Today, Nov. 27, is Thanksgiving - a day when most families get together over a big meal and just enjoy one another’s company, grateful for another year together and the many blessings that come with it. Thanksgiving has also become the traditional start to the holiday season, and there will be no shortage of activities in our area to celebrate the season.

Not everyone has a place to gather for a Thanksgiving meal, or has family that meets on Thanksgiving Day. The 13th Annual McFate Family Thanksgiving Day Luncheon at the United Methodist Fellowship Hall is being held today (Thursday) beginning at 11 a.m. The main dish includes turkey, ham, and pork with all the fixings. You may bring a side dish or dessert. Everyone is invited to join for good food and friendship! All donations will go towards Janice’s medical journey.

The Christmas toy drive begins Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 14. You may drop off your concealed NEW TOY at your local church or at the Callaway District Hospital. All donations will be distributed locally.

The holiday spirit gets in full gear on Wednesday, Dec. 3, for Callaway’s Old Fashioned Christmas Around Town. Everyone from Callaway and the surrounding area is invited to come out for an evening of holiday cheer, Santa, s’mores, hot chocolate, apple cider, wagon rides, and shopping.

It all gets underway at 4 p.m. with the craft and home-based business show at the Community Center until 8 p.m. The Sons of the American Legion will begin serving soup at the center at 5 p.m.

Santa will arrive in the mini park next to the library at 4:30 p.m. and will remain in the park to greet the

Cont. PAGE 11: Christmas kiddos until dark. Downtown Callaway is always a festive hub of activity on this evening, with s’mores in the fire pit by the park, sponsored by Senior Life Solutions; a free-will donation hot chocolate bar hosted by the South Loup youth wrestling program; and wagon rides provided by Darrell and Kay Fahnholz.

The downtown businesses will be open for shopping with a variety of open houses and sales promotions throughout the evening, and will welcome guests with apple cider, cookies, and giveaways. The Christmas Around Town is hosted by the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is also sponsoring a business Christmas decorating contest this year. They are calling on all local businesses to show off your holiday spirit and compete for the title of best decorated storefront in Callaway. Community members may nominate their favorite display at First Interstate Bank in Callaway.

The deadline to decorate is Dec. 3, and nominations will be accepted until Dec. 19. The winner will receive a $100 advertisement credit in the local newspaper of choice or $50 in Chamber Bucks.

Let’s light up Callaway with joy and creativity this holiday season.