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Santa Claus arrived at the Palace Theatre, promptly at 9 am, where Natalie Weeks of Peanut Photos had the shutter snapping as she captured images of over 200 children on Santa’s lap while he listened to their Christmas wish lists. The crowds arrived all morning— not in a frantic flood, but in a steady flow—to visit with Santa and to decorate cookies provided by CASA downstairs. At the end of the day, attendance was every bit as high as last year. “I always gauge our success by the kids,” Weeks said, adding that when she asked her son, Atticus, about his foray around town, “He said he had a lot of fun.”

Eighteen turkeys were roasted for the 114th WCTU Christmas Bazaar, and 92 pies and other goodies were delivered for the bake sale. The WCTU crew came in early to prepare the food and set places at the tables. It took 76 happy volunteers (like the kitchen crew in photo at top) and dozens of pie makers to continue this wonderful tradition. An estimated 110 guests enjoyed the dining room service, and another 289 enjoyed delivery and takeout meals, prepared and packaged by these cheery volunteers (photo below). Dale Forrest was a late recruit to the dining room staff...and man, did he wear it well! The library staff is grateful for the community support of this worthwhile fundraiser.

Music filled the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church Sunday evening as Paula Forrest and friends played holiday favorites in this 3rd Annual Christmas Concert. The concert featured Forrest, sporting her welllit Christmas sweater, on piano, and WTAMU music students David Uribe on euphonium, Lilia Trayler on flute, and Nicholas Sparks on tuba (pictured above). Canadian student Presley Harper and First Baptist Church minister Matt Phenix (not pictured) both leant their voices to the wondrous sound.

CHRISTMAS MAY JUST come a bit early this year for sports fans in Canadian. When it does, you can thank Nate Lee, who, for the last year, has pursued an idea that started with his son, sixth-grader Caden, who decided he was interested in golf.

The Citadelle Art Foundation Director Wendie Cook welcomes guests to Monday night’s annual Christmas lighting event, and invites them to guess how many lights are wrapped around the garden’s trees for this eagerly-anticipated occasion. The answer—4,072 feet— elicited more than a few oohs and aahs.

Though the hot apple cider and other delicious refreshments served Monday evening are long gone now, the Waterfield Walk lights will remain on each evening through Christmas for visitors wishing to stroll through the gardens.

PHOTOS BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN | THE RECORD