You’ll notice downtown Columbia aglow at night for Christmas. It’s really a sight to behold as you make your way through the streets after dark. It’s one more thing that makes our town beautiful.
But the most remarkable thing is how many of those lights got there. A lot of hard work, volunteering and fundraising went into decorating Columbia for the season. Lights began going up before Thanksgiving.
A combination of volunteer, city and Main Street efforts have gone into lighting the night. The Columbia Board of Aldermen and Main Street Columbia Inc. put up money for the efforts. Mayor Justin McKenzie was even spotted hanging decorations from a bucket truck.
But what is so special about the decorations is the efforts of community volunteers, determined to make Christmas bright for all. Folks from all walks of life have given their time, energy and money to make sure it’s a Christmas to remember for those who visit.
Mayor McKenzie invited people to meet in his office several weeks ago after the city and Main Street agreed to contribute money to the efforts. The room was packed with folks eager to help.
I was privileged to be in on several of the discussions and enjoyed looking at catalogs full of lights. Tireless efforts have come from folks such as Mark Carithers and Maria and Joe Joe Temples of the Columbia Gearheads. There are almost too many people to list. Mark even began a project this week to create a tree made entirely of lights. He sought donations and hopes to have it completed soon, beaming brightly from the lawn of the Marion County Courthouse. I’m proud to say that I joined others and taking him some cash to make the project possible. Don’t worry, you’ll have your chance to help decorate Columbia, too.
On a Sunday afternoon recently, Main Street and Second Street were abuzz with activity. Decorators ranged from West Marion High School students to Columbia Fire Department firefighters – all volunteering their time to make sure trees downtown were covered with lights. Walmart Supercenter Manager Mike Lowery and his family decorated the Main Street office the same day.
But the most touching part of all of this brings tears to my eyes. At a meeting I was not able to attend, volunteers dreamed up memorializing my late wife, Amelia, and coming up with an idea to expand the decorations in the future.
As you drive into downtown from Mississippi 13 North, there are now two angels that greet you. Affectionately nicknamed “Amelia’s Angels,” they are part of a plan to add new lights to the city’s aging decorations. Carithers and McKenzie, along with others, have worked diligently to refurbish older decorations and give a beautiful retro look to downtown. Second Street is filled with the old candy canes that had long been in city storage. These decorations were cleaned up as best they could be after spending years in the elements.
Thanks to a lot of great folks, including the Columbia Gearheads, Amelia’s family and her close friends, “Amelia’s Angels” are shining brightly: a symbol of a new Columbia. It is hoped that in the future, more angels and decorations can be purchased by families and organizations in memory of loved ones. As the program is developed, I’ll be sharing in how you could be a part of making Columbia a little brighter for future Christmases.
I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all involved in helping to make downtown so beautiful for Christmas. I love seeing the community come together for a common good.
I also love the reminder of my recently lost wife every time I drive into downtown from Mississippi 13 North. For those of you who had a part in it, I am truly grateful for your efforts.
The efforts to bring downtown to life certainly exemplify the Christmas spirit. For all involved, I salute your efforts.
Mark Rogers is managing editor of The Columbian-Progress. Reach him at news@columbianprogress.com or (601) 736-2611.
