Christmas around the area

By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer

December 10, 2007 12:13 am

— ELDON — The Christmas spirit resounded in southeast Iowa this weekend with celebrations in cities all around.
In Eldon children started the day by making gingerbread houses from candies and frosting at the American Gothic House Visitors Center.
Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon committee member Brenda Kremer said the kids were having so much fun as they decorated their little graham cracker homes with gumdrops and goodies.
Dressed in an outfit similar to Mrs. Claus, Kremer said they were trying to “get people in the Christmas spirit.”
Sam Rodgers filled in for Santa Claus while he was in Davis County taking orders from the girls and boys who had been nice all year.
In an interview, Santa told the Courier that he “wanted to make sure he got their list so he could deliver their gifts on Christmas Eve.”
Though Santa spent most of the ay in Davis County in his “satellite workshop”, he said he had many elves and other Santa helpers around the other towns and other parts of the state helping him out, getting requests from the children.
In Bloomfield, the Main Street Chamber office sponsored activities all day for the kids and adults in Davis County.
“We’re promoting Christmas and spreading the cheer,” said Main Street Committee Member Don Walton.
“It’s been busy all morning here at Santa’s workshop and he still has a full day,” he said, Saturday morning.
Meanwhile back in Eldon, other activities were going on around town as well.
The Rock Island Train Depot located off Main Street in Eldon, was decked out for the holidays with all its displays open to the public to view. As an added bonus, Eldon Depot Committee Treasurer Steve Roe said they had just opened the caboose back up two days prior to Saturday’s event and had it remodeled and decorated for Christmas.
“We have had several people come through here this morning,” he said. “They come and view the train memorabilia and have some refreshments.”
Right around the corner from the depot, another holiday event was taking place.
The McHaffey Opera House sponsored a Christmas Tree walk in the downstairs portion of the theater, with around three dozen decorated, illuminating trees.
“We’ve done the tree walk for the past several years,” said Opera House Historian Jo Eddy. “But this is the first year we have done the Nativity walk.”
Upstairs in the stage area there were several dozen Nativity scenes set up for viewing. Each one was different and unique. The large one on the stage had a backdrop that was used in one of the original plays at the Opera House many years ago, Eddy said.
“This is just our thanks to the community for supporting our restoration project,” she said. “And a way to get people more in the Christmas spirit.”
Kremer said the GATE committee coordinated the events, but each separate activity was sponsored by the ones putting it on, but all with the common goal of letting people enjoy the holidays.
“We’re Ho Ho Ho’ing all over town,” she said.
Back in Davis County, Santa told the Courier to relay one important message to all the boys and girls in southeast Iowa, “Be good and have a Merry Christmas.”
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

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