Chamber Christmas Open House

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

Hi everyone! The Howard Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas open house and tree-lighting event all day Saturday, Dec. 5. This year combines two weekend events into one Saturday, and its an action-packed one. Here is the schedule:
A schedule is still in planning stages, but to date is as follows:
“Walking Tacos” lunch served by (at?) Senior Center – 11:30- 12:30 p.m.
Visit with Santa at Cox Building– 12:30-2 p.m.
Merchants’ open houses – throughout the day
Children’s movie at library, presented by the Elk Konnected Youth Development team, with refreshments served afterward – 2-3:30 p.m.
Children’s crafts at Cox Building – 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Drawing for door prizes – 5 p.m.
Christmas carols and tree lighting at Cox Building – 5:30 p.m.
Meal at the Cox Building served by 4-H – after tree lighting

New this year are the children's crafts, a free activity that gives the little ones a chance to make an ornament for the community tree or their tree at home 9.  Also, Howard artist Jill Ball has generously donated to the Chamber a lovely, one-of-a-kind sculpture of Santa and furry friends. For a $5 donation (5ive for $20), this work of art can grace your home or office while it provides funding for Chamber activities in the community. To learn more, see the separate Santa Sculputure topic posted on the forum.

We hope to see everyone there! It promises to be a fun day for the entire family.

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

We hope everyone has marked their calendars for Saturday, Dec. 5. The Christmas open house event is shaping up to be a fun time!

One minor change to the schedule is the time when children's crafts will take place. The children's movie at the library should be finished by 3:30 p.m., but with refreshments being served afterward, we thought it best to start the crafts at 4. This allows the children time to enjoy their snack and still be able to be at the Cox Building for crafts.

Also, children's book author Nancy Rogers-Hait will be selling and signing copies of her book, "Habersham's Playhouse," at 11 a.m. at Traci's Trends. "Habersham's Playhouse" is the first in a series titled "Shark Puppies." A copy of the book will be awarded as a door prize. Rogers-Hait is the sister of Kathy Cummings of Howard.

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

Hi everyone! This year's open house is shaping up to be a lot of fun for all ages! The following also will appear in this week's Prairie Star, but forum members get the first look at the coming attractions. We really do hope you'll visit Howard merchants for gift shopping this year, or just stop in and learn more about the services they offer right here in our community. Support your local businesses!

Howard Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for its Christmas Open House, set for Saturday, Dec. 5. Santa’s arrival, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, children’s holiday activities, refreshments and door prizes are just a few of the great reasons to visit Howard during the open house.

 In addition to the traditional event schedule, several merchants will be open and many will serve refreshments and award door prizes. Most of the prize winners will be announced at 5 p.m. at the Cox Building, prior to the tree lighting ceremony. In most cases, the winner need not be present. Visit each merchant now through Dec. 5 to enter the drawings.

One of the most exciting prizes to be awarded that afternoon is the “Walk on the Wild Side” sculpture by Howard resident and artist Jill Ball. This unique piece of art, which features an Old World-style Santa Claus and animal friends, is currently on display at Howard State Bank. Ball has donated this magnificent piece, valued at $1,200, as a fund-raiser for the Howard Chamber. Tickets are available for a donation of $5 (or five for $20) at various Howard businesses. All proceeds will be used for Chamber activities.

Traci’s Trends will be open until 2 p.m. for the open house. A book signing by Nancy Rogers-Hait is slated for 11 a.m. Rogers-Hait is the author of the “Habersham’s Playhouse,” the first in the “Shark Puppies” children’s book series. Traci also will offer a sampling of Kansas-made food products and in-store specials, and a WoodWick candle and a copy of “Habersham’s Playhouse” will be awarded as door prizes.

Howard’s Poplar Pizza will be giving away two $20 gift cards, and First National Bank will give away two hams. Flint Hills Wireless will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and refreshments will be served. Door prizes will include gift certificates for phone activation and accessories.

