by Judy Bushy

Years ago, Muriel (Mooch) Ward remembered her mother’s tradition of inviting anyone who might be alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas to join her family for dinner. Mooch picked up the tradition because she had a friendly way of reaching out to people, but soon the dinner outgrew their dining room. That is when the Happy Camp Holiday Dinner began. Food and funds are volunteered, volunteers roast turkey, make dressing, and bake pies enough to feed a small army, and everyone who doesn’t have friends of family to be with for the holiday dinner, is welcome.

This year’s Christmas eve dinner was held at the cafeteria of the Happy Camp Elementary School. Just walking in was a pleasure to get a whiff of pies and turkeys and all kinds of good food preparations.

There was music for the event also, Todd Gilbert led in singing Christmas in Happy Camp for which the words were written by Mrs. Schneider’s fifth grade class is 2006.

It goes, “Crystal clear, sparkling sky, Chimney smoke, swirling high, Frosted mountains, stretching wide, tumbling creeks, trees beside. Snowflakes fall, snowballs fly, Sledding down steep mountainsides, Gather round the silver tipped tree, drinking hot cocoa, sipping out tea, Singing carols in unison, Santa comes in on a fire engine, with a ho ho ho and gifts galore. He gave his boots three good stamps, “Merry Christmas to all in Happy Camp?”