Peek Into Christmas 2019

PEEK INTO

Christmas

2019

A supplement of the Pontotoc Progress

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Contents

How do Sant’s reindeer fly?

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Santa’s Tender Touch The true meaning of Christmas Throw the perfect Christmas party Merry Christmas Cooking Making Memories through decorations How to organize gift wrapping Festivities of the season Christmas Calendar

On The Cover

PEEK INTO

Christmas

2019

Santa is admiring the fresh ways to decorate a tree with vintage plaids and tiny critters graced with Christmas bells and natural pine cones. He spent three days looking at all the pretty things people can purchase right here in the stores of Pontotoc.

A supplement of the Pontotoc Progress

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Pontotoc Progress Staff General Manager Lisa Bryant Managing Editor David Helms Staff Reporter Regina Butler Sports Editor Jonathan Wise Advertising & Editorial Design Chelsea Williams Advertising Consultant Angie Quarles Office Manager Joyce Jolly

Pontotoc Progress 13 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 210 Pontotoc, MS 38863 Phone: (662) 489-3511 Fax: (662) 489-1369 www.djournal.com/pontotoc

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How Do

Santa’s Reindeer Fly? Nothing is more magical to a child than the thought of Santa flying to their house and leaving presents under their tree.

And the thought of those eight tiny reindeer brings smiles and sparkling eyes to young and old alike. However, when Santa cracks his whip and says, “Now Dasher, Now Dancer, Now Prancer and Vixen, On Comet, on Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen!” Just how does he get those eight little charges and Rudolph up in the air? Well we decided to check with the greatest authority on the subject and find out from a child’s perspective what makes Santa’s reindeer fly.

Bella Rose Black

They make their feet like horses and they run fast.

Rhett Sartin

They fly with their wings.

They fly with their feet.

They get up there by Santa Claus with his power to get them in the sky.

They have magic.

Is it ‘cause it’s dark?

I just think they are robots.

Landry Ward

Nixon Young

Emelia Caldwell

Because they are Santa’s special reindeer.

Remi Perry

They have wings.

Lyndon Owen

Magic Star on Santa’s sleigh.

Sophie Clingan

Sadie Clingan

Anna Grace Ingram

Adonis Simmons

They have magic under their foots.

I think the sleigh makes them fly.

Lowery White

With Rudolph’s red nose.

Aaron Velasquez

It takes Christmas Eve for them to fly.

South McCreight

Rex White

With Santa during the snow in the moon.

Santa feeds them magic corn.

Photos by REGINA BUTLER

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What is your favorite

Christmas Movie?

Movies have often been a way for the family to gather together and enjoy the Christmas season. One of the first movies ever made was one called Santa Claus in 1898. Since then, there have been simply hundreds of movies put out about this special time of the year. On a recent stroll through Pontotoc I recently asked folks what their favorite Christmas movie was. Many got this smile on their face and a far away look in their eye as they reflected over the memories and then gave me their answer. Say, what is your favorite movie? Why not pop some corn tonight and gather the family around to the Christmas classics.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

The Christmas Shoes

Home Alone

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Jolei Williams

The Christmas Story

Shraikra Campbell

Gwendolyn Bean

Cassandra Cummings

The Grinch

Dornesha Dixon

Miracle on 34th Street

Whitney Mounce

Home Alone

Shenita Dixon

Santa Claus is Coming to Town Adrina Noreno

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Robbie Miller

Bonner Jamison Neal Hobson

Home Alone Jazlyn White

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2001) Alaediya Berry

It’s a Wonderful Life Tommy Tatum

Glenda Stegall

Home Alone Miracle on 34th Street

It’s a Wonderful Life Melanie Harris

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Linda Robbins

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Leslie Dobbs

Santa Clause is Coming To Town April Vernon

Snow Buddies Lillian Dobbs

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Craig Burger

White Christmas Regina Butler

Christmas in Connecticut

Jonathan Butler

The Santa Clause Chelsea Williams

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This was the cover of the very first Peek Into Christmas section that hit the streets in November of 1994. Pontotoc Progress Ad Director Lisa Bryant captured Santa peeking from behind a light pole for a whimsical effect to get folks into the Christmas mood.

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Santa’s Tender Touch Story by REGINA BUTLER

His bright red suit brings smiles as he spreads the joy of Christmas

H

e has held babies, hugged ladies and shook the hands of many a fella in Pontotoc, peering lovingly at folks from his long white beard with kind gentle eyes behind the wire framed glasses.

But it still astonishes folks to see Santa strolling down the streets of Pontotoc on the first Friday in November, long before his appointed flight in December.

But Santa has always liked to come to Pontotoc before the Christmas rush to get a peek into what young and old alike might be wanting him to bring them for Christmas.

And how did this Santa, known in street life as Brother Jerry Lowery, who has other duties such as being a policeman and a pastor; ever come to be entrenched with this little garden spot of the world?

“Well, before I moved to Union County, I was a pastor at Thaxton Baptist Church when Lisa Bryant, who was the advertising director for the Pontotoc Progress newspaper back in 1994 asked if I would come and help her with a Christmas promotion; I reckon because she had seen me do Santa on the court square.”

Bryant’s idea was to give folks in Pontotoc a peek into Christmas so they would be excited about shopping locally. Santa came to town and looked over all the things that would be potential Christmas presents on a list. She took pictures of Santa shopping at all the stores.

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The idea took off and it has been going stronger every year since that day. Two years ago, the format changed from a newsprint to a magazine which has made it even more vibrant.

And this Santa has come back to town every year except for two.

Santa smiled as he got this far away look in his eyes looking back over the years.

“I did Santa on the square, breakfast with Santa and was Santa in the Christmas parade here several times.

“I remember one year when I was on the square I picked up so many kids my shoulders hurt.”

