St. Nick launches holiday season with Tuesday parade

Y ou’d better watch out – it’s that time of

m Enough is enough for Ralphie (Michael Trae Gunter) as he confronts bully Scut Farkas (Tristin Kelley) while kid brother Randy (Nicholas McAlister) looks on in the Cherokee Civic Theatre production of “A Christmas Story.” year. Santa Claus is coming to town. He will make his official visit to the Rusk downtown area p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, with the annual yule parade. Members of the Senior Finale will take pictures of youngsters with Santa from 4-6 p.m.

Opening ceremonies for the holiday season will begin at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 1 on the courthouse steps.

Parade Grand Marshal will be Sarah Summers. She will lead the parade and be followed by the Rusk Junior High Band.

The Sharon Shrine Temple rod unit from Henderson will participate in the parade.

Floats will include the Foreman Family, Foreman Custom Metal Works and Branded by Christ Cowboy Church.

k Rusk Dream Trees with names of needy children and nursing home residents are located at all Rusk financial institutions. Dignitaries registered to participate include Mayor Angela Raiborn, Rusk Rotary Club President Marty Jackson, Rusk Chamber of Commerce President James (Stoney) Thompson, Chamber President-elect Rachel Loden and State Representative Chuck Hopson.

Other floats and dignitaries are invited to contact the chamber of commerce office to register to participate in the parade. The chamber phone number is (903) 683- 4242.

Christmas decorations around the square were installed by the Texas Department of Corrections Skyview-Hodge work squad. Plans for the decorations were made by Jan Hardy.

Those who contributed to the decorations, lights and supplies needed by the TDCJ work squad were City of Rusk, Cherokee County, Chapman Pharmacy, Austin Young State Farm, Flowers ‘N Things, Etech, United Country-Frazer Realty, Nell McNatt, Southwestern Abstract, J&J Jewelers & Gifts, JoEd Anderson Realty, the Chamber’s elite members Austin Bank, Citizen’s 1st, Texas National, Lexington Place and Harry’s Building Material. Jeanie and Dr. Jim Swink donated the blow-up decorations. New Birmingham Golf Club donated the use of two golf carts for the parade. Members of the Rusk Rotary Club will drive vehicles supplied by Bob Francis with Bill McRae Ford.

GRAND MARSHAL SARAH SUMMERS First week in December in

Rusk

Various Rusk activities are planned for the first week in December. These events include the presentation of the Cherokee Civic Theatre production of “A Christmas Story” Dec. 3-6. First Friday in downtown Rusk will include the showing of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis,” Dec. 4.

Polar Express at the Texas State Railroad will be presented Dec. 4-6 and Dec.11-23.

First Baptist Church Singers of Salvation Youth Choir will present “Lost at Christmas,” a musical/drama and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Christmas events continue

throughout December

Rusk High School Band Concert is planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the RHS Auditorium.

River of Life Christian Center will present “Born for Such a Time as This” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10.

Rusk Jr. High Choir will present “North Pole Radio Hour” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at RHS Auditorium.

Austin Bank will host an open house from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11.

First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir will present “Tonight Heaven Touches Earth” with special appearance by Jay & Amy Rouse including The Children’s Choir Christmas Program. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

The First United Methodist Church cantata will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

Citizens 1st Bank will host its open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14.

Rusk Jr. High Band concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at RHS Auditorium

Rusk High School Choir Concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at RHS Auditorium.

Texas National Bank’s open house will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 18.

Branded by Christ Cowboy Church Christmas Play is planned for 10 a.m. Dec. 20.

First Baptist Church Sonshine Ringers handbell Christmas music will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

Christmas Eve services will include First Presbyterian Church at 5:30 p.m.; First United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m.; and First Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m.

Cherokeean Herald’s

Christmas issue

The Cherokeean Herald’s Christmas issue will publish Dec. 16 and will feature more than 800 letters to Santa from area school children, along with Christmas greetings and open houses sponsored by area merchants.