TheDeltaDirt.com

I have seen this 1,000 times and it never gets old. I think Billy Perry or Guy Ray should seriously consider something along these lines for Christmas 2008.

The Griswolds on Christmas Vacation in Jackson Hole: Anna, Thomas, Durden, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Susan. Well, the fam just got back from Jackson Hole, all in one piece. The trip was great. We skied three days, snowmobiled one, and traveled for two. I have never been to Wyoming, but after our visit, I would love to go back. The Grand Tetons are absolutely breathtaking this time of year and everywhere I looked reminded me of a Currier and Ives print. It was also very cold. It got down close to 0° F at night and stayed in the teens during the day. At 42° currently in Greenwood, I feel like I am at the beach, comparatively. Losing a week out of the Christmas holidays has also put me WAY behind on Christmas shopping, which I have only six days left to do. I guess panicked shopping is what the holidays are all about. That and Jesus.

Editor's Note: Since Here's Greenwood! didn't make it out this month due to an editor's illness, The Delta Dirt will play host to this piece with an ending quote by DD founder Thomas Gregory: First Presbyterian Singing Christmas Tree On Dec. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. families will gather again downtown for one of their favorite Christmas traditions – the First Presbyterian Church Singing Christmas Tree. About 100 choristers and several thousand lights from the human tree will ignite Greenwood with holiday spirit for the 27th year in a row. Singers will begin stacking the 20-foot scaffold, twinkling with silver tinsel, while entertaining with secular Christmas tune. Once in place, they will serenade with songs dedicated to the story of the birth of Christ and sometimes invite the crowd to sing along. The outdoor spectacle, set up in the parking lot between two of the church's buildings, always attracts a few hundred people, even in uncomfortable weather. Although for hea...

Well, Christmas has come early for me. After taking my last exam today, I can honestly say that the weight of the world has been lifted off my back. The next month will consist of snow skiing, sleeping too much, hanging out with family and friends, and watching Christmas movies like A Charlie Brown Christmas . If the video above brings back fond childhood memories, I suggest you purchase the A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. I own it and can say without hesitation that it is my favorite Christmas album of all time. If you like jazz, the Peanuts gang, and remembering when Christmas was much less commercialized, then I think you will agree with me (and Charlie Brown). I will hopefully be blogging more frequently over the next few weeks since I will have some disposable time over the holidays. In the meantime, if you have any story suggestions or funny photos, you can email me. If you have comments, leave them on the blog. Hope to see everyone over...

Top: Band pictures courtesy Beth Stevens/ Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. Bottom: Thomas Gregory, Peyton Yeoman, Shirley Bates, Robyn Jones and Garry Graves pose with Bugs Bunny at the 2006 Roy Martin Delta Band Festival. The Roy D. Martin Delta Band Festival is the largest and longest running Christmas parade in the State of Mississippi. Serving as Grand Marshall of the 72nd edition of this Greenwood Christmas tradition is Viola Brown Sanders, a retired captain in the U.S. Navy. Schedule of Events for the Day: 10:30 a.m. - Civic Center Floor Show and Percussion Explosion with performances by marching bands from Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 1:00 p.m. - Beauties Reception honoring Miss Mississippi and Miss Mississippi Hospitality 2007 at Revilee, the home of Lee Abraham on Grand Blvd. All high school and junior high girls are invited to attend. 3:30 p.m. - The Christmas Parade begins in historic downtown Greenwood, fini...