Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for reading this column.

My husband deserves gratitude for spurring me on with this neighborly chit-chat. He lovingly clips each column and places it in a 3-ring binder. He reminds me of deadlines and shows me Mountain City-related tidbits as they happen. Thank you, RonTom.  I love you.

Thank you, God, for the wildlife in Mountain City.

And, thank you for the people.

Thank you, God, for Your love, loving us to the point of sending Your son.

Yes! Before the next column, we’ll move into the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!

In Mountain City, the Loving Mountain City theme for the Christmas Season is “It’s a Wonderful Life in Mountain City”.

The Brown Santa Toy Drive goes through December 7th.  Drop off toys at the box in front of Old City Hall.

If all goes as planned –  fa la la, la la la, la la la – see “Bright Friday” on “Black Friday”. The lights should go on at city hall. Thanks to Loving Mountain City, through donations of money, lights, and time, this year our hall will be decked with lights. 

If the long-range weather report is accurate, Thanksgiving weekend should be a great time to finish up Christmas décor.

Please (unless you do not celebrate Christmas) consider decorating your yard for Christmas. Those who decorate give (with love) countless hours of planning and preparation to gift neighbors and visitors with a delightful “It’s a Wonderful Life in Mountain City” holiday experience.

The deadline for décor completion, to be part of the festivities that lead up to Tour de Lights, is Sunday, December 7th.

Décor scouts will be out Monday, December 8th and Tuesday, December 9th in order to have a ballot prepared and posted online for the voting December 12th – December 14th. There will be paper ballots available near the City’s main entrance.

As we have a fun time “voting”, we pull together to acknowledge the efforts of our appreciated neighbors, like colorful strands pulled together to make beautiful Christmas bows.

Then – pa rum pa pum pum – comes Tour de Lights on Friday, December 19th.  Mountain City’s children and grandchildren travel by hayride past the winning houses. Too, there will be a visit from Santa and cookies. This starts at 6:00 p.m.

There will be over two dozen houses with awards for all to see!

Each address is eligible for only one award.

· Grand Prize

· People’s Favorite

· Sparkle

· Creativity

· Workshop (handmade / handcrafted)

· CHRISTmas

· Santa

· Theme

· Elegance

· Best of Ash Drive

· Best of Cedar Drive East

· Best of Cedar Drive West

· Best of Juniper

· Best of Live Oak Drive North

· Best of Live Oak Midway (includes Live Oak Court)

· Best of Live Oak Drive West

· Best of Maple Drive North

· Best of Maple Drive Midway

· Best of Maple Drive Midway

· Best of Maple Drive South

· Best of Pecan Drive

· Best of Pin Oak Drive North

· Best of Pin Oak Drive South

· Best of Poplar Drive North

· Best of Poplar Drive South

· Best of Jack C. Hays Trail

For exact addresses included in each “Best of …” award, see flier delivered to house, flier emailed to all.