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Live nativity in Moreland to recreate first Christmas By W. Winston Skinner winston@newnan.com
When you combine a group of enthusiastic church volunteers, a community non-profit, a town, a garden – and some camels – you get a Christmas event. In Moreland, months of planning have gone into a live Nativity program that will be held Dec. 12-13. The Summergrove Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes the Moreland area. LDS members presented a live Christmas play on the town square a couple of years ago. The project is being revamped for this year with involvement from the Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance, which works with tourism and history in the south Coweta town. This year the Nativity will be staged at God’s Little Acre, the MCAA-sponsored demonstration garden at the south end of town along Railroad Street. “I’m excited about it. I’m really excited about it,” said Deborah Smith, MCAA’s vice president. “I’m sure the community will be, too.” Smith reflected that there is lots of turmoil in the world today. “The Christmas story needs to be told,” she said, adding that people “need that message of hope.” Volunteers from the LDS church will present the Nativity program “at least three times” both nights, said Carol Chancey, who oversees day-to-
day activities for MCAA. Performances are scheduled at 7, 7:40 and 8:20 p.m. “If there are enough people, they will do another one,” Chancey said. Three camels, some sheep and a donkey will join the costumed cast in presenting the story of Jesus’ birth. Dale Arrowood and other members of the LDS church met with MCAA representatives in Moreland in August to start planning for the Christmas event. Smith said the program was extremely popular before. “People asked last year why they didn’t we do the program,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful contribution to the community.” Arrowood told MCAA the drama – which has a taped narration – takes 12 minutes. Work is underway refurbishing sets from the prior performance. Attendees should probably bring chairs, though some haybales may be available. The play went smoothly and was well-received when it was presented in Moreland before. “It went real well,” Arrowood said. In conjunction with the Nativity, a Christmas bazaar will be at the garden spot from 3 p.m. until dark. “Stevie B’s is coming as the food vendor,” Chancey said. Hayrides are also planned, and there will be a petting zoo, including some of the animals that will be in the program later.
On Dec. 1 3, t he tow n w i l l hold a C h r i stmas covered d ish di n ner at 5 p.m. at Moreland Mill. The meal is planned so attendees can also get to one of t he Nat iv it y performances. In preparation for the dinner, decorating at the mill will get under way soon. Chancey said volunteers will be decorating “the week Thanksgiving and the first weekend in December … as people are available up to Dec. 6.” The town is printing invitations to the Christmas events which will be sent to everyone in the 30259 zip code. MCAA volunteers are addressing them. The town will be donating and frying turkeys for the meal, and MCAA will provide tea and water.
Soup and Sides to warm up holidays Mike McGraw – on behalf of the Coweta Community Foundation – presents the final checks for the 2013 Fill The Stocking drive. From left: McGraw, Stephanie May of the Salvation Army, Jennifer Hooper of Bridging the Gap and Hank Berkowitz of Toys for Tots.
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Find a sa vory side to warm winter m eals
Fill the Stocking fundraiser returns
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By W. Winston Skinner winston@newnan.com
Fill the Stocking is back. The Newnan Times-Herald’s program that lets generous people make donations to help the needy at Christmas – and recognize folks who are important to them – is now active again as Christmas time is near. Through gifts to the “Fill The Stocking Fund,” donors make tax-deductible contributions in honor or in memory of a loved one. The donor’s name, along with the name of the loved one, will be printed in the newspaper. The amount of the contribution will not be listed, although total contributions will be reported daily in the weeks leading to Christmas. Contributions will be divided among three local Newnan and Coweta area groups focused on helping children during the holidays — Bridging the Gap, the Newnan Service Center of the Salvation Army, and Toys for Tots. “We’re not in competition with anyone. We’re just helping those in our community who already bring Christmas to children who otherwise might not have much this time of year,” said John Winters, publisher of The Newnan Times-Herald. “This will also give people the opportunity to publicly honor or remember family, friends or organizations.” To make a contribution, send a check payable to Coweta Community Foundation — with “Fill the Stocking” in the memo line — to The Newnan Times-Herald, c/o Fill The Stocking, P.O. Box 1052, Newnan, GA 30264. The project will be ongoing through Dec. 24, and a coupon that can be used will be published each day – on the Community Forum page of the newspaper. “We appreciate the Coweta Community Foundation partnering with us to make this possible,” Winters said. Alison Wallace of BTG, Stephanie May of the Salvation Army and Hank Berkowitz of Toys for Tots all expressed appreciation for the project as plans were being launched for Fill The Stocking. Berkowitz spoke of the newspaper’s efforts to “support and enrich our community.” The three organizations received about $1,925 each from last year’s Fill The Stocking effort, which was the first.
Family Features The best holiday meals have sides that are warm, comforting and satisfying — like your family’s favorite mashed potatoes. This year, bring potatoes to the table in three new ways with recipes that can be easily made with little fuss. Gathering everyone together is easy when you serve side dishes prepared with quality ingredients, such as Hungry Jack potatoes. Invite guests to taste the traditional flavors of the season in a
whole new light with these crowdpleasing recipes: • Add some celebration to your spread with Festive Loaded Mashed Potatoes. Red bell pepper and green onion bring crunch, color and flavor to round out a merry mealtime. • A delicious combination of spinach, potatoes and creamy cheese is the perfect complement to your holiday entree. This recipe for Double Cheese Spinach-Potato Pie is a
hearty, f lavorful side that can be served in its classic pie form or as a casserole. • Family and friends will be lining up for seconds when they try Pumpkin Potato Soup, with its rich, velvety texture and the spice of the season. You can find more warm and satisfying holiday soup and side recipes on the Hungry Jack Pinterest page, or at www.hungryjackpotatoes.com.