The O-town Scene

Scene the O-Town Vol. 2, No. 9 www.otownscene.com 102 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 432-1000, ext. 255, editor@otownscene.com EDITOR Cassandra Miller ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE DAILY STAR Adrienne Wise PUBLISHER Armand Nardi CONTRIBUTORS John Champlin, Morgan Micucci, Robin Nussbaum, Jenny Ortiz, Emily Popek, Mark Simonson, Adam Sisenwein and Sam Spokony. EDITOR OF THE DAILY STAR Sam Pollak ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sean Lewis The O-Town Scene is published Thursdays by The Daily Star Inc. Free copies are distributed throughout Oneonta, as well as parts of Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties. Member of The Associated Press and CNHI News Service EDITOR'S NOTE "Anticipation, I suppose, sometimes exceeds realiza- tion." Amelia Earhart's observa- tion applies to most major events in life, and is particu- larly true during the holiday season _ the longest build up of the year. December is a fun-filled month of extended eagerness with people pack- ing in as many parties and shows as possible before the clock strikes new year. There are gingerbread house con- tests, wine and craft parties, ballets, Christmas concerts and lots of lights. Tree-scented candles come out of the cupboard. Shots of peppermint swirl into coffee. An entire genre of music that is acceptable to be played only one month of the year floods radio stations and iPods. Shopping is amped up, and those who are cash-strapped get to think of creative homemade presents 2 O-Town Scene Dec. 1, 2011 that are more thoughtful than another gift certificate to Home Depot. As a non-child, Christmas Day does not hold the same magic as it once did for me. Santa Claus does not visit 27-year-old's homes. Which is fine. I get that he has lots of children to bring joy to. I do still enjoy spending time with my family, opening presents and seeing them open my gifts to them. But, opening gifts and a delicious meal isn't really the best part of Christmas. It's the magical month leading up to Dec. 25, when all of that peppermint- flavored coffee is drunk and "Love Actually," "Christmas Vacation" and "Scrooged" are on rotation in the DVD player. Even if your family gather- ings on the actual holiday aren't Norman Rockwell paintings brought to life (which mine aren't) and even if you don't celebrate Christmas (which I do), any- one can bask in the holiday cheer that's being thrown out like glitter at a fairy conven- tion and take advantage of the abundance of activities themed around general goodwill to all. In this issue, we've rounded up 10 major holiday events happening in the area this month on Pages 12 and 13, including the Fabulous Beek- man Boys' Victorian Holi- day Celebration in Sharon Springs where everyone is encouraged to wear top hats and corsets, and the lovely tradition of the Fokine Ballet Company's production of "The Nutcracker." This December, I'm going to enjoy the extended days of holiday cheer and social engagements. We hope you find activities that will instill good feelings in you and yours this month, preferably while eating roasted chest- nuts and listening to Bing Crosby. Cassandra Miller Miller is the found- ing editor of the O-Town Scene.

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