A bit of a coincidence…

   Last week, just before Thanksgiving, I talked about my mom's green bean casserole that she makes for every holiday: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

   My mom writes correspondence for local newspapers in Dyersville and Manchester, something unique to newspapers today. She shares news and tidbits for my hometown of Earlville, as well as Hopkinton and Delhi. When I was reading through the Manchester Press newspaper last week, I noticed my mom's correspondence column… At the end of her article, she shared the recipe for green bean casserole, noting that it was the Brooks' family version.

   What a coincidence! We both shared our same family tradition in our weekly columns. It brought a smile to my face, for sure!

   Dec. 10 will be the second annual Holiday on 1^st event in downtown Monticello.

   This event is something the community needed; one event that brings everyone together for the holidays to celebrate Monticello.

   For years several groups, organizations, and businesses did their own holiday events. Many times, the events conflicted with one another due to timing and scheduling. Santa Claus would have to check his schedule carefully so he made it to every holiday event that requested his presence. Now, he just needs to remember Dec. 10.

   Kudos to the Parks and Rec and Main Street Monticello groups for seeing that Monticello needed fewer singular silos, and one big community holiday celebration.

   There will be so many activities taking place downtown that evening, so let’s hope for decent winter weather, too!