Tree lighting to kick off Quitman holiday season

Posted Thursday, November 23, 2023 10:06 am

Quitman will open the holiday season with the community tree lighting event on the courthouse square on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.

Story time with the elves, music, goodies and a word from Mayor Randy Dunn are on tap, followed by the opening of early Black Friday sales by local merchants.

Judging for the annual Christmas lighting contest will begin Dec. 7 and winners announced Dec. 10.

Homes and businesses will be judged in categories of Most Festive, Brightest (Griswold), Most Creative, Reason for the Season, Best in Show and Best Storefront.

Email the chamber of commerce at QuitmanChamber@QuitmanCoC.com by Dec. 6 to request to be judged.

Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 2 from noon-8 p.m. with children’s activities, food trucks, vendors, the parade at 5 p.m., live music, bounce houses an ice skating rink and live nativity at 7 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa is hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Quitman from 9-10 a.m. Dec. 2. Toys will be collected for the less fortunate.

The annual benefit fish fry put on by the Flora Masonic Lodge for Christmas Sharing Plus will be held Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the lodge, 915 Hwy. 37 South in Quitman. Tickets are $15.

Dec. 9 is also distribution day for the program bringing gifts and food to area families.

Special Olympics returns in style

Thursday, April 11

After a five-year absence, over 150 athletes from Como-Pickton, Cedar Creek and Upshur and Wood Counties competed for special recognition at a state-sanctioned Special Olympics track and field meet at the Quitman High School track field on Friday, April 5.

Two seeking Ward Three city council position

Thursday, April 11

Only one of the three seats up for election on the Mineola City Council this year is being contested. Crystal Arcand has challenged 2-term incumbent Cassandra Sampson for the Ward Three seat. …

Residents on Hwy. 37 north of Mineola petitioning for center turning lane

Thursday, April 11

Residents who live north of Mineola are petitioning the Texas Dept. of Transportation to extend the center turn lane along Hwy. 37.

Property owners given more time to clean up locations in Quitman

Thursday, April 11

Citizens and commissioners came head-to-head at Thursday night’s Quitman Building and Standards Commission meeting. With the tension in the air almost tangible, the board decided after nearly two hours of deliberation...

Eclipsed!

Thursday, April 11

Two predictions surrounding Monday’s total solar eclipse in East Texas largely failed to come true. The clouds were thin to non-existent during the time of totality around 1:40 p.m., and the expected traffic jams did not materialize.

Symphonic band presents Christmas concert

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Come on over to Mineola’s beautiful Historic Select Theater and hear the Lake Country Symphonic Band’s Christmasy “Everything Christmas” concert.

Concerts are Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Mike Holbrook is back in the director’s seat, so it’s sure to be a fun-filled couple of hours.