Christmas Walk Wrap-Up

The Merchants of Metamora would like to thank all their visitors for a successful Christmas Walk. Though weather seemed to interfere with some of the fun, a fifth full weekend before Christmas was enjoyed by many and helped make the season successful.

Thanks again.

Welcome to Town!

Mr. David Story and family from Cincinnati told us they are purchasing the building in Duck Creek formerly known as "Rachels" and most recently known as the "Side Track Cafe" (which has now moved into the former Duck Creek Palace Restuarant building) to open a new shop this spring.

They will sell religious articles, Mrs. Story's hand-made jewelry, hot sauces and perhaps other items. They will spend the winter months getting the place ready to open, with opening tentatively planned for April 2008.

Their building is number 60 on the Metamora website map.

Welcome to town!

First Weekend of Christmas Walk

Christmas Walk weekends seem a marathon to shopkeepers, with hours from 1o am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, but Sunday is a bit better closing at 5 pm. The first weekend of the 2007 Christmas Walk is now over.

Crowds seemed to be a bit lower than expected, but still steady throughout Friday and Saturday, though dampened even more by afternoon drizzle on Sunday.

None the less, the town is beautiful decked out in a wondrous array of laterns on the canal, lights on the buildings bushes and bridges, and the candles on the streets. A great time and place to do some Christmas shopping.

The new "Side Track Restaurant" is now open under the astute cooking skills and guiding hand of Nancy Johnson, a "Taste of Home" field editor, located in the former "Duck Creek Palace" restuarant building. A fine addition to places to dine while visiting historic Metamora.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Today was a gorgeous weather day, 60+ degrees temperature, beautiful sunshine. Probably not many of those kind of days remaining in the year. A number of shopkeepers took advantage of the weather to get out and start putting up their Christmas decorations. Only two weeks left 'til the annual Christmas Walk shopping season begins, Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m.

Several new shops in town- at least two in the Duck Creek Crossing area. More variety for you shopping pleasure!

There are now new residents in the Mount Holland house on the north side of the canal in the center of town. They are a large extended family, and are busy restoring this lovely building.

The canal is currently drained for maintenance (dredging) but will be refilled before the Christmas Walk begins.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Our Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is rapidly coming up. Last year we had nearly 100 people attend. This year promises to be an even better event. The Baggy Bottom Boys band will again lead in singing Christmas carols. The Christmas season will officially be kicked off with a very special guest of honor.

There will be free hot chocolate and snacks, and a fire pit to help you keep warm. Come on out and join us!

Metamora Corn Maze

Just want to let you all know that the Whitewater Canal Trail's 2nd Annual Corn Maze did very well on its first weekend. Very well, considering the unbelievable heat, humidity and competition from Canal Days in Metamora. We doubled our number of visitors from the same weekend last year and expect a great weekend coming up!

This weekend brings cooler weather as well as the grand opening of the Twin Locks section of the trail on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Metamora Trailhead. WCTI is also hosting the Ohio Canal Society for a tour of locks and canal structures following the ceremony. For those of you who haven't seen the project yet - this is your big chance! It has been very well used already - so worth all of the effort.

The Corn Maze is open every weekend in October from 1 to 5 and all proceeds benefit the Whitewater Canal Trail.

Jenny
Thanks for your support
Mick Wilz
Whitewater Canal Trail Inc.
P.O. Box 126
Brookville Indiana 47012
Work 866-324-7842
Home 765-647-6457
Cell 513-295-4820

Canal Days In The Heat!

The 39th Annual Canal Days festival is in full swing with record temperatures approaching 90 degrees. Usually the October weather is much cooler, but the heat does not seem to affect the desire of either the vendors or the crowds to come out. While no good count is available on the number of visitors to town, many long-time residents and shopkeepers believe this year's crowd has surpassed last year's for both Friday and Saturday. (We'll see about Sunday's crowd today.) The heat is making large demands on the supplies of ice and drinking water, but the vendors and stores are keeping up.

Summer

Crowds flocking to Metamora for the glorious weather and a peaceful, relaxing day of family fun. The photo at left shows a recent wedding that took place on the canal boat.

Spring Has Arrived

Come on out and see the great weather here in Metamora! The beauty is about to explode as the trees green up and the ducks work on conditioning the canal.

The Canal Boat returns to service along with the Whitewater Valley Railroad during the first week of May.

Lots planned for the year. Strawberry Days and Celebrate 1838 coming up the first week in June. The Red Hat Ladies Society will be welcomed by the Metamora Merchants on the 9th of June. After July 4th activities (including the parade in town and the great fireworks show) you might gaze upon a bunch of Mustangs belonging to the Tri-State Mustang Club from West Chester Ohio on July 28th.

On the weekends, you might catch a free concert with Metamora's own Catrina and the Baggy Bottom Boys, a local bluegrass acoustic band who likes to play outside the Smelly Gourmet coffee bar when the weather is nice.

Beautiful Weather Brings Out the Tunes

Metamora's own Baggy Bottom Boys jamming in the street lately. With the warming weather, the toe-tapping music helps lift the spirits. The jam sessions have been happening more frequently lately, usually outside the Smelly Gourmet Coffee Bar on Main Street.