The three Chambers group held their monthly meeting at “The Train Station” in Warsaw on Wednesday, November 20 at noon.
Lincoln’s Mayor, Glen Nelson, gave updates on the annual Christmas Parade held in downtown Lincoln on Saturday, December 14, followed by the craft show and a chili/soup dinner at R-2 school after the Parade. The Chili/Soup dinner is a fund raiser for Lincoln’s Drama class and will help cover expenses for their spring 2025 production of Mary Poppins.
Megan Petersen, director of the Warsaw Chamber, gave a run down on Warsaw events. She reminded the group on November 22 the Christmas lights would be turned on in Warsaw. December 6-7 there is the annual Kaysinger Christmas celebration at the Pioneer Village at the overlook. She encouraged everyone to take the candle lit stroll along the trails along the historic buildings and stated they need to be sure to indulge in some warm food, cider and hot chocolate.
Megan reminded everyone that Warsaw’s Hallmark Christmas December 14 would begin with Breakfast with Santa, food trucks and a holiday market, a live nativity scene and horse drawn carriage rides, Warsaw’s Christmas Parade and Mayor Simons will light the Mayor’s tree at 5:45 on the Courthouse lawn just prior to the parade.
In Cole Camp the holiday season was being kicked off with the long running Christbaumfest on Saturday, November 23. Christkindelmarket was slated for Friday evening December 6. Its a family friendly event featuring shopping in the stores, hot apple cider, food trucks, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the beautiful lighted holiday windows all over downtown.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the German Christmas Concert on Sunday evening, December 1 in St Paul’s Church. The Church is in the oldest part of Cole Camp and is renown for its stained glass windows and its pipe organ. You’ve never heard “Joy to the World,” until you hear it on a pipe organ.
JoLynn Turley, SFCC, announced the college is a seeking a litho artist to design something that can be used on future awards given by the college.
BCED Director, JoAnn Lane reported the Boutique Crawl held county wide on November 15-16 had a great turnout with an estimated 150 shoppers on Friday and nearly 400 on Saturday. 1st Place winner in the drawing for $1,000 was Shari Riley. 2nd place $500 was won by Joni Price and 3rd place $500 went home with Ben Ridgley.
JoAnn explained a new innovative idea for local residents called Benton County Bucks ($10 value) to be used on small Business Saturday, November 30. Participants must be 18 years of age and only one per family and one per purchase. Bucks can be obtained at City Hall at 10 a.m. on the 30th. Other locations are Citizens-Farmers Bank in Cole Camp and from the Chamber office in the Warsaw Community Building.
In Lincoln, businesses accepting the bucks are Dandy’s Place, Palo Pinto ranch Store, and the Lincoln antique Mall. In Cole Camp it’s RiOak, Handel Haus, Mid-Mo Trends, The Hotel Bellview and Missouri Made Shop. In Warsaw its Creative Palette, Warsaw Antique Mall, Country Charm, Main Event Wedding, LOZ Outfitters, The Velvet Studio, The Charming Market, Sportsman Outfitters and Oops I Arted Gallery. The Benton County Bucks have been made possible by Equity Bank and Community Bank.
Extension Agent, Amie Breshears announced there would be a Farm Tax workshop in Lincoln on December 3 and there would be one on December 4 in the Cole Camp Library.
The 3 Chambers will not meet in December. The next meeting Is January 15, 2025 at Estes Drive-in in Lincoln at noon. The public is encouraged to attend.
