Holidays are upon us!

As we approach the beginning of December, we want to remind you of several upcoming events that you will want to mark on your calendar. Next Friday, December 1, is Arbor Day in South Carolina. There will be a dedication ceremony at 10 am in the park area beside the railroad tracks and Beaufort Street 1162 Chapin Road.) The Chapin Beautification Foundation, Chapin Sunrise Rotary and Chapin Garden Club invite you to attend as they celebrate their new planting and dedicate the new Town Clock.

On Saturday, December 2, the Justin Pepper Foundation will host its 11^th Annual Toy Drive and Birthday ~~Breakfast~~, I mean Brunch, at Chapin Town Hall beginning at 10 am. Come enjoy some delicious food and bring a wrapped toy or gift card in honor of Justin’s generous spirit to help those less fortunate boys and girls in our community. According to Justin’s mom, Kari Pepper McKeone, the toys are distributed to children at Christmas and for birthdays through a number of community partners, including Chapin We Care Center, Northwest YMCA, Newberry Boys Farm and Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, SC. Gift cards are especially appreciated for teens who also need to be remembered on their special days. For more info on the Toy Drive, visit www.justinpepper.org.

The Chapin Police will also be collecting Toys for Tots at Boland’s Ace Hardware store from 9 am to 12 pm on December 2. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to thank you for your donations and pose for pictures.

On Sunday afternoon December 3rd, the Town of Chapin will host its annual Cookies, Cocoa and Christmas Tree Lighting beginning at 4:00 pm. Families and friends will gather in the Community Room to enjoy some holiday music, cookies and hot cocoa, with special thanks to our friends at Publix for sponsoring our cookies and cocoa! The Children’s Choir from Chapin United Methodist Church will entertain us with their carols again, and Mayor Wilson will read the popular A Visit from St. Nicholas. And speaking of St. Nick, we expect him to stop by on the old fire truck to visit the boys and girls, too. The tree lighting will happen outside at 5:15 pm. Come out and join the fun!

Change$ in the New Year

In addition to getting a new mayor and two new council members, the way people can pay for services at Town Hall is changing! Town Council approved securing merchant services to allow people to pay by credit card, whether it’s for a business license, a room rental fee, permits or even your Labor Day parade entry. Citizens will have an opportunity to swipe their card at Town Hall or make a payment online through our chapinsc.com website. The Utilities Department and Municipal Court have accepted credit card payments for years, so it will be nice for customers to enjoy that same flexibility for administrative services.

Another change related to credit cards – the Town will no longer cover the processing fees for credit card payments. Customers will incur those fees as part of their transaction. To avoid that extra fee, utilities customers can opt to have a bank draft set up for their monthly bills at no charge. Contact Theresa Hiott or Susan Wright to make that change to your billing account.

Gobble Gobble Gobble!

The staff at Chapin Town Hall enjoyed a festive covered dish luncheon on Tuesday afternoon, with everyone bringing their favorite dish to share. Members of town council (old and new) joined the fun as did some of our loyal vendors and special partners.

Chapin Town Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you a safe and satisfying holiday with your loved ones!