Christmas music has always had the ability inspire joy like no other.
A young Dexter man has had the incredible opportuinity to perform with the Washington Chorus during the holiday season delighting our Nation’s Capitol with a series of concerts.
Jon Hessling is a member of the The Washington Chorus as it presented its annual offering of concerts for the holiday season. Hessling is a graduate of Dexter High School's choral music program under the direction of MaryRuth Boone. He is the son of Ronnie and Pat Hessling of Dexter.
A Candlelight Christmas is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated holiday concerts in Washington, D. C. In fact, all concerts were sold out and last Saturday night’s concert at the Kennedy Center. The concert at the famed performing center was overflowing with eager listeners, young and old in anticipation for the evening’s program.
Under the direction of music director Julian Wachner, The Washington Chorus began the evening with stately candlelight choral processional on the carol, “Once in Royal David’s City.” Esther Ullberg, a member of the Junior Washington Chorus, began the carol from the stage with a sweet, soprano that transported the listener back to the childlike innocence of the holidays.
As the chorus processed, each stanza grew in intensity, ultimately ending in an angelic descant by the sopranos. The splendor of the brass and majesty of the organ was a constant throughout. “O Come All Ye Faithful” was like a call to adoration, with the stately, marked entrances of the brass of the National Capital Brass and Percussion swelling harmoniously with the grandeur of the organ superbly played by John Bradford Bohl.
The evening was full of holiday wonders. Special guest, the tenor Carl Tanner sang two Christmas favorites, the spiritual “Mary Had a Baby” by William Dawson and “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the singing of The Washington Chorus inspired all of those things that we associate with the holiday season: peace, joy, hope and love!
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – An official agency of the Federal government is preparing to track a very special journey.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is getting ready to track Santa’s yuletide journey around the world. The NORAD Tracks Santa website features a Countdown Calendar, a Kid’s Countdown Village complete with holiday games and activities that change daily, and video messages from students and troops from around the world. With the addition of Brazilian Portuguese, the website is now available in eight languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Chinese.
This year, using free apps in the Apple iTunes Store and in the Android Market, parents and children can countdown the days until Santa’s take off on their smart phones! Tracking opportunities are also offered on Facebook, Google+, YouTube, and Twitter.
Starting at midnight MST on Dec. 24, website visitors can watch Santa as he makes all the preparations for his flight.
NORAD’s “Santa Cams” will also stream videos as Santa makes his way over various locations worldwide.
“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more.”
Kids enjoyed the fun side of Christmas Wednesday afternoon at Montgomery Bank’s Kid’s Club Christmas Party.
Complete with Cindy Lou from Whoville and Monty Max, kids had an opportunity to play games, make a very special Grinch-colored Christmas ornament to take home, enjoyed treats and snacks. In addition, a “friend” of the Grinch – Scott Nelson – read the story “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.
The kids had an opportunity to chat a bit with a very special visitor – Santa Claus himself! Santa made a very special visit to Montgomery Bank in Dexter to be on hand for the holiday party.
The kids had a grand time at the party - just a taste of the excitement of Christmas!!
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
The Gingerbread Girl is one smart cookie!
And she has a bunch of neat friends … the Animal Crackers. But they had better all watch out, or they will all become treats for the trickster fox.
The youngsters who attended Story Hour this week at Keller Public Library got to hear all about the Gingerbread Girl from Tracy Horton and Christy Dorton, who were the guest readers.
Horton and Dorton also had a Christmas craft ready for the young patrons – a Gingerbread boy and girl ornament ready to hang from their holiday trees at home. And don’t tell the Gingerbread Girl, but gingerbread treats and animal crackers were served as a treat!
Tuesday’s Story Hour is the last of the year at Keller Public Library. There will not be a Story Hour next week, Dec. 27 or on Tuesday, Jan. 3. But the popular Story Hour program will begin again at 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, Jan 10. The schedule for January 2013 includes a host of guest readers and fun books for children:
- Jan. 10 - Cheryl Boggess & Tracy Gant present "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"!
- Jan. 17 - John William Ringer presents 'Watch Out For Dinosaurs"!
- Jan. 24 - Belinda Worley presents "Pinkalicious"!
- Jan. 31 - Shirley Crow Stephens presents "Groundhog Day
Story Hour is a free program for young children at Keller Public Library in Dexter.
Photo Above: Tracy Horton of County Wide Insurance and Christy Dorton were the guest readers this week at Story Hour at the Keller Public Library, reading the Christmas story "The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers."
ShowMe Times Gallery
Father Christmas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle ... it seems like our modern-day Santa Claus has more names than he knows what to do with.
Confusing? Not to worry -- short-explanatory-film-maker C. G. P. Grey saves the day with his brief video history of the origin of "jolly Saint Nick."
When Europeans settled the American colonies, all the European versions of St. Nick and Father Christmas and the other characters began to mix together. Which can be one reason why the same jolly fellow is known by so many names by folks young and old.
Santa Claus is the Americanization of Sinterklaas, but he’s also called St Nick and Father Christmas and Kris Kringle which comes from Germany.
Many of us may have a vision of Santa as the fellow in the soft drink advertisements or in the storybook “The Night Before Christmas.” But no matter what, one thing is certain – Santa Claus brings joy to youngters and a smile to the faces of older folks each year.
Photo Above: Santa visited Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter recently, and brightened the holiday for Andrew and Anna Ellinghouse and dozens of other youngsters. (Photo courtesy of Missouri Southern Healthcare)
