(618) MAGAZINE HOMETOWN DECEMBER 2020
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EDITOR
EDITOR Andrea Howe ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS There is no time of year that feels quite as wonderful — to me at least — as the Christmas season. The Christmas ornaments, the Christmas carols, the wrapped presents, all the sweet treats, and especially the time with family are some of the reasons the holiday is so enjoyable. But even if I had none of that, there’s the joy of the birth of Christ that warms my heart more than any other thing. I expect this Christmas may bring out the creativity in many of us. Some of us will be creative in looking for ways to find just the right gift. Some will be creative in finding ways to carve out special time in reflection and gratefulness. Some will be creative in finding safe and unique ways to help others. 2020 has, if anything, forced us to be creative about going on with life in the midst of a pandemic. In this issue, Corey Woolsey highlights some of the community celebrations in store, with some adaptations. You can safely watch Christmas parades, take a tour of light displays and home decorations. If you have
room left in your waistbands from Thanksgiving, we’re hoping you’re ready to enjoy some great make-ahead Christmas morning breakfast dishes shared by Kim Bayless, too! Mona Warrick has two great pieces — one featuring the creativity of a Grayville native — and the other highlighting how local families celebrate birthdays and the holidays. Erin Zinzilieta Pennington writes about making her way to her favorite Christmas tree. And I’ve got a few memories to share about some crazy kids at Christmas. Yes. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! — Love and blessings to you!
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Y A D O T S U LL
2 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
Kim Bayless Mona Warrick Corey Woolsey Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington
TO ADVERTISE Courtney Shuttle courtney@pdclarion.com 812-220-4861
CONNECT WITH US Find us on Facebook @618HometownMagazine P.O. Box 550 Mt. Carmel IL 62863 618-263-1005
Andrea Howe Editor
Email: news@mtcarmelregister.com
COURTNEY SHUTTLE Regional Advertising Director (812) 677-0219
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Dreaming of a Pink Christmas WRITER: ERIN ZINZILIETTA-PENNINGTON As a child I saw a Christmas tree decorated in all pink ornaments. I don’t know where I saw it at, but it might have been Famous Barr. It was so perfect and shiny and feminine. I was in absolute awe! I decided one day I would have a pink Christmas tree. The first year I was married, we had no Christmas tree. We couldn’t afford one, let alone the decorations. The second year we had a fresh cut tree; which I despise, due to all the needles at clean-up time. We decorated it with my mother’s cast-off ornaments and garland. It was an ugly mismatch of this, that, and everything. By the third year, my husband and I were divorced, so my father cut Taylor a small 3 foot cedar. It sufficed for the time being. Taylor loved it because it was just her size. She called it the “Christmas bush.” I didn’t actually own my own Christmas tree until I was about 25. It was a very pretty nicely shaped tree. A friend of mine bought me an angel with a red velvet dress that I still use to this day. My first tree was decorated with red, green, and gold ornaments. It was very traditional and not very fancy. By this time, the early 1990s, mauve Christmas trees were very popular. I love that shade of pink as well, but since I started off with red decora-
are a beautiful bubble gum pink shade. My favorites are the ornaments
tions, I had to use what I had for many years.
from Germany and Poland with indentations. There is just something
In the last five years, I have started buying pink vintage decorations
special about antique and vintage ornaments. They remind you of family
including Shiny Brite ornaments, mercury glass tree toppers, and pink
that has passed, traditions that remain, and they encourage the hope of a
satin and velvet ribbon. The ornaments I started with are from 1940 and
beautiful year to come.
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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 3
Amid pandemic, communities work to bring joy WRITER: COREY WOOLSEY Rules and regulations continually change in the State of Illinois and
“We may alter that a little bit,” Hipsher said. “Maybe extend the time
the country as a whole during the COVID-19 pandemic, but communities
businesses are doing their specials for a week instead of a day. We really
in our (618) neighborhood continue to work to host events for the com-
want to space people out.”
munity in a safe manner. Lesley Hipsher and the Chamber of Commerce of Wabash County
Working through all of the guidelines has been challenging for the Chamber.
hustled quickly this summer with changes made to Ag Days, downsizing
“You have to have everything approved by certain people,” Hipsher
the large weekend festival to smaller, one-day food and entertainment
said. “You might have a great idea of something you wish to do, but it
events.
doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to approve it.”
