By mentioning the Nativity of The Lord and Savior of the World!!!!
But if you are offended, we say to you NUTS! (Thanks Jeremy!)
What else do we have to say on the subject? Not much except, Keep At It – To The Morris Family!
And Finally, this lucid thought that appeared in the Comments of the local Daily Rag that poses as a newspaper…
(Thanks Brent Regan!)
“I used to love it when my parents drove us kids around to see the Christmas lights, a tradition my wife and I continued when our kids were young. Those memories are priceless to me and them.
About this time last year Jeremy brought a cotton candy machine to my shop and I helped him to get it working. I also volunteered at last years event to make cotton candy for the kids. Many of them had never tasted it before and their happy expressions were wonderful. Other volunteers passed out free hot chocolate, guided traffic and made sure people stayed off the neighbor’s property. Dolly the camel was there with her professional handler and only visited for a couple of hours. Carrots were provided if the kids wanted to feed her. A donation box was set up and all donations went to local charities including one for children with cancer.
So the facts are that the “event” runs from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (two hours) for 5 nights. It takes place outside city limits. Volunteers provide traffic control and guide people to and from the area. Last year there were NO adverse incidents. Everything was provided for free and all monies donated were given to local charities. Last year hundreds of children came with their parents and everyone enjoyed themselves. Nothing in the HAO rules prohibits this. What exactly is so horrible? Nobody complains when Mr. Hagadone puts lights on his house.
This year the event will undoubtedly be bigger BECAUSE of the HOA actions and the “Streisand Effect” so you can’t really feel sorry for them.
It is funny that the press got caught flat footed on this story and are now backpedaling with a conspiratorial “media strategy” spin. Guys, news flash, it’s Christmas and people sometimes do nice things without expecting anything in return. Feel the joy and share it.
Merry Christmas!”
P.S.: Here’s information on the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/808200045944435/
I would like to thank “Chester,” whomever he/she may be for offering his/her moral support as we bring our community together at Christmastime in celebration of America’s Christian heritage.
I’m particularly grateful to Brent Regan for his friendship and guidance. Yes— Brent did fix my antique cotton candy machine which was given to me by my grandfather, Donald Aderman– A hero who fought bravely in Italy during WWII. I am thrilled that the secret is out and I can finally give Brent the credit that he deserves. (He was a bit reluctant to tell anyone. Last year, after fixing the machine, he quipped in traditional Brent Regan-style, “Don’t tell anyone because I wouldn’t want everyone with cotton candy machines making the trek up here and asking me to repair their cotton candy machines.” Of course, in reality– Brent didn’t want anyone to know because he’s a believer in Ronald Reagan’s famous adage, “There’s no limit to what you can do as long as you don’t mind who gets the credit.” Brent cares about results– not who gets the points on the scorecard.
But what is perhaps most remarkable is that at the time Brent repaired my machine, neither he nor I were aware that the cotton candy machine would ultimately be at the center of a small idea that led to a bigger idea, which ultimately led to a national story.
After fixing the machine I noted to my wife Kristy that I should put the machine outside our home during Christmas to make cotton candy for kids in the neighborhood. I thought hot chocolate would also be nice. My wife suggested that I contact some local charities and maybe we could raise a few dollars for local kids. I started a Facebook group and had 917 families confirm on Facebook within 6 days. In a panic, we located a camel, a 22 person choir, and as many “vigil candles” as we could get our hands on.
This was the genesis of an annual event. A simple act of kindness by a friend fixing a cotton candy machine. Isn’t it amazing. One never knows how a single person’s generosity can affect so many other people.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Morris
[Note from Chester: Glad to help Jeremy! Hope the whole county shows up and that you can do it again next year. To those who try to take Christ out of Christmas, we join you in saying NUTS!]