Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Committee plans to usher in the Christmas holiday a little early. What started out as a one-day event at one shop snowballed into a joint event, “Christmas in July” will take place the week of July 21 and include holiday music, restaurant menus with holiday fare and a sale item or two.
Kathleen Sauer, president of the Chamber, said she would notify area businesses and compile a list of those who wanted to participate. She also suggested drawing in the children with a jingle-bell jam and free bells businesses would hand out.
“It would be kind of neat if we had Christmas lights,” said Earl Ellis of Landmark Realty.
Downtown businesses will be stringing new lights along the tops of each storefront sometime soon.
David Helms updated the group on the status of fundraising for the Rock Building. “It’s not a $million and a half project to get it usable,” he said. “It’s about $500,000.”
The next fundraiser will celebrate the Rock Building’s 75th anniversary and take place Sunday, July 13, at 2 p.m.
Councilwoman  DeJerilyn Henderson shared news about Troy’s latest grant application. The city will apply for $40,000. It is earmarked for improvements downtown. “We’re feeling positive that we’ll get it (the grant),” she said.
Milky Moos owner Patti Davis asked how soon the city would finish refurbishing a water tower near her business. Her garbage was not picked up because the area was blocked on trash day. Troy Planning and Zoning Administrator Melissa Sanders, said she would make sure the project did not interfere with trash pick-up again and told business owners to contact her if there were any other problems.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Sips on the Square at 8 a.m. Sauer suggested using that meeting to schedule events for the coming year.