Seeing the truck and the work crew busily installing the temporary light poles a few days ago in the vacant lot on the northeast side of U.S. 190 at the Girod Street intersection could mean only one thing: Jim is getting ready for his always popular, Jim's Trees Christmas tree operation.
That visible reminder provides a good segue into another important reminder: Christmas Past sponsored by your Old Mandeville Business Association is a lot closer with its sixth edition that you might think. It, of course, will take place on Girod Street from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 12th. The street will be lined on the west side from near the Mandeville Trailhead Cultural Interpretive Center to Lakeshore Drive with dozens of area artists and craftspeople offering a huge array of handmade and seasonal gift choices.
The always cooperative Mandeville Police Department will close the street and all the intersecting streets at 8:45 am and until 4 pm, Girod Street will become a pedestrian mall offering a supremely colorful stroll on a nice winter day.
The variety from vendors will again be amazing and tempting: cedar swings, dolls, recycled clothing, pottery, art in a variety of mediums, handmade toys, jewelry and on and on. On top of that, there will be booths showcasing our vast array of unique shops in Old Mandeville and food booths from some of our finest eating establishments.
December 12th is not as far away as you might think. As we all know, when November rolls around, the pace of living quickens, the lists of things to get done magnifies and the days seem to slide by at breakneck speed.
Before things start getting hectic, take a few moments and begin making that gift-giving list now - Uncle Steve, Aunt Betty, grandma and grandpa, the children, the spouse, closest of friends. Compile the list of names and if so inspired, even jot down an item or two that you feel might be perfect for each. Then bring yourself and your list to Christmas Past on December 12th, and chances are excellent you will leave with your shopping nearly complete.
There is so much more than just vendors and food.
There will be a variety of entertainment. Judy K's Studio will provide much of it with her students dressed in Charles Dickens' era outfits, performing at mid-morning on the street beside Vianne's Tea Salon & Cafe and, later in the afternoon, on the street beside Nuvolari's Restaurant.
There will be in an early afternoon Scrooge Shouting Contest, which should bring out those who are convinced they can shout "Bah Humbug" with more conviction than Dickens would have ever imagined from his character Ebeneezer Scrooge.
In case we forget, perhaps the most important person in all of this will be there, Santa Claus. He will stroll the street and make an appearance in the afternoon at a special Letters To Santa Station along Girod Street.
This is perfect time to stress that Christmas Past sponsored by your Old Mandeville Business Association is totally child friendly. The kids can pause and we will provide stationery, an envelope and pencils so they can sit at tables and write letters and put them in a special North Pole only mailbox that will be there. Meanwhile, Santa will be on hand for pictures, distributing treats and, we suspect, taking the letters along as he bids us adieu for a speedy return to the North Pole.
This all takes a lot of work, and an energetic committee of members of your Old Mandeville Business Association headed by board member Richard Boyd has been meeting on a regular basis to plan all the various aspects of the event.
Among those ably assisting in the planning have been Julie Egle, Russ and Judy Krogsgard, Sheri Wilkins, Troi Kite, Tess Dennie, Leah Edmunds, Israel Strain, Trina and Ted Pullig among others and your OMBA president.
Richard, Sheri, Troi and I have also been meeting on a regular basis with Marlaine Peachey, Police Chief Ron Ruple, Councilwoman Trilby Lenfant and Lorraine Mayhal to coordinate our Christmas Past with the city's annual “Winter on the Water.” We express our deep appreciation to all of them for their help and support.
The city event will take place shortly after 4 pm, shifting attention to the Mandeville lakefront as our Christmas Past vendors begin taking down their booths and the street is opened again to traffic. This year the city is not having a Christmas parade, and all activities will center on the public gazebo just west of Lafitte Street.
These will include interim Mayor Bubby Lyons turning on the lights in the live oaks, music by church choirs and school choirs and a concert by Benny Grunch & The Bunch. At dark there will be the always exciting and colorful lighted boat parade coordinated by the Pontchartrain Yacht Club for the city. It will pass along the lakefront and past the gazebo area.
OMBA veterans such as Kerri Blache, who actually started the first event with husband Michael at their Vianne’s Tea Salon, conceived Christmas Past six years ago. The next year it was expanded and became an event of your Old Mandeville Business Association under the guidance of Rick and Tess Dennie, Sheila Goodson and many others.
The concept is to pay homage to the Victorian English era in which Dickens lived and wrote. Many of your fellow OMBA members always come decked out onto the street that day in attire harking back to the times of Dickens. And while it is not required, even our visiting vendors are always encouraged to dress in styles of that era.
If Christmas Past and “Winter on the Water” are not enough, your OMBA, as always, will sponsor the seasonal decorating contest under the direction of OMBA Vice President-Membership Carol Self.
That event encourages both residents and businesses in the area from Carroll to Lamarque Streets between U.S. 190 and the lakefront to attractively decorate for the season with plenty of colorful arrangements and lights. Judges will take to the street after dark on December 12th to pick category winners, who will be rewarded with Mandy Money certificates.
Also through all of November and the first week of December, look for Egle and Boyd holding down a table each Saturday at the Trailhead Community Market. They will be selling one dollar raffle tickets for a new bicycle or big basket filled with holiday spirits as part of Christmas Past.
A Reminder! If you read this before November 8th please note that OMBA's Empty Bowl - Fill the Bowl Project has been moved from the Trailhead to the parking lot of Good Earth Market & Cafe at 820 Girod St. From 5 to 7:30 pm soups from some 15 of our best restaurants will be served in handmade bowls, and music will be provided by the guitar trio called Twangorama. It costs $25 for all you can eat, and you keep the unique bowl.