The Christmas season is another huge time for events and activities
Hipsher said she hopes the community understands that they are
for the community, and while residents can expect some changes, Hipsh-
working through the process of planning events while adhering to the
er and other event planners are hoping to make the best of the situation
guidelines they are given.
by offering a number of events in Wabash County. First up is the Sights and Sounds of Christmas lighting display contest. This is a contest that anyone in Wabash County can participate in. RMC Gift Checks are awarded to the winners of each category. A new category will be added this year, “Best Neighborhood Display” and the award will be a pizza party. Sponsors are Jeff Thompson and Sons Oil
“We had a lot of support when we had to make so many changes to Ag Days,” she said. “We hope everyone will support these events and make the best of the situation.” Making the best of the situation is something Hipsher hopes everyone does through this pandemic.
In White County
Production, Travis Thompson Oil Corporation, Mount Carmel Lions
Santa arrives early in Carmi, escorted to town at 5:30 p.m. Nov.
Club, Mount Carmel Eagles, and Wabash County Retail Merchants Com-
28 at the “It’s a White County Christmas” annual parade and tree
mittee.
lighting event. Social distancing is recommended as a COVID-19
The Retail Merchants Committee Festival of Trees at Merchants Park
precaution.
invites organizations, groups, individuals or families to decorate a Christ-
Carmi Christmas Elves Inc. present Christmas Lights of Hope
mas tree at Merchants Park. Trees should be up by Tuesday, Dec. 1 and
at the White County Fairgrounds from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 4-6,
taken down by Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Dec. 11-13, Dec. 18-20 and on Christmas Eve. The lighted display,
On Dec. 5, the 54th annual Mount Carmel Christmas Parade begins,
sponsored by area businesses, organizations and individuals, fea-
in a very non-traditional way. It’s a two-hour stationary event, featuring
tures more than 130 lighted displays. Admission to view the display
entries assigned specific spots by the Christmas Parade Committee. It
is a suggested donation of $5 per car.
will be the parade patrons who will “parade by” from the safety of their
Appropriately socially distanced visits with Santa are also
own vehicles to view the entries. The parade of vehicles will line up on
planned at the Santa House at the playground at the new city park,
the south end of Market Street at the Railroad Street intersection. Floats,
next to the First Mid Bank drive-through, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
decorated vehicles, Christmas scenes, decorated tables, and many other
Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20 and Dec. 22 from 6-8 p.m.
creative ideas are all accepted. The parade theme this year is “Choose Joy.”
Carmi Christmas Elves, Inc. and the Carmi Chamber of Commerce also team up to sponsor the community’s first “Merry &
There are no items distributed during the no-contact event.
Bright Christmas Lights” home decorating contest beginning the
Mount Carmel hosts jolly ol’ Saint Nick uptown at the Santa House
weekend of Dec. 4. Homeowners with Carmi addresses can enter
at Merchants Park on Fridays and Saturdays in December, available for
the friendly competition for the best decorated house and win the
photos at a safe distance. No one will be allowed in his house or on his
prize of $500 in Carmi Dollars that can be spent like cash at Carmi
lap this year.
businesses.
The Chamber’s intersection displays will be up to help spread the joy in town. The Chamber is accepting donations for the upkeep, maintenance, and electricity cost for the Christmas displays. Send donation to the Wabash Co. Chamber at 601 N. Market Street Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
In Edwards County The City of Albion’s annual lighted Christmas parade is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The “Christmas in Paradise” theme starts
“We are so proud to have these wonderful intersection displays and
that morning with plans for breakfast with Santa at the Albion Fire
work hard to continue to keep them in working order for our beloved
Department. The Albion Chamber of Commerce also sponsors a
community,” said Hipsher. She said the chamber is working on some
“Best Dressed” window contest, and encourages business open
Small Business Saturday events to promote shopping local.
houses that day.
