By Marilyn Miller

Santa Claus had been issued a formal invitation to participate in the City of Minden’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. However, it seemed that The Grinch managed to mess up another good time in Mindenville – he kidnapped Santa and a small dog.

Heads hung low as Mayor Nick Cox explained to the children of Mindenville that Santa would not be able to attend the ceremony. But, he said, our Savior Jesus Christ, would always be with us.

Taylor Wren of Main Street, Johnnye Kennon of Visit Webster, Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver, Stephanie Barnette of the Greater Minden Chamber, and Mayor Cox kept the welcome statements upbeat, however, a pall fell over the crowd after the mayor issued the bad news of Santa’s kidnapping.

But the blaring of sirens and the screeching of tires grabbed the crowd’s attention. And who should step out of the paddy wagon but Santa Claus himself, along with his trusty small pup. They were rescued by the police just in time for the tree-lighting ceremony. But, alas, the grimy green Grinch escaped!!

With great fanfare, Santa flipped the switch (with barely a glitch) and Mindenville’s official Christmas tree glowed with hundreds of tiny lights, thus signaling the official start of Christmastime in Mindentown.

On and on Friday’s festivities continued. Over 500 little citizens of Mindenville flocked to the Dorcheat Museum to make Christmas creations. Two tractor-drawn trailers meandered through the streets of the Downtown Historic District. The hayride also attracted over 500 attendees. How many wine tickets were sold? The Who of Mindenville will never tell. Nor will those kind folks at Brick Street Coffee, who offered sweet nectar – coffee! Other downtown businesses hawked their wares during the night. Many arose bright and early Saturday morning to enjoy brunch at Geaux Fresh. A little sprinkle couldn’t stop the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday afternoon. And the sun shone on Sunday’s “Christmas Tour of Homes.”

That hairy old Grinch must have been licking his wounds because there were no further sightings of him during the weekend of festivities. But citizens are reminded to remain aware, because The Grinch could show up anywhere!