Savors of the season

It’s that time again! The elections are over and the turkey digested. A certain Jolly Elf is loading his sleigh. Right here in Goochland County, a cornucopia of seasonal delights is overflowing with opportunities to get you into the holiday spirit.

Bethlehem Walk, sponsored by Salem Baptist Church, begins this afternoon, November 28 at 6 p.m. and runs through Sunday, December 2. The free event takes place at the Salem site on the south side of Broad Street Road a bit west of Centerville. For more information call 784-4171 or visit the website at www.salembaptistchurch.info  Go back to Bethlehem and remember that the real meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with maxing out a credit card.

On Saturday, December 1, Fire-Rescue Volunteers at both Centerville Company 3 and Fife Company 4 hold their annual breakfast with Santa. A hot cooked breakfast is prepared and served to all comers. The little ones get to have a chat with the aforementioned Elf. This is a great opportunity to meet our amazing volunteers.

In the afternoon, your Goochland Bulldogs football team will meet Wilson Memorial in the next step of the state playoffs. The game will be played in Fishersville, starting at 1 p.m. Listen live at ez100.5fm.com or WZEZ at 100.5 FM.

Later that day, the Field Day of the Past grounds on Ashland Road will be open and decorated for an old fashioned Christmas. Take a few minutes to walk back in time to a simpler era. This event is free of charge and a nice way to get some fresh air.

On Thursday, December 6, Grace Episcopal Church, located on River Road West in the heart of Goochland Courthouse Village, beginning at 7:30 PM EST,  will be host its annual free community music event featuring the Virginia Benefit Chorale. As always, the event is open to the public with the suggested donation of canned goods for the Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services. The evening activities will include a Choir Concert, the dedication of the Grace Church's new organ, and special organ recital by Charles Lindsey, organist and choirmaster of St Paul's Episcopal Church, Bristol Parish in Petersburg, Virginia. Virginia Benefit Chorale directed by Steve Davis will present numerous classical hymns and songs. They will be joined by Grace Episcopal Church's Sunday Choir.

On Friday, December 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Goochland Community Christmas Tree will be lit. Open to all, the event will take place on the corner of River Road West and Dickenson Drive on the grounds of the Goochland Young Men’s Christian Association site. (Note the “C” in YMCA. No politically correct whining about calling it a Christmas tree, please.)

Warm up your vocal chords to take part in the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah, which will be presented by the Richmond Symphony and Chorus at the Goochland High School at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 9. Made possible by the Goochland Rotary, proceeds will support local charities. For tickets ask any Rotarian or visit goochlandrotary.com.

On Saturday, December 15, the Goochland Christmas Mother distribution will take place. This fine grass roots organization, which helps those in need at Christmas, has had more applications than ever in our troubled economic times. If you are able, please send a donation to P. O. Box 322 Goochland, VA 23063. Visit goochlandchristmasmother.org for more information. Donations are welcome, and needed, all year long.

All this is happening right here in Goochland County!