4 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
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Prep-ahead Christmas breakfast treats WRITER: KIM BAYLESS Christmas morning ... you may be hearing soft footsteps coming to wake you, shrills from the kids taking a peek and finding Santa arrived — or perhaps you are reminiscing of Christmas mornings past. Whatever Christmas morning is to you, Cinnamon Baked French Toast, Brunch Casserole and a 4 Fruit Salad Compote are a great way to start the day off right! Take the time to share a wonderful Christmas morning breakfast!! “Time cannot be packaged and ribboned and left under trees for Christmas morning. Time can’t be given. But it can be shared.” — Cecelia Ahern
PHOTO BY: TIM MARTIN
CINNAMON BAKED FRENCH TOAST 1 ½ loaves cinnamon bread
TOPPING:
Butter, for greasing
1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
8 eggs
½ cup flour
2 cups milk
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup heavy cream
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup raisins (optional)
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
Overlap the bread slices in rows in a well-buttered baking dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; then pour the mixture over all the pieces of bread, soaking it as much as possible. To make the topping, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl and cut together with a pastry blender. Stir in raisins, if using. Sprinkle the topping all over the casserole. Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate it several hours or overnight. When you’re ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour for a softer texture, or longer for a firmer, crisper texture. Cover with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking, then remove it for the remaining baking time. Serve individual helpings with butter and warm syrup.
BRUNCH CASSEROLE ½ lb sliced bacon or ground sausage ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped green pepper 12 eggs 1 cup milk
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper ¼ tsp dill weed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
In a skillet, cook bacon or sausage until done. Remove with a slotted spoon; crumble and set aside. In the drippings, saute onion and green pepper til tender; remove with a slotted spoon. Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in hash browns, cheese, salt, pepper, dill, onion, green pepper and bacon or sausage. Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Makes 6 - 8 servings.
4 FRUIT SALAD COMPOTE 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks ½ cup sugar 2 Tbsp cornstarch 1/3 cup orange juice 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained 3 to 4 unpeeled apples, chopped 2 to 3 bananas, sliced
PHOTO BY: TIM MARTIN
Drain pineapple, reserving ¾ cup juice. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add pineapple juice, orange juice and lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; set aside. In a bowl, combine pineapple chunks, oranges, apples and bananas. Pour warm sauce over the fruit; stir gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate. Makes 12-16 servings.
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Sullivan ‘covers’ the covers in COVID-19 WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK Imagine if you will, you are a young pro-
where she is a relationship manager for Ben-
and the text options as needed.” Creating the
fessional working from home. Ever y Friday,
efit Plans Plus, a third-party administrator for
album covers take anywhere from 10-15 min-
you dress to the nines as if you were going to
retirement plans. “I’m currently responsible
utes, like the Prince album, while others take
work, yet you are under quarantine due to a
for developing advisor and client relationships,
longer. “The Miley Cyrus cover took over an
virus you never saw coming.
preparing and analyzing legal plan documents,
hour for me to get the look just right.”
How do you amuse yourself? If you’re Jen-
performing compliance testing and contribu-
Despite the fact that she’s from rural Illi-
nifer Sullivan, you draw inspiration from some-
tion calculations, preparing required govern-
nois, Sullivan is a fashionista. Tall and svelte,
thing you love. Sullivan loves music and bus-
ment filings for retirement plans, and provid-
Sullivan could be a model. “I grew up in the
ied herself recreating album covers.
ing consultation for small businesses looking
MTV era! I loved watching MTV for the fash-
to start a new retirement plan. I have been
ion as much as for the music. I would often
with BPP for about 3 ½ years,” she said.