One of the best things about being Santa is “I get to see all kinds of people. I enjoy going to places like Bodock Grove and seeing all the special needs kids and adults.”

One of the things that amazes him the most is the greetings he gets from young and old alike.

“I enjoy seeing the people’s faces when they see me. I get a kick out of seeing the older people react.

For instance I had a man get out of his pickup truck wanting his picture made with Santa. He was just as excited as a kid, and he wanted to see it in the camera after it was taken.”

His mustache crinkled into a smile at the thought.

And Santa has learned that children often believe he can fix anything. One such youngster sat in his lap and looked at him with pleading eyes.

“He asked if I could bring his dad home for Christmas,” Santa explained. “You see, his dad was deployed overseas and wouldn’t be home. I couldn’t answer the child because there was a lump in my throat.

I couldn’t imagine what it is like not to have your dad home for Christmas.” He blinked back the mist in his eyes.

But the Peek into Christmas was the first of its kind and has turned into a joyous time of fellowship for Santa as he returned each year.

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I enjoy seeing the people’s faces when they see me. I get a kick out of seeing the older people react.

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Yes, Virginia,

There is a Santa Claus

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

V “I feel like I’ve got a family here at the Pontotoc Progress and in the town of Pontotoc as well. It’s like a family reunion every year,” he said. “When we went into one of the businesses this past week a lady asked ’Is this our Santa or another?’ and I said, ’It’s me.’’

His special knack for this craft has instilled so much love and trust that the businesses are clamoring to get him in their door.

“When we first started this we covered the places of business here and in Ecru in a day. Now it takes three.

Pontotoc has grown.”

And through the years the store owners have come to love and trust his instinct for knowing just what to touch to sell.

“People have been so kind to me. I go inside places of business and they say you know what you are doing just go on and do it.”

Santa continues to be impressed with the way the towns in Pontotoc County are growing.

“I’ve told my mama and dad that the two most special places in North Mississippi are Pontotoc and New Albany because they both have a thriving downtown.”

Earlier this month he finished yet another round of coming to Pontotoc well before Christmas. And as he walked the streets, yes, people stalked and stared at him because they couldn’t believe a real live Santa was walking the streets of Pontotoc in November.

As he pondered the future he is keenly aware that the day is coming when he will hang up his hat and store the boots away for good, but for one more season this Santa with all his gentleness and kindness is making glad the hearts of children and adults; and reminding them of how near and dear the Christmas season is to one and all.

Virginia O’Hanlon.

115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.

IRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.

They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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Discover the true meaning of

Christmas Story by REGINA BUTLER

I

t is easy to let Santa Claus and Christmas Trees and mistletoe take the place of the true meaning of Christmas. Nothing can truly take the place of experiencing the reason we have Christmas is the birth of God’s Son, Jesus.

For those who want to focus back on the spiritual side of this special time of year, here are a few suggestions.

SHARE THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS

The Gospels of Mark and Luke offer differing accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Both indicate that Jesus was born to Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirt, because she was a virgin when visited by an angel who informed her that she was to carry God’s son. At the time of Christ’s birth, all Jewish people had to be counted by Roman soldiers for tax purposes. That required people to return to their places of birth. As a result, Mary and Joseph set out on an arduous journey to Bethlehem. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, inns had no vacancies, but Mary and Joseph were given shelter in a stable where Jesus was ultimately born.

You can see this special story in full and living color at Algoma Baptist Church on December 6 and 7 from 5-9 p.m. when you go to the drive-thru Nativity.

PREPARE AN ADVENT WREATH

The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles, sometimes with a fifth, white candle in the center. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading, devotional time and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Many Advent wreaths include a fifth, Christ candle which is lit at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services.

SET OUT A NATIVITY SCENE

Make a nativity scene the primary focus of Christmas decorations and encourage children to play with the figures and act out the Christmas story.

FOCUS ON GIFTS FOR GOOD

Families can focus their energies on faithful endeavors and the spirit of giving that’s synonymous with the season. Do good deeds for others, such as adopting a child from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Bake some bread for the neighbor next door. Rake the leaves or clean the sidewalk of an elderly friend.

SING CAROLS

Spread the holiday spirit through song. Get together with a group of friends or neighbors and go door-to-door, or hold a caroling performance at a centralized location. Select religious hymns, but also include some secular favorites.

The holiday season is a great time of year to reconnect with one’s faith and spirituality.

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Throw the perfect

Christmas Party with food and games

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Christmas means you want to gather with family and friends and celebrate the warmth and joy of the season. Your party can be as simple, elegant or however you please. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Christmas Tree-Trimming Party One of the best parts about Christmastime is decorating the tree. Make it into a friends and family affair by hosting a Christmas party at home and having loved ones decorate the tree with you. Before guests arrive, set up the tree and string the lights and garland. Take the ornaments out of storage, and place them in baskets so they’re easily accessible.

If you’re providing snacks, make them mess-free: nuts, fruits and veggies, snack mixes, and cookies are good Christmas party food.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

Both kids and grownups will love the chance to make their own cookie creations with these Christmas party ideas.

Mix and roll out the dough before guests arrive; set out precut shapes or provide various cookie cutters. Put colored sugar and candy pieces in small bowls and let guests decorate their own batches of cookies. While the cookies bake, show a Christmas movie or play a Christmas game. Once the cookies are done, let them cool and package them in tins or boxes for guests to take home.

Holiday Hot Chocolate Party

When the winter nights get cold, homemade hot chocolate hits the spot.

Make it a Christmas party theme! Invite friends and family over for a simple social gathering with a hot chocolate bar. Set up a long table with mugs, spoons, hot chocolate, and various toppings, such as lollipop marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, chocolate and caramel syrup and candy canes.

