By Adam Pack
The Alderson Town Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Town Council Chambers of the Alderson City Building.
Council members made the public aware of a host of Christmastime events taking place between now and the coming of the New Year, with several being organized through the Alderson Main Street organization.
To begin the season, the annual Christmas parade will take place on Dec. 2, with the Greenbrier East High School and Eastern Greenbrier Middle School bands playing in the parade. Both bands are being asked to line up at 5 p.m. and the parade itself will start at 6 p.m. It will proceed down Riverview Avenue and across the Alderson Memorial Bridge and disband in front of the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department. Santa will greet children and hear their wishes inside the AVFD. Treats will be provided by the Alderson Women’s Club.
As far as Santa Claus is concerned, Mayor Copenhaver reported that Santa’s office had been in communication with his office and despite a recent bout of poor health, Santa is recovering well and will be healthy in time to appear at the parade. The parade will also feature a “sensory zone” again this year, with parade units being asked to refrain from loud noises in the section of Riverview Avenue from Virginia Street to the Auto Repair Shop in the Old Ashland Station so that those with auditory sensitivities can enjoy the parade. Coordinated by Lois McVey, the Queen of Lights from the 5th grade class of Alderson Elementary School, will light up the Alderson Memorial Bridge and other lighted displays as she moves along the parade route.
The Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, at 104 North Monroe Street across from the Exxon Station, will have their Christmas Bazaar in the basement open from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and a dinner of chili or potato soup and sandwiches will be served for a small fee. Many Alderson Shops will be open and dinner will be available at the Big Wheel Restaurant and Riverview Café. Following the parade, the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department will host the “Drive Under the Lights” across the Alderson Memorial Bridge. Council also noted that the Alderson Model Train show will be Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, respectively, with times as of yet undecided, but hopefully available closer to the event.
On Dec. 11, Alderson Main Street will also host this year’s “Christmas Tea at the Old Vic.” With seatings at 1 and 3 p.m. those sitting for tea will be treated to lovely renditions of Christmas classics by Leah and Roger Trent. Guests may purchase tickets at the Alderson Artisan’s Gallery (304-445-7952) by cash or check for $20 each. Ticket purchasing early is encouraged by the organizers as there is limited room available. Proceeds support Alderson Main Street projects, primarily the “Gem of the Hills” Christmas celebration.
The “Gem of the Hills” celebration is another project by Alderson Main Street which will give area residents multiple opportunities to decorate the town of Alderson for the Christmas season. Mayor Copenhaver said this initiative was born off the back of the success of the scarecrow competition. “People were coming from all over and would just take one picture after the other of all of the scarecrows on our town’s lampposts,” he said. Participants will have three opportunities to decorate portions of Alderson: one may adopt one of the eight lampposts along Riverview Ave. and decorate it with lights and a snowman. Each pole has an electrical outlet, and participants may make and place a tree, snowman, or holiday gnome in the mini-park (Lee St and Riverview Ave), or make and place a tree or snowman in Alumni Park near the gazebo to create a Magical Forest. Your contribution will be combined with existing trees, deer, and other decorations. For further rules and regulations regarding decorations, as well as beginning and end date for their placement, check Alderson Main Street’s Facebook page.
The council also wished to remind citizens of the upcoming Baptist Contata, and of a home and business Christmas Lights and Decorations contest on Friday, Dec. 9. There will be no pre-registration required, all one simply has to do is have their home decorated and lit up on the evening of Dec. 9 in order to be judged.