spend my allowance on fashion magazines,”
“Because of this pandemic, the thing I love the most, singing with my choir, is not possible. And with events canceled, working from
Like many people, Sullivan has worked
she said. “I could spend an entire afternoon in
home, being isolated from friends, I’ve had to
from home since mid-March. “St. Louis City
my room reading every article, fawning over
find another creative outlet to keep me going,”
and County had stay-at-home orders in place
the models and the clothes and makeup. And
said Sullivan. “It started in April when I got
until May 22, with some very limited openings
it didn’t hurt that I spent years in sequined
inspired by the Getty Museum’s challenge
since, so I’ve basically been quarantined in one
dresses as an ice skater!”
to recreate ar twork with things around my
way or the other this entire time,” said Sulli-
Sullivan describes her wardrobe as “eclec-
house. The album cover recreations were just
van. “I have been able to go into the office, but
tic,“ including ever ything from “vintage to
an extension of this; I started in July and have
there are restrictions; we must wear a mask,
designer to Target in my closet,” she said. “I
close to 50 album recreations done.”
follow the arrows to walk, etc., so I have only
search for things that speak to me and are
Sullivan graduated, as valedictorian, from
been in the office twice since March. We are
unique. I shop mostly online, but there are a
Grayville High School in 1992. She earned her
encouraged to continue working from home
few vintage stores, local boutiques, and luxury
bachelor of science degree in mathematics
for as long as we need to be.”
consignment shops I frequent. It doesn’t hurt
from McKendree University, where she gradu-
Sullivan shared her album cover recre-
to have a friend who is a designer and makes
ated cum laude in 1996. Her parents, Anita and
ations with friends on Facebook and Insta-
me one-of-the-kind pieces, either! I love things
Jim Sullivan live in Grayville.
gram where they have been wildly popular.
that are classic with a twist; a simple dress
“For someone who has an advanced degree
She created the album covers on her iPhone
in a wild, bold print, simple wool sweater but
in mathematics, and who makes her living
XS Max. “It always starts with the vision. What
adorned with keys and rhinestones around
being very analytical, one might believe I can-
clothes do I need? What props do I need?
the collar, or simple black pump adorned with
not be artistic,” said Sullivan. “It’s always one
Does it require hair or makeup? Then it’s on
spikes on the heel, trust me, they are all super
or the other, right? No. I think everyone can
to the picture, usually on selfie mode with the
cute! I love wearing a suit and tie as much as
be creative and artistic, and it doesn’t have to
10-second timer,” said Sullivan. “After posing, I
a beautiful gown. I believe shoes and accesso-
be in the usual art mediums like painting and
use an app called Bazaart to upload the picture
ries can make a t-shirt from Target look chic.
sculpture.”
and start creating. Sometimes I pull in other
And anything with a huge ruffle collar that
pictures to layer or add, and will use filters
looks like something a man would wear in the
Sullivan makes her home in St. Louis
8 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
17th centur y? I’m all over it! Dressing up for
I wanted to find a place where I didn’t have to
may not be on the timeline or date you expect,
me, whatever day of the week it is, is just anoth-
audition! Little did I know, at the time I walked
but just keep dreaming and have faith. God
er form of creativity and makes me happy and
in, that I would be joining a choir of 150 people!
can make it happen.” Unfortunately, the choir’s
feel good about myself.”
And just a year later and I was performing a
10-day tour of Spain, scheduled for this year, was
world premiere choral work at Lincoln Center in
cancelled due to the pandemic.
Sullivan refuses to put a number to the pairs of shoes she owns, but she features them on Instagram in posts tagged “Jen’s Shoe of the Day.”
New York.”
Recreating the album covers provided a way
Sullivan has had the opportunity to sing with
for Sullivan to combine several of her passions,
A singer, Sullivan is a lover of all types of
numerous composers and Grammy-winning art-
music, art, fashion, and makeup. The first recre-
music. “I have per formed classical music,
ists, go on tour to Memphis, Little Rock and
ated cover she shared was inspired by Michael
sacred music, Broadway musicals, jazz, pop,
Los Angeles, and tour in Italy where the choir
Jackson’s iconic 1987 album “Bad.” She changed
The Beatles, and even ‘60s classics like Love
performed mass at the Vatican. The choir has
the bad to bored, something many people have
Potion No. 9 by The Searchers,” she said. “But,
performed the National Anthem, twice, at Busch
been feeling during these uncertain times.
if you were to get into my car and turn on my
Stadium opening Cardinals games.
