The Mayor’s Corner 11/16/2016

DianaThis was another busy week.  I hope you had a chance to visit the National Christmas Tree on Tuesday.  It was a great celebration.  Julie Chandler and Layna Hafer did a great job organizing the event.  Thank you, ladies.  There were people of every age involved.  We had dancers from high school to pre-school and singers from all the schools.  The band did a great job of setting the mood for the Christmas tree.  Members of the Forest Service were available to answer questions along with the drivers of the truck.  The tree arrived a little before 3 p.m. on Monday and from the time it arrived, people came to visit.  According the Chief of Police folks came down until about 11 p.m. Monday night.  Then Tuesday visitors began filling the park for the festivities.  By a little after 9 a.m. the park was full.  Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who were able to come down.  It was great.  The folks traveling with the Potato truck and Tree were very impressed with our community and its excitement over seeing the Tree and Potato.  Thanks one and all.
One Saturday, I had the honor to have lunch with the sponsors and participants of the ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’ Veterans’ Hunt at the Lazy Bear Ranch.  This was another wonderful event.  Three veterans from Weiser, one from Council, one from Ontario and a Gold Star family from Greenleaf hunted pheasants on the ranch and had a great meal catered by Keith Bryant and his crew.  It was wonderful to see these Veterans honored for their service and what a great week to do it.
There were lots of events on Friday to honor our Veterans. It is always heartwarming.  I appreciate the volunteers that put these events on every year to help our youth understand their heritage and appreciate our military personnel.  Thank you too, to our groups that provide free meals for our veterans. It is great our community shows their support for our Veterans and those serving so willingly. Thank you to the businesses that sponsor the Washington County Roll Call of Veterans in our local paper lest we forget.
Thanksgiving is almost here.  Remember the All Community Thanksgiving Dinner being held at the Weiser Senior and Community Center on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 from 12-2 p.m.  Take outs are also available by calling 208-521-8138.  If you are able to get out, this is a great place to have dinner with others in the community at no cost.  Dana Clary, her mother Sue Slyter, their wonderful family and many friends provide this great environment to enjoy Thanksgiving.  Donations from throughout the community make the dinner possible so if you are interested in donating something for the dinner, call 550-4986 or 414-2151.  It is such an answer to prayer to have Sue Slyter helping spearhead this wonderful event.  Thanks, Clarys, Sue Slyter family and team.  Don’t stay home alone for Thanksgiving, join the fun and good food at the Center.
This Friday and Saturday the Arts and Crafts Fair is taking place at the Vendome from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both November 18 and 19.  There will be lots of great ideas for Christmas as well as other great crafts.  It’s the place to be this weekend.