Mt. City Montage
by PAULINE TOM
It’s not a Grinch, but a Calendar Wrench alters the Loving Mountain City “annual” Christmas traditions this year. Several key volunteers have major calendar conflicts (families come first) for the weekend when the LMC calendar shows the Christmas Lights & Décor Contest and the Tour de Lights. So, as of early this week, on-line adjudication will determine the winning Christmas lights and décor (one vote per Mountain City household). Details will be announced within the next few days. And, unless someone comes through to take over the Tour de Lights, with Santa and hayrides to see the winning décor, count it stolen by the Wrench.
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The annual Night in Bethlehem at the Fellowship at Plum Creek property (on 2770, near Kohler’s Crossing) takes place this Saturday and Sunday 6 – 8:30 p.m. Park at Barton Middle School.The website (fellowshipchurchatplumcreek.com) explains “this year participants will start at a petting zoo with the shepherds, travel through an active market place, be kicked out of the overcrowded inn, witness the manger scene, witness Jesus being dedicated at the temple, and see the wise men visiting Jesus.”
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Journey of the Wise Men at Wizard, a guided walk-through experience, as you follow the wise men on their journey to see the newborn king is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and next weekend. www.journeyofthewisemen.com 16221 Crystal Hills Dr. (a few miles north of the Salt Lick). What a blessing to have these nearby events that focus on the Christ part of Christmas.
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Dr. James Denison, who writes my favorite daily devotion, wrote last week, "I wish more Americans understood the “reason for the season” this Christmas. … The tradition of lighting trees during December goes back to the Middle Ages and has always been identified specifically with Christmas. To make Christmas trees into Holiday trees is like making Ramadan into a “month of contemplation” or Hanukkah into a “season for reflection.”
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After 40 weeks of celebrating 40 years, the actual moment of our 40th anniversary will chime on the 11th during Night in Bethlehem, while I serve hot chocolate and cookies and he plays a costumed part. Happy Anniversary, RonTom!
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December 11 is also the birthday of Judge Beth Smith. Newcomers may not know that she served as mayor of Mountain City from the time the city incorporated in 1984 - 1998.
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Looking for a unique Christmas gift? Obtain “Mountain City Cooks” through Verlenne Monroe, [email protected] $15. Here’s wishing that this Christmas season she and Gary will recoup the money they fronted for the cookbooks three years ago. Once the loan is paid, sales will bring funds to Loving Mountain City. Up until last week, I used “Mountain City Cooks” as kitchen décor. I turned to it for a yummy cookie recipe for the Fellowship at Plum Creek Ladies Cookie Exchange (held at my house on Sunday evening). Crunchy Coconut Cookies, submitted by Diane Krejci, are worth the cost of the cookbook.
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What else is cooking in Mountain City? Birthdays? Anniversaries? Fun stories? Please let me know: email [email protected] or text/phone 512-517-5678.