Sullivan has recreated albums from nearly
radio, you would hear some of the loudest and
In June 2018, the Chancel Choir performed
every musical genre, including The Beatles, The
heaviest rock and roll you’ve ever heard. Some
the U.S. premiere of a choral work at Carnegie
Eur ythmics, Johnny Cash, Debbie Harr y, Run
might even say it’s scary. Most people are quite
Hall. “I had always wanted to perform at Carn-
D.M.C., Beyonce, Billy Joel, Green Day, Fall
surprised that I love to listen to heavy metal,
egie Hall, but I never told anyone that dream. It
Out Boy, U2, Blue Oyster Cult, Blink 182, Elton
alternative rock!”
seemed too out of reach to ever come true,” said
John, Taylor Swift, and more.
Heavy metal aside, Sullivan has been a mem-
Sullivan. “I collapsed to my knees and sobbed
The highly-anticipated recreations have
ber of the Chancel Choir at Manchester United
on the sidewalk outside of Carnegie after we
brought joy to so many during this pandemic.
Methodist Church since February 2012. “I had
performed. I now have a tattoo on my wrist with
Sullivan was happy to share. “I am passionate
previously sung with the choir at McKendree
the date of our Carnegie Hall per formance,
about art, fashion, makeup, and music. But I am
and I was simply looking for a way to get back to
6.17.18. I didn’t get it to remember the date;
also passionate about helping others, bringing
doing something I love,” she said. “It had been
that’s not something I could ever forget. I got
joy to people, and being the person God wants
more than 15 years since I sang with a choir so
it as a reminder that a dream can come true. It
me to be.”
Enjoy the gift of giving!
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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 9
MERRY
1
Yule babies share their stories
BIRTHDAY 2
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10 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK As children, those born on or near Christmas Day often feel overlooked during the busiest season of the year. While your birthday should be all about you, how do you compete with Santa Claus and Baby Jesus?
1. Sandy Davis “For the longest time, I thought my name was Sandy Claus,” joked SANDY DAVIS of Grayville. Born on Christmas Day, Sandy is among those individuals sharing the rarest of birthdays. “My sister, Terrie, was three when I was born and she said it was the worst Christmas ever!” But, to this day at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, the Happy Birthday banner
4. Beth Cook
BETH COOK, of Carmi, was born on Christmas Eve. “As an adult, I feel special having a birthday on Christmas Eve.” As a child, on Christmas Eve morning, Beth said, “My mother would say, ‘Pick out a gift from under the Christmas tree and that will be your birthday present.’ I was always happy with that. I didn’t know anything different.” Beth said, “One year, I begged for a party on Christmas Eve, this being after I was old enough to realize that other children had birthday parties. My mother agreed but no one showed up. I suspect Mom
goes up, the chocolate cupcakes are brought out, and Sandy’s birthday is
didn’t send invitations. Nobody wants to go to a birthday party, or host
celebrated. Her husband, Rick, and children, Tess and Jed, have always
one, on Christmas Eve. There are other things to do on that busy day.”
known the rules “no green or red ribbon or Christmas wrapping” and no “Christmas/birthday gifts.”
But, “The solution was simple. My parents allowed me to have a slumber party during the summer. There were no gifts but I didn’t care,” said
Every year, Sandy’s brother-in-law, former Carmi resident Mike Mor-
Beth. “All the girls in my grade school class were invited. We did wild and
rill, makes her an Angel Food Neapolitan ice cream cake. “It’s so good! It
crazy things. One year, on a dare, we took turns climbing out a window
was Beulah Morrill’s recipe,” said Sandy.
and running around the house wearing only our underwear. We knew we
When Sandy’s son, Jed, was in Nancy Proctor’s class at Wells Elementary School in Grayville, Proctor asked her students if they knew the real reason for celebrating Christmas. Jed said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s my mom’s, Barbara Mandrell’s, and baby Jesus’ birthday!” Ironically, Sandy’s nephew, Andy, married a woman born on Christmas Day. “Now, Maria and I share our Christmas birthday!”
