So what's a little sleet, a little snow, a plug that does not work  and a delayed Santa got to do with it? The Holiday Tree Lighting was a fabulous event. Begining in the middle of yesterday's  light snow, children congregated around the tree, adding decorations and bows to the pre wired tree until it was too dark to see. Thank you Dennis Thornton for organizing the putting up the lights. .
While Travis Clever and Gina Guzman  set up hot drinks under the over hanging door of their vans, Lisa Macdonald and her two great helpers set put donuts( thanks you Dunkin' Donuts) and the home baked treats others had brought.
It snowed. It looked magical. More folks came. The EMT's came in a with that aura of competence they sport, but only for the cookies- no need of their professional services tonight!
We  got snowed on. Myra Phelps led us all in carolling. The snow turned to rain. We sang. It got dark. We sang. We got wet. And the cider would not heat up.
 Finally, common sense won out over Curier and Ives engravings and  after an announcement from Travis, everyone trooped into the Carroll Baldwin Hall. Much milling, greeting old friends and drinking of apple juice.  
Janis Markopoulos kept calling on her phone frantically- she had arranged for her company, Kitts Music, to deliver a "pre-owned" and blessedly in tune, piano to the hall, but the delivery guys were late. No matter.
Members of the Saint Mary's Orthodox choir came and sang carols on stage a cappella. There was even one in Arabic! Their bright faces and sweet voices shone to advantage.
Finally, the tree lit up! In bright colors and filled with ribbons and carefully placed decorations( older brothers had hoisted younger sisters to get the decorations on the higer branches)
So naturally, at this time of year, wherever there is good fellowship, kind hearts, sweet melodies and grace, Santa appears. Escorted by his other co-hort of elves( who among us does not think fire fighters and EMT's magical) our favorite jolly old elf came to say hi, and to  take pictures with the kids. One child dashed back into the hall for cookies and presented them with much freathless fanfare- we know who's getting a little extra in his stocking this month!
In so many ways this is what is most endearing, what is best about Savage: we help each other out; we extend a hand in friendship to share our best;  when things go a bit kablooie, we deal with it and move on, and at the end- everyone has a great time.
Special thaks and good wishes to all who came, to all who sang, to all who worked behind the scenes, to all who worked on-stage, to those who , hauling their tired, wet and wonderful children home, wished everyone a Merry Christmas.