Editor:
After reading the old-times comment on last community Christmas concerts I felt I needed to make a point.
The little community of Wistaria on the Southside still puts on a old-time Christmas concert. It always takes place on the second Saturday in December.
We have a community dinner at 5 p.m., around 6:30 p.m. tables are put away and chairs set up. I recruit talent from the community, some play instruments, some sing, read or recite poetry.
I always have all the children up on stage to sing Rudolph and Frosty. Each one gets antlers, a glowing nose, fancy hat or bells. Everyone sings carols and we are not afraid to wish everyone a merry Christmas.
Toward the end of the carols Santa arrives with a big bag of gifts. Each gift is carefully chosen with the child's name on it. Santa sits on the stage so each child can receive their gift and candy bag. If someone wants a photo, that's okay too. As Santa leaves he gives left over candy bags to old-timers and high school children.
These concerts are sponsored by the Tweedsmuir Recreation Committee.
We still put on a first of July picnic with races and a pickup ball game. My granddaughter is 14 years and she has not missed a concert or July 1.
Everybody is welcome at our events but if you come from outside our area please bring a gift for your child and let me know so I can get the right amount of candy bags done (concert only).
I could not do this all without all my helpers that volunteer to help put these events on.
A taste of the old-times still alive and well on the Southside.
Sincerely,
Pat Kalaman
