Callaway celebrates old-fashioned Christmas!

CALLAWAY - You know the Christmas season has officially kicked off when the community of Callaway hosts its Christmas in Callaway!

Cars were parked for blocks. Young and old gathered at the 129-year-old Episcopal Church. The last service was held in the building in 1982. The village is the current owner of the church with the Seven Valleys Museum being the caretakers of the structure. Once a year the pews and walls are filled with people and music during Callaway Christmas. Brenner Beavers, Music instructor at Callaway Public Schools, led the group in Christmas songs.

Activities for children included visiting Santa, making S’mores in the mini park, making a stop at the Seven Valleys Museum and decorating cookies at Great Western Bank.

Local merchants offered special offers for the night. The Sons of American Legion served a soup supper. Craft and home-based businesses held a craft show in the Community Center.

The Callaway Community Foundation tried something new this year - Give BIG Callaway. The organization has assisted with many projects in the past, most recently the gazebo next to the community center. On the wish list for the future are a walking trail, dog park or a new pool.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Brenner Beavers, right, leads the singing of Christmas Carols at the old Episcopal Church during Callaway’s Community Christmas Dec. 4.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock At right, Dana Smith of Shotgun Annie’s in Callaway stands by the Christmas tree and the toys shoppers brought for their Toys for Tots program. Shotgun Annie’s works with Callaway School teachers who choose toys for students they know need additional assistance. Any toys left over go the Healing Hearts and Families program.