holiday events

By AMY S. LANSDON

Mother Nature has nothing to do with whether Pike Countians enjoy a white Christms this year.

A white Christmas is in the forecast for downtown Troy and its all due to the efforts of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Revitalization Committee, the Downtown Christmas Decoration Committee and downtown merchants.

A little bit of white is on display now at Douglas Bros. Jewelry in downtown Troy. A two-carat tennis bracelet valued at more than $1,000 is being raffled by the Chamber of Commerce to raise money for the revitalization of downtown Troy.

"We are planning to use the money to purchase a portable stage to use for events downtown," said Holly Stoltze, membership and downtown revitalization director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "Some of the money will also be used to help fund the programs on the square like the brown bag lunch, street dances and annual pep rally."

In the past, events downtown have been held without a stage or a flat-bed trailer was used as a make-shift stage. A new stage will give the Chamber of Commerce access to a stage at all times.

Stoltze said this is the first time the Holiday Raffle has been held, and she hopes because it is a new fund-raising activity many people will get involved. A donation of $5 or more gives the purchaser the opportunity to win the bracelet, while helping the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

"We decided not to have the Troy State University homecoming pep rally and decided to have the raffle instead," said Stoltze. "The bracelet is beautiful and will be a perfect Christmas gift for the person who wins or someone on their list."

Stoltze said the Downtown Revitalization Committee relies on activites like the raffle to help with funding since the committee relies on the support of fund-raisers, contributions and donations.

Chances on the tennis bracelet are available at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce office, Home Gallery, Douglas Bros., Julie’s, Curves for Women, Landmark Realty or from any Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee member.

To make the holiday season white and brighter, the downtown merchants have joined the Downtown Christmas Decoration Committee, a part of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, in lighting up downtown. The decoration committee, made up of Christine Gilmore, Jane Segars, Martha Ellis, Diane Ferguson, Cleo Thompson and Stoltze sent letters to downtown merchants asking for money to purchase lights for downtown Troy during the holiday season.

"We received almost 100 percent participation," said Stoltze. ‘We purchased 1,900 feet of lighting and it will be up before Thanksgiving. They plan to start decorating with the lights next week and downtown will be lit up for the annual Christmas parade and the tree lighting ceremony."

Stoltze said the lights will outline the tops of the buildings around the square to create a silouette effect of the structures of the buildings. Thirty-six businesses are participating in the light decorations which includes all businesses on the square, part of Market Street, up North Three Notch Street to Walnut Street and down South three Notch Street to Guynn’s Income Tax Service.

Stolze said the new Christmas lights, which are of commercial quality and made to last a long time, will be used every year. She said the only replacements that will need to be made is an occasional bulb.

"The white lights, along with the city’s decorations, Christmas tree and other decorations of the downtown merchants will make Christmas on the square absolutely beautiful," Stoltze said.

10 p.m., Nov. 11, 1999