Who's back have you got? Who got yours? However you answer those queries, do be having a 3-D Christmas. Don't drink and drive. Desire designated drivers. Do be dallying diligently.
For your information, holiday mirth and merriment come with shared responsibility, occasioned in laughter and recalled of tearful reckonings from Christmases past. Do be safe.
Indeed, holiday celebrations seem to have already begun in some quarters. Trees are up, houses are alight, the cops are out. And, Santa Claus, or someone like him, has been already coming to town.
Four days past the feast of St. Nicholas Day, the Jolly Old Feller was grateful to have his Missus along, not only to share her knees with the dozens of children small and big who came out to sit and have their pictures taken in McIvers last Sunday, but to get him on site for starters. It seems his sleigh broke down in the rain, or, that's how the latest legend now lives and breathes, Hitchhiker Santa.
Yes, a heavy rainshower would stall Santa's motorized groundsled which he uses for down-to-earth parades, only to have Mrs. Claus come to the rescue in a pickup truck and get him to the community hall on time ahead of his sleigh, just like his reindeer before him. Gifting followed, thanks to Missus Claus saving the day.
The old hometown's homecoming year Christmas Parade and Breakfast with Santa was sponsored by Come Home Year 2017 and the long-serving McIvers Community Improvement Club. Eight volunteer service groups in all.
From a peaceful “Unto Us A Child Is Born” Christmas navity-themed float and a sleek silver rocket sled on wheels, to antler-clad reindeer mascots riding ATVs, marching mummers and honourable mentions, a score and more colourful creations paraded.
Todd Lawrence and his onboard cookie cutter crew garnered the nod for best float, their winning Gingerbread House chosen by parish priest Rev. Mario Melendez who considered that all the entries worthy of praise. Harold Wheeler's Hometown Christmas trailer would earn him first spot in the best-decorated ATV category; and, led by Captain America and The Black Widow (aka Fabian and Lorna Lovell), a team of slick-dressed superheroes crushed the costumed class to take the prize there.
Any award that might someday be given for sweetness among children gathered to get their picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus would have had gone this year to Stella Park, who at three-and-a-half months old was the youngest of the lot to go sit and smile, almost. So sweet. She and her young parents, Jessica and David, have a snap or two to prove it a part of their first family Christmas, along with other merry memories on offer to go with it.
As more mirth and merriment follows Santa, there's still a bit more of it to enjoy for old and young alike even before the 12 real days of Christmas come and go into the New Year beckoning.
Music, fraternity, food and festive fun are on the menu for the McIvers 50-Plus seniors’ Christmas dinner and dance, beginning 5 p.m. Friday (Dec. 15) at the Golden Seabreeze Club.
Next Friday, Dec. 22, the McIvers Come Home Year 2017 Committee is host for a Kids Movie Night at the community hall. Admission is free of charge. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the feature presentation, The Muppett Christmas Carol, is due to begin at 6:30.
Santa visits Gillams, Meadows next
Santa's groundsled is expected out of the elfish fix-it shop and ready to make stops in Gillams and Meadows for parades there this Saturday.
The afternoon parade in Gillams starts at 2 o’clock, followed by the eventide Meadows Christmas Parade of Lights, which is due to begin 5 p.m. there, according to citizen reporter Pam Park.
A community PR leader, Park noted Julia House's Christmas toy drive held in conjunction with the Santa parade in Gillams was “a great success last year” and remains hopeful for a similar pubic response this year. Saturday event patrons desiring to make a donation to the drive are reminded to bring along new toys, unwrapped, to be collected by parade participants during their march through town.
Dave White welcomes your Bay of Islands news and events information at 660-5712, or email at: [email protected].
