When I was growing up, I always wondered why Christmas was so special. I remember helping put up the Christmas tree; my mother would decorate under the tree with cotton for snow and a tiny village. When she was finished, I wondered when the presents would appear.

Excitement is building for the annual lighted Christmas parade on Saturday, December 14 to be followed by Winter Wonderland, both of which are sponsored by the local Valley Service Organization. The theme of this year’s parade is “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” and it will be the first lighted Christmas parade that local icon Teense Willford will not announce.

<strong>Donna Smith and Jerry Butki, cancer survivors, walk the first lap of the Ribbons of Hope Turkey Trot on a crisp

Thanksgiving morning.</strong>

&nbsp;

Just as soon as folks are through stuffing themselves with turkey and dressing, they are invited to another mouthwatering home cooked meal from 5:00 to 6:30 Monday evening, Dec. 2nd, in the Saratoga Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at the corner of Bridge &amp; Third.

It probably hasn’t escaped your attention: Halloween is not even over and yet Christmas decorations, Christmas catalogues, and Christmas songs are everywhere! The Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings seem to sandwich themselves in between the other celebrations barely noticed and yet –

<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Photo by D’Ron Campbell</strong></p>