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Gleason Celebrates Hometown Christmas 2017
J im Johnson
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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