The Chamber Connection
by: Meredith Caddell
November 29, 2012
Thank you to everyone who attended the ribbon cutting for Main Street Winery & The Pocket Shoppes yesterday. Stop by 204 Main Street for their Grand Opening Friday & Saturday! Have a glass of wine while you browse through the different shops all under one roof.
Business After Hours at the Southwest Dairy Museum, TONIGHT, November 29th at 5:00
You don’t want to miss the Business After Hours at the Southwest Dairy Museum on Thursday, November 29th from 5-6:30. Carolyn McKinney has the Museum decorated so beautifully for the holidays and they will have lots of food, drinks and prizes!!
2013 Community Calendars are HERE!
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s beautiful community calendar is now available for purchase for only $20. You may purchase the calendar at the Chamber of Commerce, Town & Country Cleaners, Sulphur Springs Floral or the Hospital Gift Shop.
Coat and Blanket Drive, hosted by Coldwell Banker, November 30th, 9am-5pm
As the weather gets colder and colder, we all know that there are families that need coats and blankets. Well, Watson Realtors is trying to help. They will be hosting a Coat and Blanket Drive on Friday, November 30th from 9am-5pm at their Coldwell Banker-Watson Company office, located at 1600 South Broadway. Drop off a coat or blanket and warm up with some hot chocolate and cookies. For more information, please call 903-885-1534.
Christmas in Heritage Park- Friday, November 30th 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Each year the Historical Park is open to visitors for Christmas in the Park. The event begins at sunset and lasst for three hours. While in the park, visitors can enjoy a spectacle of lights, strolling carolers, musicians, a live nativity scene and Santa Claus. Free hot cocoa, coffee, punch, cookies and other goodies are served in various buildings on the grounds. Most of the historic buildings are open, with volunteers dressed in period costumes to help give the feeling of stepping into the past. The festival will run from 6 pm to 9 pm. The $3 admission ticket is eligible for one of the many door prizes to be given away, compliments of local business owners.
Drive Thru Christmas in Heritage Park - Saturday, December 1st, 2012: 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Christmas on the Square, Friday, November 30th
Don’t miss the Tree Lighting, Snow Slide, White Tigers, Petting Zoo, Bounce Houses, Pony Rides, Vendors and the movie Arthur’s Christmas! All beginning at 5:30
Hospice at Memorial Holiday Fiesta Featuring Famous Aguilar Tamales-Saturday, December 1st
Don’t miss the Holiday Fiesta featuring the Famous Aguilar Tamales, Saturday, December 1st from 5-8 at First United Methodist Church. They will have entertainment & pictures with Santa. Adults are only $8 and Children 3-12 are only $5. All Proceeds will go to Patient Care, Bereavement, Support and Community Education.
Lions Club 5th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 1st
Line the streets of Connally and around the Square for the beautiful electric lights parade. If you are interested in entering the parade, stop by the Chamber office for the rules and entry form! Entry forms must be submitted by noon on November 30th. The Parade will begin promptly at 5;30 and will make its way down Connally Street, across in front of Alliance Bank, up Church Street then will head west on Houston Street.
Mark your calendars now for the NETX Choral Society’s “A Dickens Christmas”
Don’t miss the North East Texas Choral Society’s presentation of “A Dickens Christmas”, Saturday, December 1st at 7:00pm and/or Sunday, December 2nd at 2:00pm at the Civic Center. Tickets to the show are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, children are $5. This musical extravaganza will be a Victorian Christmas Card come to life! Don’t miss it!
Lights of Life Tree Lighting Tuesday, December 4th, 6:00 p.m. in The Gardens at Memorial
A $25 donation given in “memory or honor of someone special” to the Health Care Foundation will help light the Lights of Life Christmas tree placed in The Gardens at Memorial Hospital. At the tree lighting, the Sulphur Springs Jazz Band will play; First Baptist Church Youth Choir will sing; and of course the doctors will entertain the guests with their singing. Santa will arrive in time to help light the Lights of Life Christmas tree & the Volunteer Auxiliary will serve hot chocolate and cookies.
CASA Cookie Walk, December 7th 9am-Noon at First United Methodist Church
Don’t miss the annual CASA Cookie Walk, December 7th from 9am to Noon at First United Methodist Church Family Center located at 301 Church Street. It’s only $5/pound of cookies….trust me…you don’t want to miss it!!!
Dr. Ray Perryman to speak at Economic Outlook Conference, December 12th from 11:30-1:00pm
Get your tickets now to hear noted economist, Dr. Ray Perryman on Wednesday, December 12th at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Tickets are $15 which includes a wonderful BBQ lunch. For more information, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515! Deadline to order tickets is Wednesday, December 5th!
East Texas Heat Baseball Academy Holiday Hitting Camp, December 13, 14 & 15
The East Texas heat Academy will be putting on their 2nd Annual Holiday Hitting Camp. The camp will be December 13th, 14th & 15th. The Camp is available for ages 6-18. The cost for all 3 sessions is only $50. Make sure to bring tennis shoes, hat, bat, and batting gloves. For more information and to register, please call 903-485-4328.
The primary goal of the Academy is to help each athlete develop a positive mental attitude about themselves and the game of baseball. Their focused instruction provides campers with sound fundamentals, disciplined work habits, drill work for personal work and a passion for the game.
5th Annual Adopt-a-Grandparent for Christmas Community Service Project
Mary Kay has adopted local elderly residents as a Christmas project and they want to present each of them with a special gift for Christmas. This may be the only gift some of them receive this holiday. They are asking businesses, organizations and individuals within the community to partner up with them in adopting grandparents for Christmas. Every $10 donation will sponsor a special gift for one resident and enable them to have a merry Christmas. Your business card, your name or group name will be attached to the gift so that they know who it’s from.
All donations are tax deductible. For more information contact Cindy Sheppa at 903-441-6401 or email her at cindysheppa@marykay.com.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance…this year the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to nominate that “special educator” that has had an impact in their lives. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is chamber1@suddenlinkmail.com and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 14, 2013). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—P.O. Box 598, SS, TX 75483
Lady of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 145 Brashear, TX 75420
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o AgriLife Extenson, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above mentioned address.
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
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