Holiday Happenings by Odessa American

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Inside 3

Singer Michael Martin Murphey performs at the Ector Theatre with his Cowboy Christmas Ball. ‘Nutcracker Magic’ is back on stage in Odessa and features dozens of young Odessa dancers in the classic tale of the Mouse King and Nutcracker.

25 CrossRoads Fellowship Church will tell not ‘A Christmas Story’ but ‘The Christmas Story.’

Second Baptist’s great gift to Odessa

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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah , the Lord . Luke 2:11

Live nativity displays reason for season BY CASEY DENNIS oalife@oaoa.com Odessa’s Second Baptist Church will give the community a gift for the 60th time — a live nativity during the Christmas holiday. For 60 years the members of the church have volunteered their time and efforts to put on the event free of charge for all Odessans. The church, located at 711 E. 17th St., goes all out including not just human actors — but also a few of God’s other creatures. Take Georgia the donkey, for example. This will be Georgia’s 20th year. She was donated two decades ago to a church member, Ernie Eaton, who brings her each year for the pivotal part of the donkey who carries the expectant Mary. Georgia is even a second generation actor donkey. Her mother did the honors previously. She joins a shifting cast of church members as Mary, Joseph and

ODESSA AMERICAN FILE PHOTOS

Members of Second Baptist Church volunteer each year for a live nativity at the church at 711 E. 17th St.

Baby Jesus, the wise men and the shepherds. Angels and sheep are also a part of the Nativity scene. Bill Cass, a member for about eight years, says the show runs 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-23 as well as 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 24 — immediately following Second Baptist’s Christmas Eve Candlelight service. Cass said members are gracious and fill in wherever needed for the event. “If you need an angel, you do an angel. Whatever is needed.” He said in addition to the actors and animals, which are all cared for by Eaton, many church members help by changing out costumes or running sound. It’s a true group effort by the church. Eaton, a church member since 1998, said he enjoys watching the children pet the sheep or Georgia and enjoys visiting with Odessans who come to the event. “A lot of people come back every year and some started coming when they were children.” Cass said the show has gone on so long that there is no need for a rehearsal. “Most are just so used to it. It always goes very well and it’s the true meaning of Christmas.” A scene during last year’s live nativity at Second Baptist Church. Longtime church

IF YOU GO >> What: Second Baptist Church Live Nativity. >> When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and 8 to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve. >> Where: Second Baptist Church, 711 E. 17th St. >> Admission: Free. >> Online: sbcodessa.com member Jerry Robinson said in a previous Odessa American article that he remembers the first live Nativity at Second Baptist. It was the same year and month that the bus boycott began in Montgomery, Ala., surrounding Rosa Parks. The year was 1955. “I was about 12,” Robinson said, going on to describe the scene of wise men, shepherds, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in the manger. “Oh, it was big and tall and we had lots of people participating.” Robinson had to wait until age 15 to participate or so he said, something he looked forward to the day he was able. Now, he runs the DVD player, one of the more simple tasks, but he has also stood as Joseph, a wise man and a shepherd. “One time I was an angel,” he said, joking that “we were short-handed.”

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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A Cowboy Christmas at the Ector Theatre BY CASEY DENNIS oalife@oaoa.com

Michael Martin Murphey came early in his career to stardom, but that doesn’t mean the 70-year-old singer/songwriter doesn’t have an appreciation for the simple things. You can hear it in his voice — the excitement and reverence he holds for the tradition of the Cowboy Christmas Ball. Speaking by phone from a ranch in Colorado, Murphey is eloquent and reverent when he talks about how the first cowboys — shepherds — were the ones to first hear the news of the birth of Jesus. Murphey, who said his home base is an Amarillo ranch, said he was intrigued early in his career about the traditions of Christmas. “So much of what we do in the United States for Christmas is based on Victorian ideas with influences from Scandnavia,” Murphey said. “But these Western-style Christmas events talk about the people on the land and the tradition of the shepherds, the working folks, first getting the news. I believe the tradition in Texas of the Cowboy Christmas Ball is the only truly authentic American tradition of Christmas.” Murhpey will perform his Cowboy Christmas at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Ector Theatre. “You know it is such a great time of the year and people are in a wonderful mood and the great message we are able to incorporate into the songs has so much that a lot people want to hear,” he said. Murphey explained that the first known Cowboy Christmas Ball was held in 1885 in Anson. “The traditional folk dances of Texas were part of it. That Anson ball survives today,” he said. He said the ball in Anson has been held almost every year since 1885. Some wartime years it wasn’t held due to not having enough men for the event. While there are many reasons the ball has survived and that he has taken the show on tour, he said the most important reason for a cowboy Christmas tradition is the pastoral story about the simple people getting the news. “In the Bible the shepherds were the first to get the news … livestock people herding out on the land,” Murphey said. “It is a significant part of the story and

IF YOU GO >> What: Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas. >> When: 8 p.m. Dec. 8. >> Where: Ector Theatre. >> Tickets: $35. >> Online: www.ectortheatre.com

one that most people overlook. It is a deeper meaning to know that if the king of all creation and the savior was to be born, wouldn’t it be significant who God reveals that to first? In the Bible it was the cowboys of the day.” He said the New Testament says shepherd translated to English is someone who herded goats, sheep, cattle and other grazing animals. “That is a great tie in to our Texas cowboys. Isn’t that what they do as well?” Murphey has done the Anson show for decades and praises those who keep the show traditional and how they continue to have it with traditional dress and traditional rules: No short dresses and no hats on the dance floor. His traveling show incorporates large screens to show the landscapes of Texas and art from famed painter Kenneth Wyatt’s winter scenes.

IN THE BEGINNING Murphey said back in the ’80s he worked on several albums of cowboy songs and that one included a Christmas single. A few years later he released “Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas.” It was during this time that Murphey learned more about the history of Christmas and cowboy events and music. “I knew an event in Anson happened many years ago but I found out that since 1885 they have been putting this thing on with only a break for when didn’t have enough men to hold the dance,” Murphey said. “The women were the organizers from way early on and a woman named Lenorah Barrett saved the ball in the 1930s and made it a real Christmas tradition even during the Depression when drinking was illegal and ministers

COURTESY PHOTO

Michael Martin Murphey returns to the Ector Theatre with his Cowboy Christmas show on Dec. 8.

‘... I believe the tradition in Texas of the Cowboy Christmas Ball is the only truly authentic American tradition of Christmas.’ >> Michael Martin Murphey didn’t care for dancing.” Anson was made famous for their ordinance barring dancing. To this day the organizers of the Cowboy Christmas Ball get a variance passed each year to hold the event. The early rules (check your guns, spurs and cowboy hat at the door) still apply. Murphey was invited to become a part of the Anson event in the early 1980s — something that went so well that he actually trademarked the phrase “Cowboy Christmas Ball.”

He said the scene each year is impressive. “People come with their families. There are young children out there learning the traditional dances and it is really something. There are kids out there spinning around and I just love it.” Murphey took that inspiration on the road for his tour that will bring him to Odessa in December. Ector Theatre Director Don Stice said he was thrilled to get Murphey back to the Ector this year and said it is always a big draw for Odessans.

