Museum of East Texas offers holiday activities

The East Texas Timber Tones will perform at the Museum of East Texas Sunday, December 16, as part of Family Day activities.

The Museum of East has filled the month of December with family activities, inckuding a concert by the East Texas Timber Tones.

The annual Festival of Trees is open to the general public through January 6.

The Museum is open until 8 p.m. from December 19-21 with special events are scheduled for those evenings.

This year's Festival of Trees is the largest yet, with seventy spectacular trees on display. Each tree has been decorated with its own theme and message. Trees are sponsored by individuals and businesses in the community. Visitors are certain to find a tree that delights them and becomes a favorite. Tree themes range from collegiate and high schools to professions, from traditional Santas and candy canes to pink flamingoes and a circus tree. Cameras are welcome.

There is no charge for admission to see the trees. Funds raised from the tree sponsors are used in a variety of ways. The majority of the funds sponsor children's Art Camp scholarships. This year's funding will also contribute to an Audubon exhibit in 2009. The Museum Guild also planning a cookbook in 2008 and an Arts Festival in 2009.

Family Day will be held on Sunday, December 16 from 2-4 p.m. Crafts include hand- and foot-print reindeer ornaments, paper angel tree toppers, shooting star foam ornaments and coloring. "Skippy Dimpledot the Christmas Elf: will be told by its authors, Claire and Margie Brody, at 2:15 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the East Texas Timbre Tones, an a capella chorus, at 3 p.m.

Santa will also be at the Museum throughout the afternoon for children to share their Christmas wishes with him. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

The museum will be open extended hours December 19, 20 and 21. On these days, the museum will be open until 8 p.m. and workshops will be held at 6 and 7 p.m. each evenings. Activities on all three evenings are free, but participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 936.639.4434. Space is limited to 24 participants per session (48 participants total).

December 19 will be "Wassail Wednesday," and a gingerbread house workshop will be available so visitors can create their own gingerbread homes, "Museum Style" with cardboard, paint, and glitter. Participants are asked to bring their own adult scissors to cut the cardboard.

December 20 will be "Tree Trimming Thursday." Homemade gingerbread will be served and visitors will create old-fashioned paper and popcorn garlands.

December 21 will be "Frosty Friday," and vistors will create beaded snowflake ornaments with beads and chenille.

The annual Member's Gala will be held on Saturday, December 8 from 7-9 p.m.

The Museum of East Texas is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is education through exhibitions of art and history. It is located at 503 North Second Street, Lufkin.

For more information, call 936.639.4434. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., closed Monday.