Holiday events in full swing around the region

Marsh House offers tours

The historic Marsh House in LaFayette, Ga., will open its doors to guests for a holiday open house tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The house will be decorated with live cedar trees and a variety of fresh greenery. Guests will be welcomed to the candlelit rooms by hostesses dressed in period clothing. Hot apple cider and homemade cookies will be served on the side porch at the end of the tour.

Tickets are $5 adults, $1 children under 12.

For more information, check the Web site at www.marshhouseoflafayette.com.

River Gorge Trust program today

Join the Tennessee River Gorge Trust today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pot Point Cabin to celebrate the holiday season. Pot Point Cabin is located at 17805 River Canyon Road.

"Carols, Cocoa and Cookies" is a free event. It will include a guided hike at 10:30 a.m., refreshments, craft activities and holiday music.

"The community has done so much to support the Tennessee River Gorge Trust during the last 28 years, that this is just a small way for us to thank our supporters during the holiday season. We hope that people who don't know much about the trust will take the time to stop by the cabin and enjoy the beauty that this place has to offer," said Sarah Quattrochi, outreach and education director,

For more information or directions, log onto www.trgt.org or call 266-0314.

Gordon Lee Mansion tours set

The 34th annual Christmas candlelight tours of the Gordon Lee Mansion in Chickamauga, Ga., begin tonight at 6 p.m., hosted by First Baptist Church of Chickamauga.

Tour hours are 6-9 p.m. today and Dec. 12; 7-9 p.m. on Sunday and Dec. 13.

Church members have decorated the mansion with natural decorations of the Civil War period. Cider and homemade cookies will be served in the warming kitchen.

Tickets are $5 adults, $3 senior adults, and $1 children under 12. Proceeds will fund summer camp scholarships for children.

For more information, call 706- 375-2733.

Senior Neighbors Orchestra plays

The Senior Neighbors Orchestra will present a free Christmas concert Tuesday at 11 a.m. in White Oak Baptist Church, 310 Memorial Drive.

The program will feature classic and popular Christmas songs.

The 55-member orchestra is entirely volunteer, directed by Herman May, a retired minister of music. The group accepts new members each September and January.

For more information about the Senior Neighbors Orchestra or other Senior Neighbors' performing arts opportunities, call 755-6100.

Gift expo offered at Hunter Sunday

Enjoy holiday decorations by local designers and florists with a visit to the Hunter Museum of American Art on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., when there will be free admission and a holidays gift expo.

Guests may tour Hunter's galleries, see the decorated trees, participate in a holiday family craft and view the new exhibition, "The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family."

The gift expo, located in Hunter's lobby, will feature items from local craftsmen and artists. The gift expo will close at 4:30 p.m. Visitors will also be offered discounts in the Museum Store and the Palate Bistro and Cafe.

Free First Sundays are sponsored by Volkswagen Group of America. For more information, call 267-0968.

Seniors' ballroom party Thursday

Senior Neighbors is hosting a Christmas Ballroom Dance Party on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby St.

Tickets are $5 for Senior Neighbors members, $6 for guests. Participants are asked to bring a plate of finger foods to share.

Need to brush up your dancing skills?

Senior Neighbors offers intermediate ballroom dance classes each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Classes are taught by Dennis Mullis of The Dance Floor dance studio.

Reservations are required. Call 755-6100 for more information.

Strasburg store holding toy drive

Strasburg Children's store in Hamilton Place is sponsoring a toy and food drive through Dec. 20 to provide Christmas for homeless children.

Shoppers are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy (no battery-operated toys) or a nonperishable food. Especially needed are baby food, baby cereal and baby juices. Also donations of diapers, baby blankets and wet-wipes are being accepted.

Toys and diapers will be donated to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. Food will be donated to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

For more information, call 899-7276.

Garden Galleries' open house set

Garden Galleries Antiques and Corner Antiques will host a Christmas open house at 6511 Slater Road in East Ridge on Dec. 12 and 13.

Event hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments and door prizes will be offered.

Foundation seeks donations

The Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Area is asking for donations to support its Adopt-a-Box food drive.

A $50 donation will provide food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a kidney patient on Christmas Day.

Donations may be made by calling 265-4397. For more information, log onto the Web site at www.kidney foundation.com.

Seniors' holiday party Dec. 14

Eastgate Senior Activity Center is hosting its Christmas party on Monday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants are asked to bring a large covered dish for pot-luck lunch. There will be Bingo, prizes, dancing and entertainment.

A wreath-making class will be offered at the center on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.

There is a $5 class fee for materials. Reservations are required. Call 855-9444.

Church holiday bazaar is Dec. 12

Daisy Church of God, 9555 Dayton Pike, is hosting a breakfast with Santa and a church bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Tickets are $5 plus a nonperishable food item for donation. There will be horse and buggy rides for a second donation of a food item.

Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for photo-ops with Santa.

For more information, call 332-2558.