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The   Town   of Alderson   and   its   organizations   and   businesses   are   all   gearing   up   for   an   outstanding   series   of Grand   Illumination   and   “Gem   of   the   Hills”   holiday   events.      Coordinated   by   Lynda   Howe,   underwritten   by Alderson   Main   Street,   and   supported   by   ranks   of   volunteers,   the   myriad   of   events   will   include   something for everyone from the tiniest tot to the most grizzled grandpa. The   opportunities   to   sponsor   this   holiday   celebration   were   accepted   by   Alderson’s   Store,   Tom   and   Linda Dameron   and   Rexroad   Supply   at   the   Tree   Topper   level   and   the   Big   Wheel   Restaurant;   Riverside   Exxon; Jim   and   Melinda   Russell;   Stuart's   Smokehouse   and   Seafood;   and   the Alderson   Subway   at   the   Santa’s   Elf level.  Please thank these people and patronize these businesses in appreciation for their support.  This   year,   the   celebration   will   stretch   from   November   30   to   December   31—New   Year’s   Eve—and   truly include all the holiday season. The    events    will    begin    right    after    Thanksgiving    with    an    observance    in   Alderson    of    “Small    Business Saturday”    on    November    30.    Shops    will    hold    open    house    including    some    refreshments    and    lots    of encouragement to shop local this Christmas. Everyone   looks   forward   to   the   Christmas   Parade,   sponsored   by   the   Town   of   Alderson,   which   steps   off   at 6:00   p.m.   on   Friday,   December   6.      Line   up   begins   at   5   in   front   of   the   Depot.      Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver said,   “We   are   excited   to   be   planning   this   annual   event   to   kick   off   the   season.      We   hope   to   have   lots   of units participating.”  The parade will lead off a full weekend of activities. The   Queen   of   Lights,   chosen   from   Alderson   Elementary   School   students   under   the   guidance   of   Lois McVey,   will   once   again   wave   her   magic   wand   and   begin   the   Grand   Illumination.      The   town   Christmas   tree; the   lights   on   the   Alderson   Memorial   Bridge;   Santaland;   Candycane   Land;   and   the   decorations   on   the businesses in the center of town will all come on to light up the night.  The   parade   will   pass   by   Alumni   Park,   home   to   Santaland,   Candycane   Land,   and   a   magical   light   show.      A large   sleigh   where   photos   can   be   taken;   the   Santaland   Express   train   with   music   and   lights   creating   the illusion   of   movement;   some   of   Santa’s   buildings   including   a   workshop   and   stable;   and   a   whole   herd   of reindeer   will   create   a   magical   environment   particularly   enjoyed   by   children.      Mrs.   Claus   might   even   make an appearance! December   6   is   St.   Nicholas   Day   which   is   celebrated   in   some   parts   of   the   world.     An   older   relative   of   Santa Claus,   St.   Nicholas’   lore   also   includes   the   leaving   of   presents   for   children.      He   will   have   his   own   float   in   the parade.  Always   at   the   end   of   the   parade   riding   on   the   fire   truck   of   the Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department,   Santa   is the   crowd   favorite.      After   his   wonderful   ride,   even   without   his   sleigh   and   reindeer,   he   will   dismount   at   the Alderson   Community   Center   for   the   Arts   and   Humanities   where   children   can   meet   him   and   tell   him   their Christmas   wishes.      Sponsored   by   the   Board   of   the ACC   and   the Alderson   Women’s   Club,   cookies   and   hot chocolate will be available to all.  On   Saturday,   December   7,   the   Johnson   Memorial   United   Methodist   Church   will   hold   their   annual   bazaar with   lunch   from   9-3.      At   the   Historic   1896   C&O   Depot,   a   model   train   show   will   be   held   from   10-4.   The Depot   includes   a   small   gift   shop   which   will   interest   the   train   aficionado—or   those   who   need   to   get   them   a gift.      Author   Belinda   Anderson   will   be   signing   the   latest   volume   of   her   “History   Highlights   and   Tantalizing Tidbits”   series   about Alderson   from   2   to   4   at Alderson’s   Store.         