Christmas Movie Marathon Invite friends over for a Christmas movie marathon!

For this easy Christmas party idea, set up a popcorn bar and make a special hot chocolate recipe while guests curl up with fuzzy blankets and wear their favorite flannel pj’s.

Holiday Crafting Party

This is a Christmas party theme near and dear to the crafter’s heart. Get into the Christmas spirit with a no-fuss crafting party. Set up a few tables with crafts store goodies and supplies, and let guests make whatever they desire.

Create a playlist with your favorite holiday tunes to play in the background to get everyone in the seasonal mood. Make sure to have separate tables handy to keep hot chocolate or hot cider on so it won’t get spilled on your creations. This is also a good party to have light snack crackers on hand to munch on.

Christmas Appetizer Party Hosting an all-appetizer party is a fun way to get people together for the holidays. Plan the party food yourself or turn it into a festive Christmas-theme potluck, and have each guest bring a single appetizer. Dress up a long table for the buffet with colorful Christmas party decor, such as a holiday table runner, seasonal paper napkins, and Christmas tree ornaments. Add soup on the side in crock pots to warm the atmosphere up as well. Play your favorite seasonal songs in the background for an easy and fun holiday theme party.

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Parlor games to keep you laughing

After you eat, gather and enjoy an evening of games. Games are not just a thing of the victorian past like you read about in Charles’ Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” What they would call parlor games can be fun and you can make them have a neat twist to keep your guests laughing throughout the evening.

COUNT THE ORNAMENTS

One game is simple, folks have to guess how many ornaments you have on your tree. That will require you to at least count them and have something of a ball park figure in your own mind before they get there.

You can have a special ornament made and ready to give to the winner.

CHRISTMAS CAROL PICTIONARY

Divide into teams and each team takes turn drawing popular Christmas Carols and once the team knows what the carol is, they have to start singing it to get their points.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE TRIVIA Christmas movie trivia ask the questions from various Christmas movies to see if your guests know their movies. Make up your own questions or go to christmastrivia. net to get your questions.

CHRISTMAS CAROL MUSICAL GUESS

Got somebody who enjoys playing an instrument? Let them sing a few bars of well known Christmas Carols and see if the crowd knows what they are.

PAPER PLATE GAME And the other game you can play is so neat it will take some time to describe. Give a sturdy paper plate and pen to each person who wants to play. Players put the paper plate on their head and the host gives the following instructions: 1. Draw a line for a floor.

2. Draw a Christmas Tree. Add decorations if you feel so inclined.

3. Draw a star on top of your tree.

4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.

5. Draw a stocking hanging from the

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mantel of your fireplace.

6. Draw a present below the tree.

Then have players count up how many points they received by following this rubric: • 2 points if the tree touches the floor.

• 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.

• 1 point if your star touches your tree.

• 1 point if your star is above your tree.

• 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.

• 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch

the tree (it’s a fire hazard!).

• 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).

• 2 points if your present is under your tree.

The player with the most points should receive a really awesome prize (such as Christmas Window Clings).

Visit bhg.com and thespruce.com for more ideas

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Merry Christmas Cooking!

Pontotoc County is blessed with cooks that know how to prepare simple but delicious food that will leave you asking for more. On these pages we have re-published recipes that were submitted for the 2011 cookbook. We hope you enjoy preparing these for your family through the holidays and well into next year.

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Appetizers

Hot Apple Pie Dip 8 oz. cream cheese spread 2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 apple, chopped, divided 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon chopped pecan pieces wheat thins or cracker assortment

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cream cheese spread, sugar and spice in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in half of the chopped apple.

Spread into 8� pie plate or small casserole dish. Top with remaining apples, the cheddar cheese and pecans. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until heated. Serve with crackers. You can substitute ground cinnamon for pumpkin spice.

Karen Pittman

Pineapple Ball

2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons green pepper, chopped 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped 2 teaspoons season salt

1/4 cup crushed pineapple drained 2 tablespoons sugar

2 cups chopped pecans, divided Mix first 6 ingredients with one cup of pecans, shape into a ball.

Cover and chill for one hour. Roll in remain-ing one cup pecans, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

Penny Storey

Chocolate Chip Dip

Chocolate Chip Dip

Pineapple Smokies 1 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-8 oz. cream cheese softened

2 teaspoon ground mustard

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 stick oleo (softened) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup brown sugar

1-cup mini chocolate chips

Cream first 5 ingredients together, beating well. Then stir in chocolate chips. Serve with graham cracker sticks. Can be made days ahead.

Billye Montgomery

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1 cup pineapple juice

1-1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

2 lbs. miniature smoked sausages In a large saucepan combine sugar, flour, mustard. Stir in the pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 min. or until thickened. Add sausages; stir to coat. Cook, uncovered for 5 minutes longer until heated through.

Serve warm.

Beth Fitts

Cinnamon Rolls

Breads

Dough:

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

Jalapeno Cornbread

4 8-ounce package jiffy corn muffin mix 4 cups milk

1 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup warm milk

6 eggs, beat until foamy

1 tsp. salt

4 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup Crisco 1/4 cup sugar 1 egg

2 cups plain flour

2 chopped onions

2 small cans cream style corn

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup pimentos, drained and chopped

2 cups bread flour

1 cup seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper (or adjust to taste)

Topping:

Mix all ingredients together, pour into greased and heat-ed pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until bread is golden brown.

Karen Pittman

2 T. melted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar cinnamon Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Knead or use a mixer with dough hook attachment for 5 minutes. Place dough in a large greased bowl and turn over to grease all sides of the dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double. Punch down. Let rise again. Roll out on a floured board using a rolling pin. Spread melted butter on the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top of dough. Roll up and slice about 1/2 inch slices. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise about 30 minutes.

