Writing this today, Monday, December 7, 2020, as the Coronavirus pandemic rages around us, memories from a happier, more normal time come to mind.
One year ago to the day, it was a Saturday. Rotary club members were in the last minute scramble of preparations for their signature event of the year. The next day, Sunday, Bedford Rotary’s 33rd annual “Breakfast with Santa” would bring families and children to the decoration transformed Santa’s Village inside Bedford High School’s cafeteria.
That was last year.
It was unimaginable then that there wouldn’t be a 34th annual Breakfast with Santa this year. Unimaginable that no Bedford children would sit on Santa’s lap in 2020. Unimaginable that last year’s group photo, (above), wouldn’t be replaced by one taken this year. And that’s particularly too bad. There are now new member faces that certainly would have been there. And at the same time, it’s sad because we miss those who are no longer with us.
Breakfast with Santa this year would have been on December 13, exactly nine months after the coronavirus prompted a National Emergency to be declared. In these days of uncertainty, with the risks of contracting or spreading Covid-19 adding to the stress of readying for his worldwide Christmas Eve high-flying sleigh ride, Santa couldn’t make a breakfast visit to Bedford, even over Zoom.
But that doesn’t stop the spirit of the holidays from being on display all over town.
“Light Up Bedford – A Decoration Celebration”
Masks and distancing from one another hasn’t stopped Bedford from celebrating, whether it be Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Festivus. And maybe Bedford Rotary’s “Light Up Bedford – A Decoration Celebration” has encouraged some of the home decorating that’s lighting up so many neighborhoods.
Click this link to visit the “Light Up Bedford” page and download the map.
The Rotary’s free, live map and guide is updated regularly and highlights many of the decorated homes in Bedford. Editor’s Note: Bedford as a whole has taken the Light Up idea to heart, and driving from one location to another will reveal dozens of additional residences that are illuminated, but not necessarily on the Rotary map.
Another of the homes on the Light Up Bedford map
If you plan to go sight-seeing, you’ll definitely find the map to be helpful.
Plus, it’s not too late to show off your decorations by registering to get your home on the map.
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Such a bummer to miss the Breakfast with Santa but the light map has been great. Definitely an increase in the number of lit houses this year! Fun to see some extra cheer!