|
Christmas ‘turns up’ people’s good side
One time a few years ago, Caney Fork’s Martin Cook told me that “every one has a good side and a bad side,” and that his job as gospel group Inspirations manager was to “keep the good sides turned up.”
Judging by The Inspirations’ success, it’s fair to say that Martin has succeeded in his effort to help the good sides triumph.
This time of year also seems to have that effect on people. Our pages this week are filled with community members’ efforts to bring cheer into the lives of those who might otherwise have a less-than-happy Christmas season.
We’re not going to try and list them all in this space, because due to shortness of time and memory lapses, we might leave some out, but here are a few highlights:
– “Shop With a Cop.” Now in its third year, the program relies on donations from community members and businesses to provide Christmas shopping money for kids whose families cannot provide it. In addition, it’s an opportunity for children to spend some fun time with law enforcement officers and learn that these public servants can lend a helping hand. After shopping, the kids and the cops enjoy lunch together before they’re returned to school.
“Heart-warming” is the word Sheriff Jimmy Ashe used to describe the experience, and it’s hard to think of a better word when looking at Herald photographer Nick Breedlove’s excellent photos on pages 1A and 12A.
– Harrah’s Toys for Tots effort. The Cherokee operation collected more than 1,500 toys from its employees, making its donation the largest the area Marine Corps League, T for T’s sponsor, has ever received from a single sponsor. In addition to donating the toys, books and games, Harrah’s employees formed a human chain to load the Christmas bounty onto the “sleigh” that would land them under some lucky child’s tree on Monday morning. Some 80 employees agreed to help; more than 100 showed up, according to Harrah’s spokesman Charles Pringle.
– Church holiday meals. Sylva Church of God New Harvest will serve dinner to community members on Christmas Eve, and Webster Baptist will follow suit on Christmas Day. What wonderful examples of church members living their faith and getting into the true meaning of Christmas by giving up a portion of their own holidays to help those who are alone or in need. Details of both events are elsewhere in the paper.
And those are just the highlights. We have news of many free Christmas programs and plays that are sure to brighten the hearts and spirits of those who attend. We also have information on Rotary donations to gift boxes that will make the lives of senior citizens easier and of many other efforts to spread Christmas cheer.
These are the same kinds of stories that we publish every Christmas, but we never get tired of them. It’s nice to be able to focus on the good things people in this community do for each other.
Looking back almost 30 years to The Herald’s Dec. 22, 1977, edition, we discover similar reports. That year’s Christmas Cheer Fund furnished quilts, jackets and shoes to those who needed them. We saw pictures of kids at a local head start center on Santa’s lap, and a photo of a Sylva Presbyterian Christmas musical.
The front page photo was of our historic Courthouse, with rows of holiday lights lining its famous steps. In that era of mostly black-and-white newspapers, Herald News Editor J.D. McRorie decided on several bright red headlines to make that week’s front page seem more festive.
This is the week when we publish our annual holiday greetings section, which gives local merchants an opportunity to send a newsprint Christmas card to their patrons. The 1977 paper includes similar ads, and, as with most things, these days, some names still show up in our pages while once-prominent businesses have departed.
Scanning the 1977 Christmas greetings, we noticed lots of businesses that were once stalwarts in this community: A&P, Potts Supermarket, Hennessee Lumber Co., Blue Ribbon Shoe, Sylva Coal & Lumber, Western Carolina Telephone Co., Smoky Mountain Nursery, Highlands Cleaners, Belk, Cagle & Son Ford, Cogdill Motors, Campbell Electric, The Book Store, First Union Bank, Sears, Hensley Tire, Jay Gees, Wilson Insurance and David’s.
The 1977 advertisers who remain in business locally include Gibson Furniture, Allison’s, Harold’s, Wachovia, Farm Bureau, Massie Furniture Co., Hollifield’s, Jackson Savings, Greene Brothers Well Drilling, P&M Automotive, and of course, The Sylva Herald.
Merry Christmas.
|
