Holiday Happenings Abound
Thanksgiving is next Thursday, Nov. 27, and it kicks off the holiday season. There’s lots happening in Monticello and Jasper County during the season, and The News wants to be a part of your holiday celebration, and wants to be sure you, our readers, don’t miss out on anything.
Santa will be visiting several places around town, and The News encourages you to send in your child’s photo with Santa for possible publication in a future edition. Include the child’s name and where he or she saw Santa.
The first opportunity to visit with Santa in Monticello is next Tuesday, Nov. 25, when he will be at Town ‘N Country General Store on Hwy. 212 west. He has several other stops planned in town, including at the Visitors’ Center on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 29, and at the Polar Express at Tricia Armistead’s house on Forsyth Street on Saturday, Dec. 6. The News will do our best to keep our readers posted when he will be in town.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, the first big thing happening is Shop Small, an opportunity to spend your money with local merchants and support your community by shopping at home. It takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and is a nationwide initiative begun by American Express.
Santa will be at the Visitors’ Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and children can have cookies and milk with Santa, and have their photo made. Businesses around town will offer special sales and incentives, reminding people why they should shop at home. Keep your money in your community…shop our small town.
The News will have a Shop Small promotion in next week’s paper, and anyone who wants to be included, and hasn’t yet been contacted, should get in touch with Jenny Murphy, 706-468-6511 or advertising@themonticellonews.com.
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One merchant really likes to support the community, and she is doing it every day, not just Shop Small day. Jackie Pate at The Snap ‘N Turtle is offering an additional 10 percent off for anyone shopping for their ML&J child. And, that includes regularly priced and sale items. She said just bring in the paper, and she’ll help you shop. Also, on Friday, Nov. 28, she will donate 10 percent of her proceeds to the ML&J Fund. Then on Saturday, Nov. 29, she will donate 10 percent to the Jasper County Mentor Program.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce will host a business after hours from 5 to 6:45 p.m. ending just before the community Christmas concert, A 1950s Christmas, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the main Courtroom in the Jasper County Courthouse. More than 30 local musicians volunteer their time to prepare for and present music to the public.
Saturday, Dec. 6, Tricia Armistead will host the Polar Express at her home on Forsyth Street. The Polar Express is a fund raiser for the ML&J fund, and an opportunity for children to visit with Santa and ride the Polar Express. Participants are asked to bring a gift for a youth/child, or a donation to the ML&J Fund. All children receive a goodie bag.
Also that evening, the city of Shady Dale will usher in the Christmas season with a tree lighting and community dinner. In addition, John DeGarmo and Norma Jeanne Trammell will have a book signing and art show from 10 a.m. to noon at The Vanilla Bean on the Square.
Unrelated to holiday happenings, an appreciation day and presentation of key to the city to Miss Georgia 2014 Tiana Griggs will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at St. James A.M.E. Church on Funderburg Drive in Monticello. Everyone is invited, and all little girls, ages 3-10, who register by December 5 will be little princesses at the ceremony. Register by calling Tibia Williams-Banks, 706-819-8324.
Lastly, one week before Christmas, on December 18, The Monticello News will sponsor its annual letters to Santa section which will include letters from children expressing their desires to Santa. Many children will write their letters at school or day care, but individuals are welcome to also submit. Letters need to be turned in as soon as possible, and no later than December 10.