2. & 3. Megan and Madelyn Cunningham
wouldn’t get caught, it was 3 a.m. in the country. We thought we were really something! We laughed and acted silly all night.”
5. April Jordan
Born on Dec. 21, APRIL JORDAN said, “Growing up with little money, it always meant getting birthday gifts wrapped in Christmas paper (still a pet peeve of mine). It also meant I got a lot of combo gifts: “This is for your birthday and your Christmas.”
Tricia Cowling Cunningham said, “We were blessed with not one, but
April, a teacher at Carmi-White County High School, said, “We lived in
two Christmas babies!” She and husband, Mike, welcomed MEGAN ELIZ-
Iowa when I was younger, and there was always a snowstorm that would
ABETH “bright and early on Christmas morning 1998.” Their daughter,
interrupt whatever birthday party we had planned. I was always jealous of
MADELYN CLAIRE, was born on December 30, 2002. The Cunninghams
my sister’s July birthday. I wanted to have a pool party because I loved the
have another daughter, Michaella, who wasn’t born at Christmastime!
water (she hated it), but it was obviously out of the question. As an adult,
“I remember thinking after they were born, ‘Oh boy, how are we going
it doesn’t bother me so much.”
to handle their birthdays during the holidays?’” said Tricia. “We celebrat-
Now, said April, “It means I rarely work on my birthday thanks to
ed Megan and Madelyn’s birthdays together on Christmas Eve with the
Christmas break. It also means most of my family members remember
Cowling family and once again on Christmas Day with the Cunningham
my birthday. I am certain mine is one of the only birthdays my brother
family. Our immediate family would celebrate their birthdays again indi-
remembers because it’s four days before Christmas!”
vidually, on different dates, doing something that they each wanted to do.”
April’s due date was Dec. 1. “I wasn’t supposed to be a Christmas
Birthday celebrations over the years included skating parties, movies
baby,” she said. “All the nurses called me a Butterball turkey. I was around
with friends, manicures and pedicures, going out to eat, get-away trips to French Lick, Indiana, and the water park, or just a quiet day at home watching movies.
eight pounds and was my mom’s biggest baby.”
6. Joy Weaver
“Mike’s traditional gift for the girls is to give them one sock on Christ-
JOY WEAVER, of Carmi, was born on Dec. 28. “My mother was due
mas morning and then they wait until their actual birthday to receive the
to deliver me on Christmas Day. I was, however, for the first, last, and
matching sock,” said Tricia. “Madelyn always has to wait a few more days
only time in my life, late. I was born on Dec. 28,” said Joy. “To reflect the
to complete her set. They really get a kick out of this gift. Well, their dad
season of my birth, my mother had choices for my name down to Holly
especially does! I feel we tried to make Megan and Madelyn’s birthdays
or Joy. I am thankful that Joy won out as I enjoy seeing my name in bright
extra special since they were born during the holiday season.”
lights, even if it is only in December! People are cheerful, decorations
Tricia said, “My advice to parents and kids celebrating birthdays
are displayed. There are family meals and caroling. I can remember one
during the Christmas season is to plan in advance and be flexible! I believe
morning, during church, loudly singing out “ME to the world, the Lord
as long as we are together making each of their birthdays special, they
has come,” until Sister Francis applied a smart flick to the back of my
were happy.”
head! All in all though, to me, having a December birthday is truly a joy!”
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 11
7. Laura Goemaat
Born on Dec. 21, LAURA GOEMAAT of Carmi, said “I have always enjoyed having my birthday close to Christmas. I think it makes the
day party outside… wearing shorts! I guess I’m guilty of still feeling like it’s not that big of a deal since it’s so close to Christmas. Maybe this year I’ll celebrate big since I’m turning 70!”
