FORSYTH — A reindeer named Merry didn’t want to miss Rudolph’s Village Market in Forsyth.
Merry the reindeer is a popular attraction at Forsyth's Rudolph’s Village Market, an annual event filled with holiday activities for the young and young at heart to enjoy.
People are also reading…
Cousins Garrett Hyde, left, Brielle Harnacke, center, and Gracie Hyde visit the craft area a the Rudolph’s Village Market in Forsyth.
During the Richland Community College Holiday Market, the college promoted the horticulture department while encouraging others to holiday shop.
Raziyeh Zabehi sold decorative sweets for her company, R&J Fancy Foods, during the Richland Community College Holiday Market. “We are in the farmer’s markets in the summer,” she said.
Handmade gifts were also the specialty for the Blue Mound Cranberry Christmas, including for Zara Meadows who brought products from the Animal Den from Urbana.
Lindsey Parker attended the Blue Mound Cranberry Christmas this weekend with her products, including 3D characters and products, made through her company, Violet’s Boutique, located in Effingham.
21 YEARS AGO: The holiday season in Decatur
Ups and downs
UPS AND DOWNS: Making it easier to climb back up the Nelson Park Golf Course hill, Danielle Rubin, 9, of Mount Zion follows her initial path before taking a second ride.
Visitors get a glimpse at holiday of yesteryear
CHRISTMAS CHEER: Kaylie Ruderman, 2, of Decatur, above, gives Santa a hug at the 'Christmas on the Prairie' program.
Anchored in Decatur
BACK HOME: During his first holiday season in Decatur after a 28-year Navy career, Smith shares a laugh with a neighbor while adjusting Christmas lights on his fence at his home.
Santa Sighting
Twin brothers Tarvez, left, and Tedvez Smith, 8, react to Santa's question as to whether they had been good or bad this year. Santa, played by Carthell Jones of Decatur, made an appearance at the Decatur Boys & Girls Club, during the annual Christmas dance.
Angels Sing on High
The annual Vespers program returns to the Kirkland Fine Arts Center next month.
Yule weed offers holiday smile
HOLIDAY CHEER: Along William Street Road, east of Brush College Road, a 5-foot-tall weed has become a festive Christmas tree with the help of someone with the holiday spirit .
Bell ringing becomes family tradition for the Wrights
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Salvation Army bell ringers, from left, James Wright Jr., his son, Vince Wright, and his grandson, Chris Wright.
Workers watch kettle to help others
BELL RINGER: 'I do this because I believe in helping people in need,' Salvation Army bell ringer James Reedy, left, says. Reedy was helping Decatur resident Jamie Heise and son Jordan, 2, with their donation at Cub Foods.
Millikin sophomore Holly Bakkelund
Millikin sophomore Holly Bakkelund, left, sings "Silent Night" in French as residents of Cedarwood Health Care Center listen.
Barr family lights up the season
LIGHT SHOW: The lighting display set up by James Barr, left, and his brother Clyde have become a holiday tradition in Altamont. The two men began work this year in October.
IBEW donates toys to Salvation Army project
GIFTS OF TOYS: Michael Carrigan, right, and John Koehler, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146, look over toys that the labor union is donating to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree project.
Christmas 'weed' trimmed -- with lights from 'elf squad'
'ELVES' DISCOVERED: Kathryn Maple of LaPlace and Hollie Cooper of Cerro Gordo have came forth and related they had been decorating the East William Street Christmas weed. The workers were busy adding a battery-powered string of snowman lights to the weed which has become a Christmas inspiration to some.
Decorators discovered
DECORATORS DISCOVERED: Kathryn Maple of LaPlace, right, and Hollie Cooper of Cerro Gordo race across East William Street to add a battery operated string of snowman lights to their handy work on the national famous Christmas weed. What started as a joke between the co-workers has turned into an inspirational symbol of the Christmas spirit to Central Illinois.
All is calm, all is bright
RESIDENTIAL WINNER: Robert DeCota's display at 5415 W. Lindale Drive won this year's Decatur Jaycees Christmas lights trophy.
Medieval Meridian
A history lesson came to life at Meridian Middle School in Blue Mound, where students dressed up in period attire, ate and played games. Jester Rachelle Renfro, standing at left, chats with Prince Brandon Stringer and Queen Mindy Neff as jester Corey Trimble, far right, entertains King Andy Dillion.
Keeping busy
TIME TO MAKE COOKIES: Beth Fiala knows what to do with four vacationing pupils during the holidays. Kylie, a first-grader, Kim a fifth-grader, Kristy, an eighth-grader and Kaela, a third grader, broke out the sugar, flour and the rolling pin to bake holiday cookies. 12.23.98
Quick take
Kim, Kylie, Kristy and Kaela Fiala know cookies are fun.
Mount Zion Christmas
MOUNT ZION CHRISTMAS: Mount Zion High School senior Nik Good eyes a row of lights he has placed in front of 4-Star Insurance Co. in Mount Zion. Good and members of the high school art club have decorated the insurance building with holiday decor, some of which they created themselves.
Decatur Memorial Santas give holiday happiness
GETTING READY TO GO: Jan Hayes and Deana Clements. front, work with David Overlot, Tony Custin and Lisa Fowler to prepare Christmas gifts for distribution to families in need. All are members of the hospital's C.A.R.E.S. Adopt-A -Family program.
Rev. West's light shines at Kwanzaa event
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL: Kimberly Jackson, left, and Evelyn Hood look over a book on Kwanzaa at the African-American Cultural and Genealogical Societyof Illinois Inc. office in Decatur.
Christmas Tea
X-MAS TEA: For his portrayal of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Southeast School student Tyler Jenkins, left, didn't have to recite any lines or sing any solos; he just had to don the antlers as his classmates sang the holiday classic. Standing to the right of Jenkins is classmate Caleb Greenwell.
Christmas program
X-MAS PROGRAM: Mount Zion United Methodist preschool teacher Arlene Lamb, center, conducts the preschool class as they sing the song "S-A-N-T-A" during practice.
Couple makes tree search a yearly event
O CHRISTMAS TREE: While husband David Lowery looks on, Christine Lowery of Decatur adjusts decorations on the 13-foot Christmas tree on the deck of their home.
One of the biggest sellers
DOLLS: Kmart manager Larry Mayberry stocks one of the holiday season's big sellers, Casey Cartwheel, at the Pershing Road Kmart.
Zoo becomes 'Wildlife Wonderland'
ZOO-RIFFIC: Jordan Morey of Decatur along with Kyle and Morgan Leckrone admire the lighting of "Wildlife Wonderland" at Scovill Zoo. Over 65,000 lights make up this years display, which was created by Marty Bayless. The display can be seen nightly through Jan. 1.
Celebration brings people together at Richland
CELEBRATING LIFE: Richland Community College student Cassandra Abdullah lights the candle of Imani, or faith, during the 1998 Kawanzaa celebration at the Shilling Center.
Quick Take
BASHFUL: Nicholas Anderson, 5, was a little bashful Sunday in meeting Jolly Old Saint Nick at the Macon County Historical Society's 'Christmas on the Prairie' program.
Visitors get a glimpse at holiday of yesteryear
At top, Girls Scout Troop 171 members Kendra Ostrander and Gwen Bafford listen as they participate in the Christmas on the Prairie program sponsored by the Macon County Historical Society and Prairie Village.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Donnette Beckett
"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
