Christmas in Panaca

I'll probably get a "nasty-gram" from the editor of the "Lincoln County Record" and I might not for reposting a story from their website, but I do miss Christmas time in Panaca.

Panaca’s Cookie Crumb Trail 

Panaca's first "Cookie Crumb Trail" Christmas celebration was a wonderful start to the holiday season, on Saturday, Dec. 6.  The "live nativity" scene was a meaningful experience, not only to those viewing it, but especially to those who volunteered to take part in it. A big round of thanks to all that participated, and to Dixie Tienken and Beverly Peterson for lining up characters, and to Marty Buschmann, Don Cumming and Pete Peterson for costuming, set design and construction, and sound system. Thank you also to Neldon and Carol Mathews for use of the property, to Matt and Jule Wadsworth and family, and Tina & Ed Welty for use of the live animals ("Bo" the goat made a big hit), and to Raymond Thompson and Kenny Lee for loan of the hay.

Inside the Town Hall, nativity collections were displayed by about 20 different people, with the collection of Caliente residents Marvin & Ruth Richardson taking up 3 tables, and Larry & Renee Hansen's collection taking up 2 tables! Our spirit spilled onto the lawn out front as we decorated the Town Tree with family ornaments, and everyone enjoyed cookies & cocoa, compliments of CindySooz Restaurant, the Panaca Market, the "Y" Service, and the Pine Tree Inn. Thanks also to everyone that brought cookies to share! Merlin Rohde's hay wagon made 3 trips around town before dark, carrying spirit-filled carolers led by Sisters Jernigan and Newitt from the LDS Missionaries.

We also thank Linda Lee, Grayce McBride and Kathy Wadsworth for opening the Panaca Heritage Center for the day, so that people could learn more about Panaca's pioneer heritage. And we could not have decorated the Town tree without the assistance of Panaca town "Maintenance Max" Austgen and "Santa Lee"! And UNCE Extension Educator Holly Gatzke volunteered her entire afternoon, while her family was out cutting their tree.

Yet to come is the Lighting Contest, to be judged on Monday, Dec. 15. Thanks to Lincoln Communities Action Team (LCAT) for the advertisement and support of this fun activity! Next year will be even better!

Submitted  by Barbara Rohde, Panaca LCAT representative
Copyright 2008 Lincoln County Record, Caliente, Nevada

On a side note...
When we moved to Panaca in 1982, just down/up (whatever!) from the family house was this GI-HUGIC pine tree! It must have been at least 4 stories high! Anyway, each Christmas, everybody in town would gather at the tree for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (it had Christmas lights on it!), with hot chocolate, smores and other goodies and we would all sing Christmas carols, turn on the lights and have a really great time. This tree was sooooo tall, that after the Christmas Lights were turned on, it could be seen from the mountains to the East of Panaca by anyone coming down the highway from Utah and from the rest of the hills around the valley. Well, I think it would have been my Junior year in High School, but a wind storm and I mean storm blew through the valley and this very old and very tall tree was blown over. Thankfully it fell into the street and not on anyones house. It was a sad day for sure. But alas, traditions cary on and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting now takes place (I think it still does) in front of the Panaca Post Office on the main street through town.

Have a Merry Christmas
and a happy New Year!