I was running late and almost decided not to stop, but I’m glad I did.
It was Saturday morning, Dec. 2, and there were town Christmas celebrations going on in Montezuma and Brooklyn – at the same time. I’m good at being a community journalist, but I have yet figured out how to be in two places at once. Thankfully, Santa arrived in Montezuma at 8 a.m. and in Brooklyn at 11 a.m. That gave me time to cover Christmas Santa events in both towns. My first stop was the Montezuma Memorial Hall shortly after 8 a.m., where I captured a number of young people meeting Santa and sharing their Christmas gift list. There was also a Christmas breakfast and cookie decorating for kids and adults alike. After one hour, I headed to the Montezuma Methodist Church for photos of the Cookie Walk, before heading to Brooklyn. Kids Storytime and fun activities were planned at the Brooklyn Library from 9 – 10:30 a.m. I looked at my cell phone as I rolled into Brooklyn. It was edging toward 10:30 a.m. and I almost skipped it to wait for Santa’s arrival. I decided to stop at the library anyway and I’m glad I did. Kids where still there finishing up homemade Christmas ornaments as I worked my way around the library taking photos. About that time, Gracie Gerard, the third child of librarian Josh Gerard (see my story on Josh in this week’s issue) and his wife, Tracey, asked me if I wanted to make an ornament. I asked Gracie if she’d help me and she said, “yes.” I couldn’t pass that opportunity up. It brought back many of my own childhood memories. The first order of business was having my photo taken in the library community room. I hadn’t shaved in more than a week and was a bit gruffy looking. The older I have gotten, the less I like shaving, so I’ve been letting my beard grow for a week or so. I’ve had a beard a couple times in past years, but I’m not real interested in growing another one, at least not now. Anyway, while Gracie and I waited for the photo to print on a fancy cell phone printer, she helped me decorate my ornament with reindeer antlers. On the back, we put a big heart with green construction paper and red construction paper behind it. I wrote “Merry Christmas 2023” and “Jesus Loves You.” On the other side was my photo with trim on the edges. And Josh, the librarian, added a big red nose. J.O., the Red Nose Reindeer. I had my photo taken with Gracie as we held our ornaments that I posted on my Facebook page. I also thanked her for asking me to make an ornament and she said, “No problem.” I’m sure she had other things to do. Plus, she was acting in the production of “It’s A Wonderful Christmas Story,” a play her dad wrote and was directing. After a short nap at home Saturday afternoon, I returned to Montezuma and took a handful of photos at the soup supper held at the First Presbyterian Church. I also enjoyed a bowl of chili and conversation and good laugh with my friend, Boyd Sparks. And on Sunday, I returned to Brooklyn to attend the third and final production of “It’s A Wonderful Christmas Story,” which featured Gracie and cast of Brooklyn area residents. I was touched. Sometimes life can seem overwhelming during the holidays trying to figure out budgets, buying gifts for two dozen people, planning this and planning that, all while life and work rolls along. I’m thankful for my wife, Debbie, who handles most of the family Christmas buying while I take a nap. Anyway, as I have mentioned in the past, the Christmas season is a great time to give to others, volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bell, make a donation to a worthy cause, buy a neighbor a sack of groceries or fill their vehicle gas tank or give someone a gift card. You can’t go wrong doing something special to make the holidays better for others. What a wonderful time of the year to do good for all. I better get busy, I need to buy Debbie a Christmas gift or two. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.
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