Gibson City Courier from Gibson City, Illinois • 19

Journal Star, rWior Hometown tHotttt Wednesday, November 14, 2007 9 Holiday Nov. 25 season kicks off in Heyworth 'Holidays Heyworth Style' parade Dec. 9 until it ends in the parking lot of I Ieyworth Junior-Senior 1 ligh School. 11 CO president Diane Greene said parade organizers decided against naming a grand marshal this year and are trying to put more emphasis on things to entertain the children. The list of parade entries is still being compiled, according to Greene.

Entries confirmed so far include Cities 92.9 I'M radio personality Maria Ilen-neberry playing her holiday calliope; the Shriners performing maneuvers on their famous Fin Lizzies;" and the Men-dota Funsters clown troupe. "We will have Frosty and several other Christmas characters walking or riding and throwing out candy hopefully raising a lot of Christmas spirit," saiil Greene. As usual, the I Ieyworth I ligh School Marching I lornets will be on hand to perform their award-winning street routine, and the'American Legion will provide a color guard. Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without the big guy, Santa Claus, who will be riding in a fire truck provided by Randolph Township Fire Department. Entries are still being accepted for the parade.

For more information, contact (reene at (309) 473-3337. minates on Sunday, Dec. 9 with the "1 lolidays I Ieyworth Style" parade. Several organizations have activities planned in conjunction with the parade. The Sons of the Arrierican Legion will serve their tasty array of homemade soup and sandwiches at the Legion from 1 1 a.m.

to 5 p.m. While you're there, check out the variety of crafters and take care of some last-minute Christmas shopping. Next door, the GFWC Illinois Woman's Club of Heyworth will sponsor a bake sale and a visit with Santa at VFW Post 1559,203 E.Main St. The United Church of Heyworth's annual Cookie Walk will be held in the church's Fellowship Hall at 302 E. Main St.

Heyworth's youth also get into the action as the I Ieyworth junior High School Honors Chorus, the junior high school band and the Heyworth High School Marching Hornets all perform holiday favorites in the gymnasium at Heyworth Elementary School. The performances begin around 1 1:30 a.m. and conclude prior to the parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. By TROY SEMpLe heyworthstarverizon.net IIKYVVORTH Sunday, Nov. 25 marks the kickoff for the holiday season in Heyworth as the annual "Lighting of the (Ja.cho" takes place at 6 p.m.

in Merle K. Shannon Volunteer Park in downtown I Ieyworth. The I Ieyworth Junior I ligh School I Ionors Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. "Susan McGy, will sing a selection of traditional Christmas carols, and you can he assured Santa will take time out of his busy schedule for a pre-season appearance. Another, highlight of the evening's festivities is the crowning of "Miss Noel." The junior or senior hitrh school girl who is the recipient of this honor will win $100 to do nate io ner ravonre cnarity or organization.

The Heyworth Christmas Organization will select the winner based on essays submitted on how each girl's favorite group shares the Christmas spirit with the world. Fun continues Dec. 1 The- following weekend, come join the fun at the Little By TROY SEMPLE heyworthstarverizon.net HEYWORTH The Heyworth Christmas Organization (1ICO) has another full slate lined up for the ,2007 edition of "Holidays Heyworth Style." The festivities are set tor Sunday, Dec. 9, with several organizations putting out their holiday cheer. The main event, as always, is the Christmas parade, steps off at 2 p.m.

after entries line up at the I Ieyworth Elementary School. The parade proceeds west down Main Street, then takes a turn south on Karr Street I I II 14 Heyworth band parade i it) II Kii "ruujj rv Holiday traditions alive and well in central Illinois I 4 Heyworth High School Marching Hornets Holiday Schedule Saturday, Nov. 17 Decatur Christmas Parade, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 8 Farmer City Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 28 Clinton Christmas Parade, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 Holidays Heyworth Style Christmas Parade, 2 p.m. Community Thanksgiving service is November 20 i1 2006 Miss Noel Lindsay Conner Miss Merry Christmas and Master jack Frost pageant.

Registration is Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Heyworth American Legion, 205 E. Main St. The pageant is open to boys and girls in three age groups: 3 to 4 year olds, 5 to 6 year olds and 7 to 8 year olds.

The selection process involves the children being interviewed by Mrs. Claus. The judges listen in on the interview to select a Miss Merry Christmas and a Master Jack Frost from each age group. The pageant begins at 10:30 a.m. following registration.

