Excitement builds for Christmas in July

OXFORD » There probably won’t be snowflakes and sleigh bells, but the Christmas Spirit will prevail as Ware Presbyterian Village celebrates its first Christmas in July on the 22nd.

Co-chair Alyce Templeton said the event’s main purpose is to raise funds for the Ware Presbyterian Village Auxiliary, which enhances the welfare of residents in the senior living community.

In addition, the Oxford Arts Alliance and Oxford Mainstreet will participate. “We want to bring in the community and let people know that Ware is not just ‘where the old people live,’” Templeton said.

This is the debut of Ware’s Christmas in July, an event suggested by Co-chair Gladys Belcher. Enthusiasm has been mounting as members of the auxiliary meet every Friday to work on plans and make craft items for sale. Last week they were producing cat toys and Christmas tree balls.

Each week the members come in and find a new project ready for their working — items that will eventually end up for sale at Christmas in July.

Along with craft items, the auxiliary will be selling lunches, lemonade, desserts and table rentals for vendors. Templeton said they hope to raise $2,000 to purchase items like televisions, rocking chairs, defib units, and “Santa Sack” gifts for people in the health care units.

Christmas in July will be held primarily at the Pavilion at Vista Ridge downstairs. That way, with an indoor event, they will not have to worry about adverse weather.

Two events that will not take place in the pavilion are demonstrations by the model train and woodworking clubs. They will be in the Ware Presbyterian Village Mansion.

Among the items and vendors at the pavilion lined up are photographers, children’s books, wreathes, gift baskets, new-to-you (used) items, and wine tasting, to name a few.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. The Pavilion at Vista Ridge is at 1162 Kensington Lane, Oxford.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Co-chairs of the Ware Presbyterian Village Christmas in July event Gladys Belcher, left, and Alyce Templeton stand behind a table full of craft items that will be for sale on July 22.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Mary Lou Burton, left, and Joan Simmers put together cat toys for sale at the Ware Presbyterian Village Christmas in July event.