11. Tammy Bridgeman
holiday more special. When I was a kid, my mom always separated the two. I would always have a birthday party with gifts and I also received Christmas gifts. My mom always made it special and she made sure I didn’t feel left out. I have a nephew, four years younger, who has the same birthday. Sometimes we would celebrate together, that was fun. Now as an adult my husband and kids make sure we celebrate both separately, too!”
Grayville native, TAMMY BRIDGEMAN, celebrates her birthday on Dec. 21. “I was fortunate to have a mother that really believed in celebrating our birthdays. She always said it was our day. I never was treated any differently than my sister, Debbie. Mom always spent the same on us. But, when I was in high school, my tastes became high end and I started asking for one BIG present for both my birthday and Christmas, and I got
8. Mellody Raber
Megan Raber’s middle daughter, MELLODY, was born on Dec. 22. “During normal, non-Covid years, I have a party for her the first week-
it! And, it has been that way ever since, and I will be 62 this year! Seriously, Debbie and Mom give me one very nice present that is for both, and I always get it on my birthday.”
12 Salena Harrell
end in December,” said Megan. “I’ve found most people don’t have other arrangements then, so we have a good turnout. Then, on her birthday, I have balloons in the house, a shirt for her with a character she is into at the time, and I make it a point to wrap her presents in birthday paper, nothing Christmas related!” Mellody will be seven this year.
9. David Smith
DAVID SMITH is Pastor at First Baptist Church in Grayville. He was born on Dec. 28. “As a child, I don’t remember thinking anything about my birthday being so close to Christmas,” said David. “My parents always took the Christmas tree down the night of Christmas. I never questioned why they took it down so early. It wasn’t until I was older that they told me they always took it down, and cleaned up all the decorations quickly so that Christmas decorations and Christmas gatherings never complicated my birthday.” It was in his early 20s, David said, that he first became frustrated by his birthdate. “It was just a part of Christmas. I lived just over three hours
SALENA HARRELL, of Crossville, has a very busy December! She was born on Dec. 29, her husband Chad was born on Dec. 8, and they celebrate their anniversary on Dec. 21. “As a kid, I always got the ‘well your birthday was with your Christmas,’ but why did my brother and sister get the same number of gifts as I did? Maybe I got cheated a bit,” Salena said. “The wrapping paper was usually Christmas paper, not special birthday paper.” But, since her birthday was after Christmas, Salena said, “I was always out of school, which I thought was great, and I could always have big parties because it was cold and people had celebrated Christmas and were probably wanting to get rid of their kids! It worked out well in that regard. Back in the day, we usually celebrated at Skateland in Fairfield and then had a sleepover. Nowadays, celebrating is different, the hubs can’t get away with saying my birthday is included with my Christmas present, and if he does, it better be something really nice!”
13. Marilyn Bellessa
from my parents and brother, so my birthday presents and meal were included as part of our Christmas gathering. So, when the 28th of December rolled around, I was back at my house and back to work. Birthday presents had already been opened, so there was no thrill of the opening of gifts.” David and his wife, Stevi, have been married for 17 years. “We have three wonderful children that bring me great joy. My wife has always made my birthday a special day! Now, the date really does not matter. The time with the family, no matter the date or occasion of the gathering, is what is important. Time with my family is cherished whether it is Christmas, the days following, or any other time of the year.”
10. Mary Beth Johnston Taylor
Grayville native, MARY BETH JOHNSTON TAYLOR, was born on
MARILYN BELLESSA, of Mt. Carmel, celebrates her birthday on Dec. 27. “I am blessed with a family that has always kept Christmas and my birthday celebrations separate. They were surely partied out from all the Christmas festivities, but there was a full-blown birthday party for me held two days later!” What could be worse than having a Christmas birthday? How about New Year’s Eve Eve birthday?
