December bright stroll thru Lyons (photo spread)
The Holiday Season started out with a Holiday Lights Parade (see ARTICLE) and craft fair.
Santa & Our Dogs – Gateway Realty Group on Main Street put on “Santa Paws” for local dogs to meet Santa Claus and get their photo taken Saturday, December 13th. They offered some cute accessories for them to wear too, like antlers, jackets, hats and a tie! Becca Caulfield brought four of her doggie babes.
.
.
Live Nativity Scene – This year The River Church did its “live Nativity” program again. But, with COVID-restrictions lightened, they were able to allow people to get out of their cars and come up and see the performers, including the live farm animals.
.
.
Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund HOLIDAY EVENTS – Participants in the LEAF Food Pantry were treated to a Super Duper Pantry Day where they received so much food and personal care items that they had to use a small shopping cart to load it up! A few expressed that the Food Box, and the Giving Tree item were the only “gifts” they would receive this year — and the Good Deeds gave both the people and the volunteers a big smile! Thanks goes to Laura Levy Coldwell Banker for the special cookies and poinsettias, and to the Calvary Foothills Church for the hot chocolate, and Higher Ground Ministries (Sam Tallent) for the big spiral hams.
That same week, LEAF also delivered gifts from the Holiday Giving Tree event to those who had signed up for a needed Holiday Gift.
It “takes a Village” to run such big, dual event, both the Pantry and Giving Tree gifts, and the community of Lyons thanks the dozens of volunteers who made it happen, and those who donated items!
.
Downtown street lights – Sandstone Park and Main Street had more lights than ever this year! You could often see people taking late evening strolls among them, and even some running around the trees, playing Catch Me if you Can! Thanks to the Town of Lyons Parks & Recreation department and those who were willing to stand in the tall cranes to reach the tops of the evergreens to drap them with lights!
.
Homes decorated with lights – The Lyons Chamber of Commerce ran a contest this year, with cash prizes, for the best decorated homes and businesses in Lyons. (There’s still time to vote!) It is fun following the map, but there were also exciting surprises along the route of homes of places that had not entered the contest. Some were festive enough to enjoy in the daylight!
.
.
Holiday Jazz Band Concert at Wildflower Pavilion. – Lyons Middle/Senior High School jazz band performed a Winter Concert at Planet Bluegrass’ Wildflower Pavilion Monday night, December 13, to a packed room. They were joined by Westview Middle School’s Jazz Band, and had a food truck and drinks available. The event was free to the community. Thank you to Dr. Karen Gregg for putting on four concerts (including walking in the Christmas Parade) during December! and each one being top-quality and fun! (See our ARTICLE on SCHOOL NEWS for more photos and news.)
.
Children’s Christmas Pageant – Around a dozen kids participated in the annual Children’s Christmas Pageant at the Lyons Community Church this December. A fresh script told the old beloved story of Jesus’ birth. A few adults also sang or performed instruments to fill out the program. And, an inspiring sermon on the meaning of hospitality was given (such as that given at the Inn in Bethlehem). It not only means serving food, but welcoming those in need into our homes. This could mean having an international exchange student or bordering someone evacuated due to a wildfire. People from the community mixed with the congregation afterwards over a variety of home-made cookies.
.
