11/6/2009 7:35:02 AM

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The holidays are right around the corner and ushering them in, for family members of all ages to enjoy, is the annual Historic Mayowood Mansion Christmas Tours.

Dressed for the part, the 38-room mansion is decorated in its holiday finest. The garland, trees and lights (for the most part) belong to Mayowood. The hundreds of other decorations are provided (and meticulously arranged) by volunteers (both individuals, businesses and clubs) who raid their own personal collections and hit end-of-year sales to find just the right pieces.

"We've decorated all but one (room)," says Cindy Anderson of the Rochester Garden and Flower Club, a group that has helped decorate the mansion since the Christmas tours started 28 years ago. Volunteers are assigned their room a year in advance. This year, RG&FC was assigned Dr. Chuck's study and went for a masculine, nature-inspired theme that echoes his style.

In addition to the study, families can "ooh" and "ahh" through the traditional Nutcracker-themed living and dining rooms, the cozy gingerbread-themed kitchen (look for Alice Mayo's cookbook on display) and the cheerful snowmen-themed green room. And those are just a handful of the mansion's beautifully decorated dining areas, living quarters and bedrooms you'll see on the tour. Along the way, tour guides will share the history of the Mayowood mansion and the stories of the three generations of Mayo family who called it home.

"It's a tradition," says Barb Dahlin, event organizer, History Center of Olmsted County. "We have a lot of regulars that come back every year and it's absolutely wonderful for families."

Daytime and evening tours available weekdays and weekends. Go online for a complete tour schedule. Call to reserve your spot. Adults, $15 and youth 12 and under, $5. Tours run approximately 2 hours.

If you go

What: Historic Mayowood Mansion Christmas Tours

When: Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 22

Phone: 282-9447

On the Web: www.olmstedhistory.com

Other ways to welcome in the holidays

• Hiawatha Homes Foundation's Festival of Trees features more than 90 beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Held Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Saturday, Nov. 29, the family-friendly event includes Children's Day, Cookies and Milk with Santa and Gingerbread Family Day. Held at the Mayo Civic Center, adults are $5 and children (2-12), $3. Go to www.hiawathahomes.org/festival-of-trees.php.

• KTTC Lights @ Bluff Valley in Zumbro Falls offers a one-mile long lighted maze. As you drive through in the family car you'll see 450 lighted displays and can come to a stop to enjoy "Park and Play" activities including night light basketball golf, mini golf and wagon rides. Open through Nov. 29, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays (5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $10 a car); Fridays and Saturdays (5 p.m. to 11 p.m., $12 a car). Go to www.bluffvalley.com.

• A highlight of downtown's Winter Wonderland festivities, Santa will arrive in Rochester atop Old City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 5 Afterward he'll ride in his sleigh to Peace Plaza where there will be carriage rides, live reindeer, story time with Mrs. Claus, and a movie on the Plaza. Go to www.downtownrochestermn.com.

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Right down the middle

Kids, the upcoming Winter Youth Bowling Program is your chance to work on your 7-10 split. The nine-week league offers youth ages 6 and older the opportunity to bowl Thursdays (late afternoon) or Saturdays (mornings) under the guidance of adult coaches.

Registration opens this week. Cost is $45 (ages 11 and under, bowl two games a week) or $65 (ages 12 and older, bowl three games a week) plus a $17 sanctioning fee. Go online for registration materials.

If you go

What: Winter Youth Bowling Program

Where: Recreation Lanes, 2810 N. Broadway

When: Starts Thursday, Nov. 19, or Saturday, Nov. 21; Ends Feb. 2 or Feb. 4

Phone: 288-2601

On the Web: www.reclanes.2gobowl.com

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Girl power

Learn to more effectively deal with the challenges of being a teenager and make healthier choices at this weekend's Young Women's Forum. Sponsored by Rochester Public Schools and RCTC, the event is geared to young women grades 6 to 12. Girls will have the opportunity to participate in workshops (strategies for succeeding, work for change, career discovery) and hear from keynote speaker Angela Jackson, manager of billing, coding and finance at Mayo Clinic.

Free. Register online.

If you go

What: Young Women's Forum

Where: University Center Rochester

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7

Phone: 328-4317

On the Web: www.rctc.edu/rsvp

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It's free

The first Saturday of the month means Free Family Day at the Rochester Art Center. On Saturday, kids of all ages will make a butterfly wall-hanging out of faux maple leaves and pumpkin seeds. Families will also enjoy free admission to the art center and docent-led tours of the exhibitions.

Free. No registration. Mark you calendar, December's Free Family day will be held on Dec. 5 and feature collage cards and holiday ornaments.

If you go

What: Free Family Day

Where: Rochester Art Center, 40 Civic Center Dr. S.E.

When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (art activities), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (tours)

Phone: 282-8629

On the Web: www.rochesterartcenter.org

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Middle C

It's all about the music at this Sunday's Middle School Choral Festival.

The event features the Honors Choirs Chorale (youth grades 7 to 9) and three local middle school choirs (Plainview-Elgin-Millville, St. Charles and Zumbrota-Mazeppa). Tickets are $5 for youth and $8 for adults and are available at the door.

Want to join? The Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota involves 220 singers from 25 area communities. In December, the nonprofit organization will hold midseason auditions for each of its four youth choirs (grades 3 through 12). Go online for more details.

If you go

What: Middle School Choral Festival

Where: Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 Third Ave. S.E.

When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8

Phone: 252-0505

On the Web: www.honorschoirs.org

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Are you up for it?

If you're up for the challenge, check out Saturday's NBA/WNBA Fit Challenge. Kids ages 14 and under will compete in five timed fitness activities (jump rope, wall pass, defense shuffle, speed revolution and line sprints). Boys and girls compete separately in four age divisions. Winners have the opportunity to qualify for a regional competition.

Free. Register on-site. Parent or guardian signature and birth certificate (or other proof of identification) required. Age determined as of Feb. 12, 2010.

If you go

What: NBA/WNBA Fit Challenge

Where: Rochester Area Family Y, 709 First Ave. S.W.

When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. (registration), 9:30 a.m. (challenge begins)

On the Web: www.rochesterjaycees.com; www.nba.com/nbafit

Family Time is written by Lindy Lange, editor of www.ROCHESTERfamilies.com. Do you know of an upcoming event? Send it to life@postbulletin.com.

Up next, your family can help raise funds for families in need by ringing the bell during this year's Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign.

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