Willpower is 'snow' joke
Pokin' Fun
'Doc' Blakely

There was a bum panhandling on the streets. As a well heeled, well dressed, pleasingly plumb, middle-aged woman approached his territory he took off his hat and said, "Ma'am, I haven't eaten in 4 days." She said, "My good man, I wish I had your willpower."

I am using my own willpower to deviate from my usual approach to this column to blatantly promote www.whartoncowboychristmas. com and a surenuff snow job. It will snow at the Gazebo on the square, Saturday, Nov. 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., even if we have to bring in a snow making machine, which we will, so come watch the snow being made, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be on hand from 3:05 p.m. to 6 p.m. or later if necessary.

Free photos will be given to the kids who want to have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas, parents are encouraged to leave a non-perishable food item for SHARE, but that's completely voluntary.

There will be plenty to do all day Saturday, rain or shine. Heck it sometimes rains and snows at the same time in nature and we'll have a tarp to protect the snow if necessary. Just remember to dress warm, wear gloves and shoes or boots, build a snow man, enter the pet contest, catch the music at the Gazebo,

attend the fiddler's contest in Caney Creek Church, visit the Farmers Market, check out the vendors' booths, shops

and restaurants around the square. And the popular Cowboy Church will again be held on Sunday morning featuring biscuits, gravy, coffee, cowboy preacher Mike Alverson and live, gospel music around the Pierce Ranch Chuck Wagon.

Why do we do this? We do it to celebrate the season, our heritage and the blessings of God, Country, and Wharton County. It is a time for giving, family gatherings, reflections, joy, praise, fun. Literally thousands of dollars are necessary to pull this off as a FREE festival. Our sponsors have caught the vision of a vibrant and growing community and offer you an early gift through this celebration.

Doc Blakely is a humorist and motivational speaker who resides in Wharton.