Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 110, No. 145, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 25, 2013 Page: 1 of 29
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INSIDE
TODAY
Astronauts
complete
spacewalk
National, 6A
SmingthursWV
Sebadoh gets lead spot for amped ujfflhin Line
Denton time
ALSO INSIDE
Bit of experience
at Ryan leads to
college superlative
Sports, IB
Denton Record-Chronicle
Vol. 110, No. 145 / 30 pages, 3 sections
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Denton, Texas
50 cents
Christmas meals set for
Denton residents in need
By John D. Harden
Staff Writer
jharden @ dentonrc.com
Individuals and families in need of
a Christmas meal today have a few op-
tions in Denton.
For the second year, Sweetwater
Grill & Tavern will have a Christmas
luncheon at the restaurant for those
in the community in need. The meal is
scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. but
will continue until the food is gone,
organizers said.
The luncheon is one of three activ-
ities that the grill is involved in this
holiday season for the Denton com-
munity, says Karen Meredith, who co-
owns the well-known eatery with her
husband, Jim.
They have been collecting coats
and distributing them at Sweetwater
and will continue to accept donated
coats. In addition, anyone in need of a
coat is welcome to stop by through to-
day.
They are accepting donations of
money, food and help from volun-
teers. Additional information is avail-
able by calling 940-484-2888.
Singing Oaks Church of Christ, 101
Cardinal Drive, will also serve a
Christmas meal at 1 p.m. Transporta-
tion will be provided from Quaker-
town Park and across from the Salva-
tion Army. The bus will run from 11:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Return transporta-
tion will also be provided.
The Salvation Army in Denton will
have its regularly scheduled dinner at
6:30 p.m. for anyone needing a meal.
Officials said everyone ranging from
needy families to the homeless to stu-
dents are welcome.
The Salvation Army is at 1508 E.
McKinney St.
JOHN D. HARDEN can be
reached at 940-566-6882 and via
Twitter at @JDHarden.
Message in lights
■ppm
fHB **
iVii pifl
Al Key/DRC
Christmas lights and greetings grace a home on Oxford Lane on Tues-
day in Denton.
TODAY
IN DENTON
Patchy fog early, then
mostly sunny
High: 50
Low: 30
Weather report, 2A
HOLIDAY
CLOSINGS
State, county and city
offices are closed today
in observance of Christ-
mas. For details, see
story on Page 2A.
NATIONAL
Utah state lawyers have
again turned to a Den-
ver-based federal ap-
peals court in their bid
to put a stop to gay cou-
ples getting married,
saying the state should
not be required to abide
by one judge’s narrow
view of a “new and fun-
damentally different
definition of marriage.”
Page 13A
INTERNATIONAL
A powerful blast ripped
through a police head-
quarters in an Egyptian
Nile Delta city Tuesday
while top security offi-
cials met to work out
arrangements for an
upcoming constitutional
referendum, killing 15
people and wounding
more than 100.
Page 16A
FIND IT INSIDE
CLASSIFIED
1C
COMICS
4B
CROSSWORDS
4B, 3C
DEAR ABBY
3B
DEATHS
19A
OPINION
18A
SPORTS
IB
TELEVISION
4A
WEATHER
2A
7
5
Al Key/DRC
Ornaments hung on the tree, clockwise from top, made of paper from Peru, a hoi lowed-out pomegranate from
Poland and a bell from Estonia are shown Monday at Marsha Keffer’s house in Denton.
A WORLD OF
NATIVITIES
By Bj Lewis
Staff Writer
blewis @ dentonrc.com
Marsha Keffer’s home in Denton is
filled with 130 Nativity scenes from
around the world and she said people,
particularly her sister, just keep giving
them to her. They fill her house year-
round.
“I have a bookshelf in the den and I
had to take all the books out of the book-
shelf and stow them somewhere else,”
Keffer said. “In the kitchen window, on
the tree, on the walls, and I am running
out of space.”
Local woman fills her
home year-round
More coverage/DentonRC.com
Keffer’s collection includes scenes
from the Philippines, Taiwan, Italy,
South Africa, Peru, Germany and New
Zealand. A piece from Rwanda is carved
out ofwood and the figures sit in a wood-
en boat.
There is a scene with Peanuts charac-
ters, including Charlie Brown and his
sister, Sally, Lucy and Linus, with Wood-
stock as the baby Jesus and Snoopy as
the drummer boy.
Sister Lynn McCreary said her per-
sonal favorite is a raccoon piece done by
villagers in South Africa.
“I try all the time to find ones that are
handcrafted and unique,” she said.
One piece, from Peru, was made by a
man who makes art out of car parts. Ba-
by Jesus is a spark plug, McCreary said.
“It’s sounds trite but it’s really, really
beautiful,” she said. “A little one I gave
her last year has the family in an old
See NATIVITIES on 19A
The
gift of
sharing
Denton residents know
what makes Christmas
special for them
Staff report
aith and family.
That’s what matters most at
Christmas to Denton residents who
were asked to share their favorite Christ-
mas memories and what the holiday
means to them.
Food is another popular holiday fea-
ture. And travel. And, for those who can
enjoy it, a little time off work.
Here are the thoughts they shared with
the Denton Record-Chronicle on the
Christmas season.
A family celebration
For Denton fire Capt. David Boots of
Fire Station No. 3, this is a rare Christmas:
His shift was off on Christmas Eve and is
off Christmas Day.
When his shift is in the station house
on Christmas, it creates a lasting memory
for all families involved.
‘We cook up a nice meal here at the sta-
tion and invite the families up to celebrate
with us since it is usually a pretty slow day
for us,” Boots said. “It’s like one large extend-
ed family enjoying time together playing
games and watching Christmas movies.”
He said all the families just “make a day
out of it” and have a great time.
But Boots doesn’t hesitate when asked
what Christmas means to him.
“I’m a believer,” he said. “Jesus is the
savior of the world and Christians look at
Christmas and Easter as two of the most
important days of the whole year.”
Giving back
Denton County Commissioner Bobbie
Mitchell said she feels blessed to be able to
help provide for her family during the
Christmas season. She recalled growing
up and getting clothes as hand-me-downs
and from second-hand stores and com-
munity outreach organizations.
“I am able to give back to those types of
charitable organizations that made a dif-
ference in my life,” she said. “I am grateful
the Lord has blessed me that I am able to
give back to others. I am blessed with my
children and grandchildren and family
and good friends.... I’m just blessed.”
Holiday travelers
Denton County Transportation Au-
thority president Jim Cline said for him,
Christmas has to do with being with fami-
ly, keeping up with relatives and lots of
food.
And, not surprisingly, it also means
travel.
See MEMORIES on 19A
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Cobb, Dawn. Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 110, No. 145, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 25, 2013, newspaper, December 25, 2013; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1103037/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .