Fielder’s Choice
I can’t recall getting in the Christmas spirit so early.
Wednesday of last week, Pam and I drove to the Jackson area to visit with our son, Andy.
While traveling, we typically surf through radio stations until we find the music we like best.
On I-55 South last week, at this point of the road trip, we were getting quite a bit of static. And then suddenly, we heard Christmas music. This was November 8, still 46 days from December 25.
Come to find out, as we listened, the station was playing continuous Christmas music – we guess until December 26.
I know there is a station in Memphis, Tenn., 104.5, that typically starts continuous Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. We listen often.
We enjoyed two or three Christmas songs on the ride south Wednesday, and even sang along, but it just seemed a bit too early. We turned the dial.
Then, we had to make a couple of stops to pick up a few items for our son. And we saw plenty of Christmas decorations and such on the aisles.
I thought, is it time?
Then I thought – well, my sisters in Alabama have already asked for Christmas lists. And this past weekend, I got a couple of smaller Christmas trees out of the attic so my wife can start decorating.
And early last week, workers with the Holly Springs Utility Department were busy hanging Christmas decorations in the downtown area.
And Thursday, the entire downtown was abuzz as merchants, city workers and county workers were getting ready for the Holiday Open House that evening.
The Holiday Open House, coordinated by the Holly Springs Main Street Chamber, has turned into a really fabulous event.
It’s fabulous, of course, because it’s so very important that we all shop at home – spend money with local shop owners.
But it’s important, too, because it brings the community together on one night, for a few hours, to not only enjoy Holly Springs’ beautiful square but enjoy being around one another.
We (Pam, Erin, myself and Erin’s friend Melanie Cheesman) would get bogged down in one business, chatting and catching up on family and such, and I thought we might not make it to the next one in time to sample the food.
Being in downtown Holly Springs Thursday night, with the weather chilly and amidst the holiday lights and Christmas music, definitely put me in the Christmas spirit (45 days before December 25).
It’s great to see the downtown area alive. And it’s great that the merchants and others are coming together with city leadership to focus on downtown revitalization. The best, we all hope, is yet to come.
My grandfather Frederick had a store in downtown Hackleburg, Ala. I remember going there as a small child.
Back then, downtown was the place to be.
I can see that coming back, and if Thursday night is any indication, Holly Springs is on the right track.