As I write this, Thanksgiving is just a few days away! I love Thanksgiving and all of the family traditions that have begun with this holiday. I am a crazy woman in the kitchen. I love to cook for my children and love having their friends stop by to enjoy a good old-fashioned put- you-in-a-pile meal. I rarely have an opportunity to go all out. When I do, the end result looks like an episode of Iron Chef where every pot and pan in the house gets put to use. 

This year again I will be doing the cooking, but in someone else’s kitchen. This will be a new one for me. 

I was asked to provide a shopping list so they could buy all the food. All I have to do is show up and cook. In all my life, I don’t think I’ve ever stuck to a recipe. I am the queen of improvising in the kitchen, so I really had to struggle to figure out what it takes to prepare a shopping list for someone else. I always found my inspiration in the aisle of the grocery store. Which was usually sparked by what was on sale. I am not too proud to admit, I always have a backup frozen pizza in my freezer just in case one of my holiday experiments turns in to a Thanksgiving Day Nightmare. So as amped up as I am about Thanksgiving, this next month also has me in the holiday equivalent of “Iron Chef Kitchen.”

Monroe, just like many other communities, will be filled with busy streets, restaurants, stores and businesses trying to meet the energy of the crowds waiting to begin their holiday shopping. We are so fortunate to have businesses that can cater to the needs and wants of everyone’s wish list. As I meet with local businesses, I find little desire to travel to find gifts. There are new and innovative businesses joining the ranks of some of our longtime favorites.  I feel like we have a bonus weekend in our schedule too. We can really focus on Thanksgiving and spend time with our families and friends take on Black Friday and shop small Saturday this weekend. Then next weekend, we get to experience Monroe’s lighted holiday parade and embrace the joy of the upcoming festivals and performances. 

The Christmas lights have been carefully selected and hung up over the last couple weeks. I am excited to see the final product come Nov. 30. The Monroe Theatre Guild is performing “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Monroe Arts Center is bringing it full force with no less than four separate events. “The Dark Side of The Yule” has really got my attention. With the others in the lineup, I am sure there is something for everyone. 

I hope everyone gets a chance to experience some magic this holiday season. It looks to be the most wonderful time of the year! Remember to enjoy life’s blessings and be the reason someone smiles today. It’s amazing what it will do for you.  

Last, but not least, I wanted to give a huge thank you to the City of Monroe and the surrounding communities, police and fire departments for the for their dedicated officers and the first responders that keep us safe during our holiday traveling and celebrations. 

We are fortunate to be able to spend time with our loved ones while being protected by these men and women who serve us all.  

— Melissa Even is the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.