Newspaper Page Text
There Is Something Very Special
About Christmas Time In Perry
(Editor’s Note: The
following thoughts were
put onto paper by Lewis
Meeks as he reflected on
the ending of Sunday Dec.
2, and the fifth annual
Olde Fashioned
Christmas at the
Crossroads celebration.
Meeks, who is President
of The Bank of Perry and
long-time chairman of
the Downtown
Redevelopment Auth
ority, helped Mayor
James McKinley
organize the first Olde
Fashioned Christmas five
years ago. The Home
Journal was able to ob
tain a copy of Meek’s
reflections which he
calls: “There’s
Something Special About
Christmas in Perry.’’ The
Home Journal decided to
publish the piece and we
believe it carries a
message that will be of
lasting interest to all
Perryans.)
In the early afternoon
on the first Sunday in
December, there is a
feeling of excitement in
the air and in the hearts
of the town’s people of the
small middle Georgia
community known for so
many years “The
Crossroads of Georgia”.
This day is special in
Perry for it marks the
beginning of the com
munity’s ‘‘Olde-
Fashioned Christmas At
The Crossroads’’
celebration.
As the Christmas
season makes its debut,
people from all walks of
life make their way into
the community’s
downtown to participate
in the traditional
celebration. The heart of
the town is ready and
waiting with anticipation.
Its main street bordered
by brick sidewalks and
lined with quaint light
fixtures has been dressed
with traditional
[gift specials]
I 20% Off Long Robes 1
$13.99-21.99
Small, Medium, Large -Quilted & Brush
20% Off 2 pc. suits
Plaids & solids sizes 5 to 20
20% Off Wool Skirts
Plaids sizes 5 to 13
20% Off Dresses
Sizes 5 to 24‘/z
_ COATS -I
Ss? 20% thru
Christmas!
Special Purchase -
Qml ★ Gowns 6.99 to
■I 7.99 long -
nylon & flannel
\ ★ Slips 3.99
bastions
y OT 902 CARROLL BLVD. 987-5617
STORE HOURS
10am 6pm MON. thru SAT. 10am -12 pm WED.
j ■ ■■
By Lewis Meeks
Christmas decorations
that gleam in crisp cool
air. The recently
renovated shop buildings
framed against the
winter sky truly reminds
one of an Early American
Village of long ago.
In preparation for
today, merchants have
been working for days to
ready their shops for an
olde-f ashioned open
house celebration.
Christmas trees, and
lights, and wreaths and
ribbons are in place.
Cookies, cakes, candies,
and holiday drinks, all
kinds have been prepared
and ready for serving. As
the hour hand on the
clock moves toward the
two o’clock opening, you
catch one last glimpse
down the street and your
heart swells with pride at
the lovely sight of your
downtown. All who have
come under its spell
agree its revitalization
has been a success by
any measure and want
only for all to share in it.
The time is two, the
shopkeepers and bankers
open their doors, the
townspeople crowd in, the
streets become alive,
greetings of Merry
Christmas echo through
the town, this special
season is here again. As
men and women, boys
and girls, some young,
some old, move along the
sidewalks, in and out of
the shops; you see the
happiness in their faces
and the joy in their
hearts. For many, they
are reminded of the days
of old. Times when there
were no strangers next
door or down the street or
for that matter no
strangers in the town- As
the young people often
hear today, those were
the times when come
Christmas morn the tree
was not laden with gifts
HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1979
but the real Christmas
spirit prevailed in the
homes and the hearts of
men. For the newcomer
enjoying his first
Christmas in Perry, he is
reminded of his
hometown and yearns for
his parents and the
family celebrations
enjoyed in days gone
forever. If the newcomer
is from some far away
big city, he doesn’t really
know what to make of this
small town Christmas
celebration but from his
expression you know he
likes what he sees and
feels and before the af
ternoon is over, you won’t
know him from a native
and he will be calling it
his town. As for the
guests who have come to
see first hand how
Christmas begins in
Perry, you feel a com
pulsion to take them by
the hand and personally
act as an official host of
your community. But you
don’t escort them around
town; you simply direct
them and suggest they
stop in, if only for a few
minutes, in each shop and
share in all the houses
being opened today. The
spirit prevailing among
all who have come and all
who are acting as hosts
and hostesses will come
to touch our guests and
the true meaning and
significance of our
celebration will be felt,
never to be forgotten.
