Am I Hearing ‘Silver Bells’ Already?

FIRST STEP UNDER WAY IN PLAN TO PUT DOWNTOWN ROGERS ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT MAP

Monday, August 20, 2012

— “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

“Dressed in holiday style.

“In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.”

Those are the opening words to one of my favorite holiday songs, “Silver Bells.”

I remember it from childhood. I know Dad had it on a 78 — that would be a vinyl album to those who don’t remember anything before cassette tapes came on the scene. I also have this memory of seeing Bob Hope sing it. Isn’t that strange?

I Googled it, and he did sing it in the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid,” but I don’t remember ever seeing that movie.

Anyway, the lyrics of “Silver Bells” lead me to daydream about a lovely old-fashioned downtown decked out in twinkling white lights. There are snowflakes falling in this dream, but it isn’t cold. There also are lighted snowflakes adorning the light poles.

The windows are all dressed in the holiday spirit, too. And there are shoppers, lots of shoppers.

Yeah, well, Christmas movies are among my favorites. I watch the same ones every year, which is probably why I have such fantasies. Sometimes I watch them in July just to rev up the spirit.

I didn’t do that this year, so why am I thinking about Christmas decorations? Because officials from the city and Main Street Rogers are actually making an investment in upgrading our decorations.

Yay!

Not that there is anything wrong with the ones we have. They are OK — not exciting, but serviceable. However, they certainly do not meet my white light/snowflake fantasy.

Main Street officials have developed a four-year plan to improve downtown decorations. The city and Main Street will share the costs.

For example, the city is buying a 30-foot-tall tree for $19,999. It retails at $32,500. It will be used for a community tree lighting ceremony.

I am sure it is a darned nice tree — for that price it better be. It probably should dance.

The city and Main Street will share the $1,803 cost of a music computer that goes with the tree.

Getting the tree and music is the first step in the plan officials hope will put downtown Rogers on the Christmas lights map.

I have always thought Main Street Rogers should take an active role in things such as Christmas decorations. Main Street’s reason for being is the preservation of historic downtowns. Not everyone has defined that responsibility as broadly as I have.

Well-preserved old buildings are nice, but they do no one any good if they aren’t filled with businesses and restaurants and shops and activities to bring people downtown. Thus, I think Main Street Rogers’ job should be to do what it takes to accomplish this, up to and including buying Christmas decorations.

An elegant Christmas-scape will be nice, but should we have more? Portable ice rinks are popular. I don’t know, maybe we could freeze Lake Atalanta? Pinnacle Hills Promenade has had a rink the last couple of holiday seasons, so I see no reason to have two.

But something nifty is called for. Folks should put their heads together and come up with more great ideas for holiday activities.

lll

If you missed the Rogers Little Theater production of “Chicago,” you missed a great show.

I have been a fan and supporter of RLT since its inception. “Chicago” really demonstrated the great strides the theater company has made in production and performance quality. The folks at RLT can hold their own against any theater group, and we should be proud of that.

They are preparing for a production of “Oliver,” which opens Sept. 14. Then comes a major feather in the RLT cap. “Checks and Balances” will be the November production. Never heard of it? That’s because RLT is premiering this new work by Oren Safdie.

Safdie’s father, Moshe, is the architect who designed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Oren made contact with RLT last year and offered the opportunity to present a performance of his play “Private Jokes, Public Places” as a part of activities surrounding the museum opening.

He must have liked what he saw because he then offered to have the world premiere of his new play in Rogers. That is quite a coup for a group whose first performances were in a school auditorium.

Tickets for the 27th season are on sale now. Call the box office at 479-631-8988 or go to the website, www.RogersLittleTheater.org, for more information.

Leeanna Walker is editor of the Rogers Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NWLeeanna.