Morrison residents, young and not so young, friends and pets gather at the Community Church Parsonage, Friday December 8 at 6 p.m.., to continue our traditional candle light sharing the Good News of Christmas.

Light refreshments and neighborly renewals are enjoyed as the group informally organizes. Song scripts and candlelights are distributed. A designated leader rounds us up, describes the route and event stops. A carol is designated, the key hummed and off we go.

Past shops & restaurants, children enjoy edible offerings. Crossing Bear Creek Ave., the first stop is the newly decorated Town Plaza where the mayor officiates at the first time Town tree lighting - no speeches!

Continuing on to the VFW Memorial Plaza we join town musicians and catch up carolers. Buoyed by roasted chestnuts, egg nog and hot coffee we run through our complete register with encores as demanded.

Reorganized, we troop across our brilliantly decorated one lane bridge (survivor of the 1933 and 1938 Cloudbursts) and take a deep breath for the luminare guided hike to the Bear Creek Nursing Home andRehabilitation Center where we traditionally share the good news with residents, staff and guests.

To mark the event, Sandy Hill has planned a tree lighting and bell tolling event (the rediscovered 1879 elementary school bell). We follow with a once around the rooms to assure all residents have shared our best wishes.

Sharing the season's blessings is a splendid way to kick off the Christmas season.

Many thanks to the Community Church, merchants, musicians, volunteers and residents who continue to participate in this community event.

Bill Leonard is a Morrison resident.