Christmas trees for the home
“The collection will be larger, and there will be more microfilm available. The New Echota Historic Site museum is providing us with new microfilm that they have. We’re also adding to the collection from donations we’ve received in the past,” Powell said. “There will still be old obituaries that were cut up and put on cards, but we’ll also have access to three computers as well as a digital microfilm reader instead of just the old fashioned one. That helps because you will be able to read the entire page of a newspaper instead of just a single section at a time.”
Other renovations are set to include digital fireplaces and display areas where historical documents or pieces on loan from the community can be put out for others to enjoy and experience.
“I really hope everyone comes swing by from 2:00 to 4 p.m. Customer appreciation hours will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will be invited to eat, enjoy face painting, shop special offers, and visit with animal rescue groups. Pets are permitted to take Christmas photos.
Flags for Christ
A seven-on-seven flag football tournament will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Calhoun Recreation Department. Hosted by S.S.A. Training of Calhoun, the event will raise money for Toys for Tots of Gordon County. Players and teams are invited to come out and compete for a cause. More information can be found on the S.S.A. Training of Calhoun Facebook page.
Hot Chocolate and Cookies Fellowship
Echota Baptist Church invites the community to come out for a time of fellowship and sweets on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. Guests are asked the bring some cookies or desserts to share. A performance of Christmas carols will follow the meal. Echota Baptist Church is located at 35 College Circle in Calhoun.
2019 Calhoun Christmas
Parade of Lights
The 2019 Calhoun Christmas Parade of Lights will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. North Wall Street will be closed to local traffic for the lineup of the parade from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Onlookers can view the parade along Wall Street, from Line Street south to Oak Street. Those hoping to participate can do so by contacting the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 625-3200.
Gifts for Grands donation drive
The Gifts for Grands donation drive will be accepting donated gift items for seniors until Friday, Dec. 13. Some specifically requested items include blankets, moisturizers, slippers, socks, manicure kits and sheets. Donations from individuals in Calhoun can be picked up by organizers. Donations directed to Chatsworth Health Care can be dropped off at Murray 911 or at Hair addictions, located out to see it once the project is finished,” Eberhart said. “It’s going to be really nice, and the library is such a good resource that I hope people take advantage of it.”
The Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library will host its December at 21 New Hope Church Road. To schedule a pick up or request more information, call 706-537-3596.
CHRISTmas Cares
On Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Christian Community Outreach will host its free CHRISTmas Cares festival in the community room at the Calhoun Recreation Department. The day will feature arts and crafts, games, food, music and more for the whole family. All children who attend the event will receive a gift. Reflections of Grace will be performing. For more information, call 678-767-0071.
‘A Christmas to Believe In’ play
The student congregation of Echota Baptist Church will perform their Christmas play, “A Christmas to Believe In” on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. The 45-minute long play tells the story of belief, disbelief and faith.
Christmas Back Home concert
Christmas Back Home is a family friendly holiday concert featuring classic Christmas hits with a twist. Scott Thompson and Brent McDonald lead an all-star band through genres spanning from blues and funk to jazz. The concert, which is currently touring, will make a stop at downtown Calhoun’s GEM Theatre on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $23 and can be purchased online at christmasbackhome.com.
Gifts for Grands
gift delivery
The Gifts for Grands donation drive will deliver gifts to seniors at Gordon County Health and Rehabilitation and Chatsworth Health Care on Saturday, Dec. 21. Gifts will be delivered to Calhoun Health Care on Dec. 22. All law enforcement and public service families are invited to participate, as are any members of the community who want to help deliver gifts. To sign up, contact Missy Barnhart Bingiel at 706-537-3596.
Did we miss any upcoming events? Email calhountimes@ calhountimes.com and we will update the online version of this story.
Friends of the Library book sale on Dec. 7. Thousands of used books will be available for purchase at reduced prices. Proceeds of the sale benefit the library’s staff, programs and collections.
Iam approaching my 50th birthday and many of my generation grew up having a real tree in the home for the holidays. Today, it is more divided with some families still having a real tree while others will decorate an artificial tree each year.
In my youth, some years we would select and cut a cedar tree on the family farm or would purchase a tree from a store. The last few years my wife and I, plus our daughters, have enjoyed putting a real tree up in the home. We have found Christmas tree farms and took the time to walk the farm to select the just-right tree, while we also have experienced great luck with a pre-cut tree.
Bringing a tree into the home for Christmas decorating has been around for more than 500 years. The most common tree types on the market are the pine, fir, spruce and cedar/cypress trees. Today, I will be sharing information from a UGA leaflet by Dave Moorhead with tips on Christmas tree selection and care.
For starters, more than 30 million trees are selected and used annually in homes to decorate for the holidays. You will find Christmas tree farms across the United States and Canada. It can take years to grow a Christmas tree, so Moorhead states for each tree that is harvested, two or three seedlings are planted.
Just like anything else, the type of tree you select for the home is up to personal preference. Just like some families plant the same variety of tomatoes in the garden each year, some people like the same type of tree for the home. I would say if you have not purchased a live tree in a while, shop around until you see a variety you like before buying for the home.
There are some important tips to keep in mind when selecting your tree. Do not leave the house until you know the ceiling height of the room in which you plan on placing the tree. There is nothing worse than getting home and realizing the tree is too tall for the room. Choose a tree that is at least one foot shorter than the ceiling height.
Next, run your finger over the branch along the needles. The needles should not break or fall off. You need to shake or bounce the tree to make sure needles are firmly attached. A fresh tree obviously will have few needles fall off. Keep in mind that some needle loss inside the tree is common. It is also suggested to stay away from trees with a wilted appearance.
You need to look at the handle of the tree and make sure it is straight. The handle will be the trunk area below the foliage down to the base of the tree. You need the handle to be 6 to 8 inches long to allow for placing in the tree stand. Give the tree an inspection for insects and dead needles. Have the dead needles shaken or blown out before buying if this is an option.
Most folks will have an idea on when they plan on putting the tree up prior to making the purchase. You may buy the tree knowing it will be a few days before you bring the tree into the house. If this is the case, you need to cut an inch off of the tree trunk base, put the tree in a bucket of water and stand the tree in a shady spot. When you bring the tree inside, you need to cut one-half to 1 inch off the base of the trunk and place the tree in a stand that will hold at least one gallon of water.
When selecting the spot for the tree in the home, do not place the tree close to fireplaces, heater vents or other sources of heat. Keep in mind that monitoring water levels and keeping the tree supplied with water is very important. A tree can take up several quarts of water a day.
In our home, I normally will check the water level in the stand in the morning and in the evening. It can be a chore to get on the floor to check the water level, but it is a lot better than letting the water level get lower than the base of the tree. If you allow this to happen the cut can seal over and will stop water uptake. You then must take the tree down for you to make a fresh cut to allow the uptake of water to start again. It would not be fun to take down a fully decorated tree.
I remember as a young agent hearing clients ask about adding substances such as aspirin, soda water, bleach or sugar, for example, to the water in the tree stand. This is no more effective than adding plain water in keeping the tree fresh. So just add the fresh water only.
Keeping the tree supplied with water will not only help keep the tree fresh but will help keep the tree fire resistant. Just make sure you do not let the water level go below the tree base.
It is suggested to never leave home or go to bed with the Christmas tree lights on. You should also use only UL-approved lights and nonflammable decorations. Some trees may have been sprayed with an anti-transpirant or with an approved treatment to reduced flammability. You would have to ask those questions when you purchase the tree. Keep in mind that as long as a tree is taking up water it can be relatively considered fire resistant.