As the last of the leaves fall to the ground, our thoughts turn to a holiday season filled with joy, happiness and lots of festive events!

    Celebrate the season in traditional hometown style with the annual Holidays in Sandpoint kickoff Friday, Nov. 28, in Jeff Jones Town Square (pictured above). Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony and caroling, along with cookies and cider -- then Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m. to hear children's holiday wishes. It's a charming family-friendly event, and is open to the entire community. Sponsored by Sandpoint's Business Improvement District.

    If you're in Sandpoint for Thanksgiving weekend, make it a memorable experience by attending the Home for the Holidays Shook Twins Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in the Panida Theater.

    Finally, take a break from the football and turkey with an outing on Lake Pend Oreille during the K&K Thanksgiving Fishing Derby, held Nov. 22-30 (with a day off for Thanksgiving, Nov. 27). Sponsored by the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club.

   Adventure is practically Sandpoint's middle name, so naturally our attention turns to the mountains in November as skiers and snowboarders anxiously await snowstorms at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. A skiff of snow already landed in late October, so it won't be long now!

    With Mother Nature's cooperation during the next few weeks, a Thanksgiving weekend opening could be the joyous early holiday gift we're wishing for -- - so think snow! In the meantime, check out the resort's Christmas vacation getaways, pass deals and more at Schweitzer.com.

    A couple of new venues have opened up 'round town to enjoy Sandpoint's own wine and beer. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., opened its door last summer and serves as a tasting room and production facility for the brewing company's popular lineup of handcrafted beers. And wine lovers will revel in the beautiful new digs of the Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St. Both the wine bar and adjoining Bistro Rouge restaurant are now open in the refurbished Belwood Building. And of course, Laughing Dog Brewing, 1109 Fontaine Dr. in Ponderay, is always a great place to enjoy one of their 12 beers on tap.

    You needn't be a local Sandpointer to get the whimsy of the Dances with Winter cover on the new Winter 2015 issue of Sandpoint Magazine, with its boot-clad celebrants doing a happy dance on frozen Lake Pend Oreille. But as the Winter Dance cover story describes, the season brings a multitude of SSTD* (that's Stupid Stuff To Do in winter) once the snow falls and waters begin to freeze. Also in the issue is a terrific winter wildlife photo essay, life in Coldwater Creek's wake and much more! Check out the issue online at SandpointMagazine.com, or pick up a complimentary copy at more than 200 locations 'round town.