Up & Coming Weekly

November 20, 2018

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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12 UCW NOVEMBER 21-27, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Evergreens have been a symbol of life since even before the ancient Dru- ids of Stonehenge fame. Early Euro- pean Christians brought evergreens to their gatherings at Christmas to sym- bolize the birth of Christ. e tradition of our modern-day Christmas tree is believed to have begun in the 16th century in Germany when people, Martin Luther among them, brought evergreen trees into their homes and decorated them. Today, a brightly decorated Christmas tree has become the focal point for family gatherings. In keeping with Christmas tradi- tion, Fort Bragg ushers in the holiday season with the annual lighting of the garrison Christmas Tree at the Main Post Parade Field ursday, Nov. 29, from 4:30-7 p.m. Ornaments on early Christmas trees were likely to be gingerbread, apples, sweets and colored paper. Later, deco- rations evolved as glassmakers crafted glass ornaments similar to those used today. ose early trees were lit by candles, which are still in use through- out much of Europe in modern times. Late in the 19th century, electric lights were first used to illuminate a Christmas tree in a New York City apartment. As electrification spread to homes throughout the U.S. and the U.K., strings of electric tree lights sup- planted candles as a much safer way to provide that holiday glow. Each year, a military family from among the Fort Bragg community is honored as the Family of the Year. e family is selected as one who demon- strates exceptional strength, character, service and commitment to both their unit and to the wider community. Fort Bragg's Family of the Year symbolizes all military families who sacrifice so much in service to our country. e senior commander will introduce the Family of the Year, who will then share the honor of lighting the tree. During this time of traditional holiday celebrations, the Fort Bragg tree-lighting ceremony has become a way of celebrating and honoring these families, many of whom may have family members currently deployed. Fort Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor for the 2018 tree-lighting ceremony and will be represented at the event by President and CEO Todd Kenthack. Gilbert Baez will act as the master of ceremonies. ere will be a Kidz Corner and light refreshments while supplies last. Among the highlights of the evening will be a demonstration of a parachute jump by the Golden Knights. e Poole Elementary Chorus will enter- tain the crowd throughout the evening with renditions of holiday favorites. e evening will be capped off by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. e event is free and open to the public. e rain date is Nov. 30. Call 910-396-9126 for more information. Of Christmas trees and families by PRUDENCE MAINOR EVENTS PRUDENCE MAINOR, Con- tributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com 910-484-6200. In keeping with Christmas tradition, Fort Bragg ushers in the holiday season with the annual lighting of the garrison Christmas Tree. Owen Chapel at Camp Ground Methodist Church 4625 Camp Ground Road Dates: •Friday, November 30: 6:00pm - 9:00pm •Saturday, December 1: 4:00pm - 6:00pm "Moravian Love Feast" to follow in main Sanctuary at 6:15 (public invited) Tickets: $6 in advance, $7 at the door Children under 11 FREE For more information call 910-867-9436 910-308-6112 cell Special thanks to: "Cumberland County's Community Newspaper" Th ere 's a Song i n t h e A i r Advertising Grow Your Business For effective advertising, Call 910.484.6200 today! www.upandcomingweekly.com

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