Community

The winners of the Canadian/Hemphill County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting Contest were announced this week. The prize for first place was awarded to Patrick and Mattie Vasquez, whose home (in photo at top right) is located at 415 S. 7th St. The second-place winner was the home of Misael and Esperanza Blanco at 330 Giraud (middle). Third-place winners were Alan and Laurie Hale, whose home is located at 919 S. 4th St (bottom). Adding immensely to this community’s holiday spirit were a number of downtown businesses that joined in this year’s #ColorfulCanadian Christmas lighting project, which was spearheaded by Bryce and Haley Ward. The secret Santas who judged the contest were pleased to see Canadian so brightly-lit this Christmas. “There were so many more that decorated this year, and it made it fun driving all over to see this town lit up,” said one. “Wow! There were a lot more houses decorated this year…and downtown looked amazing,” said another. “Canadian sure showed their Christmas spirit. There were so many good ones it was hard to narrow it down,” the third judge commented. “I loved that there were houses decorated that usually aren’t. Now if we could just get the whole town on board!” The contest winners were each given prizes of Canadian Cash.

In last week’s Rotary Club meeting, Charlie Mann introduced invited speaker Head Coach Chris Koetting, the Canadian High School athletic director. Mann commented on Canadian’s first-class athletic programs. He also suggested that Koetting might have been a high-jumper in a previous life, as evidenced by the photo of him leaping for joy at the end of the state game.

What could be more comforting than a warm bowl of gumbo on a cold winter’s day? This recipe comes from my niece, Trisha Lyons, who is married to a Cajun boy. - KIM B.

A fellow I know was grousing about the past year. His birthday was coming up, and he felt, once again, that this year failed to meet his expectations.

My Christmas Tradition is… We make cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Then, we go to sleep wake up wait for 2 year old Damian to wake up and then open our presents. After that, we go to my grandma’s (she lives in town) and open presents from her and our cousin. ESMERIALA SHIELDS

The Lady Cat softball team joined forces with the Comancheria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to show gratitude and respect to our veterans at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery at noon Saturday, Dec. 19. Millions of Americans gathered together safely as one nation at over 2,400 locations across the United States to remember, honor, and teach.

Whatever you think about Christmas, I think you would have to agree we need one this year. Everyone I know seems determined to do as much Christmas as it is possible to do.

The First Presbyterian Church presented its annual Live Nativity Scene last Wednesday evening, December 9, inviting the community to drive by the Presbyterian Gazebo from 6 to 7 pm to view the recreation by members of their Middle School youth and Wee Believers kids groups. A nativity scene draws its inspiration from accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In the photo below, Ava Guillen and Zaylee Ortiz are the sheep, Joaquin Flores is the shepherd, Cinch Hanson and Kate Escarcega are Joseph and Mary, and Baxter Landry and Corbpin Palmore portray two of the wise men.

My niece Trisha Lyons and her husband, Daniel, live in Knoxville, Tennessee, with two very lucky rescue dogs, Ember and Asher. She sent me several recipes, including this one for man’s best friends!