It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that song kicked off the Oakland Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6 as the Stayin’ Alive Singers of DeSoto County, in Victorian Carolers’ attire, led a group of about 80 people who gathered for the tree lighting.
Mayor Stephanie Patterson led the countdown and the tree came alive with lights on the grounds of the Oakland Public Library. We didn’t get to light our 70-year-old red cedar this year because of damage done to the lights when a damaged limb was removed. The kids were told the Grinch had taken our lights and we were looking for him. A cute little boy told me he knew where to find him, so, hopefully, we will get everything back on track for next year’s activities!
Kids had a special event prior to the tree lighting where Luanne Taylor Brooks had transformed the back room at the Chamber offices into an enchanted space. Santa stopped by and heard the children’s wish lists and they had refreshments, made personalized decorations, and also had a special decoration with their name painted on it by Gay Lynn Haynes. Kini Bradford Jefferson made individual cookie and candy bags for the children to take home. Thanks to Ping Pong Paris for being Santa’s stand-in this year.
The crowd moved from the tree lighting back inside where more songs were sung. Chamber President Mike Robinson shared the story of the Christmas tree which he helped plant as a Cub Scout in 1959, and Pastor Robert Reed read the story of Christ’s birth from Luke. He closed the activities with comments about the energy in Oakland, his belief in the work we are doing as a community, and a beautiful prayer.
Special thanks to Luanne Brooks, her sister Roxanne, Cassaundra Pipkins and Cliff Craven for the work they did cleaning and decorating. Hours and hours and hours go into putting together these events. I’m sure I’ve overlooked someone and my deepest apologies in advance because everyone who helped in any way deserves thanks.
Don’t forget the Oakland Christmas parade is this Saturday, Dec. 13. The parade begins at 3:30 p.m. If you want to be in the parade, contact Marzet Bland at 662-647-7750, Vera Walls-Tellis at 662-709-0440 or Sharonda Jones at 662-589-0040. These ladies, as well as Francesca Suggs-Scott, Tyrone Jenkins and Polly Foxx, are working hard to bring the best parade ever!
I wanted to put this in again as a reminder because I believe the new Town of Oakland Text Alert system played a part in our larger crowd this year. Mayor Stephanie Patterson announced the Town of Oakland Text Alerts system in the last few weeks. If you want to stay connected and get alerts, simply text OaklandMS to 91896. This will enable you to get updates, reminders and important information directly to your phone. It is really hard to communicate with everyone these days. Some still rely on local newspapers (yay for those who do!), others use social media, and some just hope someone tells them what’s going on! We continue to work on communication strategies.
As lobbyist for the Town of Oakland, I will be sharing Oakland’s wish list for the upcoming session with our House member Kevin Horan and our Senator Ben Suber this week. Hearings are already starting. I also represent The W as lobbyist and Sen. Nicole Boyd of Oxford is Chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges and has a two-day hearing this week.
This time of year can be so busy. It is really hard sometimes to stop, take a breath and soak in the significance of the Season. Many faiths are celebrating significant holidays in December. Even Christianity has multiple days including Advent, which is the four-week season of waiting and preparation for Christmas.
Christmas itself, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, is on Dec. 25. Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration from Dec. 16-24 that commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Our Lady of Guadalupe Day is a feast day celebrated on Dec. 12. St. Stephen’s Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 26, honors the first Christian martyr.
I am not very familiar with Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, but my Episcopal church, Chapel of the Cross, celebrates Las Posadas, which is one of my favorite traditions.
Small statues of Mary and Joseph travel from house to house in our church family during those nine days with parishioners delivering to the next family on the list. Many families host special devotionals or invite neighbors and friends to receive Mary and Joseph as they travel. We especially enjoyed it when the boys were young.
Our Jewish friends are celebrating Hanukkah this year on Dec. 14-22. The eight-day “Festival of Lights” symbolizes light over darkness and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days when only one day’s supply was found at the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem.
Then, of course, we are launched straight into a New Year!
However you celebrate the holidays, remember to take care of yourself during the rush.
