More gentle ways to begin the holiday season

Times have changed.

The holiday season once started with tree lighting ceremonies and carolling.

Now, it starts with Black Friday mayhem, marked by frantic shoppers crowding and scrambling for sale goods.

One desperate woman pepper sprayed her competitors for discounted merchandise at a WalMart. A man was killed when he was robbed of his Black Friday bounty in a store parking lot. Store employees were injured by the throngs of shoppers rushing to bargains.

Then came Cyber Monday. A day when Internet shoppers click on specials and deals while at work, spending millions.

This week is different.

Towns throughout the county are having special celebrations to welcome in the holiday season. All are distinct and different, but they do have things in common.

For one thing, they are traditional. For another, they are family friendly and gentle.

Colfax’s Lighted Christmas Parade is tonight and is capped off with fireworks. Then on Saturday, more celebrations will contrast with the past week’s mayhem. St. John, Rosalia, LaCrosse, Endicott and Pullman have holiday festivals to which all are invited. Some include parades and fireworks, not to mention visits from a very busy St. Nick. Garfield has slated its festivities for Sunday.

Those longing for a simpler holiday opening will find these gentle and friendly celebrations just the ticket to get in the spirit of the season —or to get back into the spirit after all the chaos of Black Friday.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher