Christmas is almost here!

As we close in on the big day, let’s remember to shop small and support local businesses.

Christmas sales are important for many small local businesses, sometimes even accounting for up to 30-40% of their annual revenue! Christmas sales help the businesses make enough money to stay afloat during the slower months after the holidays or off-peak seasons.

The Christmas shopping season is a great time for businesses to attract new customers through promotions, events, and unique offerings.

Customers can rely on personalized service and locally made products.

If customers have a good experience during the holidays, they’re more likely to come back and buy from them again. So, let’s all do our part to support small, local businesses during the Christmas season. It’s not only good for local business, but it’s also good for our communities and the local economy.

It’s a win-win for everyone involved!

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Have you ever wondered where your children might be getting answers to their tough questions if they aren’t asking you directly? Discover the secrets to becoming an “Askable Parent” by attending a workshop hosted by the Marshall County Family Resource Network (FRN).

This inaugural workshop in their 2025 Building Strong Families Workshop Series will be held on Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Central Elementary. The event will provide dinner and childcare services.

An RSVP is required, please call or email the Marshal County FRN at 304-845-3300 or mcfrn.director@gmail.com.

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Marshall County Schools is now accepting reservations for the spring 2025 Adult Education classes.

These classes include Beginner Photography, Home Repair, Introduction to 3-D Printing and Welding. Classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited class sizes. Refunds will not be given after the first class. Registration is complete only after payment of tuition and/or fees. A sufficient enrollment is required to have a class. Course descriptions are available on the Marshall County Schools website at boe.mars.k12.wv.us. To register, please call 304-845-7890.

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The recently started fifth-grade Hilltop Elementary Robotics Club offers students an exciting opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of technology and engineering. They start with simple machines and then move on to more complex projects, like building model cars they’ll program and control with coding. This hands-on learning helps them think critically and solve problems, and it also teaches them to work together. The club is now working with Sherrard Middle School’s Robotics program, so students can meet other kids and share ideas, making their learning even more fun!

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The city of Moundsville recently received a recycling grant for 2025, marking its third consecutive grant for this purpose. Each grant spans 14 months, commencing from Jan. 1 and concluding on Feb. 28 of the following year.

This grant enables the city to expand its recycling initiatives by including aluminum and steel cans in its collections.

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Moundsville has also secured the signed grant agreement for the RAISE Demolition Grant Program. This project includes the demolition of four abandoned houses, 911 7th Street, 803 2nd Street, and 110 and 114 Baker Avenue. If eligible bids are received, the demolition process could commence as early as mid-February. Notably, asbestos inspections for four project properties were successfully completed this past week.

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Construction of the city of Moundsville’s new municipal building continues to progress. City managers have received a construction schedule and anticipate subcontractors returning to the worksite starting the first full week of January 2025.

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Finally, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all of you, my devoted decades-long readers, and to anyone new to this column. May you have a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. For some, Christmas is the only time of year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks, while others see it as an opportunity to express gratitude for the abundant blessings bestowed upon us by God and to experience the peace that comes from the presence of Jesus. Regardless of your holiday celebrations and traditions, I hope you may be gifted with the blessings of love, peace, and happiness this holiday season.