Saturday was Shepherd’s Christmas Event, and it was a happy, successful day for those who came out to sell and buy and be entertained. The weather forecast said it would rain, but apart from a short rainy patch it stayed dry for us. It was cold.
Everyone who came stayed inside the Center, apart from buying hot food from the vendors or watching the Hot Steppers dance. They were amazing. Costumes and beautiful dancing made this a big hit.
Santa was busy having photos taken with everyone from tiny babies to whole families to our wonderful police who came to close roads for the Parade later. We had several vendors from the farm-to-market group who meet at the Brewtique at the start of each month. Watch for them in January. Michael Nix brought his hand tooled leather goods. Belts, holsters, wallets and card cases and much more were very reasonably priced and works of art.
Coldspring Garden Club came with a fundraiser of gifts of every kind, handmade and perfect for Christmas. Solanch brought her sourdough bread and other delicious edibles. Rose Wolf Farms brought fresh eggs from their free-range hens, lovely feather pens and left the chicks at home where they were warm. Jennifer Moore has an incredible display of handmade jewelry and other fun items. So did Ashley Phillips.
Faith Hart painted children’s faces from delicate flowers to the whole polar bear face. Quake Productions had a huge selection of football shirts and Friends of Hopewell did a roaring trade with giveaways and free prizes when you turned the Wheel of Fortune. The most intriguing items came from a 3D printer which created wonderful dragons and cats and even chess sets. I bought one for the Library Teen Night so look for that soon.
Thank you, Mayor Charles Minton and Constable and soon-to-be Sheriff Sam Houston, for their welcome words and prayer at the beginning of our day. Our prayers were answered in the rain moving away and we had a wonderful parade. The library sold hot chocolate across from the parade lineup. I had some, just the thing on a cold night. Thank you, parade judges, for your hard work and thank you to our DJ Jaccen Le, representing Karaoke Joe for DJ Services. I also came home with three bags of gifts, eggs, bread, and jewelry, etc.
Next Saturday the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce holds its Christmas on the Square and Parade. Be sure to spend some time there.
On Dec. 21 the free Concert at the Coldspring Community Shelter will be a joint expression of Christmas spirit starting at 4:30 p.m. The Red Hat Ladies will have their Christmas lunch at the SJC Senior Center and Women’s League will celebrate their Christmas Lunch at the Community Center on Dec. 12.
•Here is an invitation for those who cannot cook, are alone or in need on Christmas Day. The Family Restaurant at 2700 S. Byrd in Shepherd is offering free Christmas lunch starting at 11 a.m. till they run out of food. If you know someone who could use a meal, please let them know. The menu is comprehensive with many different meats and sides and comes with the message, “Let’s spread joy and warmth this holiday season.” Call (346) 988-5059.
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.