Farm Bureau Insurance will be open from 9 a.m.-noon, serving refreshments and offering door prizes. Southeast Kansas Agency also will be open, and serving refreshments from 9:30-11 a.m. Sunny Acres Tax Service will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that day.

Other participating merchants are Lanning’s Auto Supply, which will serve refreshments and be open from 8-11 a.m.; Elk County General Store, which will serve refreshments from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and offer a gift certificate as a door prize; Cookson’s True Value Hardware, which will be open until 2 p.m. and offer a door prize; Howard State Bank will serve refreshments, and Toot’s Drive-In will have refreshments and a chance to win a door prize. Fechter Pet Care will be giving away a leash/collar set as a door prize.

Family Market and Batson’s Drugs also will host an open house that day, with prize winners announced at a later date.

Other open house activities include a “Walking Tacos” lunch served by at the Senior Center from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Cox Building.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard the Howard Fire Department’s fire engine at 12:30 p.m. and will be available at the Cox Building to visit with children until 2 p.m.

A children’s movie and refreshments, sponsored by the Elk Konnected Youth Development team, will be hosted at the Frankfort City Library from 2-3:30.

Arts and crafts projects, led by members of the West Elk High School FCCLA and student council, will be offered at the Cox Building from 4-5 p.m. Children will have a chance to make ornaments to hang on the community tree or to take home.

Winners for the Santa Claus sculpture, numerous Chamber gift certificates, and merchant door prizes will be announced at the Cox Building at 5 p.m., and the tree lighting ceremony is set to begin at 5:30. Julia Brennan will lead Christmas carols, and the Elk County Community Choir also will sing.

The Flint Hills Boosters 4-H Club will serve a chili and soup supper at the Cox Building after the tree-lighting ceremony.

Remember to visit the Howard merchants now through Dec. 5 to register for door prizes, and plan to attend the open house for a day of Christmas fun.

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

Just a reminder that the Christmas in Howard event is tomorrow. We hope you and your family, friends and neighbors plan to attend. One thing we want to mention is that the Elk County General Public Transportation office is hosting a sausage/gravy and biscuit breakfast fund-raiser from 7-9 a.m. at the HHA office, 134 E. Washington. A "walking taco" lunch will be served by the Senior Center and a soup/chili supper will be offered by the Flint Hills Boosters 4-H (both will be served at the Cox Building).

Also, several merchants are having open houses and giving away some great door prizes, so be sure to stop in and register at each location. Finally, the Santa sculpture (now on display at Howard State Bank) will be awarded to one lucky ticket buyer at 5 p.m. tomorrow. If you haven't purchased your ticket(s) ($5 each or five for $20), hurry and do so. This sculpture is crafted by Jill Ball of Howard, and is truly a work of art. Proceeds will benefit Chamber activities.

Christmas is on its way, and Howard Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you celebrate! Please support your local merchants this year. Bring your children in for a visit with Santa, a free movie and free crafts. Enjoy a great breakfast, lunch and supper, all provided by local organizations. Most importantly, have a fun and safe holiday!

[Jane]

  I would like to extend a big THANKS to the Howard Chamber of Commerce for the fun I had at all the busness's and most of all ,to the wonderful child that picked my name out to win the "Walk on the Wild Side" Santa sculpture. I know it was a lot of work for all of you, also to Jill Ball for a great sculpture.Thanks again 

[Diane Amberg]

You won it? That's fantastic. Congratulations. What a beautiful piece.

[patyrn]

What a great Christmas surprise!  You will cherish the sculpture for many years!!  How special..................

