CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

By Jon Mayhew

VALE -- Take children's Christmas stories, the West Lincoln
Chorus, the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts from
vendors and the chance to visit with Santa Claus himself and
what have you got? Two days of family fun at Lincoln County's
original winery.

It's the third annual Woodmill Winery Christmas open house.
The event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the winery.

According to winery owner/operator Larry Cagle, the event is
slightly different this year from the previous two years.

"We're holding the open house on Saturday and Sunday," said
Cagle. "We know the Cat Square parade is Saturday. We want
people to attend the parade, then come to the winery to hear the
West Lincoln chorus."

Woodmill Winery is partnering with The Carolina Scoop in
promoting events that attract people from across Lincoln County.

For the upcoming event, 11 vendors will be showcasing
Christmas gifts of all kinds, including pottery, wooden rocking
horses and custom-made Santas.

Wines will also be available, including Carolina Christmas and
Blue Christmas wines, as well as muscadine wine. The North
Carolina Muscadine Grape Association says the muscadine is
the healthiest grape, being 40 times better healthwise than any
other grape.

"We're touting the health benefits of drinking wine," said Cagle,
adding this weekend's event is for the whole family.

Cagle said in 2007, about 700 people attended the one day
event. He expects that number to be around 1,500 people over
the two-day event.

The schedule of events for the Christmas open house is:

Saturday, Dec. 13
11am-12pm: Children's Story Hour
12-2pm: Santa Claus
2-3pm: Children's Story Hour
3-5pm: Santa Claus
5-7pm: West Lincoln Chours sings Christmas carols

Sunday, Dec. 14
1-2pm: Children's Story Hour
2-4pm: Santa Claus
4-6pm: West Lincoln Chorus

West Lincoln students will also be selling hamburgers and hot
dogs during the event to raise money for a future concert trip.

Upcoming at Woodmill Winery:
---New Year's Eve Party!
Ring in the New Year at Lincoln County's premiere winery! There
is limited seating of 104. Investment is $50/couple or $25/single.
There will be plenty of dancing and finger foods, as well as a
champagne toast and a baloon drop at Midnight. Afterwards, a
full breakfast will be catered from 12:30-1:30am. For more
information, see Woodmill Winery's ad on The Carolina Scoop. Click on the ad to go to their Website.