First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church is "the church under the clock" and sits at the corner of Broad Street and Dallas Avenue. It is also "Home of the Carillon," and hymns peal from its bells at designated times. The church first installed a carillon in 1948. It was dedicated in memory of the victims of World War II. The latest carillon was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2002, in memory of the victims of 9-11. The clock tower can be seen in the background of many downtown photos including the one posted yesterday.

Red and Green

Downtown Selma is filled with red and green both with real flowers (foreground) and artificial Christmas wreaths with red bows. It's a festive sight, even on a cloudy day!

Downtown Lights

The Christmas lights downtown have been sparkling since late November. On this particular Friday, the parking spaces are filled with cars of restaurant patrons and a Christmas play at the Performing Arts Centre.

The Cattle are Lowing

The cattle are lowing as they amble toward a tractor (not in view) that will soon deliver them a bale of hay. Supplemental feed will be a daily task until at least the middle of March when there should be enough grass to graze...that is, if this drought breaks and if the temperatures warm to normal. I like the way the setting sun gives a warm glow to the trees.

Now the Day is Over

Now the day is over.
Night is drawing nigh.
Yet the traffic still moves eastbound along U.S. Highway 80 at Marion Junction. The 18-wheelers are headed toward Selma where they will likely truck on to Montgomery or Birmingham. In the background, the sun sets on one of the shortest days of the year into a night that became the coldest of the season. We awoke this morning to a thick frost and thermometers that recorded temperatures in the low 20s.

Sunday at the Pond

We spotted this blue heron (?) wading in a fish pond on a cold, windy Sunday near Selma. I hope some of you bird watchers can tell me exactly what bird this is. It was a little too far off to get a good closeup.

O Christmas Tree!

The newly renovated lobby of the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue is ready for Christmas. I left the ceiling and chandelier in the photo since they are decorative as well.

Angel in Waiting

"Angel in Waiting" is among the works of art that are for sale at the frame shop featured in yesterday's post. The artist, Teresa Cammack, is the same one who took the first-place photo for the Riverfront Market Day photography contest.

Art, Ornaments and Frames

These Christmas sun catchers are attractively displayed on a window frame in a Water Avenue frame shop. The shop makes room for all kinds of artistic work from the area's creative talents and sells it on consignment.

Sturdivant Hall's Christmas Open House

Sturdivant Hall's Christmas Open House is Thursday and Friday. That's when you can tour this antebellum mansion and museum free and enjoy the holiday decorations. If you attend the reception between 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, you'll also get to enjoy musical entertainment.