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El Campo 2020

www.leader-news.com

Volume 133 Number 83 • WedNesday, december 16, 2020

Special Section Just For You

Santa to make EC stop BY JOHNNY ONSPOT news@leader-news.com

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“I had to check out who needed what and make sure I could make all the wishes come true,”

– Santa

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Brought to you by: the City Development Corporation of El Campo – Thanking you for Shopping LOCAL! Presented by:

Well, Mrs. Claus, Christmas is almost here and, big surprise, Elves’ Workers Union #202 says they can’t get the job done. I’m worried. What am I going to do?

That’s easy. Dear, don’t you remember that quaint little Texas town with all the shops, great food places and friendly people?

“That’s right! Absolutely BRILLIANT!!! It’s time to shop El CAMPO, Texas!”

Gathering up the wish lists of boys & girls of all ages, Santa harnessed up the reindeer, got on his sleigh and set off for El Campo, the little town that helped save Christmas last year. “I sure hope all those fantastic shops are still there,” Santa said, urging his reindeer to go faster. “Hurry Dasher. Quickly Donner. Time’s running out! And ... I’m already hungry. Luckily, there’s lots of good places to eat there too.”

Coming into the El Campo city limits, Santa’s sleigh gave a sputter and cough. Looking down at the dash, Santa saw warning lights aglow. “Oh, my,” he said. “I better find someone to work on this quick. Veering over to East Jackson, he pulled into Rice Farmer’s Co-op Mr. Tire and saw Stan there. “Can you help me out?” Santa asked. “We got you covered, Santa,” said Stan, earning a smile and a promise of an extra present under the tree. Santa was hungry, so he got a ride over to Pinchers and poked his head into the candy shop. “Yummmm,” Santa said. “Just the thing to hold me over while I decide where to go next. Let’s see. Blue Creek Market is always nice or maybe something from R&R Printing.”

Looking through the pages of the El Campo Leader-News, Santa pondered his next stop. “Hmmmmm. I think I’ve got it!” Treehouse Furniture on the West Loop!” So with a quick leap upon Blitzen’s back, Santa flew to the shop and immediately found lots of nice gifts in the store.

“I’ll take this ... oh, and this! And this too!” Santa said. Looking down his list, he was able to mark off a fancy mirror for little Rebecca M. in Louise and a nice rug for Dr. Xi Zung in Germany. Then, he went to Somewhere In Time for more extra special gifts.

“Wow, I’m really starting to put a dent in this list!” Santa exclaimed as he got ready to race over to Heavenly Helpers on North Mechanic. Two steps later, however, Santa heard a THUNK, followed by SMACK, SLAP and a THUNK. “Oh, no!” Santa exclaimed, looking down. “My boot broke. Christmas may be ruined!” But just then, Santa saw The Shoe Dept. “Candace, you’ve got to help!” shouted Santa. Receiving assurances that there were plenty of boots to pick from, Santa smiled. Then, newly shod, he was able to make it to Heavenly Helpers after all. “Thank God!” he said, and made his way inside.

Finding lots to choose, Santa made his selections and dashed back to the West Loop to visit The Shed, before hearing a rumble from his belly. Time to eat. But where? “Hmmm ... Fathers & Sons, that sounds nice,” Santa said.

Waiting his turn, Santa looked over the menu. “Hmmm ... Cheeseburger? Philly? Chicken? I know! I’ll have ONE OF EVERYTHING ... Yum. Yum. Yummy!,” he said. “That was great!” Santa said after finishing the last bite. Now it was time to grab a few gifts from the Computer Center & Radio Shack then head over to Rioux’s Hardware before deciding to take a

break by sitting by the pond at Legacy Park. “This little town was so nice,” Santa thought as he sat, digested and watched the ducks swim.

Gifts for little Suzy all grown up was next on the list along with a little something for Mrs. Claus, so over to Prairie Rose Emporium Santa raced, remembering to put on his mask before entering. “COVID safety first,” he said. “We have what you need,” the clerk exclaimed, and Santa was not disappointed. He then raced over to DNJ Designs, the Screen Stop, Cato’s, Floral Gardens and The Mercantile. Off to his next stop, Santa came to a screeching halt. “Oooohhh ... bumpers,” he said, seeing the offerings at Tough Country.

Dropping into the El Campo Leader-News office, Santa saw the “Believe In El Campo” signs promoting the Shop LOCAL! program. “Believe, I sure do,” Santa said, as he stopped in Professional Pharmacy for a few more items on his list before visiting A&T Thrift Shop.

