Fall Fest and Fire Fest were both events on Saturday. Fall Fest was hosted by Friends of Hopewell at their location on Perry Avenue in Coldspring and had a DJ playing lively music for everyone’s entertainment. Barbecue was on hand for the hungry and the Democratic Party was represented by County Chair Dennis Ready and Precinct Chairs manning their booths.
Presiding over the celebration was Ester Wynn with Barbara Justice, Margaret Williams, with Laura Jones represented and many more who came out with their families to enjoy the day.
The weather was sunny and somewhat humid, but the Hot Steppers performed at the Coldspring VFD Station Fire Fest with great energy and style. The line dancers dressed for the occasion as witches, with the masculine member looking very smart in his top hat and tails.
Both Emmitt Elderidge and Kris Eastham were there for the Emergency Management Services of our county, and there were games, a silent auction, a gun raffle and a chili cookoff and a pie contest. There was also a scarecrow and a costume contest, so there was plenty of fun and variety for everyone.
The decorations included a giant inflatable black cat and a spaceship with an ET transporting a cow into the ship. Both events were well organized and made sure visitors were not bored.
• Coldspring Garden Club reminded members who attended Emmitt Elderidge’s talk at the Garden Club, that there are several useful websites for those who need extra help during a crisis. Go to the Emergency Management website for all of the sites mentioned, but these two are I think very important. STEAR stands for State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, and is for those with disabilities who will need extra help in an emergency. Go to tdem.texas.gov/stear.
If you want to sign in for alerts from the emergency system, sign into sanjacinto.genasys.com/portal.
The Garden Club has interesting speakers on many subjects as well as gardening. The next meeting on Nov. 7 will have Melaney Strickland on container gardens. The group meets at Coldspring Community Center at 1:30 p.m.
• Brenda Myers, founder of the Community & Children’s Impact Center, is busy fundraising for the Crisis Center for those who experience sudden catastrophes in their lives. She also has a very well attended Youth Program called Get It Off Your Chest on Thursdays.
This last week the Center had a pumpkin decorating contest outside the Impact Store. The center has many events, and the store is an excellent place to find a bargain. My grandson, visiting from Germany, wanted to take home some baseball bats, gloves and balls but had no luggage big enough to contain them. He had been introduced to the game by my husband. His friends will be surprised — they are going to become a team. Brenda found a long suitcase immediately for him.
Have a look if you have never been there. You will discover something you need. Call (936) 499-2632.
•Shepherd Library has a new member on staff. Jennifer Harrington joined last week after being interviewed by Mayor Charles Minton and Director Terri MacIntyre. Jennifer has attended many of the library events as a volunteer and now joins as a part-timer.
Jenni keeps pigs; her photo shows her grooming one of the piglets born recently. She also helps her daughter Kim at her shop ‘Skoops and Stems’, ice cream and flowers in one store.
• Coldspring Chamber of Commerce had a really great day hosting the annual Wolf Creek Car, Bike & Truck Show. This is a lot of work for the Chamber and It shows in the success of their efforts.
Next, both Chambers are working on their Christmas programs. Shepherd will have theirs on Dec. 7, and Coldspring on Dec. 14. Santa will be at both places, and a parade with the theme “A Country Christmas” will be held at both.
Vendors, please call your chamber — entries for the parade will be online or available by calling the chamber.
Contact the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at (210) 995-7420 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.
Yvonne Cones is president of the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.
