About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 2020)
4A Tuesday, December 22, 2020 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com LIFE Photo courtesy Jerry Huffman Those who pass Jerry Huffman’s home in Flowery Branch are encouraged to tune into his station, 92.1 FM, to listen to Christmas music as they gaze at the light display. Light up the night Take a tour of Halls illuminating Christmas displays Community brings wave of coat donations for veterans BY KELSEY PODO kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com In early December, Latinos Conservative Organization in Gainesville called upon the community to donate coats for local veterans in need, and residents delivered. Art Gallegos Jr., president of LCO, said his group gathered around 200 coats, jackets, sweaters, scarves and winter hats. He said residents of Deaton Creek in Hoschton and Chateau Elan in Braselton contributed a large portion of the amount. “I’m just very happy, and I’m grateful that the commu nity really stepped up and participated,” Gallegos said. “I think that if there’s anybody that deserves our help and attention, and deserves to be well, it’s our veterans.” To make sure the items were delivered directly to veterans in need, Gallegos teamed up with the Ameri can Legion Post 7 in Gainesville, which has a 400-person membership base. Gallegos said he dropped off the jack ets and other winter-wear to the post on Saturday, Dec. 19. Johnny Varner, veteran service officer for American Legion Post 7, is now dispersing the items with Wendy Paradis and other members of the group, among local veterans who need extra support this holiday season. Varner said he keeps in contact with Vietnam War veterans who rarely ask for help. In some scenarios, he said they may be struggling to pay for their prescriptions, housing and food. “There’s some anxiety with being a Vietnam War vet eran,” he said. “They isolate themselves quite a bit, and a lot of them just choose to do without (necessities). They’re so proud, they wouldn’t tell you if they needed anything.” Veterans who could use a new coat are encouraged to call Varner at 470-577-3617 to either pick up the item or have it delivered. LCO is still taking new or gently used adult-sized coats until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. People can drop off the items at Farmers Insurance, located at 747 Queen City Parkway, Suite B in Gainesville. The clothing collected this week will be donated to Set Free Ministry, whose team will distribute them to veterans in need. BY KELSEY PODO kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com Jerry Huffman of Flow ery Branch is used to people walking around his yard around Christmas. In previous years, Huffman said he has placed chairs out for visitors to enjoy his mas sive holiday lights display. “The more people, the more fun, that’s the way I look at it,” he said. “I enjoy seeing other people get excited about it.” As people pass by Huff man’s home, located at 6473 Samoa Way in Flow ery Branch, they can tune into 92.1 FM and listen to his radio station, which plays Christmas music each day from 4:30-10:30 p.m. For the past several years, Huffman said he has pro grammed four illuminated trees to move their mouths in sync with the music. How ever, he decided to dial it back this season and replace them with a large illumi nated American flag. People can still expect to see Christmas trees, twin kling poles with stars atop, a Nativity scene and lights dancing across the yard. Huffman said he has always enjoyed tinkering with gadgets, and when he retired from his job as a sale and marketing manager, he decided to transform his lawn into a festive spectacle. “It’s just fun for the kids to come by,” he said. “Last night we (wife and I) came back in from shopping, and people were sitting in front of our house. You could hear a bunch of little kids scream ing, ‘Merry Christmas.’” People can view Huff man’s holiday website, which includes last year’s light display, at theregoes- thelightbill.com. Huffman’s home isn’t the only location where you can admire Christmas lights this year in Hall County. From twinkling tunnels to a child sized replica of The Polar Express, check out these other five holiday-centric places. Green Street Circle neighborhood Several community mem bers have reported seeing the glow of Green Street Circle from Longstreet Cafe in Gainesville. Those who drive through the neighbor hood will be able to view a coordinated lights dis play and other Christmas- themed decorations like a child-sized igloo, Nativity scene and child-sized Polar Express. Green Street Circle received first place for the best neighborhood group display and most consecu tive illuminated homes dur ing Gainesville’s Light up the Town contest. Concord Baptist Church, 640 Main St., Clermont People are invited to drive past Concord Baptist Church’s Clermont campus to watch its annual Christ mas Lights show. Patti Lord, who works at the church, said the display runs from 7-10 p.m. each day through Tuesday, Jan. 5. As people watch the show, they can tune into 90.3 FM and listen to Christmas music. Lord said the trees and other light I Downtown Gainesville Christmas light map What: Updated map of homes with Christmas lights and decorations in Gainesville Link: gainesville.org/light-up-the-town structures twinkle with the songs. People can view the show on the right side of the building, near the edge of the parking lot. Sterling on the Lake, Flowery Branch Once the sun sets, Ster ling on the Lake in Flowery Branch transforms into a realm of Christmas cheer. Those who drive through the neighborhood will be greeted with rows of homes and trees adorned with lights. Gainesville square Top off your holiday sea son with a stroll through Gainesville’s square. The city’s famous chicken perches atop Main Street Market in all of its sparkling glory and trees and store fronts stay aglow with lights. If you’re willing to add a few extra minutes of walking to your evening, pop by Engine 209 Park off Jesse Jewell Parkway to see the histori cal train, which is decorated for the season. ing at the lights, people are invited to walk along a three- quarter-mile path — which is completely wheelchair accessible — and see the light structures up close. The main portion of the beach has a 15-minute light show, as well as LandShark Bar & Grill. For more information and ticket prices, visit mar- garitavilleresorts.com. From left, Johnny Varner, American Legion Post 7 veteran services officer, Art Gallegos Jr., president of LCO and the Rev. Lamar Johnson, director of Veterans and Community Outreach Organization, meet on Dec. 19 to distribute coats to veterans in need. Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular, 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford Margaritaville’s Lake side Lights Spectacular has replaced Magical Nights of Lights with a new immer sive attraction. Instead of driving through and look- Win prizes from the The Times and our great partners this holiday season during the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Photo courtesy LCO A 1* SCOTT ROGERS I The Timess Green Street Circle went all out this year with Christmas decorations for the Light up the Town contest held by the city. They won first place for “Homes for the Holidays” and “String of Lights.” Lakewood Baptist Church, Free Chapel moving Christmas Eve services online Lakewood Baptist Church has decided to hold its Christmas Eve service online. Joy Willis, the church’s marketing direc tor, told The Times on Monday that the 10 p.m. in-person function planned for Thurs day, Dec. 24, has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, the church will stream a virtual service at 4 p.m. Thursday. People can tune in through Lakewood Bap tist’s Facebook page, YouTube channel or website. Free Chapel also announced Monday that it would move its in-person East Coast Christ mas Eve services online, after Senior Pastor Jentezen Franklin tested positive for COVID- 19. People can view the virtual experience at 5 p.m. Thursday, at freechapel.org. Kelsey Podo www.gainesvilletimes.com/christmascontest Sign up now through December 22. Every day will feature a prize from a different sponsor. On December 23rd a Grand Prize winner will be announced. That winner will receive a prize from each sponsor! 2020 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY j Til 2 ii 3!! 4 6 j 7 i 8 9 10 I . 11! WMer "" 14 1 cfegn 16 A. THE INSURANCE SOIREE C&eiftin 18 1 20 | THE INSURANCE SOUK! 21 i HtWATT Roofing ^ 22 bimsr 23 24 i 25 1 27 j 28 ! 29 30 31 ; SATURDAY 5 12 Howard brothers Howard brothers .19 ] 26 @fh e Sftmcs gainesvilletimes.com