As the afternoon
shadows begin to fall, the
merchants lock their
shops and return to the
warmth of their families
and homes and prepare
for the "Lighting of the
Community Christmas
Tree Ceremony” held on
the towns square. Main
Street is lined with
glowing candle light and
marks the path town
speople will follow as
they leave their churches
and proceed to the
¥
JjpP?^'jJ|yy^S! r - i * v jyA »»jg
T-ftml' JK Jwhl
*mM't
JJW ftS
MMiEVw tnHHHIii *
The Revitalized Downtown Perry Under Christmas Lights
ceremony. The faces of
the townspeople are
aglow from the light
shining from the candle
cradled in their hand and
the carols of Christmas
are on their lips. As the
townspeople, with lighted
candles in hand, walk
slowly toward their
community Christmas
Tree, you come to the full
realization there’s
something special about
Christmas in Perry. The
invocation is given, songs
are sung, the Christmas
message is delivered, and
all eyes turn toward the
tip of the tree where the
star shines brightly. The
service is over, the
townspeople return to
their homes, the day is
over, and another “Olde-
Fashioned Christmas at
the Crossroads’’
celebration has been
successfully carried out.
For those who par
ticipated in the
celebration, you know
Christmas is just
beginning, and you hope
and pray the love and
spirit displayed today
will linger in all of their
hearts throughout the
season, and yes, even into
next year. One’s faith,
trust, and hope are
renewed as we share
together this special
Christmas celebration.
Once again we are
reminded how dependent
we are on each other for
our very survival on this
earth and on the Prince of
Peace for everlasting
\\ School wJ
\\ Lunch |l\
<> Menus R
Mon., Dec. 17
Sloppy Joes w-Bun
or BBQ Beef
French Fries
Corn
Tossed Salad
Peanut Butter-Oatmeal
Fingers
Milk
Tues., Dec. 18
Chicken Fried Steaks
or BBQ Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Yeast Roll
Fresh Fruit
Choice of Cake
Milk
Wed., Dec. 18
Chicken & Noodles
or Beef Stew
June Peas
Carrot & Celery Sticks
Cranberry Sauce
Cheese Puff
Cake w-Peanut Butter
Frosting
Milk
life. All to often we failto
count our blessings in
those who are our neigh
bors and friends who
makeup this special
community in which we
live. Pity the man who
tries to go it alone.
Notwithstanding the
problems which surround
us, we must believe
someday there will be a
real Christmas. There
will be peace on earth.
There will be good will
toward men. This day
will come when the light
that burns in our hearts
during Christmas will not
burn out the day after,
but rather, will burn
eternally and radiate its
brightness from man to
man as it unites all in a
world of everlasting love.
As each one of us look
forward to the
celebration of the
greatest miracle all
mankind has ever known,
may the light in our heart
so shine that all of those
who come to know us will
believe ‘‘There’s
Something Special About
Christmas in Perry’’.
30% Off
Fashion Footwear
\ g C.Women'i NOW
B.Women's NOW \ |V\ X_ jj $1 JOO
SISBB Reg.»l6»» I
Prices good through weekend only.
A. Slip into style in these hlack pleated C. Ankle straps and new “cone” heels for
vamp slip-ons. double appeal in these dressy
B. Natural wood complements genuine Highlights® sandals. In black,
leather in these stylish Highlights® D. These black shiny Highlights®t-strap
sandals. sandals are dressy yet durable.
Payless SheeSeurce x
America’s # 1 Self- Service Shoe Store." Wl
• 1979 Volume Shoe Corporation
PERRY, GEORGIA
1444 Sam Nunn Boulevard Open 10am-9pm Daily, Ipm-6pm Sunday.
(K-Mart Plaza, next to Winn-Dixie)
i||4 ■■
MKHEUN FIRST
'We dont mate a second best’
Perry Tire Service
US 41 South Perry, Ga.
PAGE 7-A