Community Spirit in Christmases Past

It is that time of year when our personal calendars fill up with numerous family and community events, compting for our time. Lexington has been showing that community Christmas spirit with holiday decorations around town, school music programs, Christmas plays, the Giving Tree, and support of the Food Bank. News items from the past show us there was a pattern of Christmas events bringing people together here over the years:
Dec. 22, 1920 - The American Legion Elmo F. Hill Post 291 advertised in the Daily Pantagraph for a Christmas Dance to be given on Christmas Eve at the Amick Hall in Lexington. Music was to be performed by the Popejoy Orchestra. Dec. 21, 1923 - DP: -"Community Christmas is observed at Lexington. On account of the inclement weather, the plans for the K. of P. Community Christmas tree were changed. Mrs. Mary Shade offerred the use of the Scenic room, and the program was given there. A treat was given and five hundred sacks of candy and popcorn were given out."

Dec. 11, 1930 - (Unit-Journal Christmas Edition) - "Outdoor displays are an attractive feature in Lexington. Lexington has several outdoor Christmas decorations whiuch are attracting considerable attention this year. Among them are those to be seen at the home of F. W. Ward, Cleve Gearien, O. L. Hiser, Harlan Meely, Mrs. S. F. Strayer and L. B. Strayer. Besides the outdoor decorations, there are many beautifully lighted trees, stars and wreaths to be seen in some of the homes in Lexington as well as in the business houses. Lexington and community contributed $83.22 to the Welfare Fund of McLean County."

Dec. 8, 1941 - DP: "Lexington is planning a Christmas party; business firms of Lexington are planning an observance of Christmas for the community this year. Streets have been decorated with lights and illuminated stars. At each intersection, a Christmas canopy has been hung. Ivan Claudon and Mayor William Simpsen are in charge of the street decorations. A Christmas party with Santa Claus and treats for the children will be featured Saturday afternoon, December 20. Robert Haushalter is chairman of the Christmas Party."

Dec. 20, 1962 - A special Christmas edition of the Unit-Journal contained over fifty graphic Christmas greetings from businesses and individual businessmen here in Lexington.

Dec. 10, 1976 - DP: "The Lexington High School concert band and Heritage Choir will puerform in a Christmas concert at 12:30 p.m. Sunday in the school gymnasium. Directed by Dave Osenga, the band will perform numbers including 'Twelve Days of Christmas', 'Monotone Angel' and 'Paper Reeds'. The concert band will perform 'Sleigh Ride' and ' Hosanna in Excelsis'. Also singing will be a girls' trio of Cheryl Tibbs, Jill Brown and Sherry Zook. They will present 'O Holy Night'."

You might remember the Dickens tale 'A Christmas Carol' and its character Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter man who had no Christmas spirit or concern for others around him. This community has always been full of that spirit, without any evidence of a Mr. Scrooge to be found!