The Franklin County Education Retirees Association members enjoyed the holiday season by participating in a Christmas covered dish luncheon at the Russellville First Methodist Church Ministry Center recently.

The program, entitled “It’s Christmas Time Again,” featured the Russellville First Baptist Church youth praise band. They performed many holiday favorites, including “Joy to the World,” “Holy Night” and “Silent Night.” Garrett Booth, with RFBC Music and Education, directed the group.

Gayle McAlister gave the Institute on the Christmas candy cane, stating the candy cane has been a Christmas treat and tradition for so long that no one is completely sure of its origin. Legend has it that the candy cane dates to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks to his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony.

But as the story goes, an Indiana candy maker wanted to make a candy that would be a witness to Christ, translating symbols from His birth, ministry and death into its design. The traditional white cane symbolizes the virgin birth and Jesus’ sinless nature. The candy’s hardness represents the firmness of God’s promises and the solid foundation of the church. The candy cane isn’t a cane at all, but a “J” for Jesus and a representation of the staff of the Good Shepherd. The candy cane maker then splashed the cane with red stripes as a reminder of the blood Jesus shed for the salvation of the world.

Just when and how candy canes got started is more uncertain than their popularity. 1.76 billion candy canes are produced in the United States annually.

The Franklin County Retirees’ projects for this year included donating $100 to the AERA food bank in Huntsville, which also benefits our county, and supporting the Homeless Coalition of Franklin County. Libby Daniels reported the Homeless Coalition needs Bibles for the backpacks that are given out. The Franklin County Retirees Association approved a donation of $100 for the Bibles.

President Sandy Gibson reported the Alabama legislative session starts Feb. 6, 2024. Members were reminded that the advocacy training in Cullman will be held Jan. 17, 2024.

For the closing, Sandy Gibson and Libby Daniels read a fun skit called “Well It Does Sound Threatening” written by Bernie Delinsky about Santa Claus’ 911 experiences. Everyone was wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!