Show This Is the first time we can remember that the downtown Christmas street decorations were up before belore Thanksgiving This Tills is quite a record and the Vernal City maintenance crew deserves a pat on the back forgetting forgetting for forgetting getting the job done so early Some may complain that decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving is too early but the Wasatch Front st st. starts even earlier so it must be time f for r us to join the holiday season preparations The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating this years year's various Christmas activities activities activities ac ac- ac- ac through several committees com com- Early in the year a special committee formed to do something about the lack of Main Street Christmas decorations The committee representing various civic and social clubs decided on the purchase of worth of decorations The new decorations are up but they haven't been paid for Only about half the money has been raised to date and the committee is getting a little nervous about meeting the deadline for the rest of the money before the middle of December Dont Don't be surprised if it you are asked to help pay for decorations We hope everyone will contribute because it is a much needed project and adds to community Christmas spirit It is also good for local business By the way the uie Christmas lights are re scheduled to 10 be turned on this Saturday The Retail Merchants Merchants' Committee of the Vernal Chamber started early this year year with their annual Shop i in inVernal inVernal Vernal promotion This Saturday 65 frozen tur turkeys eys will willbe willbe willbe be given away to lucky ticket holders hiders Drawing inthe in inthe ine r e th the center of f town This will b be ber continued for four foul Saturdays to give Christmas shoppers shoppers' a chance to get theIr turkey free this year Another Chamber committee is working on the Christmas parade scheduled for December 13 and also a a Christmas lighting contest One major pro problem lem has been encountered in the community Christmas preparations Someone forgot to make early reservations for Santas Santa's pre pre- Christmas visit Evidently he is such a busy fellow you must get your requests in early to be on his visiting schedule The Chamber is asking anyone who may h have we some extra influence on Santa to please contact them The children will be really disappointed if they miss the chance to sit on Santas Santa's lap and tell him what they want him to bring The Express has already received a few letters to Santa through the mail mall We will start publishing them next week and then will forward them on to the North Pole So it looks like it is going to be another great year for Santa There are all kinds of toys gifts and goodies available right here herein in Vernal and with the early start things just couldn't be better for a great holiday ahead A word of caution the Thanksgiving holiday weekend may be a gala occasion of visiting and feasting or a grim statistic Last year persons were killed in highway accidents accidents ac across the nation during the Thanksgiving weekend The unfortunate thing Is it doesn't have hate to be this way If motorists will keep within posted f speed peed limits and reduce i speeds on rainy snowy or icy roads and in fog accidents can i ibe be reduced I Another sobering thought is j that alcohol is involved in half j the nations nation's fatal accidents If you must drink dont don't drive It Is 1 Ironical that so many highway j accidents take place during the j holiday season when the emphasis em em- Is on happiness and gratitude I This Thursday please drive carefully over the river and through l the woods and then remember to pause to offer thanks for every blessing |