Christmas at the Lake STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & COURTESY OF AN ECLECTIC CHRISTMAS
The Hometown Christmas Parade will march through Alexander City on the first Monday of December
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Christmas at Lake Martin is a recipe for the best Christmas ever, and it starts now – on and off the lake – with a host of parties, parades and other events to awaken the holiday spirit and set the stage. The spectacular An Eclectic Christmas opens Dec. 1 with tours available through Dec. 11. This 1-mile stroll takes visitors from Nazareth to Bethlehem, past kings journeying to see the newborn King, past angels proclaiming Christ’s birth to shepherds and through the city market of old to a humble stable where the Savior lies in a manger. Roman soldiers on horseback, greedy tax collectors and travelers on the road interact with the touring public in this fabulous sharing of the Good News. More than 200 volunteers take part in the event every year. The tours are free, but donations are appreciated. Reservations are advised, though walk-ins will be accepted on an “as available” basis. Accommodations
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can be made for the handicapped and elderly. Visit An Eclectic Christmas on Facebook or on the website at aneclecticministry.org for reservations, location and details. Alexander City Theatre II kicks off this month’s events with three free performances of Joe Landry’s It’s A Wonderful Life Live Radio Play, directed by Dadeville’s Steve Thomas and Eclectic’s Doug Roberts at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Center stage. The classic tale of George Bailey’s wonderful life in Bedford Falls will be told in 1940s radio-studio style by local actors and crew. Keith Garrett plays George Bailey, with Rodney Meadows as the curmudgeonly Mr. Potter. Rob Iler takes on several roles, changing hats to play head angel Joseph, as well as Mr. Martini and George’s father, Peter Bailey. ACT II newcomer Chuck Clark will be the loveable “angel second class,” Clarence. And Joy
DECEMBER 2021
