“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandfather’s house we go, the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow”…bring back some childhood memories? This holiday season I ask that you take some time and remember, reminisce, and share your wonderful Christmas memories with your family and friends.

Christmas is sharing…I was reminded of this last year when I found a Christmas Memory book that my late aunt had kept. I read her Christmas memory and realized that I had never heard that story before, I am sure that this has happened in your own family as well and it would a blessing to your family if you shared a Christmas memory of long ago.

Our family, probably like yours, has experienced many ups and downs over the last year. I say, enjoy the Season! Slow down long enough to take in the sights and smells that make Christmas Memories! Share those memories with your family and rejoice in your Christmas past, present, and future.

Are you ready to have Breakfast with the Trojans? A Santa Breakfast and Christmas Gala are planned for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Arcanum High School cafetorium. Tickets can be purchased at the door and all children under the age of 3 will eat for FREE.

The Arcanum Christmas Gala Craft Show will be held on Dec. 7 in the Field House. Please join them for a day filled with Christmas fun…and shopping from local crafters from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 7th Arcanum School Annual Senior Citizen’s Christmas Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the High School Cafetorium. Entertainment will be provided by the Arcanum Music Department and lunch will be served. To make reservations, please call 937/692-5174, Ext. 1337 by Friday, Dec. 6. The event is free to all local senior citizens.

A 2nd annual Quarter Auction will be held by the Arcanum A# Club on Dec. 8 in the Fieldhouse. Doors open at 12:30 for lunch and auction preview. They will be serving soups, hotdogs, chips, baked goods and drinks for a small fee. You can purchase on of two bid paddles for the auction at the door, $5 gets you a pay-per-view paddle. With this paddle, you’ll pay quarters to raise your bid for a desired item. For $50, you can forgo the quarters and purchase an All-In Paddle. This ensures you are included in the chance to win each available item; there is no limit to how many items you can win! Auction begins at 2 pm. This is a great way to win some awesome goodies to keep or to gift this holiday season!

Many of the A# families and local businesses have generously donated the items for this auction. A full list will be posted right after Thanksgiving. You don’t want to miss this event!

Did you ever wonder when you drive past a building for years and years what it might look like inside? Someone recently asked a member of Abbottsville United Methodist Church that and they thought there were probably many others who have thought to themselves the same thing. They decided it was time to have an Open House and invite anyone who would like to drop in and see their church that is over 125 years old, what its like on the inside.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, please come and visit between 2 and 4 p.m. and enjoy a tour, a cup of coffee, and a dessert. You can see what the little church on the hill looks like inside. Pastor Myra Ary and the congregation welcome you to attend.

The Arcanum Business Association is seeking contestants for the 1st Annual “Little Miss & Mr. Jingle Bell Pageant.” Scheduled for Saturday Dec. 14, at 9:30 a.m., the event will be held at Fieldhouse, Arcanum. Contestants will be competing in two age groups: ages 3-5 years old and 6- 0 years old. Contestants will be judged by a panel of three judges on poise (30 percent), personality (40 percent) and costume (30 perccent). The costume theme this year will be Winter Wonderland! Think outside the box and be creative. Check-in will take place at 9 a.m. in the Fieldhouse. Contestants must be pre-registered to participate. Contestants will be able to visit with Santa Claus after participating in the event. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd runners-up in each age group.

The Little Misses and Little Misters will be awarded a crown, sash and trophy. The top three in each age group are invited to ride in the Christmas Horse Parade at 7 p.m. the same evening, a horse drawn carriage will be provided (one parent per child must ride along).

The Arcanum Business Association will also ask your child to participate in the Old-Fashioned Days and the Halloween Parades in 2020, if they are chosen as one of the 2019 Little Miss or Mr. Jingle Bells.

A Cutest Baby Photo Contest will also be held at the pageant. One photo of your little one who is of current age of newborn to 24 months, (size 5×7 or 8×10) can be turned into the pageant staff in the field house between 9-9:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 along with an entry form. T

hree different awards will be given: Most Photogenic, Cutest Smile, and Most Original. All babies are welcome to participate in the parade of babies (Moms can walk them down the red carpet) in between the two age groups participating in the pageant. All entry forms must be received by Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. Entries may be emailed to [email protected] or call Amber Rinehart at 937-286-8330 to arrange drop off.

Need a great idea for a Christmas gift for the person that has everything? Check out the prints and other items available of Roger Snell’s original painting, a22x28 acrylic on canvas (framed) entitled “A New Day in Arcanum.” The proceeds will benefit the efforts to save the iconic Arcanum City Building.

Roger Snell is a 1977 graduate of Arcanum High School and now lives in Frankfort, Ky. Roger is not only an artist but also an author having written two books in his retirement. Roger retired from the State of Kentucky Agriculture Department. Be sure to stop by the store and check it out! For more information on Roger, check out his website: ROGERSNELL.COM. The beautiful items are available from finearts.com and are very reasonably priced.

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” ~W.T. Ellis

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” ~Dale Evans Rogers