A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke Sugar Plum Fairies are dancing in my head. I am finding it a real challenge to work from home as Christmas draws ever closer. I want to be decorating the house, baking, singing Christmas carols and all those holiday projects that are so much more fun than work. But here I am, back to the grindstone. Luckily, the grindstone is its own kind of fun this time of year. The Country Christmas events over the weekend were unique and special. Country Christmas was originally dreamed up as an opportunity for merchants to have an open house for the holidays and celebrate all things Valley at the holidays. These days it’s so much more. I don’t recall how many years ago Ruth Schreiner came up with the idea of a holiday light parade. I was admittedly skeptical at first. Who wants to stand around in the cold watching a parade? As it turns out, a lot of us do. And it is a really fun l way to bring Santa to town and bond with friends and neighbors.  It’s also fun and easy to run around the Valley and do holiday shopping. Remembering everyone on our lists while shopping local is a great way to keep our community as vital and thriving as it is. There is also the advantage that shopping locally supports the people who support us. Like so many things, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. The businesses of the Valley pay taxes here so we can have new streets, schools, sewers, police protection... It’s a long list. Check out the municipal budgets that our communities just passed to get an idea of all the things our taxes buy. The money our businesses pay in taxes would have to be picked up the homeowners if they went away.  Local businesses support our causes. Can you go to some store out of town and ask for a donation for whatever good program you’re supporting? I don’t think so. Feel like you can’t buy the things you want to buy if you shop local? Turn that around and think about what you can buy locally that your loved ones will want. Years ago, we came up with a list, from A to Z, of what you can buy locally. While there are many, many items that could be added, the list is: A – Art B – Books C – Chocolates D – Dolls E – Earrings F – Flowers G – Gift Certificates H – Honey I – Ice Cream J – Jewelry  K – Keepsakes L – Lollipops M – Massage N – Night Out O – Objects d’Art P – Pillows Q – Quilting Supplies R – RV Apparel S – Scented Candles T – Toys U – Unique Gifts V – Vests W – Wine X – Xmas Trees Y – Yarn Z – Zipper hoodie There’s something for everyone there. Not only will you be supporting the businesses that support you, and us, you’ll be saving gas and time. Stay in touch. My phone number is (608) 574-3159 – call or text me anytime. You can also email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.