Christmas traditions

Enjoy old-fashioned Christmas spirit and experience fascinating customs at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Volunteers will present "Christmas Traditions in the Dunes" from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Chellberg Farm and Bailly Homestead.

Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Swedish Christmas at the Chellberg farmhouse. Volunteers, clad in brightly-colored Swedish clothing, will explain and recreate the magical legend of St. Lucia. Processions will be held in the farmhouse every half hour from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Be sure to tell Jul Tomte (Santa Claus) what you want for Christmas.

The Bailly/Chellberg parking lot is located between U.S. 12 and 20 on Mineral Springs Road.

FYI: Call (219) 395-8914.

Healthy hikes

Join a ranger for some exercise and fun while learning about the park during a program entitled Healthy Hikes. This program will be held on every Saturday in December, except Dec. 27. Participants will meet the ranger at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center at 1:30 p.m and then car-pool to the week's selected trail for a hike of about one hour.

The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center is located on Route S.R. 49 near the intersection of U.S. 20.

FYI: Call (219) 395-8914.

Music heritage series

Join the Save the Tunes Council and share in the celebration of old time music. Tune up for a sing-along and gather up from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center.

The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.

Meet at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center located on Route S.R. 49 near the intersection of U.S. Route 20.

FYI: Call (219) 395-8914.