West: Thanksgiving eliminated?

By MIKE WEST

Seems like yesterday was Halloween (and a cold one it was) and looks like Christmas is nearly here. Burrrrrr.
Yep, I'm intentionally skipping Thanksgiving. You can blame that on my family(s) tendency to travel everywhere and anywhere for that particular holiday.

Once upon a time, all the restaurants in at least Middle Tennessee were closed for Thanksgiving. Nowadays, many of them are open and very crowded and crammed with families not celebrating Thanksgiving at home. Whew!
So, I'm thinking about country ham and eggs at home. Sounds good doesn't it?

What I am really looking forward to is the upcoming Cannon Country Christmas. It's a blast and would put the world's biggest Scrooge in the mood for the holidays.

Last Country Christmas, I was fighting a cold and the weather was a little nasty, but that's ancient history. But I still had a great time. Remember that!

Why? Because Woodbury is a little different and I don't mean that in a bad way. For the most part, people are friendly and sincere when it comes to dealing with the public. S-I-N-C-E-R-E was the most important word in the previous sentence.

Folks around here are sincerely happy to see you and welcome your visit to their shops which are all decked out for Christmas. Shop owners and employees go out of their way to help you instead of turning tail and running like they do in other burgs. And everyone seems to share that excitement from age 2 to 92.

You just can't avoid the happy grins wreathing every face. Even the grumps seem to enjoy Country Christmas. (Maybe its just their shoes hurting their feet?)

That's not to say you will find the latest and greatest gift on little Johnny or Susie's Christmas list, but you will find any number of unique items. It's fun! And did I mention refreshments? Delicious free food will attract you to all the shops. (Yep, my secret is out. I like the grub.)

So .... don't miss it.

The 2014 Cannon Country Christmas Open House on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22 in Woodbury.

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While we are on the topic of Christmas, let us not forget another big day that's on the way and that's the Crafts Artists Holiday Sale, Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Arts Center of Cannon County. Over 30 artists will be participating so plan on coming early for best selection. Admission is free and open to the public. Holiday bazaar hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for one day only. For additional information call 615-563-2787.

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And don't forget an even bigger event.... The annual Lions Club Day on Saturday, Dec. 6.

That day kicks off with Pancake Breakfast With Santa at 7 to 10 a.m. at the Lions Club building. The annual Christmas Parade kicks off at noon that same day. If you or your group are interested in participating the cost is free, but you have to pre-register at the UT Extension Office on Lehman Street. And remember ... no four wheelers are allowed in the parade.

Lions Day will conclude with the annual Tour of Homes from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets (and maps of the locations) will be available at the Lions Club Building.