The holidays on our campus herald a time of fellowship and great food, goodies for the children, the gorgeous harmonies of our choir and chorale, and the opportunity to see and purchase fine craft.

Here are a variety of events to mark on your calendar between Thanksgiving and Christmas:

* Campus Dining Services is offering a holiday dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Marketplace (cafeteria). For $7.25 (or with your meal plan, if you've purchased one), expect turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Plans are in the works for a "medieval" dinner in December; watch the Tech Times for more details.

* The annual Holiday Festival at the Craft Center features three days of craft demonstrations, festive music, treats for sale in the walkway cafe, and a fine craft exhibition and sale, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 25-27. Faculty, staff and students receive a 10 percent discount on every gallery item.

* The annual fine craft sale by members of the Visual Arts Society takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery. The sale features blown glass, pottery, jewelry, textiles and more. Art students bill the event as a great way to stock up on one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays while helping raise funds to host visiting artists and for student travel to national, professional conferences.

* Our Concert Choir and Chorale are giving performances with traditional Christmas themes at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 2, in Wattenbarger Auditorium. For the Dec. 1 concert, the Capshaw Elementary School choir will make a guest appearance, while the Cookeville High School choir will join the ensembles on Dec. 2. Tickets are $5; call 3650. The program is led by Randall Hooper, director of choral activities.

* The Mastersingers will give two concerts of Christmas music, the first at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9, and the second at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, in Wattenbarger Auditorium. Special guests will be the Sanctuary Handbell Choir from First United Methodist Church in Cookeville. Robert Armour will narrate. The concerts are free.

* The Mastersingers Ensemble will perform the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah" beginning at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13, in Wattenbarger Auditorium. The group will be accompanied by a small chamber orchestra. Tickets are $5; call 526-1179. Tickets will also be available at the door.

* President Bob Bell and first lady Gloria Bell are welcoming faculty, administrators and community members to Walton House for a Christmas open house from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4.

* The president and first lady are also hosting the annual Christmas recognition luncheon for clerical and support staff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5, in the Multipurpose Room. To accommodate a variety of lunch schedules, a buffet luncheon will be served continuously. If you haven't already notified your immediate supervisor that you plan to attend, please do so by Monday, Nov. 21.

* To cap off the festivities, this year's annual holiday party for the children of faculty, staff and students, hosted by the central administration, is set for 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Tech Pride Room. The free event features refreshments, goodies and special guest appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and Awesome Eagle, and it's open to all toddler to 10-year-old children of students, faculty and staff and their families. No reservations required.