'Tis the Season 

     Tis' the season for shopping. It is a great time to remember the importance of shopping local. Money spent local stays local. By shopping locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development. Local businesses contribute to the community, this includes schools, nonprofits and community groups, by volunteering and making donations. Local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms.  Purchasing local helps grow other businesses.

     Local businesses provide jobs. Small local businesses account for a large share of new jobs created each year and locally based businesses provide some of the most stable employment opportunities in a community. These employees in turn spend in the local economy.

     Choosing to shop locally saves you gas and travel time which equates to money saved.

     Local businesses offer unique choices such as products and services.  Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking product to meet the changing population needs.

     In an increasingly standardized world, it is important to support what is unique and special about our community. We feel strongly that the support, retention and expansion of our local businesses will only enhance our overall economic future. By shopping locally, you are investing in Clinton and helping to foster a climate that is more likely to attract entrepreneurs and new investments.

December Business After Hours will be hosted by Golden Valley Day Care, located at 408 W. Rogers Street. It will be on Monday, December 6 from 5-7 p.m. Business After Hours is for all Chamber members and their guests, and it is a great time to network with other businesses. We hope to see all of you there!

Chamber Gift Certificates 

Don't forget to get your Chamber gift certificates for all of those hard-to-buy-for people on your Christmas shopping list! Gift certificates come in any amount and are good at most Chamber member businesses. Purchasing Chamber gift certificates is a great way to let your friends and family shop local. It's also a great way to let them shop for whatever items they've been wishing for!

Current Chamber members received their membership renewal packets earlier this month for the 2011 Chamber Membership Drive. Please note the Dec. 10 deadline to be included in the Chamber Directory. Memberships are available for businesses as well as individuals. You, our current members, are the best advertisement for new members. Please help us by talking to your friends and neighbors about joining with the most dynamic group of people in the Clinton area-The Clinton Chamber of Commerce--to preserve, promote, serve and grow our community. We are Great People, By Nature!

Christmas Stocking Giveaway 

     Christmas Stocking Giveaway is in full swing at your favorite businesses! Be sure to register to win great prizes this Christmas season. No purchase is necessary.

     Grand Prize is a $500 Shopping Spree given in Chamber gift certificates good at most businesses throughout the Clinton area. Also given away will be three $100 Shopping Sprees and four stockings chock full of items donated by area businesses worth more than $400 each.

     Some of the items in the stockings that you can win are jewelry, blankets, tickets, food certificates, clothing, toys, flowers, gift items and much, much more.

     Registration is through Dec. 10 and winners will be drawn on Dec. 13. Be sure to listen on the Ken and Dave Morning Show between 7:30 and 8 to see if you are one of the lucky winners! Winners will also be announced in the Daily Democrat on Dec. 13.

Lighted Christmas Parade Draws Big Crowd 

     A large crowd was present on the Square for the Fifth Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday evening, Nov. 26. It was cold, but not too cold for the children who were excited to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Clinton Fire Truck. Thanks go to Chief Leo Huff and the entire Clinton Fire Department for helping Santa get downtown in time to visit with the kids in the community.

     The theme for this year's parade was "Lighting the Way to a Great Holiday!" which was contributed by 10-year old Zach Jones in the Christmas Theme Contest. Zach and his family were honored as the Parade Marshals.

     The winner of Best Religious Entry in the Parade was Allen Street Baptist Church with their float depicting neighbors helping neighbors and letting the light shine through. Best Youth Entry went to the Clinton Girl Scouts who built a float named, "Cookies for the Holidays." 

     Judges Choice went to Re/Max Truman Lake who had Santa's cowboys on horseback following the Re/Max Balloon and Best Overall Theme went to Rocking H Land Horse and Cattle Company of Windsor who had a beautifully lighted passenger wagon pulled by a team of gray draft horses.

     Other activities downtown were the Holiday Silent Auction which raised funds for the Samaritan Center; Living History at the Henry County Museum and a live Nativity scene on the Courthouse Lawn featuring a baby lamb.