Susan Schulz

Wreaths are placed to honor the veterans laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery.

This Christmas, Let’s Live Up to Their Legacy

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Most of us have a desire to remember the fallen, honor those who have served and teach our children the value of freedom. One meaningful way to do that this Christmas is to get involved with the Wreaths Across America project. Local volunteers at the Georgia National Cemetery (GNC) Advisory Council are working hard to ensure veterans laid to rest at GNC are honored.

This year’s wreath placement, held across the country at more than 2,500 locations, will be Dec. 17-18. The event is open to the public, 9 a.m.-noon Friday and 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. After placement concludes, a ceremony will begin at noon Saturday. This event helps educate the next generation, as well as community members and visitors, about the services and sacrifices of our nation’s military men and women.

This year’s theme is Live Up to Their Legacy. After a couple of challenging years, Wreaths Across America gives us a way to redirect our focus during the holiday season. The council’s goal is to memorialize 18,000 patriots with a fresh balsam wreath this season.

“The response we see from the community for Wreaths Across America reinforces our commitment to honor these veterans and their families. The wreath program is truly worthy of our combined efforts. This year we are raising approximately $200,000, and 100% of the funds go toward purchasing wreaths. Any incidental expenses are covered by the GNC Advisory Council’s general fund,” Chairman Russ Seltenright said.

The cost to sponsor one wreath is $15, or $10 each if funding more than three. There is a critical need for donors to sponsor 10 wreaths for $100. Visit ganationalcemetery.org for opportunities to support the program. The GNC Advisory Council receives no state or federal funding as a volunteerrun 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible, and funds raised support community programs, projects and events, such as Wreaths Across America. Follow #LiveTheirLegacy2021 for nationwide stories.

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.

Holiday Happenings

Through Dec. 6

Santa’s Letters can be dropped in the North Pole mailbox at the Cherokee Recreation Center in Woodstock. Santa personally will reply to each letter and mail it back to your child from the North Pole on Dec. 13. Parents, leave a special note for Santa deciphering the letter if your child’s handwriting is not legible. www.playcherokee.org. Through Dec. 24

The Woodstock Arts Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol,” a spectacular Broadway musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ best-known story, which breathes new life into the classic tale, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. Recommended for ages 8-plus (content). www.woodstockarts.org. Through Jan. 1

Rink on the River is at The Mill on Etowah Tuesdays-Sundays. Bring the family to enjoy an awesome ice skating option during the Christmas season. Visit https://bit.ly/2Yd28wA for more details, including hours for the rink.

Dec. 4

The 25th annual Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights leaves at 5:30 p.m. from Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, and travels down Main Street to Sam’s Club on Highway 92. Starting at 4:30 p.m., holiday and food vendors will be in the Park at City Center, and Christmas activities will take place after the parade. https://bit.ly/3imwC66.

The 2021 Holly Springs Christmas Parade will welcome the holiday season at 1:30 p.m. The parade begins on Holly Springs Parkway at the intersection with Mountain Brook Drive, continues onto Palm Street, turns onto Betty Barrett Way and travels west onto Hickory Road from the roundabout. www.hollyspringsga.us/ christmasparade.

The Timothy Lutheran Church Youth Group is hosting its annual Christmas Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Admission is free to shop at more than 40 vendor booths, and enjoy food and live entertainment. https://timothylutheran.360unite.com/home.

Canton Optimist Club Music Festival and Market

Place is noon-6 p.m. in Cannon Park. Virtual Santa in the park is 3-5 p.m. The Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. in downtown Canton. https://bit.ly/3ElKjKW. Reindeer Run 2021 begins at 8 a.m. in Etowah River Park in Canton. The annual 5K and fun run is hosted by the Service League of Cherokee County. There will be a cash reward for the school with the most participants. Visit https://bit.ly/3BYc374 to register. Lights on the Lake is back at Allatoona Lake, 6 p.m., beginning at the Atlanta Yacht Club. The fifth annual boat parade benefits the Calvary Children’s Home, and can be viewed from Gatewood Park/Bartow Beach or Cooper Branch No. 1 Boat Ramp. Participants, sponsors and donors can visit www.lakeallatoonaassoc.com.

