Hamilton Wright Mabie said, "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!"
A conspiracy of love, how beautiful. I love this idea for both the holidays and every day. Truly I do. Counting our blessings, showing our gratitude, helping our fellow man, loving our brothers, carrying on holiday traditions, bestowing gifts on others; it genuinely is the most wonderful time of the year.
When I'm thinking about gifts for the people I love, I look to our local Schuylkill County small businesses. For every $100 you spend in a locally owned business, $45 circulates back into your community.
That same $100 in a chain store only puts $13 back into the community. This means I'm helping my business neighbor pay for his kids' college tuition, sponsor a local little league team, donate to a benefit or support a local event. And that's important to me. Knowing I can purchase unique high-quality gifts that benefit our communities is the way I choose to give to my loved ones because I like it here. I know you've heard me say it time and time again, but I like living in Schuylkill County and count it among my many blessings.
Another added bonus is that it's convenient to shop local. You'll spend less travel time (and we all know how precious of a resource our time is), use less gas and meet those local business owners who support your community face to face. Additionally, I find the service is always better as is my overall shopping experience. The visitors bureau has compiled our Local Holiday Shopping Guide again this year. It's full of gift ideas that keep your dollars in our county and is easily found online under local deals at www.schuylkill.org
December kicks off into high gear with the Spirit of the Holidays tour this weekend. Experience the enchantment of the season with Pa. artists, the Christmas markets of Germany and the Holiday traditions of Victorian England with SCCA's Christkindlmarkt and Mud & Maker in Pottsville, The Arts Barn in Orwigsburg and the Walk In Art Center and an Old-Fashioned Christmas on Main Street, both in Schuylkill Haven.
As always, The Greystone will host its annual Local Artists Art Show and Sale on Sunday. Hawk Mountain hosts its annual Holiday on the Mountain on Saturday. Schuylkill on the Move will have you outside enjoying nature on Saturday with the Crow Trail Walk at Tuscarora State Park, Barnesville. Schuylkill Choral Society will perform its Christmas in Europe concert on Saturday at Trinity Episcopal in Pottsville and on Sunday at Schuylkill Haven Area High School.
As December flies by, (and I know this is the case for many of us, myself included) plan to head out to the Simon Kramer Institute in New Philadelphia on Dec. 14 for A Victorian Christmas that includes two seatings of lunch with Santa, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, pet blessings and rides on Miss Molly the Christmas Trolley.
Another holiday event that offers inimitable gift-shopping opportunities is Hope Hill Lavender Farm's Holiday Open House on Dec. 14. I am a huge fan of their products and have yet to find one that wasn't a pure joy to my senses. Also, on Dec. 14 is the Marimba Christmas at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove; the Anthracite Philharmonic Christmas Pops concert at First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, and the Pottsville Lions Club Christmas movie, "Disney's A Christmas Carol," at the Sovereign Majestic Theater, complete with popcorn, candy and a visit from Santa himself!
Speaking of the Sovereign Majestic, you'll want to call them now at 570-628-4647 and order your tickets for the Wizards of Winter on Dec. 15 and A Majestic Christmas with Bradley Dean & Ron Stabinsky on Dec. 23. Both are fabulous shows that sell out quickly every year. Our little gem of a theater will round out December with A Broadway Christmas on Dec. 21.
Here at the visitors center we have many blessings to count this holiday season. Although our budget remains small, we continue to remain sustainable and carry out our mission of increasing the number of tourists to Schuylkill County, assisting to enhance the image of our county and supporting the development of new tourist attractions through our designation as the county's tourist promotion agency.
In addition to awarding four new Tourism Recognition Awardees (to be revealed in the very near future), we are also celebrating our 50th anniversary of service. Our many partners in tourism have made our job far easier and exponentially more enjoyable. We are genuinely grateful.
(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)