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photo by Hannah Reel
City of Vidalia lineman Travis Todd looks up as fellow lineman Andy Taylor changes light bulbs on the “Merry Christmas Vidalia” lights that hang over Carter Street Wednesday afternoon. “We try and get a early start in case a storm hits and we get too busy before Christmas,” Todd said.
Vidalia utility crews spread early holiday cheer
Published Thursday, October 22, 2009
VIDALIA — When little ghosts and ghouls go door-to-door for trick-or-treating next week, they’ll be walking streets decorated for another holiday — Christmas.
Vidalia utility crews have begun putting up town Christmas decorations, and though the bulbs aren’t lit, it’s easy to see that the banner across Carter Street says, “Merry Christmas, Vidalia.”
Photo by Hannah Reel
City of Vidalia lineman Andy Taylor changes light bulbs on the "Merry Christmas Vidalia" lights that hang over Carter Street Wednesday afternoon. “We try and get a early start in case a storm hits and we get too busy before Christmas,” Lineman Travis Todd said.
The reason for the early setup, which begins approximately this time every year, is to make sure Christmas decorations don’t get pre-empted by a major event, Vidalia Utility Manager Mark Morace said.
“We have to have everything up by the first weekend of December for the Christmas parade, so we go ahead and get started in case something bad happens and we can’t get to it, it is already up,” Morace said.
The decoration work is mingled in with other utility department assignments, and Morace said that, like Christmas shopping, it will continue until right before the big event.
Once the crews finish putting up the pole-mounted decorations, getting them wired in and replacing the broken bulbs, they will — working with the street and sanitation department — move on to setting up the animated box displays on the Vidalia riverfront.
But those wanting to take a mid-autumn drive through Vidalia’s winter wonderland are going to have to get to the other side of Halloween.
“Hopefully, we’ll get to that some time in November,” Morace said.
Comments
Posted by crazyworld (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I was growing up, the Christmas holidays were SO special. Now the stores, and even towns, throw it all out there even before Halloween. By the time Christmas does roll around, people are sick of seeing the decorations for a solid 3 months. To make it special again, and make people wanta buy for it, things need to go back to not seeing anything for Christmas out until after Thanksgiving, and really not until Dec. 1st. Familiarity breeds contempt; absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This makes me angry. It is one reason no one wants to celebrate Christmas anymore, because it is no longer special. Parents will now be getting the "gimme, gimme," from the kids already. It is a sad world when the birthday of Christ is so materialized. We don't even celebrate it on the 25th anymore, just to keep away from the commercial aspect.
Posted by bayougal (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My husband used to say that we may as well skip Thanksgiving because everyone threw up Christmas decorations in the middle of November. It kind of took some of the special off of the turkey! Well I guess now the ghoulies will have to fight for their rights too! You have to check your calender to be sure that we're still in October!
Posted by NatTaylor (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whew that guy up on in the bucket truck sure is a hotte. I wonder if I can get his phone number!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know, retailers and some consumers are to blame for this. Retailers, shot from the less reckless spending smart folks, are thinking this is going to give them that much needed shot in the arm of revenue if we just inch Christmas up closer and closer. What's next, Christmas decorations after Labor Day? And they are NO better with other holidays. Right after the 25th, you will see not decorations or items for New Years, but Valentine's Day and right after that BEFORE MARCH, Easter. Nothing is sacred anymore. The surprise and wonder has been taken out of basically everything, driven by a greedy society. A lot of the TRUE meanings of these holidays are lost due to greed. There's nothing wrong with wanting nice things and HAVING them, but some of this is getting out of hand.
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just leave'em up year round.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatTaylor, just go home to your hubby!
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good idea GENEROBERTS, maybe we all need the spirit of Christmas and the nice lights all the time, instead of for a season.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I will wrap every piece of Halloween candy like a little Christmas present this year.
...........I wonder how much longer Vidalia will be allowed to hang up a "Merry Christmas" sign instead of one that says "Happy Holidays"? I sure hope that never happens. Christmas should always be "Christmas" and those who are offended are welcome to leave this Christian nation.
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