Bake at 375 for 12 minutes.

Icing: Powdered sugar; few drops vanilla; milk. Mix to make a thick liquid. Drizzle over warm rolls.

Nancy Anderson

Tomato Cheddar Bread 2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 – 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 1/2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese 1/3 cup milk salt to taste

3 cups bisquick baking mix Combine all ingredients, adding the bisquick last. Mix just until all dry ingredients are moistened. Divide batter 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve warm. This is good with soup and salad or chili.

Pam White

Jumbo Pumpkin Pecan Muffins 1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped pecans topping:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup finley chopped pecans 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cold butter

In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredi-ents just until moistened. Fold in pecans. Fill six greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans and flour; cut in butter until crum-bly. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth-pick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

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Vegetables

Potato Lasagna

Cheesy Harvest Vegetables

1 egg

parsnips and carrots) peeled, cut into 1� cubes

2 Tbs. minced fresh parsley

1 package cream cheese, cubed

2 1/2 c. grated Swiss cheese, divided 2 c. ricotta cheese 1/4 c. light cream

2 pounds mixed fall vegetables

(butter nut squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, 3 cups milk

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/2 lb. carrots (about 2 large)

8 ritz crackers, crushed

1 1/2 lb. new potatoes (about 6) 1 small white or purple onion, thinly sliced (about 3/4 c.), divided 3/4 tsp. salt, divided freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese

Making the Filling: Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a shallow 2-quart casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups grated Swiss, ricotta, egg, cream, parsley, and oregano. Stir until well blended.

Assembling rest of lasagna: Wash and scrub potatoes and carrots. Slice unpeeled potatoes about 1/8 inch thick. Set aside and slice carrots about 1/8 inch thick, transfer to a microwave-safe dish. Add 2 tbs water. Heat on High until carrots are slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Drain.

Arrange first layer of potato slices, overlapping slightly, in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.

Sprinkle with 1/4 c onions and 1/4 tsp salt, add pepper to taste.

Spread half of the cheese mixture over this layer. Arrange another potato layer over the cheese layer. Top with a layer of carrots. Top carrots with 1/4 c onions and 1/4 tsp salt, ad pepper to taste. Spread with remaining cheese mixture. Arrange remaining potato and carrot slices in separate concentric circles on top.of the cheese layer.

Top with remaining onions and salt, add pepper to taste. Sprinkle with remain-ing Swiss and Parmesan.

To bake the lasagna, cover with foil. Bake until potatoes are tender, about 40-45 minutes.

Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 F. Continue baking until the top-ping is browned, about 5-10 minutes longer. Take out of oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving Mendy Cook

Ranch Potatoes 8 to 10 potatoes

8 ounce dry ranch dressing 1/2 cup bacon bits

1 cup shredded cheese Cube potatoes and boil until tender. Put in rest of ingredients, mix. Put in casse-role dish, cook until cheese is melted. Cook at 350 degrees.

Wennie Pennington

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1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring vegetable and milk to boil in large saucepan on medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir occasionally. Add cream cheese, cook until melt-ed stir frequently. Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Spoon into grease 2 quart casserole dish, sprinkle with crumbs. Bake 30 minutes or un heated through.

Penny Storey

Creole Green Beans

6 bacon slices cooled crispy, crumbled and reserve drippings 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped 1/4 cup onion, chopped

2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoon brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/8 dry mustard

16 ounce can peeled whole tomatoes, cut into quarters 16 ounce can green beans, drained

In a skillet with bacon drip-pings, sautĂŠ green peppers and onion until tender. Blend together the next 6 ingredients, stir into skillet.

Add tomatoes and continue to stir until mixture thickens. Add green beans and heat thoroughly. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

Patience Wildmon

Broccoli Cheese Dish

1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 bag (16 ounce) frozen broccoli flowerets thawed 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Stir soup, milk, mustard broccoli, and cheese in a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish.

Mix breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over broccoli mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot.

Beth Fitts

1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons butter melted

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Main Dish

Chicken Stew

1 whole chicken or breast

1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can of tomato soup

Cranberry Meatballs Meatballs:

2 pounds ground beef 2 eggs beaten

1 can cream style corn

1 cup crushed cornflakes

1 large onion (diced)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 stick margarine 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt Cook, debone chicken, add cream of chicken soup, plus 2 cans water, margarine and onion. Cook until onion is tender. Add tomato soup and corn. Bring to a boil. Mix flour, sugar and salt with cold water to a paste. Add to soup. Bring to a rolling boil. Add chicken and serve .

Wennie Pennington

Corn Casserole 1/2 cup melted butter

2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup sour cream

1 – 7 oz. pkg. cornbread mix 1 can cream style corn

1 can whole kernel corn

Combine butter, eggs, and sour cream in bowl. Mix well. Stir in corn and cornbread mix. Pour into 9 X 13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Gail Swords

Cowboy Casserole 1/2 lb. lean ground beef

1/3 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 2 tablespoon minced onion Sauce:

1 can jellied cranberry sauce 1 cup ketchup

3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparing meatballs: Mix all together well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place in baking dish.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven; drain on paper towels.

Making the sauce: In large saucepan combine ingredients. Cook, stirring frequently until cranberry sauce is melted. Add meatballs and heat thoroughly.

Serve over rice.

Billye Montgomery

Sweet Potato Casserole 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes 1 cup sugar 2 eggs

1 can (8-3/4 ounce) whole kernel corn, drained

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 cup raisins

2 tablespoon sour cream 3/4 teaspoon onion powder

Topping:

2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1/3 cup 2% milk

1/2 cup margarine

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup chopped pecans- optional

2 cups frozen tater tots

1 cup light brown sugar

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Stir in the corn, soup, 1/4 cup cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and pepper. Place 1 cup Tater Tots; sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake uncovered at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Beth Fitts

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup margarine Mix first 6 ingredients and pour into 11x13 casserole dish.

