This week's Art Talk Monday is written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director The annual flurry of holiday activities blew in with December 1. Be sure to mark the following programs on your calendar in order to create a most “feel-good” season for you and your family.

This Thursday, December 11, will be Ruston’s Christmas Parade, which will leave from the LA Tech football stadium parking lot at 6pm, head onto Alabama Avenue, and make a loop around downtown Ruston. Last year my children were on two separate floats, so my husband and I enjoyed riding, each of us with a child. It was lots of fun seeing the cheering crowd as a float rider….oh the joy on so many faces! This year, however, we’ll be enjoying the event from the other side again, with arms loaded with the treats they catch.

The following evening, on Friday, December 12, a favorite part of the Main Street Winterfest activities will be held at the Ruston Civic Center: Children’s Choirs. The evening, beginning at 6pm, will feature local schools singing Christmas carols. There is little sweeter than the voices of children singing in unison, particularly at such a special time of year when unity, family and giving are forefront in our thoughts. Schools that will be performing are Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center, Cedar Creek, Hillcrest Elementary, Glen View Elementary and AE Phillips Lab School.

When the Winterfest singing concludes, walk a couple of blocks to the Dixie Center for the Arts for the annual Russtown Band Christmas Concert. The show begins at 7:30pm. The admission fee is a non-perishable food item or a new toy. These will be donated to Christian Community Action and Toys for Tots. The band will play familiar holiday favorites, as well as unfamiliar holiday tunes to expand your repertoire. I’m a Christmas music fan, as well as a former “band nerd,” and I always really enjoy this concert. It’s beautiful to hear familiar music performed live in such a lovely space.

Still want more holiday festivities next week? On Saturday, December 13, head down I-20 to Grambling. Their day-time Christmas parade will begin at 10am. It will be full of floats and candy, providing fun for the family.

This is a time of year when magical memories are made. Take advantage of our close-knit community and check out some of these activities.

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As an aside, I want to remind you as you do your Christmas shopping to keep nonprofits on your gift list. Donations of time, as well as monetary donations of any amount, make a huge difference in our efforts. As a return-gift to you, you can feel good knowing you’re helping the community. (And monetary donations are tax-deductible!)