Cool Christmas Past at Hale Farm

They didn't have Kindle in 1864. But when it came to Kringle (as in Kris), our pioneer forebears were totally hip. Now you can revisit those pre-electronic holidays, when the Amazon was just a river and an apple was merely a fruit, as Hale Farm & Village presents its annual Lantern Tours. These 90-minute journeys take visitors back to Christmas Eve 1864, with stops at homes around the village green. There, costumed interpreters recount the old-time traditions among the sights, sounds, and smells of a Western Reserve holiday. Today and tomorrow, the indoor-outdoor treks depart every 20 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. Additional tours are scheduled for December 10 and 11, 17 through 19, and 21 through 23. General admission is $18, with a discount for Western Reserve Historical Society members. For ticket availability and reservations, call 330-666-3711. Hale Farm & Village is at 2686 Oak Hill Rd. in Bath. For directions, go to wrhs.org. — Elaine T. Cicora