Later   that   evening,   the Alderson   Volunteer Fire   Department   will   hold   their   Chili   Dinner   from   6-8.      A   donation   will   result   in   a   tasty   bowl   of   chili,   a   drink and dessert—and support for our valiant fire fighters. The   Johnson   Memorial   United   Methodist   Church   lunch   and   bazaar   will   resume   on   Sunday,   December   8 and go from 12 to 3 p.m.  The Depot model train show will also be open from 1-4. Although   the   shops,   Candycane   Land   and   Santaland   are   open   all   week,   special   activities   will   resume   on Saturday,   December   14   at   the   Alderson   Community   Center   with   a   craft   show   from   10-3.      On   Sunday, December   15,   the   Old   Victorian   Inn   will   host   an   “American   Victorian   Tea”   with   two   time   slots   at   1   and   3.     The   beautiful   harp   music   of   Leah   Trent   will   surround   the   consumption   of   tasty   tidbits   and   a   variety   of   teas as   the American   changes   to   the   Victorian   custom   are   explained.      The   limited   tickets   for   this   event   are   $15 and available at Bridgewalk Vendors, Alderson’s Store, and from Alderson Main Street members. New   to   the   long   list   of   activities   is   a   Winter   Solstice   Celebration   which   will   be   held   on   Saturday,   December 21 at the Historic 1896 C&O Depot from 6-8 p.m.  Music, treats, and special surprises will be included. An   event   which   brings   the   entire   community   together   to   celebrate   the   true   spirit   of   the   season   is   the   annual Cantata   under   the   direction   of   Dell   Wood   with   accompanist   Nancy   Wood   at   3   on   Sunday,   December   22,   at Old Greenbrier Baptist Church.  The   grand   finale   will   occur   on   New Year’s   Eve   from   7-9   on   the Alderson   Memorial   Bridge   and   at   the   Depot.     The   organizers   want   everyone   to   especially   know   that   this   is   a   family-friendly   celebration   which   will   include fireworks   set   off   by   the   Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department   and   sponsored   by   Alderson’s   Store   and friends.  Music, treats and special surprises will be included.  Each   Friday   and   Saturday   from   December   6   to   28   and   from   6-8   p.m.,   a   community   organization   will   host the   “Drive   Under   the   Lights”   of   the Alderson   Memorial   Bridge.      Ordinarily   closed   to   vehicular   traffic   except for   parades,   the   brightly   colored   lights   will   sparkle   and   dance   to   holiday   music   as   car   loads   of   bright   eyed children   and   nostalgic   adults   drive   slowly   across   the   bridge.      Donations   to   these   community   groups support their work throughout the year.  This   huge   celebration   happens   because   of   the   work   of   many   hands   and   the   support   of   the   sponsors.     Alderson   Main   Street   President   Judy   Lohmeyer   said,   “If   you   want   a   trip   down   memory   lane   and   your children   to   enjoy   a   small   town   Christmas,   there   is   no   better   place   than   ‘Alderson   for   the   Holidays.’   Please join    us    for    one    or    more    of    these    events.”    Please    visit    the    Alderson    Main    Street    facebook    page https://www.facebook.com/Alderson-Main-Street-594432723925664/ for any updates or changes.  PHOTO CAPTIONS: 17—Reindeer in Santa’s stable in Santaland at Alumni Park in Alderson.  Photo by William Ward 38—Santaland Express Train in Santaland at Alumni Park in Alderson.  Photo by William Ward 12—Eastern   Greenbrier   Middle   School   Marching   Knights   in   the   2018   Christmas   Parade   in Alderson.   Photo by William Ward 38—Santa   arrives   in   Alderson   on   the   Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department   fire   truck.      Photo   by   William Ward 5—One   of   the   layouts   at   the   Model   Train   Show   in   the   Historic   1896   C&O   Depot   in   Alderson   in   2108.     Photo by William Ward 14—The   Gazebo   in   Alderson   Alumni   Park,   the   location   of   Santaland,   Candycane   Land,   the   Santaland Express Train and more.  Photo by William Ward

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