A FEW OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS THINGS

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Here are three of my favorite Christmas things as my gift to you on this Christmas Eve.

The In Excelsis Deo episode of the West Wing, Season 1, Episode 10. Aaron Sorkin is an absolute genius when it comes to combining imagery with music. 

If you're not familiar with the episode, a homeless Korean War veteran is found dead in Washington. He was wearing a coat Toby Ziegler had donated to Goodwill. His business card was in the coat, so someone called Toby. He visited the homeless encampment, located the man's brother and pulled some strings to arrange for a burial with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Mrs. Landingham, the president's personal secretary, tells Toby "you shouldn't have done that." "I know" replies Toby. "You absolutely shouldn’t have done that." "I know."

When President Jed Bartlet finds out, he takes Toby into the Oval Office and asks, "if we start pulling strings like this, you don't think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?" Toby said "I can only hope, sir." 

As Toby leaves the White House to pick up the man's brother and go the funeral at Arlington, Mrs. Landingham says to Toby, "I'd like to come along." Her two sons had been killed on Christmas Eve in Vietnam. 

The climactic scene cuts between a children's choir at the White House singing "The Little Drummer Boy" and the funeral service at Arlington. We see first Toby, then Mrs. Landingham flinch when the honor guard fire their rifles. Just breathtaking television.

 

Next, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Exasperated by the commercialization of Christmas, Charlie Brown exclaims "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

There is.

 

 

Finally, Christmas Eve, 1968. It was the end of a difficult year of intergenerational strife, highlighted by civil rights protests and violence. America was running out of time to fulfill John F. Kennedy's pledge to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth by the end of the decade. Apollo 8 was the first Apollo mission to reach the moon. Astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders would orbit the moon in the Command Module and return to Earth. In a worldwide broadcast 240,000 miles out in space, the Apollo 8 crew read from the book of Genesis.

Merry Christmas and God bless all of you, all of you on this good Earth.

PENN YAN COUPLE HOSTING CHRISTMAS DINNER AT AMERICAN LEGION

Photo: American Legion Post 355 from post website

American Legion Post 355 in Penn Yan will host a dinner Christmas Day for veterans and their loved ones who might not have anyplace to go.

Brian and Rose Fay of Penn Yan are putting together the event. I spoke to Brian this week on Finger Lakes Country, WFLR. He told me the dinner is he and his wife's way of giving back to those who have served their country.

 

It starts with hors d'ouevres at noon with pepperoni, a cheese tray, relish tray and shrimp cocktail.

Dinner will be served from 2-4PM, with turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, honey glazed carrots, cranberry sauce and rolls and butter. For dessert, there's apple and pumpkin pie.

Walk-ins are welcome, but it would be helpful for planning purposes if you call ahead at (315) 536-8222. The American Legion post is at 2001 Himrod Road in Penn Yan.

GENEVA AMERICAN LEGION HOSTS TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT CONCERT SATURDAY

Photo: AJ's Bravhearts Facebook page

 

The Geneva American Legion Post 396 presents: AJ's BraveHearts Toys for Tots Charity Music Concert. 

Please bring a brand new unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and place it in the Marine Corps Big White Toy Boxes with the red Toys for Tots logo on each side of the stage. We will have a 50/50 raffle and gift basket auctions. 

Musical acts are Volcano, The BraveHearts and The Burned Out Suns . AJ's BraveHearts is also collecting brand new items such as collars, blankets, leashes, treats, cleaning supplies and pet feeding/water bowls and dog and cat toys. If you would like to make a monetary donation by check write it out to AJ's BraveHearts inc. If you would like to donate online our Paypal is: 

AJSBRAVEHEARTSINC@GMAIL.COM and cash or check donations are handed directly to an AJ's BraveHearts 501c3 charity representative Kristin Fratto. A portion of event profits will go to Domestic / Workplace Sexual assult victim and victim of violence to organization: RAINN and local animal rescue and no kill shelters.

MINGLE WITH KRINGLE SATURDAY AT GENEVA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Photo: Mingle with Kringle Facebook page

 

The Geneva Public Library and The Geneva Rotary Club are holding this special event for a second year. Please join us on Saturday, December 10 from 10:00am-12:00pm, with a special holiday sing-along at 1:00pm.

This event is free and open to all. Get your photo taken with Santa, make a special craft, listen to some wonderful holiday stories and more.

 

The Geneva Women’s Assembly will be holding a pop-up for free winter clothing for kids. Visit with Geneva Reads for a book to take home. Historic Geneva will be showing photos of winters past and present. There will be something for everyone!

 

At 1:00pm we will be having a special holiday sing-along led by the praise team of Living Hope Baptist Church with a couple of special numbers on violin.

 

Please register on our website - https://owwl.libcal.com/event/9890499

A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC: WHICH HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE ARE YOU WATCHING?

Photo: Candace Cameron Bure by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia

I originally wrote this a couple of years ago for my previous site, but it’s just as relevant today. Which Hallmark Christmas movie are you watching?

1) The one where the grumpy “bah, humbug” guy learns the true meaning of Christmas at about 11:45 on Christmas Eve, then it starts snowing.

2) The one where the family home/business/town landmark is in danger from the evil, big city developer, but everyone bands together to save it at about 11:45 on Christmas Eve, then it starts snowing.

3) The one where the couple who should clearly, obviously be together spend 90 minutes denying it, then get together and it starts snowing.

4) The one where one member of the obviously should be together couple decides to leave for the shiny, new opportunity far, far away, then changes his or her mind and makes a surprise return, usually at the school/town Christmas concert.

5) The one where the obviously should be together couple doesn’t get together because of a missed message or other mixup. But then they do and it starts snowing.

6) The one where one member of the obviously should be together couple misinterprets a friendly kiss/hug viewed at a distance as evidence the other member wants to be with someone else, but it works out in the end and it starts snowing.

7) The one where the guy is engaged to the bossy, dominating woman and realizes at about 11:45 on Christmas Eve that he was meant to be with the nice, loving one…..then it starts snowing.

8) The one that stars Candace Cameron Bure and/or Lacey Chabert.

9) The one where the older, but still very attractive actress plays Candace Cameron Bure’s and/or Lacey Chabert’s mother and dispenses valuable words of wisdom.

10) The one set in the charming Rocky Mountain village.

11) The one starring the rugged looking guy with an old pickup truck and a dog. Could be a country artist. Often combined with number 10.

12) The one with the ads for Medicare supplement policies and reverse mortgages.

Merry Christmas!