“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.