The holiday season is in full swing, which can be a mixed bag because all that holiday cheer costs time and money that most of us don’t have, but even the Scroogiest person has to admit, there’s something magical about it all coming together.
Speaking of Scrooge . . .
We’ve gotten word that the annual Kiwanis Toy Give Away is facing some shortfalls. This time of year every organization under the sun is asking for a donation, but I can tell you this one is as worthy as they get. I’m a cynical old newspaperperson, and even I got some dust in my eye when I saw the kids who lined up with their families to get a visit from Santa and gifts and the fixings for a proper Christmas feast light up. You’d have to have a harder heart than mine to not find them worthy.
According to Sherry Rubin, not only are they looking for more donations at the bins at the two firehouses, they are also looking for volunteers to assist with wrapping on Dec. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, with free pizza lunch provided by Round Table. Then sorting and packaging of food for the Service Alliance at the Windsor High School will take place on Friday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. For information or to sign up please leave a message at 707-621-0303 and someone with reach out to you.
Now for something cheerier
I love Christmas lights. Flashing, blinking, steady on, synchronized, with or without inflatables, I don’t care I love it all. The bigger, the crazier, the better. My house is lit up like Moonbase Alpha, even though, thanks to my rural environs, my only audience is likely to be a few confused deer and some freaked out coyotes.
This weekend I’ll be loading my family in the car and driving the streets of Windsor in search of the best displays. I’ll be shooting photos and videos for the paper, but mostly just enjoying myself. Know a house or neighborhood I shouldn’t miss? Drop me a line at he*****@so********.com.
Tree lighting
The annual tree lighting was awesome as usual, and the good weather brought out record crowds. It’s always a good time, even if I’m stuck with that particular earworm “Must Be Santa” for days afterwards. Kudos to the town and to Tina Castelli for another great event.
However, the popularity once again raised the ugly specter of the ongoing parking issues the town is facing. The supplemental paid lot currently being operated on Old Red filled up almost immediately, leaving folks to wander the wilderness, so to speak. Parking was available at the high school, my choice, and while the free shuttle is appreciated it sure is forced to take a strange and circuitous route. We walked back and I think it shaved five minutes off the journey. It was also clear if you weren’t super familiar with events on the Green, figuring out the high school parking was tricky; maybe some extra signage is needed?
Still, it was a fun night and helped get the holiday season kicked off right.
Heather Bailey is the editor of the Windsor Times.
