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Rooting for change: Turnips instead of potatoes

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County COVID-19 cases top 10,000 with 212 new confirmed; 9 more deaths

Christmas at Quiet Valley will be quieter than usual this holiday season.
				You won&rsquo;t encounter the Belsnickel, for example, that sterner, not-so-jolly version of Santa Claus.
				And you won&rsquo;t be accompanied by tour guides as you make your way around the 18th-century living history farm outside of Stroudsburg.
				But if you attend the farm&rsquo;s 30th annual Old Time Christmas on either of the next two Saturdays or Sundays, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13, you can take a self-guided tour between 2 and 8 p.m. to admire the decorations, including the Christmas &ldquo;putz,&rdquo; or miniature village; candles and luminaries and many festive trees.
				One highlight of the event will be a live Nativity scene in which the Holy Family will be surrounded by some of the same kinds of creatures who may have lived in the Bethlehem stable so long ago.
				&ldquo;We have sheep, horses, goats; we don&rsquo;t have a cow this year, but we have our standard farm animals,&rdquo; Quiet Valley staffer Ed Weinhofer confirmed in a telephone interview.
				Because of this year&rsquo;s COVID-19 concerns, Weinhofer said, &ldquo;Everything is outside.&rdquo;
				You&rsquo;ll be able to warm yourself near a bonfire where a storyteller will spin a tale or two, see costumed re-enactors working on old-fashioned crafts and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
				Visits typically last about 90 minutes, and before you leave you&rsquo;ll have a chance to vote for your favorite decorated tree, sponsored by area families and businesses, in the &ldquo;Christmas Tree Forest.&rdquo; Visitors are advised to dress warmly, and masks are required.
				Admission this year has been reduced to $5 per person, with children younger than 3 admitted free. The last entrance to the farm will be at 7 p.m. each day. No pets or smoking, please. Tickets may be purchased in advace at quiet-valley.ticketleap.com or by calling the farm at 570-992-6161.
				Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm is a non-profit,educational corporation dedicated to the preservation and presentation of 19th century agricultural history. It is located 3 &#189; miles south of Stroudsburg, off Business Route 209.

Quiet Valley plans a quieter Christmas this year