This and that: Community Christmas Dinner prep is on
How to get a meal, volunteer to help.
Support for this edition comes from Our Saviour Lutheran Church. We warmly invite you to attend our Christmas Eve Service, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 24, with Christmas themed music beginning at 6:30 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. This service is available both in-person and online, so you can participate from wherever you are. Join us in person at 300 W. Fowler Ave. in West Lafayette, or connect with us virtually through our Facebook (facebook.com/osluth) or YouTube (youtube.com/@osluth). Our phone number is 743-2931. Service highlights: reflecting on God’s love; celebrating the birth of Christ through meaningful scripture readings; candle lighting ceremony; singing of traditional hymns; and participating in communion together. We look forward to gathering as a community to honor the spirit of Christmas and rejoice in the birth of Christ. All are welcome on this special evening of worship and celebration.
Just a few notes while we wrap up shopping this week. Speaking of which …
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CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER, ORDERS BEING TAKEN: The Friends of Downtown are planning to serve nearly 3,000 carry-out and delivered meals for its annual Community Christmas Day Dinner at Lafayette Jefferson High School. In a time fo SNAP benefit cuts and other economic factors, that’s up from numbers closer to 2,400 for the free dinner, Steve Bultinck, a Friends of Downtown leader and an organizer of the Christmas event, said.
The meal will be ready to carry-out from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, at Lafayette Jeff, 1801 S. 18th St. No inside dining is available. Use the high school’s south entrance, facing Tecumseh Junior High School.
To volunteer for food prep, deliveries or other tasks before and during the dinner, sign up here by Monday, Dec. 22.
BUILDING A BiL HOLIDAY PLAYLIST: TELL US WHAT’S ON YOURS
Through Christmas, BiL will curate three songs a day from readers. The assignment isn’t necessarily about the best or most iconic songs of the season. Just songs that you’d want in the mix and why they belong. Here’s the playlist so far for 2025. The 2024 playlist is there for good measure. Enjoy.
Today’s entry comes from …
Wyndham Traxler Carter
Everyone’s touchstone for Christmas songs have their own unique reasons.. As a retired career teacher who had my own kids as students, besides all the children of my fellow faculty, in the small school corporation that is Carroll Consolidated, I have watched so many kids grow, graduate and sometimes come back to the home community (or not), the following mean a wallow of nostalgia for me.
“12 Days of Christmas,” Straight No Chaser – From the “Holiday Cheers” And “Holiday Spirits” albums. It takes the childhood standard to a different level including a shift into Toto’s “Africa.” My son was a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger in 2009, and I remember sending the music file to him.
“Indiana Christmas,” Straight No Chaser – From the “Holiday Spirits” album. It just calls any native Hoosier home for the season. “Kids,” both my biological ones and the ones that were in my classrooms, at least make contact if no physical appearances.
“Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far From Home),” Jimmy Buffett – From the “Christmas Island” album. Again, growing up with love, traveling/being gone from home for special occasions and having loving memories of so many. Just a different, great perspective on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” but in Jimmy’s words and music.
Your turn
What three songs are going into your holiday/seasonal playlist this year? If you’re game share, here’s all we need:
Three songs and the artists.
One or two sentences about why you chose each one – could be a memory or a short history or review about why that track belongs in your mix and why you’d recommend it to others.
A little bit about you to let readers know who’s making the picks.
Send to: davebangert1@gmail.com
Thanks, again, for support from Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 300 W. Fowler Ave. in West Lafayette, inviting you to attend Christmas Eve Service, Wednesday evening, Dec. 24, with Christmas themed music beginning at 6:30 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. Learn more at facebook.com/osluth.
Thank you for supporting Based in Lafayette, an independent, local reporting project. Free and full-ride subscription options are ready for you here.
Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.