Take note, the holidays are here
Like clockwork, another Thanksgiving has come and gone. The meal has been served, cleaned up, re-served, cleaned up again… you get the picture. By now, the turkey carcass has been decimated, made into soup or enchiladas or even a crazy casserole – a recipe given to me by a friend whereby the makings of the turkey-day dinner are layered into a gross-sounding concoction and frozen until late winter, unearthed only when the memory of the leftovers has faded enough to be enjoyed once again.
And now that the relatives have gone home the house should be quiet once again. But no, what’s that? Christmas is literally around the corner? It should come as no surprise as there have been hints for weeks. Why, even before the Halloween candy was sold-out, Christmas decorations were appearing in stores. Neighbors are stringing lights and carting trees atop the car. For me it’s all a little early. Not to be a Scrooge or anything but I like to fully enjoy each and every holiday before launching into the next. And the dust that comes with decorating, I can wait for that.
But the holiday signs are there nonetheless. The Cornerstone snowmen have been lit, wreaths and new flags adorn Sonoma’s light poles. Not to be overlooked, the eight days of Hanukkah began on Wednesday and will continue throughout the beginning of December. A town tradition, Santa arrives on the Plaza at 5 p.m. sharp on Friday night. As always, there will be hot (actually just warm) chocolate for any and all. The happy crowd will stamp their feet and rub their cold hands in anticipation of Santa’s arrival on the fire truck. Squeezing through the crowd to say hello is always a little treacherous but persevere we must if only to shake his hand and glimpse the twinkle in his eye.
As we truly head into the holiday season, let’s not lose sight of what really is important – our families, our friends, and our community, especially those in need.
In this issue we write about Bill Dardon and his annual holiday turkey drive. This is Bill’s 20th year! For two decades he has been collecting money and making a deal with a local grocer to turn that cash into as many turkeys as possible. Safeway is the latest store to work their magic, giving Bill bang for the buck with “turkey-only” gift cards that are tucked into baskets at the yearly F.I.S.H. food and toy giveaway. See the story on page 4 and please, send Bill a few dollars to help him reach his 1,500 turkey goal. For just $7, you can provide a turkey to a family in need. Of course, Bill welcomes donations both big and small.
Our popular Sun on the Street feature asks Sonomans about how people would celebrate a holiday in their honor. The answers are always compelling, sometimes surprising and our photographer, Melania Mahoney seeks out unusual people to interview, from the young to the old and everyone in between, sometimes even including our pets.
As the saying goes, time waits for no man and we are no different here in our small town. So embrace the holiday spirit. Remember to give to those less fortunate. Share your time or money, if you have it. Sometimes just a smile is enough to warm another person’s harried day. Happy holidays.