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

A joyful noise planned at Immanuel Baptist OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Watoto Children’s Choir will once again visit the Permian Basin to tell their stories through song and dance at Immanuel Baptist Church. Scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 4020 E. University Blvd., the young ambassadors from Africa sing and dance and spread God’s word. The choir begain traveling in 1994 with eight members who had been orphaned due to war, poverty and disease. Young members cycle in and out of the choir and bring a chance for Odessans to experience another culture right here at home. The choir now has about 3,000 members with 64 different choirs that visit various locations around the world. Want to know more? Visit watoto.com/thechoir or immanuelodessa.com

That’s a lot of pianos A Five Piano Christmas is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and also with pianists leading worship during the Dec. 6 Sunday morning 10:30 a.m. gathering at Immanuel Baptist Church. COURTESY PHOTO

O come , let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation . Psalms 95:1

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

It’s a taste of Texas at Keen Christmas show OALIFE@OAOA.COM

Growing up in Houston, Robert Earl Keen didn’t often see snow at Christmas time. “I didn’t even know what a chestnut looked like until I was 30 years old and saw it in a picture book,” he said in a news release. “It was a different kind of Christmas. Every Christmas song I had ever heard didn’t have a lot to do with growing up in Houston where it was most likely 85 degrees and 95 percent humidity.” The song “Merry Christmas from the Family” describes the Christmas gathering of a fairly dysfunctional Texas family whose merrymaking — which includes drinking alcohol, carving a turkey, watching a televised ball game and smoking cigarettes — seems to be punctuated with

IF YOU GO >> What: Robert Earl Keen holiday celebration. >> When: 8 p.m. Dec. 17 >> Where: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. >> Admission: $25-$50. >> Online: robertearlkeen.com Christmas music and the need to run to convenience stores for additional supplies such as fake snow and cigarettes. It’s this song that has sparked a full stage show filled with many of Keen’s greatest tunes and it will be on stage at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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Two decades of ‘Nutcracker Magic’ from Dance Connection Shorter show is kid-friendly, sets holiday tone BY CASEY DENNIS oalife@oaoa.com

Alexis Carter, 17, portrays the Sugarplum Fairy in this year’s production of ‘Nutcracker Magic.’ The show, performed every other year, is celebrating 20 years this season.

Alexis Carter is a 17-year-old Odessa High School senior who has waited 14 years for this year’s Dance Connection performance of “Nutcracker Magic.” Alexis, you see, has nabbed the much-coveted role of the Sugarplum Fairy. Sure, this ballet dancer did her time in various other “Nutcracker Magic” parts such as a Spanish, in the March and as a German Clown. She’s also been in Snow two times and was an Arabian in the show at the tender age of 3. But she said what all dancers already know. “Everyone wants to be the Sugarplum Fairy,” Alexis said, while adjusting her pink, gold and lavender Sugarplum costume. She is no exception and said she feels the pressure to perform the beloved character well and to interact with the dozens of young dancers who are putting in their time as angels, Arabians, mice and other assorted dancers. “Those younger girls all watch the older girls.” The show, Dance Connection Director Margaret Edmonds said, is performed every other year and this is the 20th year. “It’s an Odessa tradition since 1995.” Many of her ballet students work their way up through the ranks to become one of the many featured dancers in the tale that Edmonds cut down to two 30 minute acts from the Christmas classic “The Nutcracker.” She cut it down because it is a show by children for children and, well, even the most dedicated ballet lover has trouble sitting through “The Nutcracker.” Edmonds is proud for the show to have lasted so long. “I never thought it would go on so long,” she said. The classic tale follows a Mouse King, an enchanted forest, and a Nutcracker doll coming to life. Though there were many scenes cut from the first act, Edmonds kept most of the second act intact, and maintained all

IF YOU GO >> What: Dance Connection’s ‘Nutcracker Magic.’ >> When: 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13. >> Where: Deaderick Hall on the campus of Odessa College. >> Tickets: In advance (purchased at Dance Connection, 1541 JBS Parkway Suite 12) are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. At the door on performance days tickets are $12 adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for students. Call 550-3432 for more information. >> Online: danceconnectionodessa.com

the classic dances. She said it has been a pleasure bringing the holiday favorite to life every other Christmas for 20 years. She also stressed that even younger children are able to sit through the shortened show and that the dancing and even the sword fight between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King keep younger children interested. DID YOU KNOW? The famed Russian Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in Russia on Dec. 18, 1892, on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky’s famous opera, “Iolanta.” The complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season, especially in the United States.

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LOCAL DANCERS TO PERFORM WITH THE MOSCOW BALLET DANCERS The following dancers are listed by name, role and dance school: Makenzie Bridges, little snowflake, Center Stage Dance Studio; Cheyenne Caughman, little snowflake, Dance Expressions by Debra; Ryenne Hildmann, little snowflake, Dance Expressions by Debra; Miley Gabrel, little snowflake, Center Stage Dance Studio; Leahnae Burrola, little snowflake, Center Stage Dance Studio; Abigail Wells, little snowflake, Dance Expressions by Debra; Faith Payan, little snowflake, Dance Expressions by Debra; Tobi Johnson, little snowflake and Spanish, Center Stage Dance Studio; Milan Mills, mice, Dance Expressions by Debra; Aubrey Nall, mice, Dance Expressions by Debra; Cole Caughman, mice, Dance Expressions by Debra; Leah Salazar, mice, Dance Expressions by Debra; Samantha Gonzales, mice, Dance Expressions by Debra; Gillian Adams, mice and snow maiden, Dance Expressions by Debra; Kiele Alford, mice and snow maiden, Dance Expressions by Debra; Krishna Rosales, mice and snow maiden, Dance Expressions by Debra; Kaylin Martinez, snow maiden, Dance Expressions by Debra; Kennedy Carrillo, snow maiden and Russian, Dance Connection; Lacie Collins, snow maiden and Russian, Center Stage Dance Studio; Sophia Hernandez, Spanish, Center Stage Dance Studio; Kimber Alford, girl on sleigh, Dance Expressions by Debra; Kodi Alford, girl on sleigh, Dance Expressions by Debra; and Hana Hendricks, girl on sleigh, Dance Expressions by Debra.

Can’t get enough of ‘The Nutcracker’

These images capture many of the scenes from The Great Russian Nutcracker. The show is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $70 to $177 at wagnernoel.com. The Moscow Ballet is a holiday tradition in many countries around the world. This show features hand-crafted costuming and sets that bring the tale of the Mouse King and the Nutcracker to life. Local dancers have been rehearsing to perform alongside the Moscow Ballet dancers.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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IF YOU GO >> What: H-E-B Feast of Sharing. >> When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. >> Where: Ector County Coliseum Buildings D and E. >> Tickets: Not needed. Event is free and volunteers are needed. Call 335-4686.

