A Touch of Culpeper Christmas

It certainly seems like Christmas goods appeared early this year.  I read several places that people were complaining about Christmas displays and advertising starting before Halloween.  I kind of feel the same way, but I asked my wife to give me her read on it and she said that she loved it.  She loves the Christmas season and would be happy if it was six months long.   Well, that is probably an exaggeration, but this can be such a fun time of year.  Culpeper is a great place to be at Christmas.  I read in the paper that our town was among the "top ten holiday destinations" in Virginia.   Let's check out some holiday people.   

MY CHRISTMAS SONG
Here is a Christmas song I wrote and sing.  It is called
On That First Christmas Day
The video was conceived and produced by
Gabrielle Crowley




PRECHRISTMAS PICTURES

Lowe's had their artificial trees out real early and I saw these two pretty ladies in the store and asked if I could take a picture of them in the trees.  They were both most gracious.  This is Megan Burrows (mom) and Lily (daughter)  Megan works at Plow and Hearth.  Interestingly her husband owns Shenandoah Spice Company.  

 

Just as I approached these guys I heard the man say, "Let's get the big one."  What a cute family this is!  The little guy in the middle... Jacob, has tons of personality.  Before I get ahead of myself I should introduce the rest.  Dad is Steve; Mom is Tricia:  Jacob I already introduced; baby is Joshua.  They are the Kiblers.   Steve is a software engineer and accounting executive.  They were doing some early Christmas wreath  shopping at Target and they did buy the big one.   

The first snow of winter falling on the Christmas tree lot on the corner of Ira Hoffman and Business 29.

 The Star Exponent had just run a picture on their front page of Cameleer with the statement, "Cameleer on East Davis Street always has the prettiest Christmas displays."  They certainly have one of the best, anyway I headed down there to see who was shopping.  These folks, Kathi and Kees Dutilh, are very new to the area, actually Sperryville, and were looking at things Christmasy.  They have moved down from Northern Virginia.  

This was taken on a very cold day and we were all bundling up.  I was at one of my favorite stores, My Secret Stash, when I met Gayle Wilson who was shopping.  What a delightful person!  She had already purchased some candy (the main reason that I go there) and was checking out some Christmas items.  I learned that Gayle is an artist and that her pottery and handwork is on display at the Loft Gallery.  I saw some pictures of her work and it is impressive. 

One of really nice things about Culpeper is that the streets are decorated for special occasions.


WINDOW DISPLAYS

City sidewalks busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style.  In the air there's a feeling of Christmas


Davis Street is a treat during this season.  The window displays remind me  of "back in the day."
Let's check some out.

Top and bottom, My Secret Stash

Top and bottom Cameleer 

Green Roost

Lollipop Station

Clarke's Hardware



 MORE PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

There is a brand new Christmas tree lot just south of town towards Charlottesville right next to the Old Country Store.  The day I went by it was pretty busy.  I met these guys and grabbed their picture.  This is Peter and Norma Nelson with their daughter Ella.  Obviously they were selecting a tree.  They run an assisted care facility in Riva.  That is taxing and important work.... they must be good people.

I have to admit that for a long time I had my eye on this spot in
Cameleer for one of the shots for this Christmas blog 2014.  One day  I stopped in with my wife for just at few minutes and viola (!) here were two perfect subjects.  They are left to right, Kaitlin Rousell who is a hairstylist apprentice and Suzanne Wood who is a Head Start teacher.  I really respect teachers!  Merry Christmas you two and thanks for letting me photograph you.


That's going to do it for this season.  As this is my final blog of 2014 I want to sincerely thank all of the people who have appeared in my Faces of Culpeper blog.  You have all been great and provided a lot of interest for lots of people.  This blog has now been visited over 35,000 times!
Also don't forget to check the Culpeper Times every single week for my, "Rich Crowley's Snapshot of Culpeper" piece.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!