There were three successful openings this week the Grand Marais Playhouse I SD166 production of the musical Seussical at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, the Kelly Dupre and Neil Sherman exhibit, Here and Far Away at the Johnson Heritage Post and the Holiday Art Show at the Last Chance Art Studio and Gallery in Lutsen.

Heifer gift shop tempers holiday commercialism 
Christmas and other wintertime holidays can tug at the conscience a bit as celebrators try to strike a balance between the heart-held meaning of a holiday and the commercialism of it all.

Alpacas prove Christmas gift hit 
Hundreds of alpacas and thousands of trees have been bought by Scots seeking to give a gift with a difference.

BERLIN – The soulful brown eyes gaze languorously from beneath luxurious fringed lids. A mop top of thick fleece protects the strong forehead. As the graceful, gentle animal leans its long neck into your touch, you feel one of the softest natural fibers around.
Source: www.telegram.com

Briefly in Tompkins 
The Ulysses Philomathic Library will hold its annual book sale now through Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Library on Main Street in Trumansburg.
Source: www.theithacajournal.com

Sometimes all you need for inspiration is a 4 1/2-year-old, and designers Sophie Demenge and Michael Ryan of Oeuf are lucky enough to have one handy: their daughter, Mae. When Demenge dreamed up the Hug-Me sweater, with its mitten-shaped pockets on the front, “I wanted to make her smile,” she says. The soft alpaca sweater available at Tadpole ($90) …
Source: www.boston.com