H-E-B gives back with community meal

Volunteers at last year’s event serve plates of food to odessas. Community members are invited to both partake and volunteer for the event. OA FILE PHOTO

Odessans come together to volunteer and feast during this annual event BY BOB CAMPBELL bcampbell@oaoa.com About 400 volunteers will feed 5,000 to 6,000 people Dec. 4 from H-E-B’s colorful Eddie Garcia Mobile Kitchen during the supermarket chain’s 13th annual “Feast of Sharing” in Buildings D and E at Ector County Coliseum at North Grant Avenue and East 42nd Street. “Some people think it’s only for the homeless, but our purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate the holiday season,” H-E-B Unit Manager David Dowd said at Odessa’s 3801 E. 42nd St. store. “It’s open to the whole community, and all the food will be prepared on the day of the event.” Dowd said the mobile kitchen, a tractor-trailer rig named for a retired H-E-B employee in San Antonio, can cook 20,000 meals a day, so ladling up plenty of turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans and apple pie between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. here will be relatively easy. He said the food, live music and dancing will be in Building D and that community social services booths and children’s entertainment with rolling video, jumpers, face-painting, Santa Claus, cookie decorating, cotton candy and pop-

corn will be in Building E. In their order of appearance, entertainers will be actors from the Permian Playhouse and singers, dancers and musicians with Odessa College Jazz, Hispanic Heritage Ballet Folklorico, Permian High School’s Satin Strings, the UTPB Choir, the Odessa High School Band and former “The Voice” and “Rising Star” contestant Egypt Dixon. All will perform for 30 minutes except the OHS Band, which will play for an hour. “We’ll have Feasts of Sharing with our two mobile kitchens in 28 towns and cities in Texas and Mexico from the first of November until just be-

fore Christmas,” Dowd said, noting that H-E-B has 330 stores in Texas and 35 in Mexico. While San Antonio, the corporate headquarters, has 45 stores, for example, one Feast of Sharing will be held there and in each of the other places, he said. The company supplies the food, including all of Odessa’s Meals on Wheels meals that day. Dowd declined to say how much the project costs but said it “is a good expenditure.” He said the program was started in 1989 “as a way to give back and celebrate the holidays. “It began in South Texas and has grown over the years,” Dowd said. “We serve over 200,000 meals a year, and it’s just the satisfaction of giving back to the communities that support us so well.” He said the Feast of Sharing, first held in Odessa in 2002, is organized by committees that are in charge of food and drinks, volunteers, decorations, logistics, entertainment, publicity and setup, which is managed by the Odessa Parks & Recreation Department. H-E-B’s area coordinator for Odessa and Midland, Nancy Wells, said other organizations involved include Odessa Links, the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities, Odessa College and Keep Odessa Beautiful.

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M O R E H O L I D AY EV E N T S A RO U N D T H E A R E A >> Chick-fil-A, 3805 E. 42nd St., has scheduled breakfast with Santa Cow from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Christmas activities and breakfast and pictures with Santa Cow and his elf. Wear your favorite holiday pajamas. Call 550-7421. >> Midland Park Mall,4511 N. Midkiff Road, Midland, has scheduled the Simon Santa Photo Experience through Dec. 24. Children can visit and take photographs with Santa in Winter Wonderland. Special events will be held throughout the holiday season. Dec. 12: Noon to 2 p.m., Cookies with Santa in Sears Court. Kidgits members will enjoy crafts, a visit from Santa and cookies, and will receive a coupon for special photo packages with Santa. >> MIDLAND Miss Cayce’s Christmas Store, 1022 Andrews Highway, Midland, has scheduled a visit with Santa from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Photographs are welcome. The event is free and open to the public. >> Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord, 1603 N. Grandview Ave., has scheduled the following activities during Advent. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20: 10:15 a.m., Sunday Advent services. Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Advent services. Dec. 24: 6:30 p.m. and midnight, Candlelight service. >> MIDLAND Torino’s fifth annual toy drive has been scheduled through Dec. 4 at Torino’s Pizzabar, 3303 N. Midkiff Road, Suite 110, Midland. Bring a new and unwrapped toy or $10 donation by Torino’s between now and Dec. 4. The third annual “Party With A Purpose” toy drive benefit party has been scheduled from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 4 at The Boardroom Lounge, 3303 N. Midkiff Road, Midland. Bring a new and unwrapped toy or $10 donation to get in the door. There will be catered food, live music by Justin Langston and a silent auction. Call 218-6943 or email torinospizzabar@gmail.com. >> MIDLAND The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4805 Gateway St., Midland, has scheduled the 2015 Nativity Festival from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-6. There will be hundreds of Nativities on display with a live Nativity and live music each night. A Messiah sing-along has been scheduled at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Admission is free. >> Hope for Christmas: A Holiday Tour of Homes, an annual fundraising event for Addy’s Hope Adoption Agency, has been scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in Odessa and Midland. For tickets, visit www.addyshope.org. >> MONAHANS The ninth annual Christmas and Chili Market Arts and Crafts Show has been scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at Ward County Convention Center, 400 E. Fourth St., Monahans.

Breakfast with Santa has been scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Activities for children through sixth grade include making Christmas ornaments, coloring Christmas pictures, story time and a visit with Santa. >> MIDLAND Junior Achievement of the Permian Basin has scheduled the 5K Jingle Bell Run and Kid’s Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5 at Heritage USA Community Federal Credit Union, 5507 W. Wadley Ave., Midland. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $35. The first 200 people to register will get an event shirt. >> MIDLAND The Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, 1310 N. FM 1788, Midland, has scheduled the following events. Dec. 5: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., MOSC Pops and Family Series: Sounds of the Season, $28 to $48. Dec. 7: 7:30 p.m., Fiesta Navidad! featuring Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, $20 to $40. Dec. 8: 7:30 p.m., Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, $62 to $117. Box hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 800-514-3849 or visit www.wagnernoel.com. >> Jingle Bell Jog Fun Run has been scheduled before the downtown Odessa lighted parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Odessa City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St. Participants must wear working lights. Registration fee is $5. The first 100 participants will receive a free t-shirt. Call 257-0537 or visit www.odessatx.gov/JBJ. >> Calvary Baptist Church, 8644 Andrews Highway, has scheduled a performance by the children’s Christmas choir during the morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6. Call 362-4181 or visit odessacalvarybaptist.org. >> MONAHANS The Monahans Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hill Park, S. Allen Ave., Monahans. >> MIDLAND The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 1412 W. Illinois Ave., Midland, has scheduled Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree 2015, an annual gift wrapping party, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 9. Wrap gifts for underprivileged children. Call 432934-7414 or email stephanie@311ministries.org. >> SHARE Christmas Candlelight Celebration has been scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11 at CrossRoads Fellowship, 6901 E. Highway 191. Call 368-2500. >> First Presbyterian Church, 1401 N. Sam Houston Ave., has scheduled breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 12. There will be pancakes, crafts, carols, and a visit from Santa. Children will hear the story of Baby Jesus and how he was born one starry night. The event is free and open to the public. Call 337-3526 or visit www.fpcodessa.org. >> MIDLAND The Museum of the Southwest, 1705 W. Missouri Ave., Midland, has scheduled the Ugly Christmas Sweater Run at 11 a.m. Dec. 12. Late registration and check-in starts at 9 a.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4805 Gateway St., Midland, has scheduled the 2015 Nativity Festival from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-6. There will be hundreds of Nativities on display. COURTESY PHOTO

