Finally, we made it to December!
Although the COVID-19 is still raging with 2,457 new cases reported on Wednesday and 15 deaths, the first signs of Christmas are popping up all around the community. The towns have been hanging decorations, residents are putting up outdoor lights, and Christmas music has started on the radio.
For my family, Christmas officially began this morning when our Elf on the Shelf, Elfis, returned from the North Pole to keep an eye on my seven-year-old. Of course, after traveling so far and through Canada and so many states, Santa is requiring him to stay in quarantine for 14 days.
This is fine with me, as long as his mischievous self is contained for half the month. He tends to make a mess and forget to move himself during the night.
For young parents, I urge you to run -- far, far away -- from inviting the Elf on the Shelf to spend Christmas with you. Trust. Me. On. This.
In the community, although every parade in Carroll and Montgomery counties has been canceled, there are still some safe, family-friendly activities to put you in the Christmas spirit.
On Friday, December 4, a community Christmas tree lighting is planned at the Montgomery County Courthouse. Beginning at 6 p.m., the community is invited to drive through the courthouse loop to see the tree, a live nativity scene, and catch a glimpse of Santa Claus himself. There will even be candy for the kids.
This event is sponsored by the Winona Business and Professional Association, the City of Winona, Montgomery County, and Winona Main Street. Visitors are asked to enter the courthouse from the east entrance next to the Winona Police Department and circle around to exit from the west entrance. Everyone is asked to stay in their vehicle.
Initially, a drive-in movie was planned to follow the lighting, but that has been postponed until December 18. Stay tuned for more details.
On Saturday evening at 6 p.m., the always-popular Christmas on the Square in Kilmichael will come to life. The town canceled its annual parade last week due to the pandemic, but it decided to do a soft lighting of the square for the community to enjoy at a distance. Even if you can’t make it to the soft lighting on Saturday, Christmas on the Square will be bringing Christmas cheer through the first of the year. You don’t want to miss it.
This year, the theme is A Blues Christmas to celebrate Kilmichael’s place on the Mississippi Blues Trail as B.B. King’s childhood home.
On December 7, the Cherokee Rose Garden Club in Carrollton will hold a holiday decorating contest and scavenger hunt. I love how creative the garden club is to come up with such a fun way to get into the spirit while practicing social distancing.
To participate in the scavenger hunt, several businesses in Carrollton and North Carrollton have registration forms. (See page 8 for more details on these events).
Like Thanksgiving, Christmas may be a little different this year, but I’d rather miss out on some traditions this year to enjoy many more with my family and friends.
I hope all of you stay safe throughout the holiday season. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be diligent in social distancing.
