Love twinkled from the 200 ornaments on the tree and glowed from the faces of those who gathered for the Love Lights a Tree Ceremony at F & W Printing Wednesday night. The American Cancer Society and the McDowell County Relay for Life sponsored the ceremony
Gathering to honor those who have succumbed to cancer, those who have survived it or to simply recognize someone special in their lives, the small group prayed, sang Christmas Carols and listened to poems that espoused the significance of life.
Reading the poem “Candlelit Heart”, Vesta Larkin noted, “All the time we must be apart, I keep a candle in my heart.”
Offering the invocation and benediction Gene Vandevander prayed for strength and courage for those who face the challenges of cancer.
Mary Lou Odum and Birdie Beavers led the group in singing “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night”.
Reading the poem “Find Yourself Faithful,” Fonda Walker related, “Find yourself faithful and give it full expression.”

Emcee Reba Honaker reminded the group that the kick off meeting for the 2009 Relay for Life is January 14, 6 p.m. at the Sterling Drive in. Anyone who’d like to volunteer for this year’s Relay is encouraged to attend the meeting, Honaker said.
Philip Lucion was deejay at the ceremony.

Pictured here are Vicky McBride, Fonda Walker and Reba Honaker. (Photo by Cathy Patton)