14. John Stockton
JOHN STOCKTON of Grayville, was born on Dec. 30. “As a kid, my brother and I got exactly the same thing for Christmas most years… socks and underwear! If you wanted it to be a surprise, you better make sure you opened yours first,” said John. “Growing up, I always wanted a
Dec. 27. “I was never able to have a birthday party or even celebrate at
birthday party, but everyone was celebrating Christmas and if they got
school. My birthday never seemed like a big deal since we’d just celebrat-
you something for Christmas they always said that was for your birthday,
ed Christmas.”
too. As I got older, I wanted to have a party, but no one was interested
Mar y Beth, who lives in Oklahoma City, said, “I do remember two
because they were resting up for New Year’s Eve!”
outstanding birthdays as a child, one at my Uncle Don’s house in Martins-
As a child, having a birthday during the holidays may seem unfair. But,
ville, Indiana. My aunt made me a birthday cake of donuts! I thought that
as Sandy Davis sums it up: “The best part about having a Christmas birth-
was pretty special. Another time, we were in Tampa at my Uncle Keith’s
day? The family is all together, it’s the most wonderful time of the year,
house. My aunt invited the neighbor girls over and I got to have a birth-
and I share my birthday with the most important man ever born!”
12 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
The “Wish Book” and stealth exercises WRITER: ANDREA HOWE I’m getting a walk-in shower for Christmas, and I’m thrilled. There’s no guessing or sneaking around to hide it. The contractors will arrive, do the job, and everyone in the house will love it. A walk-in shower may not seem like a Christmasy sort of gift, that’s for certain. But the mental challenge of not trying to sneak a peek at a hidden gift is just so exhausting! As a kid, I hyper-focused on the whole Christmas gift hiding, finding, unwrapping and re-wrapping thing. Poor Mom. It all started when the Christmas Wish Book catalog arrived in the mail. We wore that thing out. Before the Christmas Wish Book, we made a Christmas list, fed it to our woodburning stove and ran outside to watch the smoke go out of the chimney to the North Pole. When Mom opened a mail-order account, we studied the toy pages, picked what we wanted, and wrote down the page number, item number and price. She told us we could choose whatever we wanted, within a specific price limit. Once we made out our Christmas order list, we waited. And waited.
After a few days, I began to suspect that those gifts had arrived, and my curiosity would not let me rest. Within the 20-minute window of when my parents went to work and the school bus arrived, I was the ring-leader in turning the house upside-down, looking for the presents. I nearly missed the bus during one search. I’m not sure why, but I blurted something out in Mom’s presence that led her to suspect I’d been sneaking around. She quickly told me that since I snuck around, I wasn’t getting any of the presents. Sure enough, the presents disappeared when I couldn’t help myself and checked again (yes, I was just awful!). Little did I know that Mom moved them to her car trunk and hauled them around for days. I nearly made myself sick, thinking I wasn’t getting anything for Christmas as a result of my sneakiness. Christmas morning, I was so relieved to unwrap the gifts and see that she really hadn’t done what she warned she would do. You would think that experience would have taught me a lesson. But no. It didn’t. I graduated from hunting for unwrapped presents to practices in stealthily getting downstairs
without our parents noticing, to sneak a peek at what Santa brought. I led my siblings in practice, belly-crawling out of our bedroom, through our parents’ bedroom and down the stairs to get a look. It went so smoothly until we got hungry and went to the refrigerator for a bread and butter pickle midnight snack. My sister blew our cover without thinking, yelling up the stairs, “Mom can I have a pickle?” Mom made us get our butts back to bed that night, but we refined our skills in several ensuing expeditions. Despite all our sneaking around, Santa always surprised us. In addition to those wrapped gifts that we examined for days, there was always some really cool unwrapped toy that no one had asked for, parked in front of the tree on Christmas morning. The Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots and the Atari game system were the most memorable. While we had a lot of fun with them, we never dreamed of asking for them. I’m guessing Santa brought those presents for Dad, because he was always the first to try them out!
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