Beginning To Look A Lot Like - The Wilma Theatre, Missoula, Montana

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' "

~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

Looking Like Christmas - Downtown Missoula, Montana

"...It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart..."

- from It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, lyrics by Meredith Wilson (1902-1984)

W Is For Wilma - Missoula, Montana

The past few evenings have been so warm and lovely - a far cry from the drastic cooling  and rain forecast last week! The lingering end-of-summer days make it hard to come indoors as the sunset wanes to full-on dark. Thankfully, Missoula's downtown main drag is a great place for an evening walk - and safe, being brightly lit and having lots of people out and about. My habitual jaunt loops up one side of Higgins Avenue to the old train depot and back down the other side to the Wilma Theatre, which is in the throes of restoration and upgrades. The signature W lights mark the turnaround point to head back to my car and to home, and - wistfully - inside. 

Setting the Stage - Wilma Theatre - Missoula, Montana

The Wilma Theatre's gilded architectural fixtures and details have long been backdrop to amazing events. Rather a good photo for today, as a reminder of Good Friday so drastically setting the stage for a most amazing event, Easter Sunday. This year, today also begins another wondrous event - blessed Passover to you, also. May we pause and reflect on how these historical happenings changed not only the world, but willing hearts for all time forward.

W is for Wilma, Missoula, MT

If Elmo were to visit Missoula, Montana, he might conclude that "W is for Wilma Theatre"!
The Wilma is a fully functioning historical downtown icon that sports retro signage and a tin ceiling in the front entry overhang.