The Niagara Area Historical Society will have two special events this holiday season. An open house is planned for Saturday, Nov. 30, at the museum at 1364 River St., in Niagara, Wis. Serenity Christmas will take place Saturday, Dec. 21, at Serenity Woods. Brad Carlson and Keith Holmes of Swanson Solutions secure the wreaths in anticipation of the Serenity Christmas at the museum’s second location on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Quincy Street. (Photo courtesy of Karen Klenke via the Iron Mountain Daily News)

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara Area Historical Society invites the community to two special events this holiday season.

An open house is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the museum at 1364 River St. in Niagara.

The society will present slide shows of the Niagara Skating Club’s annual Winter Ice Skating Carnival that ran from 1946 to 1958.

“This provided entertainment for all area children for many years,” said Niagara Area Historical Society President Karen Klenke. “You will be hearing a lot of familiar names.”

They have a room that is dedicated to Niagara’s skating program that features memorabilia from every year.

The museum has been decorated for the Christmas season for its visitors to enjoy, Klenke said.

A fresh evergreen tree will once again greet the public as they enter the museum. Under the tree sits two vintage red trucks, given to the museum by Beverly DesJardins after her death in December 2020.

Rolland “Bummy” DesJardins placed a tree on his front porch for his first wife, Vi, to enjoy, as she was allergic to the real evergreen. For decades the community enjoyed these classic toys that accompanied the tree. He married Beverly St. Arnauld in 1988 and the couple kept the tradition. After he passed away in 1999, Beverly also continued with the display until her death at age 94.

Another highlight is the collection of Byers’ Choice Carolers from the family of Sharon and Ray Ponzio, both charter members of the Historical Society. Each season Sharon decorated her home with this complete collection of handmade Christmas figures.

Children will be able to create Christmas tree ornaments at the open house.

Klenke noted they have several volunteers that will be on hand to assist young children with their crafts.

The society has provided informational fliers to the school as well as the daycare facilities in hopes to bring more parents to the museum, she said.

“It’s going to be a great time for the whole family,” Klenke said.

The historical society will provide refreshments for the afternoon.

The society will sell memorial bricks at the open house. The sale will continue through Jan. 15. Commemorative brick orders forms are also available at the Forward Financial and Nicolet bank.

The engraved bricks will be installed along the pathway at Serenity Woods this spring. Klenke said that they would make great Christmas gifts for friends or loved ones.

Everyone is welcome to celebrate Serenity Christmas from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the museum’s second location, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Quincy Street in Niagara.

The Niagara Historical Society purchased two wreaths from Main Street Makeover to be hung on the doors of the Red Shed.

They are on display to remember and honor Bill and Vi DuBord and the service of Niagara firemen. The “red shed,” which was the former paper mill site fire shed, was moved by the museum to be displayed on the property.

Klenke noted the “red shed” will house a replica of the DesJardins tree, known for decades on their porch.

The society also has brought out a vintage Nativity from retirement after decades in storage, Klenke said.

The wooden Nativity scene, which was painted by former Niagara teacher Eileen Ponzio, will be displayed inside of the Dubord shed through the holiday.

She and her husband, Pope, lived on the corner of Roosevelt Road and Madison Avenue, where the Nativity scene was displayed for the season.

“Serenity Woods seems appropriate for it to reappear,” Klenke said.

They will have the buildings and pathway lit with solar lights and luminaries.

Klenke hopes to have a few live animals in the shed that evening.

“Come take a quiet walk through the woods, then sit and enjoy its serenity,” Klenke said. “It will be the perfect time for a quiet reflection.”

She added that Serenity Woods will remain open 24 hours for anyone through the winter.