Mix topping ingredients and spread over potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Gail Swords

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Cranberry Meatballs

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Desserts

Apple Butter Pecan Cake 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Teaspoon baking powder

1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 cup softened butter 1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar 3 eggs

1 1/2 cup apple butter 2 tablespoons milk

1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup powered sugar

1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla

3 teaspoons warm water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat 10 inch tube pan with shortening or spray, combine first 6 ingredients together (set aside). In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with white and brown sugar until combined, add eggs and beat well. Beat in flour mixture until combined. Beat in apple butter and milk, stir in pecans, spoon into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes on wire rack. Loosen edges and invert cake onto wire rack and let cool.

In a small bowl, combine powered sugar, melted butter, vanilla and enough warm water until glaze reaches drizzle consistency.

Drizzle over cake.

Synthia Bramlett

Apricot Delight

1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup powdered sugar 2 eggs, well, beaten

1 (8 ounce) package vanilla wafers, crushed and divided 1 cup chopped pecans, divided

1 cup whipped cream, whipped and divided 1 (29 ounce) can apricots, drained

Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Cook in top of double boiler until thick and lemon colored; cool. Butter a 9 x 13-inch pan and spread 2/3 of the wafer crumbs in bottom of it. Pour cooled custard over crumbs. Sprinkle half the nuts over custard and half the whipped cream over this. Next put the apricots, a layer of remaining whipped cream, remaining crumbs, and finally the remaining nuts.

Barbara Jones

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Caramel Delight

Caramel Delight

1/2 cup SplendaÂŽ brown sugar 2 cups self-rising flour

3/4 cup quick cooking oats

1 1/2 cup chopped pecans or nuts of your choice 1 cup light margarine, melted

1 1/2 jars caramel ice cream topping (I used sugar-free) 1/2 gallon, no-sugar added vanilla ice cream, softened

Combine sugar, flour, oats and nuts. Add margarine, and mix Spread mixture as thinly as possible on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

When cool, crumble. Spread half the crumbled mixture in the bottom of a greased 9 X 13 dish. Pour caramel topping over all.

Spread ice cream over caramel topping and top with the remaining crumbled mixture. Freeze. Cut into squares to serve. Makes approximately 15 servings.

Mary Frances Stepp

Mason Jar Fruit Salad 1 can peach pie filling

1 can chunk pineapple

1 pkg. frozen strawberries

4 sliced bananas not well ripened Drain pineapple juice into a cup. Mix all other ingredients together and put about two tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice into bowl and mix again.

Regina Butler

Butterscotch Pecan Dessert

Chocolate Cookie Pudding

3/4 cup chopped pecans, divided

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup cold butter or margarine 1 cup all-purpose flour

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 (5.9 oz.) pkg. chocolate instant pudding mix 2 cups milk

1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 cup confectioners sugar

16 double-stuffed cream-filled chocolate sandwiche cookies

3 1/2 cups milk

3/4 dup chopped pecans, toasted

1 8 ounce carton frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 2 3.4 ounce packages instant butterscotch pudding mix In a bowl, cut the butter into the flour until crumbly; stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Press into an un-greased 13 inch X 9 inch baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Fold in 1 cup whipped topping; spread over crust. Combine milk and pudding mix until smooth; pour over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until set. Top with remaining whipped topping and pecans. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

April Phillips

crushed (about 2 cups)

Whisk together pudding mix and mild for 2 minutes. Cover and chill 5 minutes.

Stir together cream cheese and whipped topping, blend-ing well.

Place 1 cup crushed cookies evenly on bottom of an 8-cup bowl.

Spread half of cream cheese mixture over crushed cookies; sprinkle with half of pecans. Spread all of pudding evenly over top; spread remaining cream cheese mixture evenly over pudding. Sprinkle with remaining cookies and pecans. Chill.

Beth Fitts

Old Time Banana Pudding

1 medium sized package vanilla wafers 4 bananas, sliced thin 1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon flour

1 tablespoon butter

Cream sugar, flour, butter and eggs well. Add enough milk so you have enough to cover bananas in bowl. Cook over low heat until a little thicker than cream. Stir in vanilla. Pour over bananas and wafers layered in a large bowl.

Gail Swords

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

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Making Memories

through decorations

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Mother and daughter duo Jeannie Pence and Carrie Martin are all smiles as they deck their store to welcome Christmas guests.

Mother and Daughter Team at Trendy Tree bring together customers and the perfect Christmas decoration

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Story by GALEN HOLLEY | Photos by DAVID HELMS

ostalgia, personal anecdotes, and special meaning are the principles that inspire the mother and daughter duo at Trendy Tree to make each piece of decoration unique.

“When a four-year-old comes in and sees a red, toy firetruck, or looks, in awe, at the candy tree, we’ve done what we set out to do,” said Carrie Martin, who, along with her husband, David, and her mother, Jeannie Pence, owns the shop at 10 West Marion Street in Pontotoc.

The showroom is an enchanting Christmas landscape.

Trees are decorated with inventive and playful themes. The Millennial Tree is decorated with coffee cups, computers, and all the flotsam-and-jetsam of the twenty-something crowd.

The Candy Tree is strung with sweet, delectable treats. The Critter Tree has owls and squirrels and foxes—oh my.

The showroom is mostly a hands-on space where customers can pickup and hold some of the thousands of items offered on the Trendy Tree website.

“We want this to be a showcase, where customers can put

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their hands on items they’ve seen online, and really get a feel for them,” said Pence, who started the business as a side venture, out of her home in the Hurricane community.

