The Official Many Christmas Tree was lit last week in downtown Many.
The Town of Many’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting held last Tuesday night, Nov. 28, was a big success. The vacant lot across from City Hall on San Antonio Ave. was filled with a conservative estimate of a couple of hundred for the event.
A big crowd was already in place before the Christmas Tree Lighting festivities got underway.
Mayor Robert Hable welcomed Santa Claus, the Grinch, and Becky Miller’s Studio B Dance Company, who performed a fun dance routine at the festivities.
A highlight was when the surprise Cheermeister Award was presented to winning nominee Coby Rainer, who was thrilled. The young man received a lighted wreath Cheermeister crown from the Grinch and a bucket of prizes for always bringing cheer throughout the year to all who know him.
Many Mayor Robert Hable joined by the Grinch welcomes the crowd to the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell congratulates the "Cheermeister" award-winner Coby Rainer at the Tree Lighting.
The town offered free hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies to all. After the large tree was lit, several posed for photos beside it and the nearby sleigh.
Brad Ford, left, of BDC Radio visited several Moonlight Madness locations throughout the evening. He is shown here with Mayor of Many Robert Hable at Nichols.
It was a great Moonlight Madness in downtown Many on Friday evening, Dec 1. Twenty businesses and 22 vendors provided lots of opportunities for attendees to shop, visit and welcome the Christmas season. At each business location, attendees could enter the drawing for a 32-inch television to be given away by the Town of Many on Sunday, Dec. 10. The Town of Many Christmas Committee worked hard to make it a great event, and turnout continues to grow every year. Hats doffed to everyone involved for making it a night to remember.
Scenes from the "Journey to Bethlehem" presented by The Bridge Church in Many
Observations got to take the “Journey to Bethlehem” at The Bridge Church in Many last week with daughters Verity and Amber and grandchildren Carson and Bree. The church has put together an amazing display of the culture into which Jesus was born over 2000 years ago.
A small courtyard-style village of Bethlehem featured all kinds of merchants the group visited on our “journey” to learn about life when Jesus was born. The Jewish people were under strict Roman rule at the time, which was represented by stern soldiers in the village.
The journey passed by three wise men, and its final stop was at the manger where Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus were. As shepherds knelt, we were treated to a heartfelt acapella medley highlighting “Mary, Did You Know?” The singer then shared about how Christ coming as a baby, his ministry, crucifixion and resurrection provides a way for mankind to be made right with God.
It was very moving, and we highly recommend it. The remaining dates are Dec. 9 and 10. Reservations must be made online at makethejourney.eventbrite.com to register. The experience is free.
We enjoyed another very meaningful time last Sunday morning, Dec. 3, at Alford Heights Baptist Church in Many when they held a special Hanging of the Greens service.
New Pastor Billy Gibbs and wife Mandy organized it, and several members of the church shared the meaning behind each Christmas symbol and read related scriptures. After the service began, members busily got to work and before long, the entire sanctuary was decked out with greenery, wreaths, lanterns, candles and bells, and their Christmas tree was covered with ornaments, upon which attendees were invited to write names then place on the tree.
Near the end of the service, the tree was lit, sanctuary lights dimmed, and Pastor Gibbs invited anyone who wished to share a Christmas memory. To end, he told the touching wartime story of how “Silent Night” came to be written, and my wife, Laurie, led the congregation in singing it with her autoharp.
It was a very special service for all involved. We were glad to take part.
Bruce and Carolyn Gandy, on their wedding day 51 years ago and today
We wish our longtime friends Bruce and Carolyn Gandy a very happy wedding anniversary. They celebrated 51 years this past Nov. 18. They were wed in DeQuincy, LA back in 1972, and Sabine is very fortunate to have had the couple here over the years. Carolyn is retired from education and Bruce is recently retired from insurance. We wish them many more happy years!
Blake Byles
Dirt work is in full swing, between rain showers, for the new Fish-N-Fuel at Toledo Town. Earthmovers of Many has the contract, equipment and manpower to do the job. Blake Byles is headman at Earthmovers. There’s a lot of dirt work to be done, but he’ll take care of it. We’ll keep our readers posted as the project advances. We are glad to see such a project come to the Toledo Bend area and wish them well.
