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By PEGGY CARLSON

Tickets are now on sale for the popular "Mount Vernon by Candlelight" tours at George and Martha Washington's riverside home.

The event is laden with warm historical ambience, and visitors are greeted as holiday guests of the Washington family. Visitors present their letter of introduction, and Martha Washington greets the guests in the dining room.

From there, they meet friends and family of the president and his wife, hear about 18th-century holiday cooking, view Mrs. Washington's "Great Cake" and receive a recipe, and tour the first and second floors of the mansion.

Later they may stroll candlelit paths and enjoy caroling by the fireside with cider and ginger cookies.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight tours run Friday through Sunday, Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 11-12, 5-8 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children under 12.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Ford Orientation Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily, or online at mountvernon.org.

If you want to add dining out to your evening's agenda, the nearby Mount Vernon Inn restaurant will be open for dinner during this event on Nov. 27 and 29, and Dec. 6 and 13. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made by calling 703/780-0011. The cost for one's meal includes dinner only, not the candlelight tours.

Visitors can even use this opportunity to accomplish some of their holiday shopping. The Shops at Mount Vernon will be open late during the evening candlelight tours, with 12 themed departments offering a wide selection of gift items. No admission is required to shop.

For details on Mount Vernon by Candlelight, call 703/780-2000 or visit the Web site at mountvernon.org.

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