Pence is a nurse practitioner, and as she neared retirement, she and her husband, Terry, figured they’d plant a Christmas tree farm. The farm didn’t take off, but the idea of selling specialty Christmas ornaments bloomed, and, thanks to Pence’s intellectual curiosity about computers and building websites, sales took off.

Trendy Tree today has more than 100,000 followers on social media, including Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. Much of Martin and Pence’s stock is ribbon, garland, and other materials for those in the DIY Christmas culture, folks who like to make wreaths and other original creations. The duo carries premium brands, like D. Stevens, and Craig Bachman. The mother and daughter grew the business to the point they needed a warehouse to process online orders. They also offer more than 400 online videos, for those who want to make their own wreaths or centerpieces.

Whit Koon enjoys a gumdrop decoration that is ideal for a small space decoration in your house.

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Mattie Sims Koon shows off the many ribbons you can get to tie on your Christmas Tree as well a a nice selection of Nutcrackers.

Martin formerly worked as a registered nurse, and, like her mother, she left that career to run the Trendy Tree. Martin and Pence have a family tradition of making personalized ornaments. Working with designer Rachel Wiygul, and using unique, specially ordered patterns, they create decorations that become lasting memories.

“We’ve included ornaments from things that our kids and grandkids have done throughout the year,” said Pence. “Golf balls, guitars, an episode with seagulls on vacation—we’ve had a lot of fun with ornaments,” she said.

For the past three years the duo has even provided mesh and ribbons for the National Christmas Tree, which each year stands near the White House in Washington, D.C. The Trendy Tree ladies also got a kick out of seeing some of their popcorn garland on an episode of The Young and the Restless.

Like much of their business, those orders came from Trendy Tree’s online presence.

This year, Martin and Pence had some of their newest decorations on display at the Celebration Village, a yearly fundraiser for the Sanctuary Hospice House.

Martin and Pence are excited and grateful for the online orders, but the time-honored feeling of watching children walk through a Christmas wonderland can’t be replaced, they said.

“Seeing people really enjoy our shop, all the pretty decorations and wonderful sense of atmosphere, makes it very special,” said Martin. “That’s what we love about Christmas.”

This Christmas season Trendy Tree will offer custom gift-wrapping, even for items not purchased in the store.

Shop in the store or visit www.trendytreeornaments.com.

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John Barrett “Beal�

Warren is pretty as a picture with his present and old style vintage truck.

Andi Hurd shows off all the different styles of decorations you can put on a whimsical tree as well as displaying a snow globe somewhere.

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Rachel Wiygul and Carrie Martin show off the different ribbons you can put with a wreath.

Ashleigh Huddleston shows an example of bright colored tree decorations.

Andi Hurd and Taalor McCord show trees that look sweet enough to eat with the trimmings for presents and your wall.

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How to organize

Gift Wrapping

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M

uch of the focus of each holiday season is on gift-giving, but all those gifts will eventually need to be wrapped. Stacks of presents just waiting to be covered with paper and ribbon can overwhelm gift givers, prompting them to put off wrapping gifts until the last minute. Hesitant wrappers with a pile of gifts to wrap can use these tricks to make the process go smoothly.

KEEP SUPPLIES AT THE READY

Devote a bin or bins to wrapping supplies and tools. Having scissors, paper, tape, ribbon, and more in a designated spot will cut down on having to hunt and peck when it comes time to wrap. Martha Stewart suggests getting a rotary cutter to cut long straight or decorative edges on wrapping paper. Rotary cutters may be easier to use than scissors, especially when paired with a ruler.

WRAP ON A FIRM SURFACE

Devote a table or counter to wrapping gifts. This will keep the paper taut and neat and make it easier to cut and position.

You risk tearing the paper or puncturing it when working on carpeting or bedding.

FIND INSPIRATION

Instead of looking at wrapping as yet another chore, try to envision how the recipient will feel peeling open the paper and finding the gift inside. Wrapping can be the prelude to the gift itself, and intensify the anticipation. The wrapping paper or style also may draw on aspects of the gift itself. For example, a knit scarf can be placed in a crocheted stocking.

HANDLE ODDLY-SHAPED ITEMS

Wrapping rectangular boxes can be a snap, but what about something that’s round or full of angles? Think about placing oddly-shaped items inside another item to make the shape more uniform. Shoe boxes, coffee cans and even paper towel rolls can hold items. Then place the wrapping on these containers.

COVER PRICES

To enable easy exchanges or returns, do not cut off the price tags of gifts. Instead, place a festive sticker over the dollar amount, but leave the scan bar visible. This way the gift recipient can return the gift with ease if necessary.

COLOR- OR PATTERN-CODE GIFTS

It’s easy to visualize who gets what gift when each recipient has his or her own special wrapping paper. This is also a handy idea when wrapping gifts from Santa, as it will differentiate the Santa gifts from the ones being given by Mom and Dad. With a few helpful pointers, wrapping gifts can be easy. And for those who prefer to skip the wrapping themselves, many malls and retailers offer complimentary wrapping for a small donation to charity.

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Santa visits

Around the Town

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Bundle up and enjoy the

Festivities of the Season Christmas is the perfect time to get outside and watch a parade, enjoy a live nativity scene or a multitude of other things throughout the month of December. If you want to make your Christmas meaningful and merry and bright, think about giving the least of these a nice Christmas by adopting a Salvation Army angel or send your photos to the newspaper for all to enjoy Christmas Day. Play outside in a guaranteed Christmas snow or take a ride on Santa’s train. Look through these pages and see all the fun you can have as you turn this coming month in to memories you will cherish for a life time.

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Christmas Parades put us in the joyous spirit

Story by REGINA BUTLER

O

ne of the most delightful times of the season is when people in each community gather along the streets to see their baby or grand baby coming down the street in the parade. Christmas parades are a tradition that gives an opportunity for folks in the community to visit and enjoy a night outside with the pretty lights aglow.

