Hi Linda Freeland here...Merry Christmas from Texas! on a Christmas eve before I go to bed to everybody - wherever you find yourself tonight - as we celebrate Jesus' birth.
Been busy ever since I got home from going to Dalton over Thanksgiving and never got a chance to report on that trip. I had a great time although the time went very fast. Before I left, many were decorating their homes up for Christmas, which was really nice to get a little of Ohio Christmas flavor. I did get to perform two times.
First was the Sat. after Thanksgiving over at Buehlers supermarket in Orrville in their Community room. I had two cars of "Smith" relatives on my Mom's side that drove over from Alliance to attend. Also friends of my sister, Cindy, and my Mom were there. I met a lady in the store earlier in the week complimenting her on a purple hat she had on. We struck up a conversation and I told her that I was going to perform there on Sat and she said she heard about it already. That was sort of a "God-thing" that of all people I spoke to her and she had heard about it ??? Anyway, she did end up coming and drove in all the way from Columbus (where she had been visiting her sister for Thanksgiving) that morning to be in attendance also. I can't remember her first name now, but her last name was "Marthey" - a very nice lady.
The second performance was on Monday, Nov. 29th at Orrvilla Senior Community in Orrville, Ohio. I had a great time over there. My Mom was w/me and we first went to the wrong building. Then we were directed elsewhere and my Mom said she would go in and see if this was correct place. Well, she didn't come out and didn't come out. Finally she did. What happened was when my Mom went in there, so many folks recognized her and they immediately started visiting and wanting her to sit down and have lunch with them, etc. It was like "Old home week!" For me too...some lady started asking me if I remembered her from the Methodist church when I was a small child - really "no" I didn't remember her. Keith, your Dad was there - so good to see him! He told me he thoroughly enjoyed my program and the songs. Gwen, I saw Linda, your sister. Got to talk w/her afterwards and pray over her. Met her boyfriend as well and he took our picture together, which she
sent me a copy of it. Also, Barbara Gerber, a relative for sure of Karen Gerber's. She was in my Mom's class at school, so not sure if an Aunt or what. Then, Mary Shane, a sister to Cookie was there also. Plus there were some other wonderful people there including the Activity Director, Kathy Smucker,(for Independent Sr. group) who was a "sweetheart" of a person. I sang in front of the Christmas tree and it was a wonderful experience.
Again, Merry Christmas - got to get to bed - have lots to do in the morning. P.S. My babysitter when I was young, June Ressler Hiner, got to be the Grand Marshall in the Dalton Christmas parade held after I left. I was so happy for her to be chosen to do that. She was at my Buehler's concert as well.
Linda Fahrney Freeland
