Here we are a little over a week before Thanksgiving and we have 24/7 Christmas music on the radio!

Far be it from me to ever put anyone down for listening to Christmas music before December. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I've been known to close my door and listen to Bing Crosby and all my other Christmas favorites.

I always woke up to Christmas carols in the morning, as my mom always played Christmas albums, yes; I said albums, while she was baking Christmas cookies before she had to leave for work in the morning.

When I moved to Portage I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and lo and behold my favorite holiday answered the call. The Pride in Portage was looking for people who wanted to put a Christmas parade together to help usher Santa and the holiday into the city. The rest is history……..

I can hardly believe this will be our 14th annual City Celebration of Christmas. Everyone is welcome to participate. This year the event will take place on Dec. 6. The parade will commence from Kyle School parking lot to Central, go west on Central to City Hall. At approximately 5 p.m. our guest of honor, Santa, will light the city's twin Christmas trees. Then all good boys and girls and their families are invited in to city hall to visit with Santa and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies, provided by Local 3151 Firefighter's Auxiliary, and more Christmas carols.

If you would like to participate in the parade or any of the festivities, applications are available in the Mayor's office at 6070 Central or RE/MAX Hometown Professionals at 3200 Willowcreek Road, Suite C.

The Pride in Portage Committee would like to encourage anybody filled with the Christmas spirit to please join us in this special event for young and old alike.

Should you have any questions please contact Norma at (219) 762-5425 at the Mayor's office or myself.

But that's not all coming up on that day. Stay tuned next week for the festivities before the parade!

I want to let everyone know that we have someone else in our extended fire family that needs our help.

This Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 157 Jefferson Street in Valparaiso, there will be a benefit for Jim Branham.

Randy and I have known Jim and his family since they served together at the South Haven Fire Department. He has always been very active in volunteering in the fire service and is the current president of the Porter County Fire Association and the Director of the Porter County FIST Team.

The donation is $20 a person and kids 12 and under are free. There will be food , cash bar, door prizes and a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit Jim through his fight with cancer. Come on out and help this courageous man.

The opinions expressed solely are those of teh writer. She can be reached at (219) 764-2187 or robinwilkening@remax.net.