We go back to school January 6th. Half of the vacation time is over already and it sounds like students have been visiting friends and relatives and fishing and so far only one “boring” complaint…. that I’ve heard.

My sister, Nancy, has a birthday today so I get to call her up to catch up on what’s happening with her children, grandchildren and darling little great grandson. Happy Birthday to Jess Haun, our drama and English teacher at Happy Camp High School also. Belated birthday wishes to Megan Hague and Vickie Simmons also. It’s difficult to have a birthday at these very busy times of the year so wanted to remember them!

Next week will be another busy return to business.. Sunday, will be the Dear Mad’m meeting at 2 o’clock. The 4th annual Dear Mad’m event which honors Stella W. Patterson who wrote Dear Mad’m about moving to a mining cabin by the Klamath River when she was eighty years old, is a combination effort of the Klamath Writer’s Group and the Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event will be May 2-4th. The Writer’s have proposed a Writing contest for all you great storytellers to write your favorite story about Happy Camp! At Sunday’s meeting we will establish the guidelines and then we will be ready to let you know the details and the nice prizes that you may win for your entry into the contest!!

The old year, the year that has been with us for so long, is passing away. A new year, 2013, full of promise and potential is about to begin! What new challenges will the new year bring? What blessings are in store for us?

Tuesday, January 7th is the first meeting of the New year for the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce. We usually meet at six o’clock at the Chamber of Commerce office 35 Davis Road next to the post office. We will have a special speaker so please call the office 493-2900 if you don’t usually attend and would like to hear about grants available and help that Ore-Cal RC&D can offer to Happy Camp organizations, please let us know. We will have a the Director of the OreCal RC&D with us at that time and we remember how very helpful that they have been to our community in the past.,

Neighborhood Watch and Community Emergency Resource Team (CERT) meeting will be Wednesday, January 15th, so be sure that is on your brand new January calendar and plan to attend. By working together we can turn things around and eliminate the crime from our area. Thanks to those who have had the day long training by Deputy David Nye for patrolling and have been keeping an eye out for suspicious characters! Your help is needed to keep out Klamath River Neighborhood safe and crime free!\

Perhaps you’ve made it a New Years resolution to become more active in our community this year. There are a number of organizations that need volunteers to help make Happy Camp work. they’d welcome you with open arms!!

what a busy and fun week we have had in the snow in Happy Camp! And next week will be more activities as we close out the school year for 2013. Time has flown so fast, and this month is the busiest and most fun, even if it also has been the coldest and snowy as can be!!

Yesterday was the Holiday Fair “Second Act” at the Grange. Their “first” was on a Saturday a week before, but the snow kept people away and so they’ve given us another chance!! The Grange is one of those quiet organizations that has done so much good in Happy Camp for so many years. They continue to provide for all sorts of town meetings, and gatherings from weddings to funerals for Happy Campers. They’ve won national awards with their community service projects, at Happy Camp Cemetery and building the River Park as well as other things we too often take for granted.

Thank you to those that support them and the local crafters and vendors who had an amazing number of things for sale at the Holiday Fair. A donation or membership renewal of $30 would be a welcome way to keep them serving the community.

Did you know that Bigfoot has been sighted? Yes! It is true. It’s even on the flier from the Happy Camp Elementary School announcing their program TONIGHT. HCES presents Bigfoot Christmas! Rush down so you don’t miss this program at 6:30 pm at the high school. There will be hot bowls of soup by the eighth graders $5. They are always wonderful to behold from the little kindergarteners up! And the original play will be starring Bigfoot!! You won’t want to miss it and the students will give your spirits warmth and happiness. Everyone is invited!

Wednesday will be the Winter Concert with program by the high school students of Happy Camp High! I heard that there was singing in the halls of the high school last week and that it was good!! You won’t want to miss that on Wednesday. Before the program you can also enjoy a lasagna dinner for only $8 which will be greatly appreciated by the High School. There will also be a silent auction. You’ll want to see what is offered at the auction and help out the high school yearbook funds.

Then Saturday will be an old time Christmas Carol Sing a Long at Parry’s Market from 5 pm to 6 pm. If you enjoy singing the songs of the season, singing with friends, join the caroling and then join Happy Camp Christian Fellowship at the Happy Camp Elementary School for free beverages, snacks and “The Nativity” movie. If you want further information, give Kirk Eadie a call at 493-2801 or 598-1549,
Friday is the last day of school until we return to the regular scheduled education on January 6, 2014. The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce will start the New Year with their monthly meeting January 7th. Neighborhood Watch and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meet on January 8th so your new calendar will have something on it to look forward to—especially that week!! As your organizations plan events and activities for the new year, please share them if you wish me to include them in the news to all our Klamath River Neighbors!! Thanks so much!!

A big thank you to all who helped with the Community Tree Lighting in the snow storm a week ago Friday evening, Thanks to Dan Bushy and Dennis Day who worked all day to get the tree ready for the evening, and all the shoveling and snowy drifts that involved. Even though the tree wasn’t flocked, it became so, naturally by evening!! Thanks to the ladies at the Scott Valley Bank that popped lots of popcorn, Parry’s who provided bags to hand out and Dolly Elston who heated up the warm cider Klamath River Resort Inn donated. The snacks kept the singers warm. Thanks to all those who would have brought musical instruments if they’d not had to keep them out of the snow, especially Kirk Eadie. Siskiyou Daily News shared songs of the seasons for the event! A special thanks to all those who sang their hearts out without accompaniment! That was such fun!! Thanks to Bill Estes and Santa who planned to come and were willing to, despite the snow!!

Thanks to all who supported the Chamber Rifle Raffle also! Congratulations to Mike Gomes who won the rifle from Don’s Sporting Goods.

Since this is the time of the year when giving, and gifts are uppermost in our mind, thanks to all those who supported Friday’s Bake Sale to benefit Chris, Tara and little Taylor and the baby on the way. Marble Mountain also has a Gift Basket Raffle for the proceeds to help the Ware family with health needs when there are health needs. Thanks to all who contribute. Happy Camp is always so generous when these traumatic needs come to the lives of our Klamath neighbors, and this is no exception. There is still time to contribute at Marble Mountain Gift Co. Thanks to all who give and we hope it will be a blessing in their lives.