No pre-registration is required. Eats, treats and more Heyworth's holiday fun cul Keeping the Spirit of Christmas. alive we gather our daughter and son together to spend time as a family," explained Merker. "We always attend church on Christmas Eve together as a family. With our children spread out and away from us, we look forward to.

being able to spend time together each year in church." Many also said, outside, the traditional meal, there is always one special dish that makes the holidays special. Heyworth Mayor Steve Crum said for his family, it is his mother's homemade chicken and noodles. "A holiday meal isn't a meal without those," said Crum. When traditions change While many try to keep traditions alive that may have started with parents or grandparents, sometimes it's hard to keep those alive because families change over time. And that's okay, according to Colleen Gengler, a family relations educator with the University of.

Minnesota Extension Service. "Holiday traditions are inextricably bound up with the history and the strength of families. If in doubt about your ability or energyto carry on a tradition, or if you have concerns about other family members, make it a point to talk about it with other family members during the upcoming holidays," said "Talking about it this year may give people time to think about it and prepare for a change next year. It could be time for a new holiday tradition." For McLean County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton, change came because of the blending of two families "We have a very large Italian family and all of us would gather in the lower level of my grandmother's home in western New York. It wasn't the holidays if we didn't have traditional turkey, dressing, potatoes and you know, all 'the fixings," said Milton.

"But we didn't stop there. We had to have the Italian yummies as well lasagna or spaghetti and YV) I schedule by Paul Froese of Full Gospel Tabernacle, with a time of fellowship following the Come and be a part of something inspirational that will make your holiday complete and meaningful. Bold Flavored Piiia, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches Sweets 212 E. Main Street (309)473-2100 wvw.fussybunnymarket.com I 1 IT meatballs; each family pitched in with their specialty." Milton said her husband Glenn wasn't sure which person he should answer first during his first holiday gathering with her family because "several questions were directed toward him at once," she said (he now has the hang of it). "As our families grew, it was obvious we'd have to split into our individual family gatherings," Milton "But the tradition never stopped." Dawn Kiesling said her family has done both the traditional holiday meal and a more simple meaLwith sandwiches and appetizers.

However, the manner in which the holiday is, celebrated is not the most important thing, Kiesling said. "To me, it's about enjoying the real meaning of Christmas and the love of family and friends," she said. at the VFW Post on E. Main Street fTI following the Jy Parade. Sponsored by GFWC IL Woman's Club of Heyworth i.

111 1 fJ(A This year, it will be held at the Heyworth Christian Church on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Special singing from the churches will be featured, and the message will be brought HflPPV frrm cS Subdivision 809 E. Newton S'C Heyworth, IL Ph. 309-473-2226 By TROY SEMPLE heyworthstarveizon.net' As society hurtles down the techno-highway that is the 2 1st century, it seems as if our world is changing every day.

Christmas too, is not insulated from the changing times. Holiday displays in the stores are up just a bit earlier every 1 fl market. The gift card has come a long way in replacing the act of shopping for that special gift. Heck, we started planning for the "1 Iometown Holidays" section in September! Indeed, a 2005 Harris Interactive study for the National Christmas Tree Association "has shown a major erosion of key aspects of Christmas celebrations among U.S. adults since a similar survey conducted in 1996." The study noted the percentage of people attending a religious service during the Christmas holidays declined 20 percentage points from 63 percent to 43 percent over the 1 0-year span.

Volunteering for charitable activities declined 23 percentage points, and cook: ing a holiday meal declined 1 1 percent. I'm glad to report that, for the most part, national surveys don't mean squat in these parts. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in central Illinois. Reason for the season A quick survey of some of I ley worth's notable names reveals that Christmas, traditions still center around gatherings of family and friends, the serving of the traditional holiday i a i meals ana rne wonuci celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Carol Hanaiin said Christmas Eve is a family affair with her children and their families sharing a potluck with her parents, Conus and Marge Taylor, her sister Cheryl Gebhardt's family and aunt and uncle, Lois and Sam followed by a gift exchange.

"Then, we go to Christmas Eve service at church," Hana-fin said. "Christmas Day, I usually visit each of my children at their homes so I can see what, -my grandchildren have received from Santa." Randy' Merker, superintendent of Heyworth's schools, said he and his wife Dixie, look forward to the holidays because it" means time spent with their children. "For us, the holidays are very inuch typical and traditional as HEYWORTH The public is invited to attend the Heyworth Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the churches of our community. mm i il I fliH llLIJlW Dec. 9th For more information contact: Village Hall 309-473-21 1 1 1 08 S.

Buchanan Downtown Heyworth Happy Holidays! From The Village of Heyworth Join us for Food, Fun the Parade! at Holidays Heyworth Style MagicCarpet Travel Eugene Nicewonger D.S., C.D.K. East Asian Tour Specialist Honeymoons Destination Weddings Disney Cruises Tours Spa Packages I-as Vegas International Air "pf7J Sunday, I CLIK hniail: Ilyj-f www.gomagiccarpet.com 309-473-2980 Toll Free: 888-732-7612.