The Northeast High School drama department will present its fall production, "The Cat and the Canary," at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the school auditorium on Duvall Highway.
The plot features all of the elements of a good whodunit: a deceased eccentric's unusual will; greedy relatives; inherited insanity; an escaped maniac; and murder.
"You can't tell who the corpses are without a program," said director Ron Price. "Our cast has really enjoyed putting this play together.
Members of the cast include: Sandy Brackett, Jeremy Funk, Mindy Miles, Heidi Miles, Jason Taylor, Bill Harrison, Shiela Russo, Christian Stastny and Jason Yannuzzi.
Tickets are $3 and are available at the door.
Information: 437-6400.
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The Christmas craft show season is rapidly coming to a close for another year, with one show tomorrow and four next weekend.
The Anne Arundel Chapter of the Autism Society of America is sponsoring a show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Earleigh Heights fire hall on Ritchie Highway.
More than 50 artisans will display their crafts, which include stained glass, wooden items and holiday decorations.
Santa will be on hand to greet young visitors from noon to 2 p.m. Snapshots are encouraged, so please bring your own camera.
At 11 a.m., the Chesapeake High School Vocal Ensemble will serenade shoppers with a medley of Christmas carols.
Refreshments will be sold.
Proceeds will benefit a statewide conference on autism being sponsored by the chapter.
For information, call Tim Simmons, 544-3452.
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Pasadena Elementary School, 106 Spruce Ave., is sponsoring a Santa's Workshop from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. next Friday.
Gift items, crafts, baked goods and refreshments will be available. Santa will drop by to chat with the children.
The snow date is Dec. 11.
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The St. Jane Frances de Chantal parish will sponsor its first Christmas Festival weekend, Dec. 5 and 6, in the school hall on St. Jane Drive in Riviera Beach.
"This two-day event combines the efforts of all families at St. Jane's to benefit children in the school as well as the parish's school of religion," said festival coordinator Jackie Selba.
On Dec. 5, the Christmas craft boutique will take over the school hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 craftsmen and women will offer gift items, including duck decoys, model boats, dolls, nutcrackers, baskets, folk art, country and Victorian crafts, swags, wreaths and floral arrangements. Food and refreshments will be sold.
* From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, enjoy eating pancakes and talking with Santa at St. Jane's hall. The cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children. Have your picture taken with Santa.
Shoppers of all ages can browse at Santa's workshop for inexpensive gifts. Stop by the numerous tables, which feature personalized Christmas stockings, stocking stuffers, religious articles, a children's book fair, Sister Mary's Country Cupboard, gift wrapping and bows, and a troll shop.
Take a chance at the cake wheel, or buy the winning ticket to the Holiday Fantasy Raffle. It's a winner-take-all raffle, featuring a romantic weekend for two at Guest Quarters, $100 gift certificates from Zayle's Jewelers and Toys 'R Us, food certificates from Mars and Lauer's Super Thrift, and a centerpiece from Saunder's.
Tickets are $1 and will be sold throughout the weekend.
Information: 255-4750.
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Magothy-Chelsea Community Lutheran Church, Third and Beach streets, is sponsoring its annual Christmas bazaar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.
The bazaar features homemade Christmas crafts, ornaments, baby clothes and wreaths crafted by congregation members. Young shoppers can browse in the kid's shop.
Returning by popular demand is the cookie and candy walk, where you can mix and match homemade goodies, all sold by the pound.
Santa will arrive at 1 p.m. with small gifts for youngsters. Bring your own camera for snapshots.
Homemade soups, Coney Island hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments also will be sold.
For information, call 647-6210.
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The Bodkin Elementary PTO will sponsor its 15th annual Christmas craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the school, located on Ventnor Road, just off Mountain Road.
The fair will feature 65 artisans, specializing in such crafts as handmade soft dolls and animals, jewelry, quilts, cross-stitching, crocheted items, sweat shirts, country crafts and ornaments.
Santa will visit from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Please bring your own camera for pictures.
Food, drinks and a bake table also will be available.
Information: Janice Tores, 437-3747.
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Enjoy a day of browsing and visiting historic Fredericksburg, Va., with the Women's Auxiliary of Lake Shore on Dec. 5. The bus will depart at 9 a.m. and return at 9 p.m. from Lake Shore Elementary School, 4531 Mountain Road.
"The old-town area of Fredericksburg features over 40 blocks of shops selling antiques, crafts and unique gift items," said group spokeswoman Catherine Belford. "We'll stop at the visitor's center for a short overview of the area, pick up walking maps, and then you're on your own to shop or tour the historic buildings until it's time to leave."
The cost is $20 per person for transportation only, and seats are available.
Information: 255-0448.
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The Lake Shore Democratic Club, 236 Maryland Ave., invites the community to an open house Tuesday at the clubhouse.
After a brief business meeting, State Comptroller Louis L. Goldstein will be the guest speaker at 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited, and refreshments will be served.
Information: 437-3699.
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The Stoney Creek Democratic Club is taking reservations for its indoor flea market, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Fort Smallwood Road clubhouse.
Tables are $9 each.
Information: 437-9388.