Activities include a festive 5K Family Fun Run/Walk and a one mile Reindeer Dash (for kids) through historic downtown Midland. Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest sweaters, ugliest families/teams and ugliest couples. The top 300 finishers will receive medals. The first 400 people to register will receive a free Ugly Christmas Sweater long-sleeve T-shirt. Registration fee for museum members is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the run. Fee for non-members is $30 in advance or $35 the day of the run. Call 683-2882, email info@museumsw.org or visit www.museumsw.org. >> Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E. University Blvd., has scheduled a Christmas brunch at 9 a.m. Dec. 13. Bring a breakfast food to share. >> The Compassionate Friends of West Texas has scheduled the 2015 Worldwide Candle Lighting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at CrossRoads Fellowship, 6901 E. Highway 191. Call 2087353 or 703-1130. >> Odessa Bible Church, 2110 E. 10th St., has scheduled a Rooted Fantastical Extravaganza Christmas Party from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Dec. 16. Call 337-3944 or visit www.odessabible.org. >> Immanuel Baptist Church, 4020 E. University Blvd., has scheduled church-wide Christmas caroling throughout the community from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Call 550-5282 or visit ibc4life.co. >> MIDLAND The Museum of the Southwest has scheduled the fifth annual ReinBeer celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 16 at Midland Center, 105 N. Main St., Midland. There will be festive food, over a dozen types of beer for tasting and an open bar. >> MIDLAND Calvary Assembly of God, 908 Johnston St., Midland, has scheduled Calvary’s Christmas Banquet at 7 p.m. Dec. 18. The cost is $15. Call 682-8473.

>> Ector Theatre, 500 N. Texas Ave., has scheduled a screening of the popular classic Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and younger. Call 580-0898 or visit www.ectortheatre.com. >> A Christmas Bazaar has been scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at the American Legion, 2701 E. Eighth St. There will be over 30 vendors to finish your last minute Christmas shopping. No entry fee. Call 312-8725 or email prisilacloud9@gmail.com. >> First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee St., has scheduled the Christmas musical presentation “He is Born” during the morning service at 9 a.m. Dec. 20. Call 337-1527. >> Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E. University Blvd., has scheduled a Christmas music concert at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 20. Call 366 4476. >> Mission Dorado Baptist Church,4142 Faudree Road, has scheduled a Christmas choir concert at 11 a.m. Dec. 20. Admission is free. Call 561-8553 or visit missiondorado.com. >> Mission Dorado Baptist Church, 4142 Faudree Road, has scheduled a Christmas candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20. missiondorado.com. >> Odessa Christian Faith Center, 8860 Andrews Highway, has scheduled Celebrate Christmas 2015, a musical production, at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 and at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Free. 368-7714, ocfc.org. >> First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee St., has scheduled Christmas Eve candlelight services at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. Call 337-1527. >> Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E. University Blvd., has scheduled a Christmas Eve candlelight service 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Call 366 4476. >> Odessa Bible Church, 2110 E. 10th St., has scheduled a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. Call 337-3944 or visit www.odessabible.org.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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Starbright Village to light up Odessa Official: This year to have about 300,000 lights BY NATHANIEL MILLER nmiller@oaoa.com

Chris Hallmark, recreation and special events coordinator for the Odessa Parks and Recreation Department, jokes that the annual Starbright Village could easily be compared to the sun. Not because the annual light exhibit resembles the large celestial sphere or because all the lights are yellow, but because you can see it from a mile out while driving east on Interstate 20 in the evenings. “Once you go over that hill, it’s right there in your face,” Hallmark said. “A lot of people like to stop and see what’s going on.” The Parks Department’s Starbright Village is the largest display of lights in the Permian Basin, adding new displays during its annual event and increasing the total number of lights on the displays. Hallmark said this year’s displays will total about 300,000 lights — 30,000 more than last year’s total. Starbright Village takes place every year at McKinney Park, 625 W. Pool Road, and is scheduled to start 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 with the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony that includes carolers, dancers, hot chocolate, and of course, the lighting of the tree at 6:30 p.m. Returning this year is “Santa Land,” an upsized tent instead of the traditional cabin to better accommodate the volume of Christmas wishers. Santa will begin making Odessa visits starting Dec. 4., and will be available for children to visit Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. during the holiday season. “It’s another great draw to the area,” Hallmark said. “We have Santa leading up to Christmas and people will stop by and wait in line.” Mike Gardner, Odessa councilman for District 4, said his family would always make it a point to visit Starbright Village with their children. Now a grandfather for 5-year-old twins, he said his grand-

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Visitors to the Starbright Village at McKinney Park enjoy the lights during last year’s event. This year the display opens Dec. 3. children cannot get enough of the hot chocolate, Santa and all the lights in the park. What also impresses Gardner is the increasing amount of people that have made it a point to come into Odessa for the event. Hallmark said Parks Department officials have talked to people from all over the state and from as far away as California. “You take a look at all the traffic that comes through there at night … man, it’s great,” Gardner said. Hallmark said one of his favorite stories from Starbright Village is a family that comes from El Paso every year to drive through the park, and then get out and walk the grounds. He added he also talked with people from Arizona who have pulled off the Interstate because they could see the lights from the highway. “We just love to hear those cool stories that people come from all over,” he said. “We advertise, and all the events

IF YOU GO >> What: Starbright Village. >> When: 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Dec. 3 through Jan. 1, 2016. >> Where: McKinney Park, 625 W. Pool Road. >> Cost: Free. >> The 2015 Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at Starbright Village in McKinney Park at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 with entertainment that includes are free and, or at least, an affordable price.” Gardner, who said he is a big supporter of the events the Parks department puts on like their annual Fall Festival, praised Parks Director Steve

carolers, dancers, hot chocolate and lights. The lighting ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. >> Children will be able to visit Santa after the official lighting ceremony, every Friday and Saturday between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. through Dec. 19. >> When to call Santa at the North Pole: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17. >> Call: 335-3217 for English or 335-4113 for Spanish.

Patton, Hallmark, and the employees in the department for their work. “They know the business and they know how to make this work,” Gardner said. “They maximize everything they do.”

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Parade of Lights highlights Christmas downtown Businesses, groups, officials gearing up for annual event

Left: A parade after dark? That’s OK it’s filled with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights each year during the Downtown Odessa Parade of Lights. It is scheduled Dec. 5. Below left: Even Spiderman gets in on the fun as Odessans enjoy the lighted parade last year in downtown Odessa.

