It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us.

The big Halloween bash at Stevarinos will be Oct. 30, with cash prizes to be given away for the best three costumes.

The South Pittsburg Historical Society will have a benefit sale on Nov. 7.

Have you put together any plans for the upcoming Halloween weekend? With only two weeks left, there is still plenty of time to put together a prize winning costume.

The Marion County Chamber Industry Appreciation Day will be at the Holocaust Museum in Whitwell on Oct. 22 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets to this annual event can be purchased from any board member, including myself. Come by Stevarinos or call me at 239-707-9362 and reserve your tickets.

This weekend in South Pittsburg has a lot to offer. Here is a brief rundown.

A community meeting regarding redevelopment of the old cement plant area in Richard City is planned for Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at South Pittsburg City Hall.

This weekend, in our area and northeast Alabama, there will be a large number of motorcycles cruising through. This is all part of the Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride. One ride will begin in Bridgeport, Ala., on the morning of Sept. 19. Several events are planned, including a full weekend at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Scottsboro, Ala. Events planned include a people’s choice bike show, best custom paint, best Native American paint, furthest distance, oldest and youngest biker and tattoo contest. Call 256-259-8700 for more information.

The city has a new resource of advertising that is available. If you have an event that seeks attention, it can be advertised on the Princess Theatre marquee. To reserve your dates, call A.J. at the parks department. On the marquee currently is reference to the city wide yard sale, coming soon on the first Saturday in October. Registering for this event will only benefit those who participate. Call 228-3186 for more details.

The oldest high school rivalry game in the state will be Sept. 4 in Jasper, pairing South Pittsburg against Marion County. Both teams are loaded with talent and have high expectations for an extended season. This should be an exiting game.

Greetings again from across the Atlantic in beautiful Ireland. It is a wonderful place.

Top of the morning to you! This article comes from Dublin, Ireland, as we awake six hours ahead of those back at home. If you want pictures, send me an e-mail and I will forward.

The South Pittsburg Soccer League will host two registration dates for those between the ages of 4 and 18. There are both boys and girls leagues. Registration will be held at the Loyd Park administration building on Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $50 per player, which includes part of the uniform and trophies at seasons end.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Chamber banquet, which will be held Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Jasper First Babtist Church. This event sells out, so if you need tickets, contact the chamber office at 942-5103. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

At our monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, Bobbie Hubbard spoke of a program that offers free books for children up to five years old on a monthly basis. Sponsored by the State of Tennessee, the United Way and Dolly Parton, the program’s only requirement is that the books are read to the children. To enlist in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, call 877-99-books or log onto www.uwchatt.org.