Community Service
Posted by JLeigh Carroll
Braselton Christmas Tree Lightning
Rotary Chipmunks Band
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Christmas Tree Gift Bags Assembly
BRASELTON - Santa Claus came to town on Saturday for the annual tree-lighting event which also featured entertainment, holiday story time and snow. Yes, snow.
Well, not actually real snow – although temperatures fell when the sun went down, but snow-like bubbles delivered from atop of the Braselton Brothers Store complex building where firefighters of the West Jackson Fire Department manned the “snow” blowers and also flipped the switch for the town’s rooftop tree as Santa’s verbal command.
The program got under way with organizers Jennifer Kidd and Tracy Brandenburg, sporting elves caps with large ears, introducing Rotary Club of Braselton president Leigh Carroll, who was decked out in bright red shirt emblazoned with a yellow “A” since was portraying Alvin of the Chipmunks. Manager Dave Seville, portrayed by Rotarian Nathaniel Langley, introduced other Chipmunks, Theodore, played by Aimee Souto, and Simon, portrayed by Abbye Love. A Rotarian “band” of Chipmunks entertained with a lip-synching presentation of “Christmas Don’t Be Late.”
The Salvation Army red kettle holiday tradition was also rung in as Braselton Mayor Bill Orr, a Braselton Rotarian with wife Garol as they own 101 Mobility, reflected on the previous day’s terroristic attacks in Paris.
“We are so blessed in our town,” said Orr, who noted that one of the greatest things of late is “building up of this area of our town” which was began six years ago. It has been envisioned for longer and Orr said it was good to “come together to celebrate.”
In the season of giving, Orr said the Salvation Army is an organization he has known about all his life with the ringing of the bell and the red kettle serving as a call to arms to provide for those less fortunate in the community. He said likely most people have heard the bell ringing, rung the bell themselves or dropped a dollar into a kettle.
Orr said he wanted to recognize two area residents whose unselfish work and giving exemplify the spirit of the season. He said Martha Martin is a giver of herself who has raised money and supported many causes in her community and beyond. He also acknowledged Paul Maney as “a silent leader in our community” who is involved quietly and behind the scenes in many endeavors which benefit others. Both are members of the Rotary Club of Braselton, a sponsor of the Tree Lighting event.
The tribute to the tradition of the season in Braselton was explained by Martha Martin, who once worked at the Braselton Brothers Store. The longtime history of welcoming the holiday season on the second weekend in November when the store would begin showcasing its holiday offerings was shared by Martin, a charter member of the Braselton Rotary Club and a well-known raffle ticket saleswoman.
A plain paper bag contained a piece or two of fruit – a real treat in years past when times were hard in an agrarian community – and a couple of pieces of peppermint candy, have been made available during the Braselton holiday celebration and the Rotary Club continues that tradition.
Well, not actually real snow – although temperatures fell when the sun went down, but snow-like bubbles delivered from atop of the Braselton Brothers Store complex building where firefighters of the West Jackson Fire Department manned the “snow” blowers and also flipped the switch for the town’s rooftop tree as Santa’s verbal command.
The program got under way with organizers Jennifer Kidd and Tracy Brandenburg, sporting elves caps with large ears, introducing Rotary Club of Braselton president Leigh Carroll, who was decked out in bright red shirt emblazoned with a yellow “A” since was portraying Alvin of the Chipmunks. Manager Dave Seville, portrayed by Rotarian Nathaniel Langley, introduced other Chipmunks, Theodore, played by Aimee Souto, and Simon, portrayed by Abbye Love. A Rotarian “band” of Chipmunks entertained with a lip-synching presentation of “Christmas Don’t Be Late.”
The Salvation Army red kettle holiday tradition was also rung in as Braselton Mayor Bill Orr, a Braselton Rotarian with wife Garol as they own 101 Mobility, reflected on the previous day’s terroristic attacks in Paris.
“We are so blessed in our town,” said Orr, who noted that one of the greatest things of late is “building up of this area of our town” which was began six years ago. It has been envisioned for longer and Orr said it was good to “come together to celebrate.”
In the season of giving, Orr said the Salvation Army is an organization he has known about all his life with the ringing of the bell and the red kettle serving as a call to arms to provide for those less fortunate in the community. He said likely most people have heard the bell ringing, rung the bell themselves or dropped a dollar into a kettle.
Orr said he wanted to recognize two area residents whose unselfish work and giving exemplify the spirit of the season. He said Martha Martin is a giver of herself who has raised money and supported many causes in her community and beyond. He also acknowledged Paul Maney as “a silent leader in our community” who is involved quietly and behind the scenes in many endeavors which benefit others. Both are members of the Rotary Club of Braselton, a sponsor of the Tree Lighting event.
The tribute to the tradition of the season in Braselton was explained by Martha Martin, who once worked at the Braselton Brothers Store. The longtime history of welcoming the holiday season on the second weekend in November when the store would begin showcasing its holiday offerings was shared by Martin, a charter member of the Braselton Rotary Club and a well-known raffle ticket saleswoman.
A plain paper bag contained a piece or two of fruit – a real treat in years past when times were hard in an agrarian community – and a couple of pieces of peppermint candy, have been made available during the Braselton holiday celebration and the Rotary Club continues that tradition.
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