Below are the communities and the things they have going on in connection with their separate parades. These appear in the order in which they will be marching down their respective Main Streets.

PONTOTOC CITY

The Pontotoc County Chamber/Main Street Association is ready to have Santa and all his helpers coming down Main Street in Pontotoc in Pontotoc Christmas Parade which is set to open the parading season on Monday, December 2, 6:30 p.m.

Now before the Christmas parade starts Santa will be at the community house to listen to all the secrets of the boys and girls telling him what they want for Christmas.

Serving as the Grand Marshall’s for the City Parade will be Pontotoc’s man and woman of the year, Jeremy Maxey and Christy Suggs, selected by readers and featured in the Best of Pontotoc section.

Now before that parade we are sure you will be hungry so make sure you stop by the Library and have some good warm soup.

THAXTON

The Thaxton Christmas Parade will held on Friday night,

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December 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The line-up will be the same as in the past years, on Hunter Road.

Entries should be here 5:00 p.m. for the starting line-up. If you live on Hunter Road this road will be closed to traffic at 5:00 p.m.

If you would like to place an entry in the parade you may call these numbers - Bryson Dillard-760-2169; Johnny Coleman-419-2665; Cindi Webb, Hooker Construction-489-2567; or Sammie Jaggers-489-4888.

We hope people from our community will take part in the parade by entering floats, decorate your gators, tractors, antiques cars.

Also, we are asking people in the surrounding areas, in county or outside the county to call and place an entry.

And after the parade there is always that party in the Thaxton Gym Community House with soup and games and activities.

TOCCOPOLA

Toccopola Christmas Parade will be December 7 starting at 5:30. There will be food and entertainment afterwards in the Community Center.

Any individual or Church that would like to enter a float or whatever you can, please call Hope Herren @419-3789 or Bart Ratliff @ 213-6623.

ECRU

The Town of Ecru will also have their parade on December 7 beginning at 7 p.m. Entry forms can be picked up at the Ecru Town Hall. For more information, call 662-489-3881.

Come Away & Worship I

in the quiet of the night at Algoma Story by REGINA BUTLER

f you want to come away and begin your December by teaching your children the true meaning of this blessed season, then drive to the little town of Algoma on Highway 15 South. Algoma Baptist Church will once again be hosting the live Christmas Nativity this year Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, 6-9 p.m. even if it rains.

The folks in the church will set up five scenes on the grass beyond their parking lot and invite people to drive through and see the different parts of the Christmas story.

While the animals are wooden, the people standing beside the animals are very real.

Hilda Smith, Rev. Don Smith’s wife, said that the telling of the story in this format is unique in that you can either drive through or walk through it, “depending on how long you want to sit there and see it.”

The history of Jesus’ birth is depicted from the annunciation, or when the angel told Mary about the Holy Spirit overshadowing her; to the wise men coming to worship the new born King. And it is told through the music playing in

the background and words written on large plywood panels.

The church’s goal through this outreach is to display the Christmas story in a simple, straight forward manner.

Folks can even drive through any time during the day and see it as well. The folks won’t be out there, but the time of reflection on the real meaning of Christmas will be there.

The five scenes portrayed are: * The angel appearing to Mary * Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem * Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the manger * The angel appearing to the shepherds * Three wise men on their way to find the new-born King There is no charge. Bring your group by bus, by van or by car. Algoma Baptist Church is located off Highway 15 South, one mile down Algoma Road.

For a special worship experience away from the noise of the season, drive your family down to Algoma and glimpse into the real meaning of Christmas.

Christmas

O

on the 4-H Santa Train

nce again 4-H youth will be spreading Christmas cheer to children young and old. Join us for the fun on Thursday, December 5, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Pontotoc Community House. The Bodock Tain will be transformed into a train for Santa.

For $10 children can enjoy a train ride, drink hot chocolate, decorate a cookie, make reindeer food, visit with Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves, watch a movie, play games, and get their golden ticket for the train conductor to take a ride. Extra train rides are available for $5, and there will be soup and chili for sale. A suggested $5 donation will get you a bowl of soup, crackers, cookie and a drink. You may chose chili instead of soup.

4-H’ers will transform the Community House into a train station where children can have a warm drink and enjoy the activities. Each child will make a bag of reindeer food to take home and sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve to guide the reindeer.

There will be plenty of time to meet Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves.

Children will take turns riding the train from the Community House through downtown Pontotoc and back to the Community House. Families can come and go as their schedule allows. Remember that soup and chili will also be available for sale, so you can feed the whole family!

Take advantage of all the Christmas activities, fun, laughter, and fellowship while supporting a great cause. Ticket sales will benefit the four 4-H members from Pontotoc County who will compete in the Western National Round Up in Denver, Colorado in January.

Tickets for the Polar Express event may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information call Jane Chamblee, 4-H agent, at the Pontotoc County Extension Office at 662-4893910.

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Snow Memories

Marion Street Market Downtown Pontotoc Photos by DAVID HELMS & REGINA BUTLER

Friday, December 6 5-8 p.m.

E

ven though old man winter didn’t help with giving Pontotoc a white Christmas or any days after that, folks in Pontotoc did enjoy a magical evening of snow.

This will be held once again this year compliments of Marion Street Market Downtown Pontotoc. The snow memories can be made between 5-8 p.m. Friday, December 6. You can enjoy a romantic walk in the snow, and then shop starting on Marion street and strolling all through down town or you can shop first then enjoy apple cider and hot cocoa on Marion Street as the snow gently falls through the night sky.

Santa will be there to hear the kiddies wishes and the children can also make some magical reindeer food to put out Christmas Eve.