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

The Prairie Star will be publishing this letter, but for those who get their news from the forum, here it is:

To the editor:
The Howard Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who helped to make the Christmas in Howard open house event on Saturday, Dec. 5, a tremendous success. We’ve had such positive feedback from merchants, townspeople and visitors, and we’re so pleased to know people enjoyed all the activities.
First and foremost, recognition goes to all the merchants who graciously opened their doors, served refreshments and/or awarded door prizes for this event. It was the Chamber’s goal to make the day-long open house worthwhile for those who provide goods and services in our town, and we are pleased so many chose to participate.
Our thanks also go to Elk County General Public Transportation for hosting a sausage/gravy and biscuit breakfast fundraiser that morning, and to Pat Clark and her helpers for the “walking taco” lunch fundraiser for Friendship Meals, served at the Cox Building. Many thanks are due to Elk Konnected and its Youth Development team and to the Howard City Library for presenting a free children’s Christmas movie and refreshments.
Special gratitude goes to Burl and Bonnie Helms for their heartfelt and enthusiastic participation as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus; to Fire Chief Danny Signer, who delivered the jolly couple to the Cox Building aboard a fire engine; to Mayor Richard Clark for the children’s door prizes; to Family Market for providing the candy bags and to the Howard Housing Authority residents who prepared them, and to Prairie Star for its generous donation to help with expenses.
Thanks also to Marjean Jacobs, Beverly Signer, Jill Ball, Sharon Wagner, Kate Perkins, Sarah Taliaferro, Tresse Keplinger, Cortney Miller and Luke Bellar for helping with the children’s arts and crafts projects; to the Elk County Community Choir for performing prior to the tree-lighting ceremony, and to Julia Brenner for leading the Christmas carols and Lois Roebuck for providing piano accompaniment; and to the parents and members of the Flint Hills Boosters 4-H Club for a long and work-filled day preparing the soup and chili for supper and helping with clean-up afterwards.
Many thanks go to Jill Ball of Howard, who so generously donated her sculpture titled “Walk on the Wild Side,” of Santa and animal friends, valued at $1,200. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used for Chamber activities, and are greatly appreciated.
City workers who installed the tree lights and street decorations prior to the event also deserve our thanks for their help in making the atmosphere more colorful and festive.
Finally, we would like to thank all those who took part in the activities at the Cox Building, visited business open houses, and purchased items from Howard merchants on Saturday. We encourage you to continue your support of local businesses throughout the holidays and the new year.
Again, we thank all who made this day possible. Already we are thinking of ways to make next year’s event even more enjoyable for the entire community. We wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year to all.
Benji Crupper, President
Lynne Thompson, Vice president
Howard Chamber of Commerce

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

Door prize winners during the Christmas in Howard event are John Markley and Elizabeth Parsons, each of whom won a prize from First National Bank of Howard; Jo McDonald, whose name was drawn for the gift from Cookson’s True Value; Jon Morris and Duke Ollenborger, each of whom won a gift certificate from Flint Hills Wireless, and Debra Johnson and Reid Russell, each of whom won a gift card from Poplar Pizza.
Other prize winners were Beth Gordon and Sandy Patten, who won prizes from Farm Bureau Financial Services; Debbie Callison and Sachiko Edwards, each of whom won a gift certificate from Toot’s; Morgan Riggs, Ethel Stephens and Rebecca Town, who won prizes from Traci’s Trends, and William Matney who won a gift from Fechter Pet Care. Colby Jackson won the children’s prize awarded by Howard City Library, and Jean Parsons won the adult prize.
Cash prizes, donated by Howard Mayor Richard Clark, were awarded to children during Santa’s visit. Winners were Dakota Beck, Travis Hebb, Devin Hebb, Jeremiah Johnson, and Morgan Riggs.
Chamber Bucks were awarded to adults who attended the tree-lighting ceremony. Winners were Lois Markley, Shilo Crupper, Richard Fish, Donna Johnson, Christy Tyler, Don Smith, Jim Wiseman, John Cooke, Kate Perkins, Melissa Baumgartel, Julia Fechter, Erin Riggs, Everett Chastain, and Jean Parsons. Four hats from Meisch Construction also were awarded.
Jane Vinette’s name was drawn as the winner of the “Walk on the Wild Side” Santa sculpture.