Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the staff of Walking Through Salem

 Think about this book for your coffee table next Christmas!

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Old Salem Christmas - 1840

"Deftly written by Karen Cecil Smith and appropriately illustrated by Bebe Phipps, "An Old Salem Christmas, 1840" is the story of a young girl who attends a Moravian Lovefeast in celebration of Christmas back in 1840. As part of the celebration she joins a candlelight service of sacred music and texts and afterwards savors a sweet bun and a cup of milky coffee. A Protestant Christian sect, the Moravians had their own distinctive traditions which author Karen Smith has faithfully portrayed in "An Old Salem Christmas, 1840", making it a highly recommended picture book for young readers and a welcome addition to school and community library collections"

From the Thomasville Times:

Something about the Moravian culture spoke to Karen Cecil Smith, something about the simple faith with a grand dream — and a tasty Christmas tradition — embedded in modern-day Winston-Salem and encased within Old Salem Museum and Gardens that drew her closer.

A sect of Protestantism that originated in what is now the Czech Republic, the Moravian Church migrated from its first permanent North American settlement in Bethlehem, Penn., to found the city of Salem, N.C., in 1766. The restored Salem village, reviving some of that culture of old, is part of Old Salem Museums and Gardens and borders Salem College, which Smith attended.

The memories of the Moravian influence clung with Smith throughout her life, so much so that when she decided to pen her first children’s book, she molded a member of the faith as her heroine.

“I’ve always loved Old Salem, and I love the Moravian traditions,” said Smith, who now lives in High Point. “It’s just part of the whole Winston-Salem culture. I wanted to write a children’s picture book about Christmas that reflected the true meaning of Christmas while throwing in some historical information about the Moravians.”

The book, titled “An Old Salem Christmas, 1840,” depicts the faith’s Christmas traditions from a child’s perspective. From decorating cookies to attending the famous Moravian Christmas Eve Lovefeast celebration, the little girl walks through her community’s celebration of the holiday while exploring the season’s true meaning.

“Christmas has become so commercialized,” Smith said. “I think a lot of people have lost sight of what it really means, the birth of Jesus, and it’s not just Santa Claus and food and that sort of thing. I did include those things in the book — presents and what children look forward to at Christmas — but I wanted it to have a message.”

Released in December 2008, the book was illustrated by Bebe Phipps and received the North Carolina Historical Society’s Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award. Smith worked hard to keep the story light enough for her 4-year-old to 8-year-old audience while still working in historical details such as the Moravian candle-lit vigil and traditional snacks of sweet buns and coffee served at the Lovefeast.

“I just had to really think about it,” Smith said of keeping her tone childlike. “I didn’t have a child to ask, so it took some time.”

But it was worth the effort. Smith says she has always dreamed of writing a book for younger readers, and that goal finally came to fruition.

“I’ve always been interested in writing and all genres, really,” she said. “I had played around with writing children’s books for a long time, since I was a kid. I love children’s books now, too.”

Smith first became a novelist in 1996 when research she was doing for a newspaper article on the famous midwife Orlean Puckett led to a wealth of first-hand accounts. A happen-stance meeting with one of Puckett’s relatives resulted in introductions with the woman’s many friends and neighbors.

“I started getting so much material that I knew I had enough for a book,” Smith said. “That’s what prompted the first book.”

Smith’s first published work, “Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Mountain Midwife,” was strictly a biography, following her pattern of passion for the past. The author is currently working on three other books, all with a historical tie.

“I love historical fiction and biographies, true stories,” Smith said. “Even if they’re fiction, I try to make sure all the historical facts are accurate.”

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Twin City Santa - Miracle on 5th Street

Would you care to have fun and do something special for children? Try this out!

December 9th, from 7pm until midnight

The Millennium Center

101 West Fifth Street

Twin City Santa‘s annual Miracle on 5th Street Christmas party serves as a semi-formal event for young professionals in the Triad to collect holiday toys to be donated to the children of the community through the Salvation Army‘s annual Toy Drive.

The first Miracle on 5th Street event in 2003 brought together about 450 young professionals from the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and surrounding community. The following year brought over 600 people joining in the holiday spirit and now in 2010 they hope to grow to over 700 revelers!

Rubberband’s live, high-energy music highlights this year’s party. In addition to the live music, your ticket and donated gift will provide complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and hors d’oueves throughout the night. A cash bar will also be available.

Tickets

Our Salem Holiday Parade

Join My Family at the 2010 Holiday Parade

5 PM December 4th

Tree lighting 6:30 PM at Corpening Plaza

Christmas in Salem

The R.J. Reynolds Building - Christmas

Christmas In Salem - The Nutcraker

Lets see, four daughters, tens of thousands of dollars invested in the Academy of Dance Arts. Do you think I have seen The Nutcracker? You know that I have and so should you! Performances presented by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts at The Stevens Center December 4th through the 12th.

Purchase Tickets Online

TICKET PRICING (ADULTS/CHILDREN AGE 13 AND UNDER):

Prime Orchestra ($66); Orchestra Center ($50/$35); Orchestra Sides and Front Balcony ($45/$30); Rear Balcony ($25/$20).

For the best deal in town take advantage of the great prices on The Nutcracker “Family Four Pack” for the evening performances on Sunday, Dec. 4, Wednesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 9 only: $130 for Orchestra Side/Front Balcony and $95 for Center Balcony.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount on every full-priced ticket, excluding Prime Orchestra. The 10% discount for groups may not be combined with any other offer.

UNCSA Box Office: 336-721-1945

Directed by Ethan Stiefel, Dean, UNCSA School of Dance Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Choreography by Ethan Stiefel, Nigel Burley, Warren Conover and Susan McCullough

With Musical Direction by Charles Barker Principal Conductor, American Ballet Theater

Tchaikovsky’s music performed by The UNCSA Nutcracker Orchestra