This year has flown by and it is already Thanksgiving week. It is hard to believe it is here already.
For most of my life, Thanksgiving has involved a trip “over the (Oklawaha) river and through the (Ocala National Forest) woods to grandma’s house”…better known as my in-law’s place in Palatka. I have many fond memories of those Thanksgivings past. Sadly, both of my in-laws passed away during the past year. Gone, but definitely not forgotten. I’m thankful for having had the best in-laws a guy could possibly want.
We’ll be hosting Thanksgiving at our place this year. Our daughter, her husband and their five kids, plus one of our nieces and her boy friend will be joining us around the table. I’m looking forward to everyone getting together and having a great time.
After you’ve had a chance to recover from Thanksgiving, Saturday will be here with both “Small Business Saturday” and the first “Fourth Friday Art Walk” downtown. Come on downtown and check them both out. You may be able to make quite a dent in your Christmas gift list Saturday.
The Fourth Friday Art Walk is a recurring monthly event going through spring. Yes, I know Saturday is not Friday, but the organizers wisely decided to push things back one day this month to avoid trying to compete with “Black Friday”.
Holiday events will quickly pick up after this week. The Roots of Black Music in America is on November 29th. The tree lighting in Sims Park is on December 2nd, the Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade is on the 3rd, the Thursday Musicale Chorus concert (with Guest Artist Ruthie Vaughn Nelson) is on December 8th, the Holiday Street Parade is on the 10th and the Sip Deck Your Cart Christmas Golf Cart Ride will be on the 18th. Things get busier after that!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Dinosaurs and Dragons will be arriving on December 9th for a three month run. You don’t want to miss this.
I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Rob Marlowe, Mayor