County residents celebrate Christmas

Cherokee County residents are getting ready for the Christmas season. Activities began with annual Christmas parades in Rusk, Alto and Jacksonville.

The holiday calendar included the distribution of Christmas Dream Tree gifts and "A Day with Santa" Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Jim Hogg City Park. More than 190 children and nursing home residents were helped.

Upcoming Christmas activities include Polar Express at the Texas State Railroad Palestine though Dec. 23. Youth of Diallville and New Summerfield United Methodist Churches will present a Christmas pageant at the Dialville UMC at 9 a.m. and New Summerfield UMC at 11 a.m.

Christmas Eve services will include First Presbyterian Christmas Eve Communion at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24; First United Methodist Christmas Eve Holy Communion, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24; and Christmas Eve service, First Baptist Church, 6 p.m. Dec. 24.