Athens —
Each holiday season, the plaza at Trinity Valley Community College becomes a new place, as lights are strung, and the tree goes up.
Three years ago, the college began its celebration of the season with a tree-lighting ceremony. Since then, the tree-lighting ceremony has become a tradition.
This year, TVCC is once again inviting the community to come out for refreshments, music and a little holiday cheer as the giant tree is lit.
This year's tree-lighting ceremony will start with live music from the TVCC band and choir programs at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 26. The lighting itself will be at 7 p.m. The ceremony and light refreshments will be offered free-of-charge, and the community is welcome to attend.
The event will take place in the Bob McDonald Plaza, which is located in the center of the Athens campus.
In addition to the musical groups, the TVCC Cardettes and the Cheerleaders will be involved in the festivities as well. And Santa Claus, himself, is expected to make an appearance.
The tree lighting will look the same as in past years. But there is one major change in the upcoming celebration: The person behind the scenes. With the retirement of the former event coordinator, Shawn Leis, the college's energy conservation specialist, has taken over the ceremony.
"I love Christmas, so I wanted to volunteer to do this. Christmas has always been a really cool time for me, and I am looking to share that with the college and the community," said Leis.
With the help of fellow TVCC employees Courtney Walker and Donna Godwin, Leis said the tree will have a much different look than in years past. The tree, which is being brought on campus, thanks to the help of Howdy Acres Tree Farm in Athens, is 25-feet tall.
"We wanted to start to move more toward a Rockefeller Center look," said Leis. "We want it to not just be decorating the tree, but also lighting the whole plaza for the holidays."
When the ceremony began, said Leis, the college adopted it on a trial basis. But the first years have been very successful. So over the past year, an in-ground, permanent tree stand was built by the welding students, and wiring for the decorations has been installed.
"The tree is here to stay, and we are glad," said Leis.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Santa marches into the crowd, accompanied by the Trinity Valley Community College Cheerleaders and Cardettes, at last year’s tree-lighting ceremony at the college. Once again this year, TVCC is inviting the public to attend the tree-lighting. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 26 on the college’s Athens campus. Courtesy photo
Discussion
Santa part of coming event
TVCC to stage tree-lighting ceremony with other attractions
- Local News
-
-
Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
-
Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
-
Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
-
Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
-
Area woman killed
A 49-year-old Mabank woman died as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle while walking on State Highway 198 in Payne Springs Friday night.
-
Lusk found guilty
A jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against 36 year-old Danny Ray Lusk for sexual misconduct involving two children.
Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said the punishment phase of the trial which began May 14 was set to begin Tuesday in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court. -
Keep Athens Beautiful celebrates 25 years
Keep Athens Beautiful (KAB) celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club last Friday night. The evening was hosted by Darwin Winfield (not pictured). Peggy Rhodes (left) presented Hugh Armstrong (second from the right) the Margaret Myers Award. Carol Morton (far right) presented two people with the Hall of Fame Award — Jerry Wadell and Victory Roberts (second and third from left). Margaret Myers is also pictured with the award winners, third from right. View additional photos from the event at www.athensreview.com.
-
Art hits the streets in Mabank
The Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth Mabank Festival and Art Show on Market Street in downtown Mabank this past weekend. Hundreds of people and more than 75 vendors attended the event. In addition to the artwork and other items for sale, there were food vendors and entertainment for children. View additional photos at www.athensreview.com.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