The images above show a view and an overview of the dirt work in progress at the new Fish-N-Fuel property at Toledo Town.
I am happy to report my grandson, Austin Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Collins, natives of Sabine Parish, is a member of a band that was voted “Best New Band” by the readers of the Queen City Nerve in Charlotte, NC. Austin lives with his family in Tega Cay, SC. That’s him on the left in the above picture.
His group, Once Below Joy, recently released their “Through the Fog” project, which is enjoying good success. They are working on new music and perhaps will be back in the studio recording before long.
RESCHEDULED: THE MANY CHRISTMAS PARADE HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SUNDAY, DEC. 10, AT 3 P.M. BECAUSE OF EXPECTED BAD WEATHER ON SATURDAY. THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WILL FOLLOW THE PARADE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. IT STARTS AT 4 P.M. SUNDAY, AND FIREWORKS ARE AT 7 P.M.
Don’t miss the big Town of Many Christmas Parade that has been rescheduled to roll through town on Sunday, Dec. 10, starting at 3 p.m. J. J. Blake invited folks to watch the parade from the balcony of Community Bank at 540 San Antonio Ave. He said they would open the door for snacks, drinks and community fellowship at 2 p.m., and all are welcome. Now, that’s the Christmas spirit, J.J.!
After the parade, be sure to head down to the Sabine Fairgrounds for the “Grinchmas in Many” Christmas Festival starting at 4 p.m., which will offer entertainment, vendors, food trucks and giveaways, including bicycles, tablets, a TV, computer and more.
The annual fireworks show will start at 7 p.m. Make plans now to enjoy all!
We were so happy to see that the Moonlight Madness Sale in Many last Friday night was a huge success. And we are proud of Mayor Robert Hable, his wife Crystal and the Town of Many staff for putting it all together.
So many of the Many businesses have gone all out with window murals, decorations and other touches to make the town look so festive this holiday season. And the Christmas lights that the Town of Many have put up are great.
Support your local businesses in Sabine Parish. Remember, they are the ones that support you.
The Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce is supporting small towns standing with their neighboring businesses. Chamber Director Shanna Gaspard urges everyone to shop local and support your neighbors and friends. She added that together, we can make it a great time for everyone.
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A Canadian Pacific train was stalled across two Many crossings on Saturday morning. The blocked crossing shown above was at Hwy. 6 on the west side of Many. Photo by Amber Gentry
Saturday morning an air brake line blew on a long Canadian Pacific freight train going through Many. This caused the Hwy. 6 West crossing and the Fairground Rd. crossing to be blocked from about 8-9 a.m., according to Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley.
Rumors that the train hit an automobile were erroneous. The railroad repair crew responded quickly, and there was no damage to the train.
Chief Wooley said Many Police and Sheriff’s Deputies walked the tracks to check for damages.
Legendary Country star, songwriter and Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson will be on "Open Line" this Monday morning, Dec. 11 at 7:30 a.m.
Country music legend Bill Anderson will be on “Open Line” with Tedd Dumas and me this Monday, Dec. 11, beginning at 7:30 a.m. for 30 minutes. Tedd has been kind enough to let me join him for his popular show on a monthly basis, and I invited Bill to be our guest this coming week.
Bill was recently honored as being the longest-serving member in the history of the Grand Ole Opry. One of the most awarded songwriters in the history of country music, he was inducted in the Opry family on July 15, 1961. His membership has not lapsed in those 62 years.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, of which Bill is a member, recently carried an exhibit on his life and career. The exhibit explored his life and musical legacy from childhood through his contributions as one of the most decorated artists, songwriters and entertainers in history.
Not one to stop, Bill has a new collaboration, “The Country I Grew Up With,” featuring four other members of the Country Music Hall of Fame - Bobby Bare, Jimmy Fortune, Vince Gill and Willie Nelson.
Bill said, “So far as I can determine, this is the first Country record in history featuring five members of the Country Music Hall of Fame performing one song. I am so proud they wanted to join me in taking this nostalgic look over our collective shoulders. I just hope it stirs up fond memories for everyone who hears it.”
The Louisiana Department of Health realizes that sometimes the holidays can be hard on a person. If you are feeling lonely and depressed or overwhelmed and stressed out, you can call or text 988 for free, confidential emotional support. In addition, you can chat online at Louisiana988.org.
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