LIMA — Plenty of activity precedes that special holiday held Dec. 25 every year.
Saturday marked the last day before zero hour. Christmas spirit was abound in the Lima area as people spent their last few minutes doing many things to enjoy their holiday.
Joel Dunifon, of Bluffton, and his two youngest sons, Easton, 5, and Bryer, 3, were having no problems enjoying the holidays. Every Christmas Eve, the family hits the mall to do some last-minute shopping, maybe make a few returns and enjoy one last visit to Santa. When they are finished, they will head to Grandmother’s house in Van Wert for a night of visiting with family to celebrate.
Bryer made it plain what he was hoping for when he opened presents Christmas morning.
“Flash,” Bryer said, speaking of the superhero.
Easton said he had been a good boy this year, so he expected there to be something when he woke up in the morning. However, both boys were also very aware of the true meaning of the season.
“We are very involved with Cornerstone Baptist Church,” Dunifon said. “We try to keep the focus where it should be. We read the Christmas story every year before we open presents.”
Bob Barrett, 71, of Lima, knows that no matter how much he prepares, there will be something that was missed he will need to look for the day before. His last-minute shopping was extended even more as he ran into two friends he hadn’t seen in a while and sat down with them to catch up at the Lima Mall.
“It is nice to catch up with old friends, just sitting and talking,” Barrett said.
Barrett said he will spend Christmas visiting friends and family, eating and relaxing.
“It is a time for just being grateful,” Barrett said.
There were plenty of other things to do in the area to enhance the Christmas feeling. The Putnam County District Library had its annual Tree Festival, and members of churches in the Pandora/Gilboa area handed out food boxes for the holidays at Grace Mennonite Church. The Van Wert County Fairgrounds also hosted a holiday light show.
People also had opportunities to gather with congregational friends with Christmas Eve services.
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