Hometown Holidays in Monticello      Remember the days when you could take time to stop and chat with your local businessman? When there was holiday music in the air and treats waiting for you as you shopped? When you could just stop in and say "Hi" and wish them a Merry Christmas?
     That time has returned to Monticello this year as part of a Hometown Holiday celebration set for December 9. Businesses will be open with a welcoming smile, something special for customers and the promise of Christmas greetings in the air.
     The morning will start at 9 a.m. with the Zwingli Women's Guild's annual bake sale. Cookies, Swiss treats and fresh baked goods are available by the pound or item. Stop by and you can have much of your holiday baking done. The sale will continue to noon.
     At 9:30 a.m., Santa will arrive at the Monticello Library, and you can get your picture taken with Santa. Professional photographer Linda Chapman will be available to take each child or family's picture with Santa for $12. Two dollars will be returned to the library as a donation.
Demonstrations at businesses
     Downtown, starting at 10:30 for most businesses, open houses will provide special fun stops for visitors. The Drugstore will be open and manned by Monticello Area Historical Society members for a special tour. The Monroe Clinic, Monticello Branch will have free blood pressure screenings available and information on stress management and how to handle the holiday or any stressful situation.
     At Lindley's on Main, Beth Lee Stern will be demonstrating the art of jewelry making with gold, silver and niobium metals. Stern said that the niobium demonstration is one you won't want to miss. The niobium is a reactive metal that can be colored with the use of electricity. The jewelry will be available for sale at moderate prices, Stern said.
     Next door, Backtowne Quilts will have a quilting demonstration at Ott to Recover. And Jim Kennedy and his sister Jane will be at The Dining Room at 209 Main with the exhibit of their family's Monticello Woolen Mill. If you haven't seen this exhibit, her is your opportunity to catch a piece of Monticello's history.
     Monticello Woolworks will feature spinning and knitting demonstrations. And Total Look Company will also be open.
Eat in Monticello
     M&M Cafe will be open, along with Gempeler's Supermarket, Francois Citgo and Monticello A&W. Mary Davis is holding two ladies luncheons by reservation only at 11:30 and 1:30. The cafe will also be open for business during their regular business hours.
     Francois Citgo offers a chance at the World's Largest Stocking or a Sharper Scooter for area children. Stop by and sign up for the drawing which will be held Monday, December 18. A Hometown Holiday car wash discount will be going on, along with other specials. And At Monticello A&W there is the "three burger, three fries for $6" special going on. Holiday baked goods and pizza samples will also be available.
Many Open houses--look for the snowflakes
     Other businesses opening their doors include the Monticello  Village office and Police Department with DARE information and hand-outs, Eagle Pass, Ravens, Zippers, the Rathskeller, Holstein Silkscreens, Voegeli Chevrolet, Green Pastures Veterinary Service, Hair Tek-nique by Cindee's new shop, Harvey W. Kubly, CPA,
Local photographers featured in new calendars, notecards
     And PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc. and the Bank of Monticello Main Bank will be open with treats and calendars featuring six different photos taken by local residents. The calendars match notecards and post cards that MBPA made earlier this year and are for sale. Notecards can be purchased at the bank,  the Dining Room and at village hall.
     The six shots feature the Artesian Well at Lake Montesian, taken by Tim Radke, Bridge near the Woolen Mill taken by Marlene Schmalbeck, Speeder cars by Susan Wetherington, Monticello Depots by Tim Radke, and the Monument at night was taken by Jo Wendler.
     Banking business can be handled at the drive-up facility on Saturday. The main bank will be open for treats, not business.
     Downtown open houses will run from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m., with some businesses open earlier or later. Snowflakes in the window will indicate whether a business is having an open house. Look for those snowflakes.
End the day with hometown music
     At 1:30 p.m., the day will end with a Holiday Concert at Monticello Public Schools. The high school and middle school bands will be featured at the concert. Mike Ganshert, New Glarus, will join the band in a bagpipe and concert band arrangement of "Amazing Grace". The combined bands will also present an arrangement of "The Drummer Boy."
     Join us for Holiday hometown fun on Saturday, December 9 and support your local businesses and community.