CHRISTMAS IN NORTHEAST OREGON

NIGHT LIGHTS: The first-place home in the Union Christmas lights contest lights up Bryan Street Saturday evening. The home is owned by Kelly and Kathy McDowell, who were unaware of the contest. (The Observer/KELLY WARD).

City sidewalks, country lanes,open fields everywhere are the sights and sounds of Christmas.

People shopping, children laughing, wishing each other Merry Christmas. The spirit of giving was everywhere in Union County as the Day drew closer. Families shopping for the Christmas feast filled stores aisles, and in kitchens, the smell of baked goodies filled the air.

Christmas 2001 has been different from Christmas past. Joy is tempered with the sorrow over the loss of life from the Sept. 11 attacks. But as the New Year approaches, the shoppers, the givers and the children look for renewed hope from the message of the season.

Families showed their hope when they strung and lighted the traditional Christmas lights inside and outside their homes. Generous people took gift tags from the Salvation Armys angel trees and prepared clothing and toys for children they may never meet. Service organizations adopted entire families for the holiday.

Thanks to the good works of the areas many formal and informal charitable groups, the joy of giving and feasting was spread to all.

Alice Perry Linker