THT Hosts Intimate Christmas Event 12/12

A true Christmas event is an intimate thing, as friends and family gather ‘round a roaring fire to share stories, music, and traditional food and drink. That's exactly what Town Hall Theater will offer on Sunday, December 12, when it presents its Annual Christmas Event.

The evening, held in the lovely home of Mike and Tawnya Kiernan, will hold a variety of delights. The story-telling begins with the moving, true account of the "impromptu Christmas truce" of World War I, read by Mike Kiernan. On Christmas Eve, 1914, stuck in their miserable trenches but buoyed by the Christmas spirit, soldiers made impromptu signs wishing their enemies on the other side of no man's land a happy Christmas.

On the next day British soldiers were startled to see their German counterparts walking unarmed. After a tense couple of exchanges, men started to leave the trenches in order to meet their sworn enemies in the middle of no man's land. Both sides started to chat and since it was Christmas started to exchange gifts.

Scenes such as this spontaneously arose on many parts of the Western front. Up to 50% of British and German front line troops joined the biggest temporary desertion of any war.

The reading of this heart-warming story will be followed by a Saint Lucia parade. All will learn the story that has been part of Scandinavian Christmases since the 18th Century. Noted guitarist and author Stephen Kiernan will follow with original music and stories appropriate to the season.

Sweets and savories; punch and port will be served.

The annual event is a fundraiser for Middlebury's Town Hall Theater. Tickets are $25 per adult, with children under 16 free. For tickets and more information, go to www.townhaltheater.org, call 382-9222, or visit the Town Hall Theater Box Office (Mon-Sat, Noon - 5 pm).
PHOTO CAPTION: Town Hall Theater's Annual Christmas event features storytelling, music, and a Saint Lucia parade. Sunday, December 12, 4 pm, at the home of Mike and Tawnya Kiernan. Tickets: www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sat, noon-5 pm).