BY NATHANIEL MILLER nmiller@oaoa.com

This year, American Eagle Logistics, the winner of the top award during the 2014 Downtown Odessa Parade of Lights, is going to have a tough time to “Let It Go” when it comes to relinquishing their title. Using a “Star Wars” theme on their float last year, Pat Eilers, terminal manager at American Eagle, said the company is going to use characters and setups from the hit Disney film “Frozen” for this year’s design. And while the group has won the Larry & J’Nevelyn Melton Award, which represents the best overall entry in the parade for several years now, so far this year, work at the company has put them behind in their design. During a recent interview in mid-November, Eilers said the amount of trucks in their shop has put their float-making schedule behind. “We haven’t even got the trailer backed in yet,” Eilers said. Eilers said she does not expect the delay to slow them down, and expect to be ready for this year’s Parade of Lights, which is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. In past years, the parade was a joint effort by the City of Odessa in a partnership with Heritage Holiday; but is now under the Downtown Odessa, Inc., banner as the City of Odessa shifts more downtown events under their umbrella. Along with help from Odessa Parks and Recreation, Downtown Odessa, Inc. Executive Director Gloria Hernandez said she was excited, yet nervous, about this year’s event. Mostly because it would be her first time with the parade. “We say it’s the largest lighted parade in West Texas,” Hernandez said. “It’s got a great reputation … and it’s definitely a tradition for the city and for West Texans. The workload between Downtown Odessa and the Parks Department were split up, Hernandez said, in which board

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members for the nonprofit will help with registering floats and volunteer while the Parks department sets the parade route. As usual, the route will start at Odessa College near West 23rd Street and run south on Grant Avenue before turning west on Fourth Street. Floats will then move to the Medical Center Hospital Oncology parking lot where those on the floats will be bused back to the OC parking lot. Chris Hallmark, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator for the Parks Department, said this parade could be the last time that particular route is used. He said the proposed construction of a parking lot near Medical Center Hospital’s Center for Woman and Infants will cause them to have to reroute the end of the parade. “We may have to switch and do a longer route around those buildings, but for this year, we’re keeping the route the same,” Hallmark said. While this year will be the parade’s 28th year, one organization will be experiencing their first Parade of Lights event. Linda Barnett, owner and trainer at

IF YOU GO >> What: Downtown Odessa Parade of Lights. >> When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

West Texas Canine College, said even after living in West Texas for six years after moving from Oklahoma, she and other competitive trainers she works with will be participating in their first parade. Barnett said their float will not be anything fancy, but said they plan on having the trainers, and their dogs, on a trailer with a Christmas tree and a banner wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. “I’m very excited,” Barnett said. Hernandez said she likes that the Christmas Parade will go through downtown, calling it good for the city. “I think that’s a big deal for the community,” she said.

>> Where: Parade starts at Odessa College at West 23rd Street and goes south on Grant Avenue before turning west on Fourth Street and stopping at the Medical Center Hospital Oncology parking lot. >> Cost: Free. >> For those participating, Line-up begins at 3 p.m. in the Odessa College parking lot beside the Sports Center off University. The parade begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and all entries must be in the parade lineup by 6 p.m. The last day to sign-up for the parade is noon Dec. 3. >> Call: Downtown Odessa, Inc., at 432-335-4682 for more information.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

D O N ’ T M I S S T H E S E H O L I D AY EV E N T S Ballet Folklorico OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Ballet Folklorico Corazon de Mexico has scheduled Navidad En Mexico, a spectacular night full of color, music and tradition, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6 at Odessa College, 201 W. University Blvd., in Deadrick Hall. The group was founded in 1952. The ballet works and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. Many of the ensemble's works reflect the traditions of indigenous Mesoamerican culture. Numbers of performers in individual dance numbers range from two to over thirty-five. Under Amalia Hernández the group was a pioneer of Baile Folklórico in Mexico. It is practiced by many people in America as well as Mexico. The ensemble performs three times weekly at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. Additionally, it has toured widely in the United States and has appeared in more than 80 other countries. There are three types of Ballet Folklorico: Danza, Mestizo, and Bailes Regionales (Regional dances). For tickets, visit https://navidadenmexico.yapsody.com/event/index/24385/navidad-en-mexico.

Ellen Noël Art Museum OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Ellen Noël Art Museum, 4909 E. University Blvd., has scheduled a Holiday Open House from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 17. Art activities and treats will be set up in the Rodman Auditorium and there will be a performance by UTPB STEM Academy Carolers. Bring a new and unOA FILE PHOTO wrapped toy for the anYoung carolers sing during last year’s Ellen Noël holiday event. nual toy drive. The event is free. An open house is scheduled this year with art activities and Call 550-9696 or visit performances by UTPB STEM Academy singers. www.noelartmuseum.org.

Chase Rice in concert OALIFE@OAOA.COM MIDLAND Taste of Country Christmas Tour featuring Chase Rice has been scheduled at 9 p.m. Dec. 18 at La Hacienda Event Center, 12600 Texas 191 Frontage, Midland. Tickets are $12 in advance. Rice is known for his high-powered concerts. He is both a singer and a songwriter, he co-wrote the Florida Georgia Line single “Cruise.” His website, chaserice.com, states he is a concert lover. “I’m looking for people who are looking to have the best night of their entire life,” he said. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com. See what else is happening at La Hacienda at haciendamidland.com

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Pilot Club gives back with Community Christmas Tree OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Pilot Club of Odessa has a new location and permanent home for the Community Christmas Tree. The tree is now located at Optimist Park near the corner of Grandview and East Everglade. The 31st Annual Celebration and Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday. Donations of $10 or more fund the lights on the tree and may be purchased “in memory” or “in honor” of someone special. All proceeds from the Pilot Club of Odessa’s Community Christmas Tree benefit the patients at the Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center.

Kathy Hollmann, director of clinic development and marketing at the Rehab Center, said each light bulb represents a donation and more help to the Rehab Center. People wanting to donate to the Community Christmas Tree can call the Rehab Center at 3328244 and ask for Hollmann. Who gets to light the tree? Aubree Dodd, this year’s Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center poster child. Aubree lives with a genetic mutation known as cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, CFC for short. The condition affects only about 300 people in the entire world, according to the United States National Library of Medicine.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

The Community Christmas Tree has a new home at Optimist Park in Odessa. Poster child Aubree Dodd will light the tree at 6 p.m. Monday. The free event features hot chocolate and carolers. Proceeds benefit Pilot Club programs like the Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center. OA FILE PHOTO

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Which is the best Christmas movie?

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Permian Playhouse show is a musical review during December IF YOU GO >> What: ‘Gold, Frankincense & MRRRP.’ >> When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and 18-19. >> Where: Permian Playhouse, 310 W. 42nd St. >> Admission: $15.

OALIFE@OAOA.COM Director Carl Beery Moore said the Permian Playhouse will present a musical review that will appeal to the whole family during the Christmas show “Gold, Frankincense and MRRRP” scheduled this December. “We will present an evening of great music, great fun and send our audience

home feeling cheered,” Berry said. The show is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at the Permian Playhouse, 310 W. 42nd St. Tickets for all performances are $15 and are available at the Playhouse. For more information, call 550-5456 or email permianplayhouse @yahoo.com or visit the website at www.permianplayhouse.com

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

...but do you recall ... the most famous reindeer of all ...

