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Show Volume XXV Issue XXI The Ogden Valley news Page 13 December 15, 2019 The History of Ogden’s Christmas Village & Holiday Parade It was a crisp December was a whopping $25,000. It was with great day in 1961. Jerry and Maxine Green and their 5-year-old son Tommy were standing in the most perfect spot of all for the big Christmas parade. Warmed by their growing anticipation, they eagerly looked for the parade to come. Then, suddenly, it began with the screaming sirens of the police cars, and then a big flatbed truck rushed by with Santa Claus waving to the hundreds of children who came to see him. And that was it. That was the end of the Christmas Parade. Tommy’s disappointment was overwhelming and Jerry Green knew something had to be done, but what? After many sleepless hours that cold winter night, Jerry Green came up with an idea. An incredible vision! It was that of a “Christmas Village” that would have all of the toy and candy shops you would find at Santa’s North Pole home, as well as a really big and wonderful Santa Claus Parade. Jerry Green knew the idea was good, but he was worried about how to make it happen. The original cost estimate for this venture trepidation that he approached Ogden’s town merchants. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. In a matter of weeks, the merchants were out seeking pledges for the village idea. Utah Power and Light pledged to donate the electricity for the lights. Merchants donated materials, and it seemed that everyone in the city was pitching in with the construction of the village. On November 23, 1962, the very first Christmas Village and Parade opened Ogden’s holiday season! Those involved with the first Christmas Village hoped that it would continue on through generations, bringing joy to all those who came to visit. This hope is alive and well today and carried on by a dedicated Christmas Village Committee. It is their goal to continue this wonderful tradition by expanding, improving, and refurbishing the winter fantasyland displays. Our wish is that you and your family make this a wonderful part of your Christmas traditions. Enjoy the holidays, and hope to see you at Ogden’s Christmas Villagee! YETI cont. from page 4 Santa’ reindeer will be visiting Christmas Village December 20 and December 21 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Hope to see you at this year’s Christmas Village! After visiting, don’t forget to vote for your favorite cottage at <christmasvillage. ogdencity.com> The 12th Annual “Give Thanks” Charity Fun Run a Snowy Success This past Thanksgiving, November 28, at 8:30 a.m., while many were still sleeping, or out shoveling snow, some diehard walkers and runners were preparing to “Give Thanks with Every Step” by participating in this year’s annual charity event. The participants in the 12th Annual “Give Thanks” race were extremely generous in their contributions to those in need during this holiday season. They donated canned and boxed food, and provided several hundred dollars in cash donations to benefit Catholic Community Services’ food bank in Ogden. Despite a very large snowfall the night before, we are grateful for those who showed up and contributed to this fun community event; thanks to all who contributed! A “shout out” to Ashley and Brigham Burton of Burton Dental for providing hot drinks, and many thanks to Camille and Scott Hurst for plowing the parking lot and course, and to Lisa Arbogast, Olivia Arbogast, Nikki Wolthuis, Andrew Waldrip and Gabe Waldrip for their help, too. We are already planning the 13th-annual “Give Thanks With Every Step” Charity Run/ Walk in 2020. Please mark it on your calendar now, and we’ll look forward to seeing you then! Local Humanitarian to Speak to WSU Graduates Scholar and humanitarian R. Robert “Bob” Harris will be the honored speaker during WSU’s 154th convocation ceremonies Dec. 13. Harris will address graduates in the Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education at 8:00 a.m. in the Dee Events Center. He will also speak in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology and the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions. Other graduates will hear his pre-recorded remarks in college convocation ceremonies held throughout the day. Harris currently serves on the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities’ advisory board. He received an honorary doctorate from Weber State University in April 2019. He and Marcia were also honored with the WSU President’s Award at WSU Salutes in 2019, where they shared their story on video. Harris holds degrees from Swarthmore College, the Creighton University School of Law and Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Mini Polar Express Train on the west end of Christmas Village Monday thru Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The free Jupiter Train drives through downtown Ogden and boards at 25th St. and Grant Ave. Monday thru Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. In addition, Ogden’s Breakfast Exchange Club will be serving hot cocoa from their booth at the village. Proceeds benefit the local Shoes for Tots Program. It is open Monday thru Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Live entertainment is featured in the amphitheater at Christmas Village Monday thru Saturday, 6:30 to 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. until December 22. If you would like to perform, email amphitheater@ogdencity.com to schedule a time. Other amenities are the Christmas Village Store, open Monday thru Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., offering novelty items and this year’s Yeti sweatshirts. On October 4, 2019, David Crim, with the Mount Ogden Rotary Club, and Lisa Karam, with the Ogden Rotary Club, came to Valley Elementary to Sweatshirts are $18 for youth and $20 for adult donate 80 dictionaries to students of the school’s entire third-grade class. Shown above are Crim and Karam with the students. A huge thank you from Valley Elementary’s third-grade students and teachers. sizes; $25 for 2x and 3x sizes. Valley Third Graders Receive Dictionaries |