'Tis the season to be jolly
Chamber and city events getting into full swing this time of year
BECCA SOCHA EL CAMPO CHAMBER PRESIDENT

It's time to gear up for the holiday season. I know many have put up trees, started shopping and some might even have gifts wrapped.

The Chamber starts off December with the Christmas Mall this weekend both Saturday and Sunday. We have more than 100 booths and live entertainment both days. Our mall draws people from surrounding areas who stay the weekend and shoppers who come in not only to go to the mall but visit at our local retail stores. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of specials.

The following Thursday is the parade celebrating "Christmas Around the World." Be sure to have your float entries in by Monday noon so you won't be charged a late fee. This is so we can list all entries in the Wednesday newspaper.

This is the time of year to reflect back and be thankful for all the special people in our lives and what we have been given. Some may have every gift imaginable, but you cannot be more thankful than for family and friends who are always there to help celebrate good times and be a shoulder to cry on in sorrowful moments.

God has blessed this community with the greatest people who are determined to make El Campo a derful community to live in and enjoy.

Thanks to Pastor Danny Roberts and all his helpers for another wonderful Community Wide Thanksgiving dinner at the Civic Center

Many churches will be having special Christmas events during December so be sure and take your children. They offer meaningful experiences. I will never forget the first time we went to First Christian Church's "Streets of Bethlehem." We were at my mother-in-law's having supper and all the sisters-in-law decided to go. We were not even thinking we would go walking outside and living the experience of Bethlehem.

I think we all had house shoes and cozy warm-ups and we just thought it was in a room and you looked around. Not at all - I was amazed at this congregation's efforts in having everyone experience the blessed night. Little did we know you walked through Jerusalem.

Tyler was just a toddler and I think he had no shoes on and needless to say we were all in awe at the end. It was an experience I will never forget and this year I am excited to take Zach because he will understand the story of Jesus being born.

Another event children and adults will enjoy is St. Philip's Christmas Pageant on Dec. 18.

This year many of you would be proud of me. Since this was a rainy weekend we put up our tree unlike last year and angels doing ours. I have a glass tree topper and Zach kept asking, "When are you putting on the star?" I had some ornaments that were shaped like snow flakes thinking that was what he was talking about. He said no - the star that goes on top of the tree. I said, "Why can't we use this? pointing at the usual tree topper." He said, "No, Christmas is about the star." So needless to say we are in search of the star of Bethlehem.

Sometimes in this busy season we forget the true meaning of Christmas and there's no better reminder than a child's innocence.

The Chamber would like to thank member James Pierce of Penner Electric for donating time to hang the Christmas Mall and Parade banner and Community Thanksgiving dinner banner.

Our Chamber has been blessed to have so many members who support us throughout the year in making El Campo a better place to live and work.

A new business member this month is Wiese Crop Insurance with owner Bryan Wiese and associate member Tom Kelley who have opened their office in one of the vacant buildings across from the police station.

Another new business and member that opened on the same block is Hollywood Texas with owners Amanda Appling and Brandy Kubena. This new gift shop and accessory store is located in the former Gold Mender next to El Campo Leader-News.

We always like to see vacant buildings occupied with new businesses.

Some improvements around town are YK Communications with a new marquee board. Danna Insurance on the loop also has a new rock and brick sign. Muldoon's also has a new sign with flashing marquee like Mr. Money Pawn.

Shabby Chic Boutique on Jackson St. has knocked out the wall where there was a vacant space and has expanded their business.

Darrell Hoffer is starting to break ground with his new business, Mobil 1 next to Faith Lutheran Church. We will be having a new China Buffet opening behind McDonald's soon.

Our Chamber banquet is set for Thursday, January 31. We will have Marion Pietz, a comedian who is full of laughs. Rebecca and I heard her in Houston at a chamber convention and she had us crying. We look forward to another great banquet and hope to see all of you.

Our new directors, Taylor Radley, Tiffany Riha, Steve Ward, Rafial Hernandez, Jake Brodsgaard and Travis Cobb, will be coming on board in January to serve the chamber.

On behalf of the chamber we wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year!