Rudolph leaves the skies for the stage BY CASEY DENNIS oalife@oaoa.com

You know it will be a great Christmas show when a Texan is tackling the role of Hermey the Elf. Think about it — Rudolph may be the star but it is lovable Hermey who really pulls the whole story together. The much-loved classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will be performed live as part of the Broadway in the Basin series on Dec. 15. Frost native Kyle Montgomery, in a PHOTO COURTSY KAREN ALMOND PHOTOGRAPHY phone interview from Dallas where he works as an administrative assistant and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical’ stars Texas native Kyle Montgomery as Hermey, Jeremiah Johnson as Yukon, and props designer, said this is his second Leo Thomasian as Rudolph. season in the role and that it is the opportunity of a lifetime. up as Hermey. “First, go Frogs,” he said. “It is a dream,” Montgomery said. “I “Everything just fit right into place. TCU remember I called my mom right away worked with me so well last year to when I got the part and I couldn’t bemake sure I could make all the shows.” lieve it was the movie I watched with my He said the show, set in a frozen mom and dad and my brother. So many Christmastime, has a warm reception people love this and know all the words everywhere it goes. to the songs and I, like a lot of others, “The reception has been pretty ingrew up with it.” credible. We’ve done some public apThis year’s tour is only in Texas but pearances in character with fans but the last year went across the U.S. and best feeling is when you are not in charCanada. He said the show is endearing acter and you see the crowds looking for and plays very close to the classic movie. Rudolph and Hermey. I feel like a super“We try to be pretty accurate about the hero a little bit.” movie translating to the play with the Montgomery said for those who aren’t voices and movesure how the clasments. It’s about 90 sic translates to percent Hermey live theater — IF YOU GO and about 10 per“they fall in love >> What: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: cent Kyle.” with it.” The Musical Kyle, a Texas Montgomery Christian Universaid he hopes for a >> When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. third season but sity graduate, said a will do the “Lord of Texas boy is just >> Where: Wagner Noël. the Flies” next at right for the part Water Tower Thewhen asked how a >> Tickets: $31.50 to $85. ater in Addison. Horned Frog ended

Rudolph with your nose so bright - won’t you guide my sleigh tonight? Santa Claus

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

Hit the yellow brick road at the Globe OALIFE@OAOA.COM Want to get away from all the holiday movies but still enjoy a classic? You’re in luck. “The Wizard of Oz” is scheduled this December at the Globe of the Great Southwest Theatre, 2308 Shakespeare Road. The show is scheduled 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 18 and 19. Also, a matinee performance is scheduled at 2 p.m. Dec. 19. General admission tickets are $20; groups of 15 or more are $13 each; children younger than 12, senior citizens, students with ID and any military personnel with ID are all $10 each. Dorothy is played by local stage veteran Micaela Grenier, who has starred in a number of plays and musicals this year.

THE CAST INCLUDES: >> Dorothy Gale – Micaela Grenier (Deyanira Carrasco – Standby). >> Glinda the Witch of the North – Karen Lopez (Katryna Engebretson – Standby). >> Wicked Witch - Natalie Stribling. >> Scarecrow/Hunk - Christopher Brokaw (Joe Gonzales – Standby). >> Tin Man/Hickory – Beau Roland (Joe Gonzales -Standby). >> Cowardly Lion/Zeke – Collie Roland >> The Wizard of Oz/Professor Marvel – Daniel Spencer. >> Aunt Em/Mayor of Munchkinland – Beverly Lay. >> Uncle Henry – Cody McCracken. >> Miss Gulch – Deyanira Carrasco. >> Ozian Guard – Joe Gonzales. >> Nikko (leader of the flying monkeys) – J. Major Reznik. >> Coroner of Munchkinland – Sariyah Ramirez. >> Lollipop Guild – J. Major Reznik, Drake Reznik, Bobby Luna.

>> Lullaby League – Arleen Luna, Sariyah Ramirez. >> Crow/ Tree – Sohila Abdellatif, Vianney Huerta, Keylee Dennis. >> Flying Monkeys: Bobby Luna, Drake Reznik. >> Poppies/Snowflakes: Keylee Dennis, Sohila Abdellatif, Sariyah Ramirez, Destiny Huerta, Alexis Allen, Vianney Huerta, Emilze Ramirez, Alexa Marie, Deyanira Carrasco. >> Jitterbugs/ Ghosts: Destiny Huerta, Sariyah Ramirez, Areleen Luna, Sohila Abdellatif, Keylee Dennis, Alexis Allen, Isaac Huerta, Vianney Huerta, Emilze Ramirez, Alexa Marie, Deyanira Carrasco, Beverly Lay, Joe Gonzales. >> Citizens of Oz: Sohila Abdellatif, Keylee Dennis, Alexis Allen, Isaac Huerta, Vianney Huerta, Emilze Ramirez, Alexa Marie, Deyanira Carrasco, Beverly Lay, Cody McCracken. >> Winkie Guards: Isaac Huerta, Deyanira Carrasco, Joe Gonzales, Cody McCracken.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Who remembers: ‘You’ll shoot your eye out’ CrossRoads plans to incorporate ‘A Christmas Story’ in celebration BY BOB CAMPBELL bcampbell@oaoa.com

IF YOU GO >> What: ‘The Christmas Story.’

CrossRoads Fellowship will incorporate the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story” and offer a series of Sunday services in its celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The 6901 E. State Highway 191 church will announce additional activities as the holiday approaches, according to the Rev. Griffin Jones, lead pastor. “The greatest event in the history of mankind is Jesus’ resurrection, but Christmas is a defining moment,” Jones said. “It splits history between before Christ and after Him. “Every time a person looks at the calendar or dates a checkbook, they’re acknowledging the advent of Jesus.” On a stage replete with references to the movie and holiday, Jones will preach on holiday themes at 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 and again during multiple Christmas Eve services at the church, he said. Asked if it’s difficult for ministers to compete with the holiday’s commercial aspects, Jones said, “Yes, that’s the nature of our society and culture. “There are so many things that compete for people’s time and compassion. For me, Christmas is an opportunity for believ-

>> When: 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m on Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 and in several Christmas Eve services. >> Where: CrossRoads Fellowship Church, 6901 E. State Highway 191. >> Tickets: Services free. >> Online: crossroadsofodessa.com

ers to recalibrate their priorities and invite people to a larger narrative.” He said slides and clips from the holiday film “A Christmas Story” will be featured and that families may take photos in a movie scene that will be recreated on the stage during all the services. “It will be very engaging and relevant,” Jones said. CrossRoads Communications Pastor Jody Casper said the only evening services in December will be on Christmas Eve and that most of the church’s staff is involved in the decorating. “We’re going all out,” Casper said. “The whole church will be completely decked out for Christmas.”

Top: A scene from the acclaimed holiday classic ‘A Christmas Story.’ Left: CrossRoads Fellowship will incorporate the film in Christmas services during the Christmas holiday season.

“There are so many things that compete for people’s time and compassion . For me , Christmas is an opportunity for believers to recalibrate their priorities and invite people to a larger narrative .” >>The Rev. Grifﬁn Jones

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

He’s a mean one Mr. Grunch (Yes — Grunch)

Photos with Santa and fun crafts from Betenbough

OALIFE@OAOA.COM

Betenbough Homes annual Christmas event has been scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Odessa New Home Center, 200 E. 100th St. Children will have a chance to visit with Santa Claus and get their picture taken by a professional photographer at the event. There will be crafts for children and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. Email info@betenbough.com or visit www.betenbough.com.

