A Week-end of Giving

This past week-end was a week-end of giving.  And, it’s not quite Thanksgiving yet!



Friday night was the opening night of our local area Chamber’s Holiday Nights and Lights.  One of our parks is filled with displays of holiday lights, that guests typically drive through to see.  But on Friday, guests could walk or hike the lights.  The fee was $5 per person and proceeds went to support our local trails—for walking and biking.

This is the third year we have hiked the lights and we brought along Grandma Carol and our dog.  The weather was great and the lights put everyone in the holiday spirit.

The boy noticed that two of the usual light displays were not there. . . the “shark” and the Wizard of Oz displays were missing.  The boy decided that they had been traded in for the Candy Factory light display.  He’s still not sure if it was worth the trade.

From now until shortly after the new year, the lights will be on each evening for drive through traffic.  There’s a house for Santa to visit at least until Christmas.

Saturday we took in the Festival of the Trees, a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, held at one of our local retirement living facilities.

Young guests got to decorate a cookie and take in a holiday story read by a special elf.

Santa was on hand to hear the wish lists of all the boys and girls.  The boy asked for trains!

I always admire the creativity of those that decorate the trees.  There were great themed trees this year and many different sized trees.

Sunday was the day for the annual Santa Paws event held at our local Earl May Garden Center as a fundraiser for Heartland Humane Society.

Each year, Earl May donates the setting, Santa donates his time, a local photographer donates time, equipment, and skill, and a local photo shop donates the photo processing.  Guests receive a great 5 X 7 photo of their pet with Santa for $10.

The three events, all packed into one week-end, catapulted us into the holiday season.  Now, I just need to get our tree up!