Sunday, March 16, 2025

A Magical Evening in Downtown Angola

 



Magical. I think that is the best word to use to describe this past weekend. Maybe I should add “freezing cold!” to the list of words because it was very cold. However, it didn’t seem to cause any daunting folks or of spirits. Thanksgiving came and went with families gathering together or small groups or even dinner for one. Thankfulness comes in many ways. After the big events at my house, Thanksgiving Day was at Aaron and Rachel’s as we celebrated in their new house on their new farm. The fields were beautiful as were the first flakes of snow cascading down upon us. Yes, winter has already arrived even though I never finished the fall work. I still have a handful of tulips and daffodils to plant and now I wonder if that will even happen? I am not complaining. The cold air is brisk, and so exhilarating!

Friday dawned cold and windy. I gathered up my stories and headed over to the courthouse to tell stories to young and old alike. I stood up on the courthouse steps (my favorite place to stand) wondering if anyone would even come to hear stories. Before long, Courtney from Jennie Lou’s arrived with tidings of great joy. “We are moving you over to Suttons event room!” I was pretty happy about that although it made me a bit late. I again wondered if anyone would find me, but Nate and Aimee Simons showed up with all their household guests…children and adults. They filled every chair and stayed for an hour as I shared story after story with their family! I truly was grateful to have an audience!

The rest of the day I roamed around visiting different sites. The Brokaw sold out for the weekend, and we were all thrilled about that. The ice sculptures were such a nice addition to the beginning of Angola’s new traditions. Thank you to all the gals at Jennie Lou’s for all the work and for making it such a wonderful experience. And, with the cold, the sculptures could be with us for months. If you have not had a chance to see them, take a stroll around town!

I headed home for an hour to warm up before going back for the main event of the day which, of course, is the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was dusk when I headed back to town. I love dusk in the winter. There is something so strikingly beautiful. The streetlamps were just turning on and there were a few folks in line for Santa. I headed over to Sutton’s to get my assignment and help out. Everyone was already there setting up hot chocolate, getting candy canes ready. Dave Martin was gearing up for his first Santa’s arrival since he took off. My friend, Kevin Butts, was already working with his walkie-talkie as he was taking care of traffic and Santa’s arrival. Rachel Homan and Graham were in their elf costumes waiting for their duties with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hereby known as Head Elf and Assistant Elf. They have been doing this job for years!

If you were there, I don’t need to tell you how cold it was! But even so, the line grew longer til it reached City Hall and wove around the corner. Other folks gathered in all the quadrants to wait the arrival and share in the magic. By 6:00 p.m. all was ready, the sleigh was approaching, and the crowd was cheering! After Santa arrived, he and Dave did the countdown to light the square. It was as if it were New Year’s as everyone counted down, and just like magic, the lights came on!

My job for the evening was easy…just counting the kids and the adults. I had a great front row seat, so to speak, to be in the middle of the whole evening. I loved watching Santa and Mrs. Claus take so much time with each child. They even got some of the crying babies to stop for a while. Or was that Graham making faces at the babies? Either way, it was great fun. Some of the children were all dressed up so they would look good or Santa. Parents are wonderful. Thank you for braving the cold, and letting your children have the magic of childhood.

By the time I went home, the streets were empty, and I stopped to take photos of my beautiful town.

It was a magical day.


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