Judy Godfrey, a fine art appraiser and former president of The Grace Museum, has been collecting nutcrackers since 1971. “My first nutcracker was one my mother gave me,” Godfrey said. “It is from the San Francisco Music Box store. He is the traditional Nutcracker Prince standing on top a drum that plays the theme from ‘The Nutcracker.’ Definitely my favorite.“ The … [Read more...]
Christmas Collections: Janet Bailey’s Santas
Janet Bailey’s collection of Santas is diverse, unique and rich in culture, representing the 20+ nations from which they originated. Bailey, technical services manager at the Abilene Public Library, might not have foreseen that when she received a Santa figurine as a Secret Santa gift during her freshman year at Pepperdine University in 1984. But just a year later, while … [Read more...]
Christmas Collections: Jan Woodward’s Christmas Mice
Jan Woodward, former Abilene Reporter-News columnist, said she has always had a penchant for little creatures, especially dressed up in tiny clothes. “I’ve just always thought they were cute,” Woodward said. On a visit to see her grandmother in West Virginia, Woodward and her mother met one of her grandmother’s neighbors who made crafty Christmas ornaments, one of which … [Read more...]
A Blue Christmas for Abilene Kids
By Lance Fleming Photography by Rickey Brown A few years ago – in the midst of the storm of “Community vs. Cops” that raged in many parts of the United States – Megan Allred decided to do something in her hometown to help foster trust between the community and its police officers. As the girlfriend of an Abilene police officer, she went to the APD spouses’ group … [Read more...]
Holiday Helper: Food Gift Baskets
Stuck in a gift-giving rut? Looking for a creative, unique gift for someone in your life? Instead of spending your budget on one large gift, consider a gift basket full of local edible goodies to show someone you care and to support Abilene businesses. Scene assembled a few ideas for you, and all the yummy products can be bought right around the corner. No need to wait two days … [Read more...]