Dec. 4-5, 10-12, 17-19

Performances of “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Wally and Jeannie Hinds, will be at the Canton Theatre. The traditional holiday classic is portrayed by six actors. www.cherokeetheatre.org/shows. Dec. 5

Bundle up the family and join Holiday in the Park, noon-4 p.m., at Cherokee Veterans Park. Families can enjoy Christmas shopping, along with craft vendors, food trucks, decorating cookies, making crafts, playing on bounce houses and more. Admission is $10 per child, cash-only. www.playcherokee.org. Dec. 8

Check-in for Girls Night Holiday Social is 5:30-7 p.m. at the Mill on Etowah. Grab your girlfriends, neighbors, sisters, moms and join the fun, including a dueling pianos show and a make-and-take craft. Visit https://bit.ly/3kg2B8W for tickets.

Dec. 8, 15

Join Wednesday evening Advent services, 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. www.gslutheran.org.

Dec. 10

Christmas in Canton is 6-9 p.m. at Cannon Park. Activities will include a visit with Santa, a showing of “The Polar Express,” train rides, a petting zoo, face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables, s’mores and more. Downtown shops will be open late. https://bit.ly/3jEDPz8.

Dec. 11

Reserve your spot, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon, for Swim With the Grinch at the Aquatic Center. Cost is $10 per child. Participants will decorate a tree with underwater tree lights, get crafty with elves and take pictures with the Grinch. www.playcherokee.org.

Join the family- and pet-friendly event, Ho Ho Horses, 2-5 p.m. at Mariposa Farms in Canton. Talk with Santa on his sleigh, have some cookies and hot cocoa, play games and make an ornament. Appointments can be made for kids who need quieter time. https://bit.ly/3bMikb8.

Dec. 11-18

Visit with Santa, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., in downtown Canton at the Cannon Park Gazebo. Bring your camera, and have photos taken with Santa. https://bit.ly/3BgvA2a.

Dec. 12

Christmas with the Cherokee Chorale, conducted by Scott Martin, is at 4 p.m. at Canton First United Methodist Church. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students. The performance features Christmas and holiday favorites. www.cherokeechorale.org. Beginning at 1 p.m., Santa will be at the Falany Performing Arts Center in Waleska for free, drivethrough fun. Stop the car, drop off your letter to Santa in the North Pole mailbox, snap photos with Santa in the sleigh, and grab a goodie bag on your way home. https://bit.ly/3GPyr68. Enjoy an outdoor screening of “The Polar Express,” 6 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center in Waleska. Guests can enjoy a free hot cocoa bar, cookies and a family film. https://bit.ly/304r36y.

Dec. 13

Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the Harry Potter Yule Ball, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Hickory Flat Public Library. Costumes and plus-ones are encouraged. Enjoy music, dancing and light refreshments. To register visit www.calendarwiz.com/sequoyahreglib.

Dec. 15

If you would like Santa and his elves to call your child, complete and print the Santa’s Calling request form on www.playcherokee.org. You can mail, drop off at the Recreation Center or email the request form by Dec. 13. Santa and his elves will be making calls on Dec. 15, 5-7 p.m.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Christmas concert returns, 8 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center in Waleska. https://bit.ly/3mU22TW.

Dec. 21

Join a showing of “Elf,” at 7 p.m. at the Canton Theatre. Concessions will be complimentary, and Santa will be available for pictures following the film. Tickets will be on sale Dec. 9, online and in person at the Canton Theatre Box Office. https://bit.ly/3FdBZxh.

Photo by Lauren Johnson.

Dec. 22

Celebrate all things green and grinchy, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at Woodstock Public Library’s Grinch Day. 10:30-11:30 a.m., at Woodstock Public Library. Registration is not required. www.calendarwiz.com/sequoyahreglib. Dec. 24

Christmas Eve services will be held at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. Join the family service, 6-7 p.m., and the candlelight service, 11 p.m.-midnight. www.bascombumc.org. Sojourn Woodstock’s annual Eve on the Green service will begin with Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and bonfires at 5 p.m., followed by a short candlelight service beginning at 5:15 p.m. The service will be held outdoors at the Woodstock Arts Event Green, 111 Elm St. in downtown Woodstock. eveonthegreen.com.

Attend Christmas Eve services with Holy Communion at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. A service of lessons and carols is at 3 p.m.; the family service is at 5 p.m.; the candlelight praise service is at 7 p.m., and the traditional candlelight service is at 9 p.m. www.gslutheran.org. Dec. 25

Join the worship service with Holy Communion, 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Casual attire. www.gslutheran.org.