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Maybe it started in the 1930s. It was then that someone at an advertising company invented the slogan “Only 25 shopping days until Christmas.” The ad would repeat each day, dropping the number down, as an attempt to push people into buying things.
Sam Hosler
Now we have Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday… which has been stretched to Cyber Week. The stores have had their special Christmas items on display since the beginning of November. The shopping season is now called “the holidays.” The shopping season has become the event. Aaaaarrgh!
Still, more appropriate things than shopping can be found in our area. The Light Parade was one of them. The lighted floats are getting larger with sophisticated lighting, to the credit of all participants, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus is always a delight.
This Saturday, Dec. 9, the Whistle Stop Café and the General Kearny Inn invite everyone to the hotel courtyard from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a visit with Santa and free s’mores and hot chocolate. There will be music provided by Porter’s Ghost. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and enjoy a good time with your friends.
The following week, on Saturday, Dec. 16, the Kearny Sheriff’s Posse is sponsoring a Holiday Jamboree open to both members and non-members which will feature horse activities including barrels and poles (ribbons will be given). There will be a potluck meal and children’s activities. For a $5 entry you can take part in a poker ride/walk, and there will also be a horseshoe tournament (at $20 per team). It’s all at the rodeo arena from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Looking further ahead, arrangements have been made by Infant Jesus of Prague Church for a New Year’s Eve dinner and dance fund raiser for the parish. It will be held at Elks Lodge 2478 in Kearny with dinner from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the dance going from 8 p.m. until one o’clock in the morning of New Year’s Day. Tickets are $50 per couple or $30 single. There will be several raffles and a silent auction. This will be a good time for a good purpose.
The tragedy of the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1 is being combated by the will for life shown by Jovanna Martinez Calzadillas, the loving support of her husband, Francisco, and all their family and friends. Jovanna is doing better. Despite the terrible injury to her head, she is awake and more than responsive. She laughed for the first time on Thanksgiving Day; she recognizes people by name and is beginning to string words together.
Weeks of physical therapy are beginning now. Her husband and the family are truly grateful for the prayers people are making. The GoFundMe campaign begun by Francisco’s work supervisor, James Sutphen, has passed the $83,000 mark with funds devoted to Jovanna’s medical needs. It is estimated that the family will need about $150,000 to meet the bills. If you can contribute, please do so by typing her name on the GoFundMe website and making your gift.
I’ll save saying “Merry Christmas” until Christmas Eve comes around. Until then, may your shopping days work out to your benefit and the benefit of others. Shop locally as much as you can, and if you must go to Tucson or Phoenix, drive carefully… and gas up locally before you travel.
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