ROCrageous Sidewalk Ministry, an outreach ministry of Odessa Christian Faith Center, has scheduled Kidz Christmas at 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Families can enjoy a dramatic presentation like “The Grunch” or “Toy Store.” Each child will receive a present and a stocking filled with Christmas goodies, while parents will receive gifts filled with coupons to restaurants and stores in our community. For more information on this family event, call 368-7714, email ocfc@ocfc.org or visit ocfc.org. The church is located at 8860 Andrews Highway.

OALIFE@OAOA.COM

It’s been about 25 years since the Odessa Christian Faith Center started reaching out to families around the holidays in Odessa. The program ‘The Grunch’ has been a big part of that holiday ministry. This year’s event is scheduled at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church. OCFC is located at 8860 Andrews Highway.

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

‘Gotta Tell’ is story of Christmas

First Baptist Church will have its 32nd annual Christmas Celebration Dec. 11-13. The Rev. Curtis Brewer says the event is elaborate and will portray the Christmas story. This OA file photo shows a scene from last year’s event at the church, located in downtown Odessa.

OALIFE@OAOA.COM Five hundred singers, musicians and actors will perform in the First Baptist Church’s 32nd annual Christmas Celebration scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 12 and 13. The Rev. Curtis Brewer, who is associate pastor for worship and celebration at First Baptist church, 709 N. Lee Ave., church, said the 90-minute program in the church sanctuary “will be an elaborate pageant with everything from shepherds and kings to flying angels portraying the Christmas story.” Noting that this year’s theme is “Gotta Tell,” a reference to Jesus Christ’s Great Commission, Brewer said, “The music will be a blend of the contemporary and traditional, basically just telling the story of Christmas.” Tickets are $8, available on the church’s website at fbcodessa.com, and Brewer said people may call the church office at 337-1941 for help to print their tickets. “There will be a reception for the whole congregation in the Commons after each program,” he said, adding that the musicians have been rehearsing since October and the drama team since early November. “We will have actors ranging from age 3 to the 70-year-old prophet Isaiah,” said Brewer, with 200 singers and musicians and 300 actors and most of the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament to be portrayed. “We’ll have special things happening during particular songs, from the birth of Jesus to the struggles of today’s world, and will be proclaiming that Jesus

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IF YOU GO >> What: ‘Gotta Tell.’ >> When: 7 p.m. Dec. 11 , 12 and 13. >> Where: First Baptist Church, 709 N. Lee Ave. >> Tickets: $8 on the website at fbcodessa.com or call 337-1941.

First Baptist Church will give an early chance to witness the Christmas story in a musical and dramatic presentation titled ‘Gotta Tell.’

is the answer,” he said. “He is the only one who hasn’t changed. In His Great Commission, we are commanded to go and tell, and who wouldn’t want to have the greatest Christmas present ever and have it under a tree?”

“He is the only one who hasn’t changed . In His Great Commission , we are commanded to go and tell , and who wouldn’t want to have the greatest Christmas present ever and have it under a tree?” >>The Rev. Curtis Brewer

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

Look back at Odessa’s past this festive season OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Parker House Museum invites Odessans to take a peek at the past by visiting the museum this holiday season. An open house is scheduled Dec. 17 to show off a glimpse of the how early West Texas pioneers lived in Odessa. The free event is open to all. The Parker House Museum has a storied history in Odessa. In 1907, James Early “Jim” Parker Jr. acquired two sections of land divided by the Andrews and Ector County lines. In 1908 he married Bessie Ola Lindley and the couple had six children: Jackson, Ray, James, Walter, Alvin, Bessie Lou and Mollie. The Parker family expanded their holdings to more than 100 sections on four ranches where they raised Hereford cattle, including registered pure-line breeding bulls. In 1935, they came to Ector County and purchased their fourth ranch two miles east of Odessa. They named it Town Ranch. The ranch house is now surrounded by the growing city and stands at 13th and Maple Streets. In 1996 it was refurbished to resemble — as closely as possible — the original structure. Included are some original home furnishings, Bessie Ola Parker’s quilts and paintings and even Jim Parker’s last pair of boots, which the family had bronzed after his death. The Parker House is a mansard style with an exterior composed of rubble rock and brick over a wooden frame. The rubble rock chimney has double Elizabethanstyle chimney pipes that extend from the top. The house has two stories, with stairs visible from the front door. There are four bedrooms and a bath upstairs, and a dining room, formal parlor, informal parlor, bedroom, kitchen, office and downstairs bath. The kitchen’s most unique feature is the drop-down ironing board. Until the advent of 120-volt power, ironing was done with heavy flat irons and “sad” irons heated on the gas stove that stood to the left of the sink. The kitchen table and chairs belonged to the Parkers. The wooden cabinets beside and below the metal sink, which was installed in the ’50s, are also original. The buffet and dining room set are “stand ins” for the original furniture, but the mirror hanging on the east wall is not. That mirror was given to Bessie Ola and Jim Parker by daughter Bessie Lou Doelling, her husband Gus Doelling, son

The Parker House Ranching Museum is in the former residence of rancher Jim Parker. What was once on the edge of town is now surrounded by a residential area near the center of town at 1118 Maple Ave. MARK STERKEL ODESSA AMERICAN

Ray Parker and his wife Imogene Parker. After Bessie Ola Parker’s death in 1952, the children halved the mirror. Bessie Lou Doelling framed it and donated it to the museum. A room in front of the dining room came to be known as Grandma’s Folly. Bessie Ola had the addition installed in the ’60s but her children and grandchildren never knew exactly why. The roof was flat and always leaked. If Grandma’s Folly were for Bessie Ola’s use, it was probably intended as a sewing room and is depicted as such. The formal parlor contains Bessie Ola Parker’s 24-key Carmen accordion and original lamps. Here, she set up her quilt frame on the dining room chairs and made the family’s quilts. The piano is similar to the Ludwig upright that she brought to West Texas after marrying Jim Parker. She needlepointed the cover for the spindle-legged stool. Interestingly, the Parker family apparently did not want an indoor fireplace. Jim Parker had the fireplace turned into a bookcase. The only way to tell the shelves weren’t always there is to go outside and look up.

In 1970, after Bessie Ola Parker donated the old Town Ranch to local chapters of various college sororities to use as a meeting place, further renovations were made to the house, which had sat vacant through the 1960s. The upstairs bath was is now the museum’s office. Jim Parker’s office remains much as it once was. The little brown jug he played bluegrass style is on display, as is his name plate and his bronzed boots. The upstairs bedrooms are used to display exhibits. One bedroom contains a glass case that displays Bessie Ola Parker’s wedding gown, overjacket and purse, and Jim Parker’s Free Mason uniform and sword. The Parker House Museum got a boost several years ago when country star and Odessa legend Larry Gatlin donated a gallery of old belongings collected during his career. Photos, guitars, letters and other mementos of his early years filled the rooms. Gatlin said he took a lot of these items out of storage and donated them to the Parker House, where Executive Director Richard Cummings, a friend of Gatlin’s, arranged them in four of the rooms upstairs. Gatlin said he hoped to pay homage to his hometown, where his

IF YOU GO >> What: Parker House Museum open house. >> When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec 17. >> Where: 1118 Maple Ave. >> Admission: Free. >> Online: facebook.com/ParkerHouseRanch musical career began. “It absolutely was not to say ‘Hey Odessa, look at me!’ “ Gatlin said of the exhibit. “It’s more in the perspective of, ‘We’re Odessans; this is where we came from.’ ” Larry Gatlin had a successful solo career in country music during the 1970s, before achieving greater fame after teaming up with brothers Rudy and Steve to form the Gatlin Brothers. The band continued performing through the ’80s before retiring in 1992.

