trim the holiday tree with unique ornaments can be created out of nature's bounty. Acorns, pine cones, seedpods and other dried natural finds will be available or bring your own materials to share. Make an ornament for the tree at Gibson Woods and make one to take home. Stay to enjoy some holiday music and stop by the Bird Room to see who's visiting the feeders. Registration is required. Gibson Woods Nature Preserve is at 6201 Parrish Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 844-3188.

LIGHTING CEREMONY | Dyer

Dyer Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in front of the Dyer Town Hall, 1 Town Square. Listen to carolers from Dyer Methodist Church while awaiting Santa's arrival on a fire truck and watch as he towns on the holiday light display. the chamber will provide cookies, coffee and hot chocolate as well as complimentary photos with Santa, while parents are also welcome to bring their cameras.

FYI: Call (219) 865-1045.

MODEL RR SWAP | Hobart

Ron Jackson's 19th Model Railroad Swap and Sell Meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Bridget Parish Center, 101 Center St. Admission is $3 and free for children 12 and younger. All proceeds go to Hobart FOP 121. There will be a cash raffle and food for sale.

FYI: Call (219) 942-3567.

BARK PARK | Lowell

A special Saturday registration for the new Lowell Bark Park will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 6 at the Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St. Proof of current vaccinations is required at registration, and only cash and checks made out to Town of Lowell will be accepted for the fee. Registration is also available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Lowell Park Office in Freedom Park, 17105 Cline Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 696-1570.

CHRISTMAS AT BUCKLEY | Lowell

Start the holiday season with a nostalgic look into the past from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Buckley Homestead County Park, 3606 Belshaw Road. Christmas on the Farm includes tours departing every 30 minutes from the barnyard. Make an ornament to take home at the Carriage House, learn about Christmas legends in the Upper Barn, watch students prepare for a pageant in the one-room schoolhouse, stir the plum pudding in the hired hand's house and visit with St. Nicholas in the parlor of the Buckley museum, where Christmas punch and warm molasses cookies will also be served. Weather permitting, take a horse-drawn wagon ride to the pioneer house and stop by the Native American village. Dress for the weather and a walk along the trail, which may be muddy. Admission is $3 at the Visitor Center, where program passes are available; children 7 and younger enter free.

FYI: Call (219) 769-PARK.

TREE LIGHTING | Merrillville

Fourth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 by Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St. Open to all interested families, whether they held services at the chapel or not, the event will honor those who have lost a loved one during the past year.

FYI: Call (219) 736-5840.

MADE IN AMERICA | Merrillville

Lake County Public Library is seeking vendors for an event called Made in America: Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the central library, 199 W. U.S. 30, Merrillville. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact the library for details. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of Lake County Public Library.

FYI: Call (219) 769-3541, ext. 335 or e-mail webmastr@lakeco.lib.in.us

CRAFTERS WANTED | Lowell

Zeta Chi chapter of Tri Kappa sorority will be hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Lowell Middle School, 200 W. Oakley Ave. Craft booth spaces are still available and can be reserved by phone. Display holiday and gift items for families attending this popular event.

FYI: Call (219) 696-0711.

CARING FOR BABY | St. John

Community Hospital will offer a grandparents class from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Community Hospital Outpatient Centre, 9660 U.S. 41. New grandparents can review basic baby care while learning some of the new practices and recommendations for infant care. To register for this free class, call (219) 836-3477.

FYI: Visit www.comhs.org.