Sutherlands on North Mechanic was next on Santa’s list. Walking through the aisles, Santa came to a quick halt when he saw a woman looking at toilet seats. TOILET SEATS? Why? On Christmas? “Yes,” the woman said. “You see, I’d love to completely redo the bathroom, and, well, you have to start somewhere.” Simple, but true, Santa thought, deciding to stock up on everything from plumbing parts to lumber for those “projects” dads, especially, love so well. Heading to his next shopping destination, he saw a Public Works crew hard at work. “Now there’s some good boys for my list,” Santa said. “I’ll make sure they get a special gift.”

“There’s still so much to do,” Santa said. “I’m hungry, but what to eat?” Mexican food at Los Cucos or Jalapeno’s, barbecue at the BBQ Place, Pitt Viper, Mikeska’s, Prasek’s or Jr.’s Texas Best. Chinese food at Golden Phoenix was to be had along with Americana at Diamond W., Pin High Sports Bar, pizza at Mr. Gatti’s and even food trucks like Georgia Mae’s Good Eats and Taco Cito and .... “Might as well grab something from each. – Just to be fair.” After adding eight to 10 inches to his waistline, Santa thought about joining Snap Fitness as he made his way over to United Ag Hardware where he found a stocker filling the shelves. “Toys! Toys! Toys!” Santa exclaimed. “And no Elf Union to be concerned about. It’s a dream come true.” So toys for boys and girls went into Santa’s sack as more wishes were granted – or at least soon to be. Then Santa went to Flowers, Etc., Collins Music, Hibbett’s, Gerberman’s Jewelers and El Campo Cycle Center before taking a break at Showplace 3.

Millhouse Furniture was next. “Perfect!,” Santa said. “This is so well made, it will last a lifetime.” Then it was over to McCoy’s for mom & dad gift big and small – oh, and a few nuts and bolts to tighten up sleigh rails before racing to Tin Roof and Tough Country Sawmill. Realizing the sleigh’s inspection sticker was out, Miller’s Lube was the next stop. “Well, that’s it,” Santa said. “My bag is full, and it’s time to head back to the North Pole and get ready for Christmas Eve,” Santa said. But then Dasher sneezed, snorted and coughed. “Oh no!” Santa said. “He can’t be sick, it’s almost time to fly around the globe!” So Santa took his ailing reindeer to Coastal Plains Animal Clinic where Dr. Baron fixed him all up.

Preparing to leave the city, Santa collected his sled and then stopped by to see City Council. “Thank you so much,” he said. “But before I go, I’d just like to know one thing ... How do you do it? How does this little town manage to offer so much?” Council told Santa that it’s all thanks to the people of the town who Shop LOCAL!, the City Development Corporation of El Campo which promotes the program along with its Executive Director Carolyn Gibson.

Shop LOCAL!

“I’m so proud of the people of El Campo,” Ms. Carolyn said. “They really care about this town and do everything they can to make the Pearl Of The Prairie shine! It’s magic – one purchase at a time!” Santa agreed, “It sure is! I wish every town was like this one!”

Santa was so happy, he decided to perform a little magic of his own. With a twitch of his nose, he created a special ornament for Ms. Carolyn. “Just a little something to put on your tree to remember my visit here,” Santa said.

But then it was time for the annual El Campo Christmas parade. “I don’t want to miss that,” Santa said, racing to ensure his place in the line up. “So glad they were able to still do this tradition in spite of the global pandemic. Oh, Lord, that reminds me ... must go by Aquafit Solutions Chlorination and pick up those tablets that make everything so safe.”

Santa imagined placing gifts under trees around the globe. “I got this in El Campo, and this, and this too,” he said. “So many gifts, enough for everyone; all from El Campo. “Ho, ho, ho. A very Merry Christmas after all! “Thanks EL CAMPO! You made it all possible with all those nice, nice shops and tasty places to eat,” Santa said. “I’ll be back next year. But in the meantime, remember to Shop LOCAL! and keep those stores open!”

–Story by Shannon Crabtree, Photos by Brittany Denfip, Quala Matocha, Emily Lincke and Missy Perilloux with the help of Rachel Rodriguez, Karen Hoffer, Brittany O’Brien and Joshua Reese

Give yourself a gift this holiday season

SHOP LOCAL! It pays every time you do.

The Board and Staff of the CDC wish y’all a Blessed & Happy Christmas!

WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT EL CAMPO’S FUTURE. HELP US HELP THE CITY GROW!