We wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are surrounded by the warmth of many friends and family on this Thanksgiving Day. For many of us this holiday will be a time spent with loved ones…eating too much turkey…and being thankful for our blessings.

For many of us this is also a day to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. It is a day to reflect on the joys and the sorrows of life, and be filled with hope for tomorrow. For those of us who will be looking at that empty chair this holiday season, it is my hope that we can remember the joy and laughter of those who once filled them.

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With Thanksgiving upon us one cannot deny that the holiday season has definitely arrived! Our Valley Home School students are selling See’s Candy through December 3. The money raised will be used for field trips. If you would like to support our students or get a jump on holiday shopping, you may order by contacting a Valley Home School student, or teachers Sandra Moore or Traci Davis at 847-0117.

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It is also time to announce our Valley Home Christmas parade on Friday December 6. This parade is put together by our community and everyone is encouraged to participate either by being in the parade or by coming out and watching with friends and family. To enter just bring your “safe” entry with lights attached and be in line at 5:15 p.m. in front of the old school. All entries must have an adult present. Ask for either Jenna Heaton or Garret Bryhni if you have any questions, as they will be lining up the parade. Please remember that you must stay 25 feet from the entry in front of you at all times. This is an unsponsored parade filled with fun and it really is a magical part of Christmas in Valley Home. Following the parade everyone is encouraged to gather in front of the park to sing a Christmas carol and watch the little Christmas tree come to life with hundreds of glistening Christmas lights. Immediately after the tree lighting our Valley Home 4-Hers will welcome everyone into the warmth of our school gym for a delicious holiday potluck dinner. The 4-Hers will be serving turkey, ham, side dishes, desserts, sparkling holiday punch, coffee and hot apple cinnamon cider. During dinner you can visit Santa’s village and even share with Santa your Christmas wishes.

If you have any questions about Christmas in Valley Home or have information you would like to have appear in this column please call Winnie at 209-985-5233.