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Bronchos, Mojo get ready to celebrate through music Get in the spirit during annual holiday school programs OALIFE@OAOA.COM Holiday concerts performed by Broncho Legacy and Permian Black Magic are always a packed house and an important part of the holiday season for music lovers all over Odessa, regardless of school allegiance. Permian High School’s Black Magic will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at CrossRoads Fellowship Church, 6901 Highway 191 in Odessa.

The OHS Broncho Legacy’s holiday offerings will be part of this year’s Odessa High School Choral Department’s Holiday Celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Frist United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Ave. Both shows offer some traditional and some not-so-traditional holiday and Christmas sounds from the top choir groups at both Permian High School and Odessa High School.

IF YOU GO

>> What: Permian High Schools’ Black Magic.

>> What: OHS Choral Department Holiday Celebration.

>> When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10.

>> When: 7 p.m. Dec. 15.

>> Where: CrossRoads Fellowship.

>> Where: First United Methodist Church.

>> Tickets: $12 at Permian.

>> Tickets: Free.

Midland Festival Ballet features ‘Nutcracker’ OALIFE@OAOA.COM The Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale joins the Midland Festival Ballet for “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center on Highway 191 and FM 1788 in Midland.

Special guests Karina Gonzalez and Charles-Louis Yoshiyama of the Houston Ballet will also be in the classic performance. Tickets are available at the Wagner Noël box office and by visiting ww.wagnernoel.com Also visit midlandfestivalballet.com for more information on the performance.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

MOSC, Toys for Cops joining forces

COURTESY PHOTOS

The Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale will perform Dec. 5 at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. This year’s concert features a partnership with Toys for Cops.

Groups aim to make happy holiday memories with toys, music OALIFE@OAOA.COM This year you won’t just a get a chance for a fun holiday concert — you can also help children who have been in difficult situations. The Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale is joining forces with Toys for Cops to collect toys during the holiday (and family-friendly) concert. “We believe that through the power of music MOSC can make a difference for those in need in our community,” said MOSC’s Executive Director Jeannette Kolokoff. “That is exactly what our Music for a Cause program is all about. The program focuses on music being the catalyst for the greater good. Here at the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale, it’s not just about creating beautiful, inspiring music; it’s about enriching lives

IF YOU GO >> What: MOSC’s Sounds of the Season. >> When: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. >> Where: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. >> Admission: $22 to $46 available at wagnernoel.com. >> Online: wagnernoel.com

through music. Children and music education are very important to us, so this year we have chosen to join forces with Toys for Cops to collect new toys for >> See SOUNDS Page 31

“We are so proud to partner with the Midland-Odessa Symphony in their Music for a Cause program. This is our ﬁfth year of collecting toys and each year we have almost doubled our collection .” >> Laurie Clark , president of the Toys for Cops Board of Directors.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

Sounds >> From Page 30

children who have been involved in or have witnessed a crisis situation.” The toy collection will take place at MOSC’s annual holiday concert Sounds of the Season on Dec. 5, at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Gary Lewis will conduct. This family friendly holiday concert offers a way for children to experience the gift of giving as patrons are encouraged to donate a new unwrapped toy for children in need. Toys are needed for boys and girls ages 217-years-old. Items such as new scarves, new gloves, and new slippers are also accepted. Toys for Cops volunteers will be on hand to help with the toy collection at both the 2:30 p.m. matinee concert, as well as the 7:30 p.m. evening concert. “We are so proud to partner with the Midland-Odessa Symphony in their Music for a Cause program,” said Laurie Clark, president of the Toys for Cops Board of Directors. “This is our fifth year of collecting toys and each year we have almost doubled our collection.” Toys for Cops was founded by Clark’s son, Wilson, when he was in ninth grade at Lee Freshman High School. His father, a law enforcement officer, would tell him stories of how hard it was for children who have been victims of or witnessed crisis situations.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Wilson immediately went into action and started the first collection at Lee High School. That first year they collected about 200 new toys, the next year 500, the following 1,000 and last year almost 5,000 toys. “ It’s our goal to try and double our collection, so we are hoping that with the help of MOSC and other local organizations who are joining in the cause that we can exceed our goal,” Clark said. Clark also explained that they are concerned that the new toys they collect go to children who really need them. They work with local organizations such as Midland Sheriff’s Department, Midland Sheriff’s Association, Midland Rape Crisis Center, Crisis Intervention Center, Child Protective Services, Medical Center Hospital and other local and state agencies. Clark said many of the toys will be distributed at Christmas, but this is a year round program and some of the toys will be stored in closets at each agency so that they have them to distribute to children in need throughout the year. Toys for Cops has plans to expand state wide in the near future and thanks the community for all of their support. For more information about Toys for Cops, please visit their website at www.ToysForCops.org. For information about the Midland-Odessa Symphony’s Music for a Cause program and to purchase concert tickets visit www.MOSC.org.

L O N E S TA R B R A S S C H R I S T M A S

COURTESY PHOTO

The MOSC Lone Star Brass will present ‘A Lone Star Brass Christmas’ at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Rea-Greathouse Hall at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.

Concert to feature special guest soprano

Soprano Rose Sawvel is scheduled to perform with the MidlandOdessa Symphony and Chorale during the Sounds of the Season performances Dec. 5. COURTESY PHOTO

OALIFE@OAOA.COM Soprano Rose Sawvel recently made her debut with San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program as Serpetta in La finta giardiniera, covering the role of Lady with a Hand Mirror in Postcard from Morocco and performing scenes at the Merola Grand Finale concert from Orphée aux enfers, The Rape of Lucretia, L’Elisir d’amore, Semele and La Rondine. Engagements for the 2014-15 season include Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Fort Collins, The Prince in The Little Prince with Opera Fayetteville, soprano soloist in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, soprano soloist in an all-Bernstein concert narrated by Jamie Bernstein, and soprano soloist in Mozart’s Regina coeli K. 127 with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent roles include Marie in

Daughter of the Regiment, La Fée in Cendrillon, Adina in Elixir of Love, Blondie in The Abduction of Figaro, Despina in Cosí fan tutte, Amy March in Little Women, Dew Fairy and Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, the title role in Patience, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and excerpts as Cunégonde in Candide and Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel. Her concert performances include Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Mozart’s Regina coeli K. 108, Saariaho’s Lohn, Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Ticheli’s Angels in the Architecture, Rogers’ Three Japanese Dances, A. Scarlatti’s Christmas cantata and Berio’s Sinfonia. Rose was a finalist in the 2013 Eastern Region Metropolitan Opera Nation.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015