As a volunteer, business owner and mother, I find the same quandary often arises in all of these roles. Everyone has ideas and wants. However, the question always remains — who is going to make this idea happen and, most importantly, who is going to pay for it?

This year, Christmas in Natchez was the most beautiful in my time here. I have to say the lights became contagious, and so many more of you participated. I hope you all know how much our Christmas in Natchez Committee appreciated your enthusiasm and effort.

I know with more effort from our downtown merchants next year, all of Main and Franklin will be even better lit. Last December, sales tax revenues were up 13 percent, and I cannot wait to see the effects from this year; I am hopeful it is even better.

I am not overly sensitive to constructive comments, and as a whole our committee welcomes them. We meet at least 30 times a year, and we are very accessible. Anyone is welcome to join our committee, but you have to understand attending meetings is essential and expected, and taking on event ideas from start to finish is a must.

Ideas are easy — implementation is hard. I have people approach me all season long with constructive comments, some good and some unrealistic. The most unrealistic are ones that cost more money and more time from people who have no intention of giving time or money.

At times, we receive comments during the events we’ve worked hard to plan — often when its cold outside and we are missing our own holiday parties.

On our committee, when you come up with an idea, you are responsible to execute it, and yes, you do miss parties and holiday time with family because that is what it takes.

I am not complaining, just commenting that so often people with suggestions do not understand the work that goes into the projects like the decorating of the park, bluff, tree, the hundreds of hours Ginger Hyland and James Forde put into decorating the Towers or the efforts and time Stratton Hall and Barbara Lomansey put into the Christmas parade.

I can always count on Debbie Hudson and Melanie Trippe to be in the cold with me for the gumbo cook-off, lighting of the tree or two cold days of overseeing the ice-skating. Yvonne Murray and all of her volunteers from Downtown Development kept the cider and hot chocolate going for the skaters.

Our two newest volunteers, Ruth Nichols and Vikki Eastland jumped right in with new projects.

They both have great new ideas for next year, which I know they will see through.

Every one of these volunteers gives up time from their holidays to make all of this happen, and they make it happen. In retrospect, we all agree our rewards are greater than many can imagine.

I cannot convey how much I enjoyed watching more than 500 children ice skate over looking our gorgeous Mississippi River.

It was beyond joyful, and I have every intention of making it even better next year.

But her lies the quandary. Many have said the rink should have been larger or the cost was too high.

The answer is a question — How badly do you want this? And are you willing to give time and money?

Ice-skating was funded not only by the $15 tickets, but also by a contribution from Callon Petroleum and nearly $3,000 from our committee.

We also contributed $6,000 toward fireworks.

You get things done with volunteers and money.

Natchez is lucky to have so many people that give of their time and money. Many events would not have happened without Callon and all of our local banks — Concordia, UMB, Britton & Koontz and Regions.

But it is not fair to continually go to the same people all the time. The city and the county have been supportive of our efforts with time and money.

Public works was amazing to work with and were so instrumental in getting decorations up and down.

What really has made so much happen — the refurbishing of the IP animated decorations at the bluff and Memorial Park — was the volunteer efforts of Mike and Barbara Lomansey and the generous matching grant from the Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust.

To sum up my message here, all of you who want, want, want need to give, give, give.

You can now step up and volunteer your time and write a check to help make your ideas and wishes come true.

Anyone who would like to see Christmas in Natchez continue to improve can send a check and it will be matched.

I am open to suggestions, just remember to bring your checkbook with your ideas.

 

Regina Charboneau is a co-chair of Christmas in Natchez.