With the smell of freshly smoked turkey from the Snowflake Smokehouse wafting through the air, chamber members and guests filled the room at the Snowflake Social Hall on Nov. 7 to enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner served by the Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce board members.

Sherri Burt with Owens-Livingston Mortuary mentioned three drives they are currently doing. Operation Sweaters for Veterans, which ends Friday, Nov. 16; Stuff a Stocking for a Local Hero, which ends Saturday, Dec. 1; and Coats for School Kids, which goes through the middle of December.

New and gently used coats, sweaters, gloves and blankets for veterans as well as coats for school kids can be dropped off at either the Snowflake or Show Low mortuary.

For the Stuff a Stocking, folks are invited to pick up a stocking from either location to decorate and fill before returning by Dec. 1. For more information, contact Sherri Burt at (928) 536-5896.

Kendall Bryant of Snowflake Smokehouse in partnership with Sam Maytas with Flip AZ and the Carriage House, are smoking 100 turkeys for needy-area families. They are looking for families to donate the food to and additional food to fill the food boxes, including potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Names and contact information for needy families can be dropped off anonymously at the Snowflake-Taylor Chamber office or at the Smokehouse. Maytas said plans are in place to begin smoking the birds the Friday before Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 22.

Bryant is also offering a drawing for a free smoked turkey with potatoes and rolls. To be entered in the drawing, folks need to purchase something at the Smokehouse within the next few days. The lucky winner will not only get their turkey dinner, but another turkey dinner will be given to someone else of the winner’s choosing.

The Snowflake Town Lighting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at the historic Freeman home to pass out Santa Bags for the kids. The event, which is hosted by the Chamber, needs candy for the 500 Santa bags. Executive Director Charlotte Hatch said the Chamber can use leftover Halloween candy if folks have extra or new bags of candy are welcome. Volunteers are also needed for the 15-minute entertainment slots, which can be singing, dancing or something fun.

Chamber businesses are encouraged to sign up for cocoa and cookie booths. Nativity scenes will be displayed in the Snowflake Social Hall. Local folks are welcome to bring nativity scenes from their homes and businesses to share during this event. Candy can be dropped off at the Chamber office at 113 Main Street or folks can call the office at (928) 536-3441.

During the chamber dinner two dancers with Ballet White Mountains, Joseph Swovick, an instructor for the accelerated ballet instruction, and Karisa Hoyt, a 15-year-old ballerina from Blue Ridge High School in Show Low performed. Ballet White Mountain Director Linda Bohn invited everyone to the “Celebrate Christmas on the Mountain.” which will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Snowflake High School Auditorium. The cost is $5 a person.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and Community Choir will be doing a presentation of Welcome Yule with vocal soloist Victoria Bjornn at 3 p.m. at the Snowflake High School Auditorium. Adult tickets are $10 and youth, ages five to 18 years old, are $5. After the concert, there will be a chili and cornbread fundraiser for $5 a person.

The next Chamber Lunch and Learn will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at Snowflake Social Hall, located at 78 W. Center St.