By By Steve Swogetinsky
Dec. 9, 2001
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
If you don't think so, just go by Ann and Sonny Crowe's house today at 7760 Lakeview Drive from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. for a special Christmas open house tour. This will be a special benefit for the Meridian Swim Association, and there is a $5 charge.
Ann is a serious collector of Santa Claus figures. She started collecting 12 years ago, and has more than 2,000. Each year, she uses them to decorate every room in her home. There are also Christmas trees and other Christmas decorations throughout the house.
I got a sneak preview the other day and it was something to see. It's well done, and worth your time. For more information, call 483-2902.
Christmas memories
Meanwhile, we were doing good to get our one Christmas tree up the other night at my house.
The next day, I noticed the step ladder had been pushed next to the tree, and a couple of the decorations were on the floor. It appears that sometime when no one was looking, Joy, our 4-year-old, did a little rearranging. That will probably be an ongoing battle this Christmas season.
When I was about Joy's age, I had a beagle named "Sudie." She was a nice dog, but a little wild. I'll never forget the day or the look on my grandmother's face  when Sudie and I turned the Christmas tree over, not once but twice.
My folks were our of town and my grandparents were staying with my sister and me. I put Sudie on a leash, intending to take her our for a walk. But Sudie had other plans. Dragging me along, she ran behind the Christmas tree and I went around the front. The tree, decorations and all, tumbled over.
OK, that was bad. My grandparents fussed and fumed as they somehow got the tree to stand up straight again. Nothing was broken and calm was restored … until a few minutes later when I decided to try to take Sudie out for another walk.
You guessed it. She got away and ran behind the Christmas tree again.
My memories are kind of vague (it was 42 years ago), but I remember thinking, "I can't believe this" as the tree tumbled over again. My grandparents couldn't believe it either. As I recall, Sudie had to go outside without me that day. And the Christmas tree wasn't very straight after the second time.
I guess I am lucky to be alive.
Fun day
Joy and I had a wonderful morning last Saturday during "Breakfast with Santa" at the Meridian Little Theatre. Not only did Joy get to talk to Santa Claus, she met "Annie," "Peter Pan," "Captain Hook" and other characters from recent plays.
The MLT is a busy place this weekend with its ongoing production of "Nuncrackers." If you haven't seen it yet, you have three more chances. Today's show starts at 2 p.m. It will also run Tuesday and Wednesday, starting both nights at 8 p.m.
For more information, contact the MLT at 482-6371.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.