From neighbor Bradley Thomas: All welcome for this free Christmas Eve program that I am participating in. In fact, there are two of us Bates Area residents performing that night. Ronald Compton, who lives in the 1500 block of First Street, will be playing the drums. It’s a very nice event for families and it kicks off at 7 pm, just after the stores close, so it’s a good way to wind down and get into the spirit of the holiday.