Message from the Mayor:

November is here already. Fall is in full swing and has been a welcomed relief from the scorching summer temperatures. It means that winter is not far off. It's also the unofficial start to the holiday season.
November brings us other things as well:
We kick it off with daylight savings time. Ben Franklin gets some credit for the idea, albeit to conserve candles. It originally started in Germany in 1916 and was introduced to the United States two years later. As the days grow shorter, it does afford us some additional daylight. Did you know that Hawaii and most of Arizona are the only states that do not observe daylight savings time?
National elections will be Tuesday, November 8th. Early voting runs thru the 4th, and locations and times are available on the Tarrant County Website. One of our most precious rights is our right to vote. Exercise it. It is one of the many things that make this country great.
We will celebrate Veterans Day on the 11th. Originally named Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, it became a National Holiday in 1938. It is the day set aside to pay tribute to all veterans, living or passed, who have served their country honorably during war and peacetime. The dedication and sacrifice of these men and women IS THE REASON we enjoy the freedoms we have today and what makes America the greatest nation on earth. They are also the reason many other countries have their freedoms as well. Want to know what true sacrifice is? Ask a vet.
We end the month with one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. For me, it is a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate our blessings. Family, food, and football are the order of the day. Turkey, mom's stuffing, my wife's buttermilk pie, and the Cowboys. Enjoy the holidays, and please take a moment to remember those unable to be with their families.
A few other obscure noteworthy days this month are
November 5th – National Bison Day
November 14th – National Pickle Day
And who could forget National Mason Jar Day on the 30th?
 
Only 54 shopping days until Christmas, please consider shopping locally to support our local merchants.
 
Remember, family, friends, and neighbors are what make Watauga "A Great Place to Live."