How was your Christmas? That first Christmas wasn’t like any of us had this year, no doubt none of us were living in a stable. We didn’t have shepherds visit us after hearing angelic proclamations, or even wise men traveling from afar.

This year was different for many families, due to COVID-19. It was different for half the families in Happy Camp that are living in new places, most likely a Recreation vehicle or a trailer. My husband and I were blessed to be able to spend time together celebrating Christ’s birth at home, after I hadn’t been able to visit him in a care facility for about seven weeks!. I think we will be eating delicious leftovers for the next few days thanks to friends who brought us a Christmas Dinner. Such an appreciated kindness!

Many in Happy Camp have worked so diligently to promotes the joy and happiness of our town! Almost afraid to mention same of those with such generous hearts, because with all the loving kindness and thoughtful sharing, I’m sure to miss some.

We have been especially blessed by seeing the Community Christmas tree out in front of the Forest Service District Administration Building. That old tree Looks better than it has for years! It was trimmed up with new lights and a big star to top it all off. The Happy Camp Volunteer Fire Department did the work of getting it all together with help from Home Depot and Mountain Enterprises to help make our evenings merry and bright.

There was the Parade with lighted vehicles of all kinds, then for the tree lighting at the Forest Service Parking lot. Then a drive through with Santa and the kids got a number of treats!

One spot in town wasn’t enough! Driving home one evening around Thanksgiving I enjoyed seeing a bright Candy Land themed display at the Goodwin’s log cabin on Curly Jack Road1 It was great! Lifted spirits right away!

It was so heartening, that a group got together offering a $100 cash prize for the best lit home in Happy Camp. They probably didn’t expect the difficulty that they’d have selecting the winner! Many of those who still have homes got busy and decorated in order to lift the spirits of everyone in Happy Camp. It was amazing to see. Then a list was published and families could drive around and view the lights and make their vote.

The winner of the first place decorated home was Phil Parashis with a home on 700 Jacobs Way. Second place was Barb Snider with a home behind the Sub Stations. We’ve always enjoyed Kathy Tolands decorated home in Indian Meadows at 500 Indian Meadows Drive and it was looking great this year too. The Goodwin home of Doug and Jeanne at 1245 Curly Jack Road came in fourth place and was one of a number of brightly lit Curly Jack homes. Another got the 5th place, Betty Gates at 1418 Curly Jack Road.

Congratulations to those that won and to everyone that participated, we wish there was a prize for all of you.All brightened the view for everyone passing. It looked like everyone had fun decorating. You all did an excellent job lighting up our town. Are you looking forward to doing this again next yea– better even then the past.

The organizers wanted to say, “Thank you so much to the Happy Camp organizations, Connor Cardlock and the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority for your generous donations. You helped make this a exciting and fun event.”

There were businesses, like Kingfisher with lights, and Pizza House with painted windows with reindeers sharing pizza and elves and stockings. The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce would like to add a prize for the best business decorations. We would like to thank the organizers of the event this year, who wished everyone a, “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, stay safe everyone ??”