Sometimes the best Journeys are the ones leading you home………….
Back in the second week of November someone came up with an idea for a Holiday Homecoming Celebration to run concurrent with Small Business Saturday, the 25th of November. A very small group of volunteers including Sparky and myself, met to brainstorm, plan and work furiously to pull this event together in a matter of two and a half weeks. The result was what we all experienced this past Saturday. Luminaries in the majority of businesses up and down Clark St., which is our main street here in Republic. Store front windows beautifully lighted and decorated. Bags of candy donated by a very kindhearted woman and packaged by several friends, were passed out to all the children. Crafts for kids at the lovely Northern Inn. A beautiful Christmas Tree in the center of town with colorful lights. The tree also was graciously donated. A huge solid metal tree stand was constructed by a volunteer. Carolers lead by our Republic school music teacher sang around the tree at Eich’s Merchantile. A mystery guitarist arrived to provide accompaniment to the carolers. Swedish Fire Logs were a blaze on the street corners. Sparky made the logs from donated wood. A wonderful display of Candy Canes, Evergreens and Reindeer pulling the old Mining Car was created in front of the college parking lot. Tony and Amber from Wild West Feed Store brought in some of their farm animals for the kids to see as if these two young folks were not already busy enough! And most exciting of all was Santa himself along with Mrs. Claus riding into town in a Fire Truck escorted by 2 Police cars with lights and sirens signaling their arrival! The fire truck was my not so original idea based on experience back in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus patiently and with much care, listened to an amazing number of children whispering their wishes for Christmas. From the looks on both the children’s faces and their parents, plus the numerous photos taken we have to think this event was well appreciated and it will continue to grow and be repeated next year!
We may have been a small group of volunteers, in a very small town, but we had the backing and support of a large number of individuals and businesses. Every single one we approached said “yes!” What an out pouring of community unity!
Won’t you come along with me as I introduce you to my adopted Hometown and some of the wonderful people who are dedicated to making Republic, Washington the best this little town can be!
Dan getting those Swedish Fire Logs going!
Success! And they were wildly popular!
The animals at Wild West Feed were a hit with the kids.
Isn’t this just adorable? Tony says these are sheep. I thought they were goats. Shows you how little I know!
Please meet Carla. Full of Christmas spirit, she is the owner of Tagg’s clothing store. Carla and Shirley made sure Santa and Mrs. Claus were appropriately attired!
Gold Mountain Gallery is our fine Artisan Store. Beautiful displays of the talents of our local artists. Staffed by volunteers, that’s Teri working today. She is actually weaving while manning the shop. ( BTW….I covet that table!) Our community has an incredible number of talented artists.
This is Ron and Brenda of The Wolf’s Den. A year ago they took a risk and opened a craft store so people could shop locally. Their business grew and they had to move to a larger location, still on Clark Street. They truly have some Holiday Spirit going on!
Arwen is the proprietor of The Outfitters. Yes, she sells clothing but the quilters, knitters, spinners and embroideries meet there to enjoy a social as well as informative time together. This year Arwen sponsored our first Gingerbread House contest and had multiple entries. A wonderful young entrepreneur!
Here’s a sample of the houses entered. Youth, teen and adults categories. Dan and I will be entering next year!
Coffee anyone? The aroma is addictive and the coffee is delicious. This is Kayla, the owner and operator of Sparky’s Coffee House ( no relation to MY Sparky!) Her shop is filled with gifts and treasures to peruse and purchase while enjoying your Latte.
Mary along with her husband and friends made candy canes from donated PVC pipe. She went out into the woods and cut pine boughs at one point finding herself in a ditch. “I knew no one was around so I figured I had to get myself out.” That’s an old mining car on top as Republic was and is a gold mining town. Filled with brightly decorated packages and being pulled by reindeer!
Cowboys and Cowgirls? Yep…we got ’em here! And they are the real deal. Hard working ranchers in town for the evening.
And then the lights on the tree were turned on!
As the darkness grew, the Carols were sung and the mystery guitar man played on!
The town Cub Scouts served Hot Chocolate and cookies. Just look at those cute faces!
By Republic standards, we had a huge crowd!
And pretty much everyone was there for one special reason!
And here he is! SANTA CLAUS! Santa came roaring down the street in the fire truck with a Police Car in front and one behind him. Sirens blaring and lights all flashing!
And here they come!
Santa and the Missus sat, listened and spoke to every child present. Each child was given a candy cane by Mrs. Claus.
Is this not just perfect? Just perfect!
This really tickled me. Nope, you’re never to old for Santa Claus!
And this, dear friends is how we do things up here in the mountains of Northeast Washington State. We don’t have the flash and dash of the city where everything is “prettified.” What we have is real. Real folks, real caring, real hard workers and a real heart. Yep, this is how we do things in the back of the beyond. Some day, I hope you will pay us a visit. Escape the big city lights for some quiet rural beauty and experience the true meaning of community.
Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me prattle on.
Wherever your Journey leads you today, I hope you are blessed with the spirit of caring, a community that pulls together to support each other and truly remember the reason for the season.
Journey On!
Oh….and don’t ever stop believing in Santa Claus because he is real! I saw him myself last Saturday in Republic, Washington!
Hugs and much love from me,
Karen, TJG
PS: Be sure to visit my website, www.thejourneygirl.com. I love hearing from you all.
As always loved this and loved the pictures.
Thank you Sharon!