TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Merry (Covid) Christmas In Alderson November 16, 2020 In   these   days   when   we   all   need   to   be   careful   to   respect   the   health   of   our   family   members   and   neighbors by   practicing   social   distancing,   wearing   masks,   and   washing   our   hands   frequently,   we   can   still   have   some of   the   joys   of   the   Christmas   Season—just   in   a   different   way.      The   Town   of Alderson, Alderson   Main   Street, Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department,   and   other   organizations   have   come   together   to   insure   children   and adults can still experience the joys of the season and support local businesses. Shopping   local   will   be   more   important   than   ever   this   season   as   local   businesses   struggle   to   survive   an extremely   difficult   year.      Shoppers   look   forward   to   walking   along   streets   and   seeing   lovely   shop   windows with    enticing    displays;    stopping    inside    and    being    greeted    by    a    friendly    face;    and    making    a    special purchase.      If   shoppers   want   that   experience   when   it   is   once   again   safe   to   enjoy,   they   must   support   local shops now or those shops will not be around later.  For    example,    the    Alderson    Artisans    Gallery    has    moved    to    on    line    sales    on    their    web    site    at www.aldersongallery.com.       However,   the   store   will   be   open   for   shoppers   on   Friday,   Nov.   27   and   Saturday Nov.   28,   from   10   am   to   5   pm.   (Masks   will   be   required   and   the   number   of   customers   at   one   time   will   be limited.)   The   Gallery   is   offering   a   10%   discount   on   all   purchases   those   two   days,   in   store   or   online.   The Gallery   showcases   West   Virginia's   one-of-a-kind   creations   in   jewelry,   stained   glass,   photography,   painting, textiles,   ornaments,   note   cards,   wood   craft,   and   more.   Artisan   Gallery   gift   cards   are   also   available   online and   in   the   store.   If   someone   does   not   know   just   what   to   get   for   a   gift,   a   gift   card   from   the   Gallery   is   the answer.  The recipient can shop from anywhere and the gift will be shipped. The   small   shop   “Always   Vintage”   owned   by   Lisa   Davis   is   also   open   for   the   season   on   Wednesdays, Thursdays,   and   Saturdays   from   10-4.      Her   always   changing   inventory   is   likely   to   have   something   nostalgic for anyone.  Individual   families   and   businesses   can   make   sure   the   town   is   ready   for   the   season   by   decorating   and entering   the   Christmas   Decorating   Contest;   no   registration   needed.   To   be   judged,   Christmas   decorations and   lights   must   be   up   by   Tuesday,   Dec.   1.      Judging   will   take   place   on   Tuesday,   December   1   and Wednesday Dec. 2, from 5:30  to 8 pm. This annual contest is sponsored by Alderson Main Street. Winners   (both   first-place   and   honorable   mention)   in   eight   different   categories   will   receive   certificates,   and first-place   winners   will   have   a   yard   sign   placed   to   celebrate   their   display.      Winners   will   be   announced   and yard signs placed on Friday Dec. 4. Categories   include   Best   Nativity;   Old   Fashioned   Christmas;   Children's   Fantasy;   Spirit   of   Christmas;   Gem of   the   Hills;   Most   Festive   Doorway   and   Porch;   and   large   and   small   business.   Participants   do   not   need   to identify their category; it will be determined by the judges. Another   tradition   which   will   not   change   is   the   release   of   the   annual   volume   of   History   Highlights   and Tantalizing   Tidbits   about   Alderson.      Written   by   Belinda   Anderson,   Volume   VII   will   soon   be   available   at various locations including online through the Alderson Artisans Gallery. As   always,   the   Christmas   Season   will   officially   open   in   Alderson   when   the   Queen   of   Lights   turns   on   the town’s   Christmas Tree,   the   star   that   glows   above   the   town,   and   the   lights   on   the Alderson   Memorial   Bridge at   6:30p.m.   on   Friday,   December   4.      Chosen   from   among   Alderson’s   5th   grade   elementary   students,   the Queen   will   reign   from   the   back   of   a   car   and   lead   a   “reverse   parade”   of   vehicles   full   of   spectators   from   the Alderson Depot to the Old Greenbrier Baptist Church turning on the lights as she goes. Because   this   is   a   “reverse   parade”   with   the   parade   entries   standing   still   and   the   spectators   moving   past   in their   vehicles,   entries/floats   must   register   with   City   Hall   by   Wednesday,   December   2   at   5:30   p.m.   by   calling 304-445-2916.      (City   Hall   hours—M-F   7:30-5:30)   No   loose   candy   or   any   other   item   may   be   thrown   from the   floats.      Items   to   be   given   away   must   be   bagged   and   delivered   to   the   spectator   cars   by   masked   and gloved   “elves.”      Santa   Claus   will   be   on   his   usual   perch   atop   the   Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department’s truck   near   the   end   of   the   stationary   parade.      Elves,   gloved   and   masked,   will   be   available   to   receive   letters for Santa from the passing vehicles and will deliver them to him.  The Old Greenbrier Baptist Church will present a live Nativity on their lawn near the end of the parade.  Spectators,   in   their   vehicles,   will   line   up   behind   the   Queen   of   Lights   on   the   Monroe   County   side   of Alderson   on   Railroad Avenue.      They   will   be   treated   to   a   complimentary   trip   across   the Alderson   Memorial Bridge   under   the   beautiful   Christmas   lights.   (This   is   the   only   time   this   season   that   the   bridge   will   be   open for   a   drive   under   the   lights.)   The   spectator   cars   will   then   proceed   up   North   Monroe   Street   on   the   right hand   side   and   must   keep   moving.      The   parade   entries   will   be   stationary   on   the   left   hand   (west)   side.     Traffic   from   the   junction   of   North   Monroe   Street   and   Riverview   Avenue   will   be   one   way   going   north   from 5:30 p.m. until the last spectator cars have passed by.  Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   said,   “We   know   it   is   important   for   the   mental   health   of   our   kids   and   adults   to create   some   semblance   of   normalcy.      We   think   this   modified   version   of   our   usual   Christmas   activities   will create a lot of joy in a safe way.”  The   days   after   the   excitement   of   the   “reverse   parade”   has   lessened   will   be   a   great   time   for   small   family groups   to   explore   Santaland   at   Alumni   Park.      This   smaller,   modified   version   as   well   as   the   lights   on   the bridge will still be worth a walk-through on a crisp winter evening. For   the   people   who   will   miss   Alderson   Main   Street’s   Christmas   Tea,   the   Model   Train   Show   at   the   Depot, and   much   more,   AMS   President   Judy   Lohmeyer   said,   “Please   follow   the   guidelines   and   take   care   of yourselves and your neighbors, and we will plan to be back in a bigger and better way in 2021!” PHOTO CAPTION:  Decorations in Santaland in Alderson Alumni Park in 2017.

Click photo for larger view.