Christmas Musicals and programs

BY-FAITH BAPTIST

By-Faith Children’s choir will present “The Manger in the Middle” a choir and drama with skits written by Regina Butler at 6 p.m.

MAPLE DRIVE PRESBYTERIAN

A Concert of sacred Christmas music will be presented at Maple Drive Presbyterian Church Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 o’clock in the evening. Drs. Christoper and Laura Thompson will present an evening of violin and piano concert Christmas music for all to enjoy. A reception will follow.

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D.T. COX

DT Cox Elementary Christmas Musical “Elfis and the Sleigh Riders” will be presented Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 pm in the DT Cox gym.

WEST HEIGHTS

West Heights Baptist Church will present the Christmas Musical “Always a King” Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 at 5 o’clock in the evening.

IMMANUEL BAPTIST

Immanuel Baptist Church will have their musical Sunday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.

Salvation Army spreading Christmas cheer

Little angels are ready for adoption at the Salvation Army thrift Store

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t is time to open your hearts to those least of these our brothers and sisters who need a little Christmas cheer in the form of Salvation Army Christmas Angels.

They have been placed on the tree and are ready for adoption. After you choose your boy or girls please do your shopping and carry it back to he thrift store on Reynolds street.

Rather than having everyone come at once, organizers will call the family to come get the goods when you deliver them. The the deadline to bring your gifts back to the Salvation Army is Saturday, December 14.

T

Salvation Army has stepped up with the times at the Christmas kettles

he bright red kettles with the bell ringing beside it is the key signal that the Christmas season is here. If you want to help out there is always a need for bell ringers.

The kettles will be at War-Mart, Price Cutter and and First Choice Bank. So if you are shopping for Christmas, getting food for dinner or making a trip to the bank there’s always a chance to donate. Now if you find yourself without a dollar or two or some change in your purse or pocket, you can pay by phone this year.

After a 129-year tradition of dropping coins in Salvation Army has stepped up to make giving a little easier for those who don’t carry cash.

The Salvation Army has placed smart chips and QR codes in the signs that connect with the Apple Pay or Google Pay app on your phone.

All you have to do is tap for Apple Pay or Google Pay. If don’t have either one of those, if you just use your camera and scan the QR code.

The Salvation Army wants to raise $1.6 million this year and organizers believe this is a way to tap into the younger generation who prefers giving electronically.

Santa Letters & Old Photos

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due on Friday, December 6

ne of the most cherished Christmas memories folks in Pontotoc have is looking at all the old photos of your past. Countless people far and wide enjoy looking at pictures that depict a simpler time of life and enjoy reading the names of the people who were part of their past.

This year the old photos for the newspaper are due by Friday, December 6 so we may have time to get them processed for the Christmas Paper which will be Wednesday, December 25.

Photos may be emailed to the Progress at regina.butler@ journalinc.com. Please identify each photo. If there is a circle of people you may identify them clockwise from top left. If there are rows of people, please start on the front row and identify them left to right. Please let us know what the occasion is, whether it is a school day or just outside playing in the sunshine, or an important occasion like a birthday. Please let us know who submitted the photo so

we may give you credit.

You may also bring photos by the Progress office at 13 Jefferson Street or mail them to c/o Regina Butler; P.O. Box 210; Pontotoc, MS 38863.

Santa Claus is standing by getting ready to receive all those letters! We want to help him by getting them to the North Pole early and then publishing them in the Progress on Christmas Day so the folks will know what you asked of the jolly ole elf this year.

So get your pencils out and get those letters written while you are on Thanksgiving vacation! Or you can get to our computer and E-mail letters so they will get here faster. The last day to have letters to the office is Friday, December 6. Please email them to pontotoc.community@ journalinc.com and put Santa Letters in the subject line or they won’t be picked up as a letter. If you choose to mail them, send it to Santa Claus; P.O. Box 210; Pontotoc, MS 38863.

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Christmas Calendar

e know you will be busy from now until the first of the year, but you don’t want to miss any of the events that will be going on community wide. From the parades to the plays here are the things you can do throughout the month of December.

Monday, December 2

• 8 a.m. - Visit Santa at the Community House • 4 p.m. - Friends of the Library soup supper at Library.

Enjoy hot soup, dessert and hot cocoa or water.

• 5 p.m. - Pontotoc Community Theater selling hot chocolate at Parade in lobby of The Main • 6 p.m. - Pontotoc City Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 5

• 4-7:30 p.m. - 4-H Santa Train will roll from the Community House through downtown Pontotoc • Shop until 7 p.m. in downtown Pontotoc

Friday, December 6

• 5-8 p.m. - Marion Street Market Downtown Pontotoc Snow • 6:30 p.m. - Thaxton Christmas Parade with supper afterwards at the gym • 6-9 p.m. - Algoma Drive Through Nativity

Saturday, December 7

• 5:30 p.m. - Toccopola Christmas Parade with food and entertainment afterward in the Community Center • 6-9 p.m. - Algoma Drive Through Nativity • 7 p.m. - Ecru Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 12

• 1-3 p.m. - Museum Christmas Open House-Come enjoy Christmas cookies and caroling.

• 6:30 p.m. - D.T. Cox Elementary students will present Elfis and the Sleighriders • Shop until 7 p.m. in downtown Pontotoc

Saturday, December 14

• 8 a.m. - Rudolph Run in downtown Pontotoc • 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. - The One and Only Santa Claus play presented by Pontotoc Community Theater at the Main

Sunday, December 15

• 2 p.m. - The One and Only Santa Claus play presented

by Pontotoc Community Theater at the Main

Thursday, December 19

• Shop until 7 p.m. in downtown Pontotoc

Sunday, December 22

• Shop from 1-5 p.m. in Downtown Pontotoc

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