PARIS!

FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2023

On The Cover: Becky Hutson made a colorful display of nostalgic and vintage items in her booth, The She Shed, at the Wood Street Warehouse. – Photo by Karen Geary

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Smantha and daughters' faces in holiday clip art bodies

Editor’s Notes

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

I’m certain that the 2022 Holidays have only been over for a couple of months, and now, as if by magic, they’re back! So let me share the gift of PARIS! for the Holidays and be the first to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

This time of year, our little corner of the world seems to overflow with cheer! From festivals to concerts, to open houses, plays and parades, Paris has enough “warmth and fuzziness” to fill this magazine many times over.

In this issue, Rhonda Stanton at the Krider Performing Arts Center fills us in on holiday acts that range from R&B to retro to an old-fashioned sing-a-long. There’s plenty of homegrown talent, too, with young musicians, the community band, and holiday entertainment for all!

Karen Geary keeps the cheer going with a profile of the most popular Christmas tree at last year’s Trees on the Square and its creator, Tracy Loines. Speaking of Downtown Paris, Chelsea Bolen offers the inside scoop on how shopkeepers create their holiday magic and how a classically trained, local chef spreads the love.

Steve McAdams’ makes his PARIS! debut with a story that will take dog lovers back to their childhoods. Building on his own memories of his first pup, Holidays with the Hounds is a must-read for all!

For all the frustrated gardeners out there, John Watkins’ end of the year tirade, The Grumpy Gardener, will make you laugh so hard that you won’t even notice the deer pulling up your young nandinas.

And if you’re wondering about how the local FB sensation and influencer, Ms. Money got her start, PARIS! Magazine has the scoop.

There are more articles, dates for fun activities and Christmas cheer for all!

Enjoy the holidays and PARIS!

Smantha

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In This Issue

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REMEMBER WHEN: Memories Of Holidays Past

Memories of people and events from years past.
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GREAT OUTDOORS: HOLIDAYS With The HOUNDS

By Steve McCadams

In the wee hours of a drafty dark Christmas morning some 65 or so years ago, I woke up to a cold nose in my face. A wet tongue licked me
awake. Four little paws and a wagging tail from a bundle of joy in the form of a black and tan beagle hound signaled this special day’s arrival. Read More >>

FEATURE: DOWNTOWN PARIS MERCHANTS; Year-Round Holiday Planners

By Chelsea Bolen

Months or longer before customers and tourists walk through downtown Paris filled with Christmas cheer, owners, managers and employees of the shops are planning for a busy holiday season. Stocking up on holiday merriment can be an overwhelming but fun
challenge. Read More >>

MERRY & BRIGHT: A Little Bit of MAGIC and a Whole Lot of Yarn!

By Karen Geary

OChristmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! How lovely are your — crocheted branches? Meticulous crafted and truly unique, this Henry County holiday creation was a labor of love for its stitcher, Tracy Loines Read More >>

SPOTLIGHT: Meet MS. MONEY, Henry County's Hide and Seek Champ!

In the spirt of Weird Barbie and all much-loved dolls in the world, PARIS! Magazine is thrilled to bring an exclusive interview with Ms. Money, the official Henry County scavenger hunt and giveaway doll. Ms. Money was originally found at the city dump by her now “dad” Ricky Ward and his brother Marlon Ward. Finding the doll gave the two brothers the idea to start a game with her and share it with the public. Read More >>

AROUND OUR TOWN: FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER "Sometimes Santa Needs A Little Help”

By Susan Jones

Imagine a place with rows of colorful, neatly arranged toys – firetrucks dolls, footballs, board games, and more, much more…all organized by age for ease of shopping. With Christmas lights sparkling from the shelves and carols in the air, this place has a special feel. So much so that shoppers fully expect Santa to lumber through the door with a big, red sack and a “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Read More >>

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Have Yourself a KPAC Merry Little Christmas!

By Rhonda Stanton

There’s always something happening at Krider Performing Arts Center during the Christmas season, and 2023 is no exception. Our holiday schedule actually kicks off on Thursday, November 30, with the first of our school events, Rhea Elementary School’s Second Grade Christmas program. KPAC will also be the place to see the Christmas programs for Paris Elementary’s Fifth Grade, Inman Middle School’s Chorus and Band, and PSSD Strings Programs, as well as TCAT’s winter graduation. Read More >>

IN THE GARDEN: The Grumpy Gardener - HUMBUG!

By John Watkins

Well, here we are in the middle of the holiday season with another year of gardening behind us. While most people are busy compiling their lists for Santa and spreading good cheer, I thought I might put on my best Ebenezer Scrooge impression and address a few ghosts from gardens past. I mean it can only be healthy to get these things out in the open so I can move on to the coming year with a clear conscious, right? Auld Lang Syne and all that. So here we go…. Read More >>

FEATURE: Commercial Bank and Henry School Bring You GOOD LUCK!

Some banks give out wall calendars, pens, or rulers for an appreciation gift to their depositors at the end of each year. But for Commercial Bank customers, they anxiously wait their can of black-eyed peas. Read More >>

FEATURE: JUST PLAIN UGLY! PHENOMENON

Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing says “jolly” quite like an ugly Christmas sweater. These festive fashion monstrosities have become a beloved holiday tradition, adorning countless chests and fueling laughter at family gatherings, office parties, and cookie exchanges. Read More >>

JUST FOR FUN: HolidayCrossword Fun

Test your word skills and join Santa and his friends for crossword puzzle fun in the holiday issue of PARIS!
Read More >>

FACES & PLACES: People & Events About Town

Don’t miss this fun section chock full of the latest happenings in Paris and Henry County. In one of many scenes in this edition, the Paris-Henry Co. Bicentennial Longest Beard Contest was won by Josh Wooten (left). Jackie Jones is seen measuring the beard of competitor Mark Blankenship. Read More >>

PARIS CUISINE: Chef Alsey Wheatley Shares Her Talents and Family Recipe

By Chelsea Bolen

Chef Alsey Wheatley looks up from a bowl filled with shredded carrots. “If I’m going to cook for people who are hungry and don’t have the resources to cook, I want to cook what I’d feed my family, not just cheap and easy. You can hide a lot of vegetables in meatloaf or spaghetti sauce. So they’re not just good, but good for you as well.” As she worked on meal preparation for Shepherd’s Table, a monthly feeding ministry, she describes her relationship with food. Read More >>

A COUPLE OF TRAVELERS: REELFOOT: Real Nature, Real History, Real Food

By John Nichols & Susan Jones

It’s rare to travel to a place that is like no other. Reelfoot Lake was created more than 200 years ago after a series of earthquakes rocked the region, causing the Mississippi River to flow backwards, creating the only natural lake in Tennessee. Read More >>

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT: TEEN DANGERS: Vaping Prevention Program Given to County School Children

By Ashley James

In August, Michael DeLeon, nationally recognized presenter for school assemblies and number one school educator on vaping and fentanyl, spoke to over 1,300 9-12 grade students at E.W. Grove School and Henry County High School about drug and alcohol prevention. After Michael started smoking cigarettes at just 11 years old, he continued to live with drug addiction for many years, ultimately winding up in prison charged for a murder he did not commit but with which he was involved due to his drug abuse.
Read More >>

REMINISCENCE: VETERAN'S DAY: Answering Their Country's Call

By Shannon McFarlin

On the lawn of the Henry County Courthouse, there is a veterans’ memorial which lists the names of over 120 men who gave
their all for their country during World War II. That tells all you need to know about the dedication of the county’s families to their country. Read More >>