With Halloween in the rearview mirror, our first taste of winter weather in the forecast, and deer hunting in full swing, it’s time to turn our attention to all the holiday events about to whirl us into their merry cycle. Our local area has lots of fun planned to help everyone get into the festive spirit. Here are a few of the things planned:

Of special note, the Independent-Scout, along with the Christmas Market in the Mercantile event being held in our building, will offer a Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff and columnists will be on-hand to share some holiday cheer, yummy snacks, and author Jane Schmidt will make an appearance to talk about her newest children’s book, ‘Finnegan is Feeling Blue.’ Read more about it below!

• Thursday, Nov. 21: Second Nature at Reads Creek will open with their holiday shopping and special events lineup at 12 p.m. The venue will offer fresh trees, festive vibes, and all the holiday cheer you can handle. To learn more, go to www.secondnatureatreadscreek.com/events. Their ‘Natural Noel’ will run from Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 15.

• Saturday, Nov. 23: Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation will offer a Winter Craft and Gift Fair at Hoffman Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A lunch booth will be available.

• Saturday, Nov. 23: Friends of Gays Mills will offer a movie showing of ‘Free Birds,’ at the Community Commerce Center at 7 p.m., with concessions opening at 6:30 p.m. The movie is billed as a hilarious family movie starring Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, where a pair of turkeys discover a time machine and travel back to the first Thanksgiving in an attempt to keep turkeys off the menu.

• Monday, Nov. 25: Wisconsin’s 77th Alice in Dairyland, Halei Heinzel, will cut Wisconsin’s first official Christmas tree of the season at Oppriecht Acres Christmas Tree Farm on Monday, Nov. 25 to kickstart the holiday season. Prior to the Christmas tree cutting, she will visit the North Crawford School District to speak with students.

• Monday, Nov. 25: Ferryville Tourism and Promotion will offer their annual Tree Lighting and Visit from Santa from 6-7 p.m. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. Halei Heinzel, Wisconsin’s 77th Alice in Dairyland, will join holiday revelers in Ferryville for the 14th Annual Tree Lighting at River View Park.

• Thursday, Nov. 28: The Soldiers Grove American Legion and Auxiliary will offer a ‘Community Thanksgiving Dinner’ from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Soldiers Grove American Legion Post. A free will offering will be asked. The meal will include turkey, dressing, meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, vegetable, salad, roll, dessert and beverage.

• Friday, Nov. 29: Oppriecht Acres will open for holiday tree sales, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15.

• Saturday, Nov. 30: Mill House Lights will host its annual Holiday Parade and lights grand opening, with the parade starting at 5 p.m., and the power on the lights being turned on immediately following the parade. Participants can enjoy the light show, a visit from Santa, and concessions.

• Sunday, Dec. 1: a ‘Gays Mills Christmas Market in the Mercantile’ will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering gift buying options, food, beverages, and some special performances. Another market will be offered on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 4-8 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 7: Sunrise Orchard’s annual Christmas Celebration with Santa, with a craft show and coloring contest, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 7: The Gays Mills 3rd annual Christmas Vendor and Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Gays Mills Community Commerce Center. The event will offer door prizes, a silent auction and bake sale (proceeds to be donated to the swimming pool and food pantry).

• Saturday, Dec. 7: Ferryville Tourism and Promotion will offer their annual Holiday Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ferryville Village Hall. The event will offer food, craft vendors, a lunch for sale and hot coffee.

• Saturday, Dec. 7: Friends of Kickapoo Valley Reserve will offer their annual ‘Holiday Happening’ from 12-5 p.m., at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center. The event is a fundraiser for trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and education programs. Participants will be able to shop cookies and wreaths, and a soup, salad and bread lunch concession will be available. There will be live music, and the winners of the KVR photo contest will be announced at 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 7: Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center will offer an ‘Old Fashioned Christmas’ event, with gates opening at 10 a.m. An entrance fee will be charged for adults, and for kids 4-9 years.

• Wednesday, Dec. 11: North Crawford Winter Holiday Concerts will kick off with MS Chorus and Band at 6:30 p.m., and HS Chorus and Band at 7:30 p.m. Grades 3-5 will perform on Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., and Grades 4K-2 on Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 15: North Crawford School District will offer their annual ‘North Pole Breakfast with Santa and his Elves,’ from 8-11 a.m. Participants will enjoy a delicious breakfast of Belgium waffles with toppings and sausage links, fun games, festive crafts, a bake sale, and a special visit from Santa. The event is a fundraiser for the senior class trip.

• Sunday, Dec. 15: This is the deadline to enter the ‘Gays Mills Holiday Lighting Contest.’ For homes located within the Village of Gays Mills, participants will have the chance to win prizes, to be announced on December 23. To enter, e-mail Amy Matthews with your name and address at amatthews@c21affiliated.com

Jane’s new book

The book is about Finn grieving the loss of his buddy, Michael Karasek.

Grandma Riley (aka, Jane) helps Finn name his emotions and understand that it's normal to feel blue when someone we love dies, when we get injured or sick, when a best friend moves, when parents get divorced, or when our favorite dog dies.

The book was written after Jane's granddaughter, Helena, was killed in a tragic car accident this past June.

Schmidt said, "grieving is hard and complicated as an adult. I couldn't imagine children trying to navigate it on their own. I sincerely hope the book along with a loving adult reading it can help."