Holiday season is in full gear. Such a season covers a wide range for many of us from financial concerns to bad or good memories, of simple frowns in dealing with frustrations of all kinds.
It is with confidence we can say it is possible to get through it, enjoy it, and make the best of it.
Joy should be on the horizon. Always. It is the best reaction.
The father of one youngster related recently that the three-year-old enjoyed Halloween treats in going down the street and receiving treats from community members, however, that the little one was more excited and derived greater joy in passing out treats to the masked visitors.
That example should be relevant for all of us. It is better to give than receive. It brings more joy.
Some holiday-related notes:
• The Village of Montgomery will honor its longtime tree-lighting process at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 in front of Village Hall, 200 N. River Street. It will include the unveiling of the Festival of Trees which will run through December 30 at Village Hall. Music and Santa visits will be included.
• Nearly every community within the range of The Voice will tie together events of the holiday season. We at The Voice invite receiving community photos of such events. No, we do not apologize for not being everywhere to file a record of the events. We depend on community assistance, especially in this day of intelligent phones and recording devices. We offer community members a voice to make a record of community events.
• Festival of Lights from Aurora are in this week’s edition of The Voice from the Winter Festival Friday, Nov. 19. Additional festivals will include the annual Aurora Rotary Festival of Lights through Phillips Park in Aurora on the southeast side.
• Mooseheart, between Batavia and Aurora along State Route 31 will provide its 12th annual edition of the Holiday Lights Show beginning 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26 and offer a delightful 1.8-mile trip through Mooseheart, known as the Child City. The show will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening.
• Aurora University will present a musical, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Parking and admission are free.
• Clear and Concise, Week 47, Year 2: Genuine concern continues in reference to telling the truth. No, not a maternal admonition, although always relevant, however, we must insist honesty, candor, and truthfulness in society’s leaders, whether clergy, business leaders, elected representatives from president to assistant dog-catcher, or, any person with a voice to persuade. Our society functions better when we can understand and believe in the statements we read and hear. The last few years have been difficult for a wide range of us to have confidence in our leaders. It is sad to say it, admit it, and wonder where the rampant dishonesty and justification for such lies will lead us. A moral compass should be in our search without embarrassment.