Eddie Bass - Union Middle School
“18 or 19 years ago my 2 children went to my parents house in Goldsboro on Dec. 23 like they always did so my wife and I could get Santa stuff ready and get ready for our big Christmas Eve celebration. My children were about three and seven at the time. They would always go to church with my parents at 5 p.m. on the 24th in Goldsboro and then come to Kenansville for our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve with my family. My wife and I went to a Christmas party on the night of the 23rd and on the way home it started snowing. When we woke up the next day it had snowed a lot and continued to snow all day. We were scared that my parents were not going to be able to make it to Kenansville and we were faced with Christmas with no children. Goldsboro had more snow than Kenansville but my dad thought he could make it. He left that afternoon and what was usually a 45 minute trip took about 3 hours. But about 5 p.m., my father, my kids, my mother and my brother showed up at my house in Kenansville much to the delight of my wife and me. I had always wanted a real white Christmas but this almost turned out to be too much of a white Christmas. Needless to say it turned out to be one of my fondest Christmas memories. We had so much snow and my children were so excited to have everyone snowed in at our house.”
Sabrina Reeves - Midway High School
“Growing up, my Christmas tradition with my family was gathering around the Christmas tree after dinner and reading the story of the birth of Jesus from the Bible. We would open our gifts from each other and go to bed awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. Christmas morning was filled with the aroma of food cooking in the kitchen for lunch and spending the rest of the day eating and watching football games with family and friends. It was a great day!”
Jennifer Honeycutt - Clinton High School
“I think that my favorite Christmas memory would be going to my grandma's house, with the rest of my family on Christmas day, and eating a good home cooked meal. She always made the best dressing, hand-rolled pastry and chocolate pies....Yum!! Yum!!!! That is something I would always remember and miss about Christmas day.”
Jeff Wilson - Midway High School
“The thing I enjoy the most about the holidays is the time I get to spend with my family. My favorite holiday memory came this year when my wife Chantel and our boys Battle and Camden Gray went to Bryson City, N.C. and rode the Polar Express. It was great watching our boys enjoy there first train ride. I will never forget the look on their faces when Santa Claus boarded the train. I'm so grateful to have a wonderful family.”
Julie Hunter - Union High School
“My Christmas tradition is going to my parents on Christmas Eve. We (my parents, 3 brothers and their wives and all the nieces and nephews) have dinner together, and then we all open gifts. The best part is watching the children sitting and waiting, anticipating a gift, seeing them tear open the wrapping and watching for a reaction. Once all the presents are unwrapped, my dad likes for all of us to sit together and watch the animated cartoon of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." This is our family tradition!”
Brian K. Wallum - Midway High School
“The memory that most stands out for me would be the atmosphere of family. Every Christmas Eve we would spend with my mom's family. It seemed as if there were 100 people, just because of the liveliness. Then Christmas day would be spent with my dad's family. Most of the cousins were close in age to me and my brothers so that was the one day I looked forward to more than anything. We would play football or basketball and just have a good time.”
Ken Avent Jr. - James Kenan High School
“One of my favorite Christmas memories would be waking up on Christmas morning and opening presents and then the other guys from the neighborhood which included Hobbton coach Jeff Byrd coming over, and playing with the new football, basketball or other things we received. We really had a great time spending the day together.”
Doug Burley - Union High School
“My Christmas memories include spending time with loved ones especially my wife and son. I also enjoy the time I have to go deer and duck hunting.”
Leigh Ann Smith - Midway High School
“One of my most vivid Christmas memories is when my sister got her go cart, it was so warm on Christmas morning that we all rode it in short sleeves and I remember my grand daddy who has since passed away, riding that go cart down the road. Another memory that is very clear is my aunt and uncle who were unable to have children always came to spend the night with us Christmas Eve. Christmas morning we would all get up, open presents and then go across the field to my grandparents where all of my daddy's brothers and their families would get together.”
Steve Mallard - Clinton High School
“My more current memory would be of my son Trent's first two Christmases. There is nothing like seeing your child's eyes light up when they first see what Santa has brought them especially when they are young. A ancient memory would be my sister Lisa and I would get up early to see what Santa brought us. I remember the time we left cookies and milk for Santa and Lisa had typed a message to Santa on the typewriter. We were amazed to see that Santa took the time to type his thank you “.
Clint D. Williams - Midway High School
“A Christmas tradition that I have and enjoy is probably like most everyone. I enjoy family gatherings where all of the family celebrates the Christmas season together. We are able to set aside work, stress and indifferences for a little while and enjoy the Christmas season together by exchanging presents, fellowship, laughing, joking, watching the little children play, and eating a home cooked country meal. I am blessed to be able to enjoy both sides of my family's Christmas gathering as well as other holidays through out the year.”
Sylvester Pittman - Lakewood High School
“My grandmother raised me and my Christmases were always special because of her love and caring touch. All her children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren would come together for a great time. She would provide well for her family. Her old timey food was fantastic. She would also entertain us with her stories. Grandmother was born in 1922 and she would tell all about her childhood and the adventures from her life. Those were and will always be very special Christmas memories.”
Brad Spell - Clinton High School
“My most memorable Christmas took place in 2005 when my wife and I decided to do a video collage for my parents for Christmas. It began with them getting together as a couple and took them through as we came along and grew up to continue through with them still growing to maturity together. It was a very emotional present and one that I will cherish for a long time.”
James Lewis - Lakewood High School
“The one Christmas that I would say was my best Christmas would be the Christmas I got a Remington 870 Wing Master pump shotgun for Christmas. I had been begging ‘Santa’ for years and he finally brought it that Christmas. I still enjoy going duck and rabbit hunting with it today.”
Tracey Thornton - Clinton High School
“What I remember about Christmas as a younger person was going to grandmothers. She had at least 20 grandchildren and with all her children and my cousins we really had a great time together spending time and eating all the good food she cooked. Now my Christmas memories are made each year as my own children experience the joy of Christmas and opening what Santa has brought to them.”
Jeff Byrd - Hobbton High School
“Going to Granny Byrd’s on Christmas was what I remember about Christmas. She had a big family and the whole Byrd family coming together and having a great time talking, playing and eating. We haven’t done that for six or seven years now. Now Christmas is all about my son, mom and dad getting together, as a small family, and making new memories as he experiences Christmas. Of course we always get together with several other coaches from around the community and have a good time of fellowship and watching the games on television as well.”
Chris Owens - Clinton High School
“Up until this year we would spend Christmas at my mom’s. The family would all gather together for a big meal but the best part was having all the family together and getting to know each other better and what was going on in their lives. Trying to enjoy each other as much as possible. We always had a lot fun. This year we are starting a new tradition by having the Christmas celebration at our home. Hopefully the fun and success of Christmas will continue as we host the family.”
To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@intrstar.net.
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