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Gleason Celebrates Hometown Christmas 2017
Jim Johnson
www.GleasonOnline.com
On Wednesday, December 6th from 5 to 8pm, Gleason residents came together as they do every year to share the Christmas spirit with family, friends and neighbors and celebrate "Hometown Christmas".
Despite the evening temperatures being in the mid 30's, Gleason residents came out in record numbers, with estimates of attendance throughout the evening ranging as high as 300 to 400 people - more than most of us can ever remember.
Despite the seasonal cold weather, everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves as they experienced all that this years Hometown Christmas had to offer while experiencing the warmth provided by several large burn-barrels that allowed them to warm themselves if needed.
The program began with a Christmas devotional provided by Alan Truell that reminded us all of the real "reason for the season". This was followed by lots of great Christmas music that was provided throughout the evening by local talent including Jim Arnold, Keith Arnold, Thomas Chandler, Micah Arnold, Gail Muzzall, Anna and Jon Eaton, and Keith Dunning, as well as a number of younger singers who made themselves proud.
Throughout the evening, children had the opportunity to visit with Santa over at the Senior Citizens Center, go on tractor or fire truck rides, or play or slide on the "Bouncy House". Adults took the opportunity to bid on some great cakes and pies at the "Cake Auction", while others shopped for items offered for sale by various vendors.
Drawings were also held throughout the evening for a large number of great adult and child prizes that were donated for this event by various organizations and businesses. Many took the opportunity to help warm up a bit with free coffee provided by the Senior Citizens group while also purchasing hot dogs and chili from local food venders.
By all accounts, Hometown Christmas 2017 seems to have been a huge success that the City of Gleason can be very proud of. The expected nippy temperatures of this evening in early December were perfect for getting the large number of Gleason citizens in attendance in the mood for beginning the Christmas season. And, the warmth of the fire of the burn-barrels, along with the warm interaction of friends neighbors that are fostered by the "Reason for the Season", made for a wonderfully warm beginning of the Christmas season.
As one woman put it, this seems just like what one might describe as a "Hallmark-type Christmas event" for Gleason.
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