Everett’s Christmas, December 13, 2015 (full size gallery)
This is not a Christmas party but a Christmas experience. In every room in the Everett household you are surrounded by Christmas. It is challenging just to see everything. And their collection is still expanding! There were at least 4 new items this Christmas, shown in the pictures
Woody and Minnie compete to see who is the official greeter but a vote is in for Minnie. The living room has a gigantic tree, a decorated Christmas mantle and a large screen TV with continuous Christmas hits. Then moving into the hall is the real treat – the old Christmas village with churches, hotels, stores, and moveable Christmas rides. It is an assault on the senses! There are three tables, most on permanent exhibit through the year but covered.
There is a separate home attached with a inground pool covered over for Christmas. In this room are larger Christmas exhibits, including a manger scene, Santa in a balloon and a wire Christmas tree. (Don’t even try to count the trees in this house!). A long table was set for dinner. Woody counted 44 this year, slightly above the last two years at 42 and 44
We began with cheese and crackers, shrimp and wine and then the family prayer. Dinnner was a covered dish of venison, barbecue, turkey and gravy and too many vegetable casseroles to count
We sang happy birthday to Cherry and Mr. Griner celebrating this year. As the dinner ended, Helmut began a series of Christmas favorites on the violin helped by a former student and Jim Heimbach on the keys.
At the end we processed to their dining room where there was an ornament for each us This room has all the Santas from all over the world.
If this party doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit than nothing will. Hats off to the Everetts for continuing the tradition and all who came to partake.