GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XXVII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
HOLIDAY
EVENT
Christmas Light Parades in Creston and San Miguel
Both sides of Main Street were lit up with thousands of Christmas lights, and people filled the street as they discov-ered what Templeton had to offer. Photos by Christianna Marks
First Inaugural Christmas on Main Street A Huge Success Hosted by the Templeton Chamber of Commerce
Country Christmas fun was all around in Creston (left) and San Miguel (right) this weekend. Photo by Camille DeVaul and contributed.
Creston and San Miguel each had their annual lighted Christmas parades on Dec. 18
Saturday, Dec. 18. Lighted floats of all kinds strolled down the main streets of the rural towns. The Creston Lighted and Local Christmas Parade returned in full force. Webster Road was lined with families and pop-up ChristBy CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com mas parties in front of Allgood Custom Leather and the LongCRESTON/SAN MIGUEL branch Saloon. — It was a Country Christmas Lighted side-by-sides, RVs, in San Miguel and Creston on semi-trucks, vintage trucks, trail-
ers, and horses--big and small-made their way through town. Residents of the Creston area got together, as they do every year for the impromptu parade. The Creston 4-H lighted trailer was hard to miss being pulled by a beautifully lighted Peterbilt. Overall there was an impressive collection of lighted vehicles to be seen and many good times to be had following the parade.
A recording of the parade can be watched here: youtube.com/ watch?v=TWAWJIxAO9U San Miguel hosted their 31st Annual Christmas Parade. Each year, the San Miguel Firefighters Association (SMFA) hosts a Christmas parade and toy drive for the residents of San Miguel. Floats and cars decked out in lights stroll down the heart of San Miguel on Mission Street.
IN MEMORIAM
Afterward, all the children of San Miguel are welcome to come to the firehouse for a visit with Santa, and the firefighters distribute toys out to the children. For the past 17 years, SMFA has collected toy donations to be distributed by Santa Claus after the parade. Michelle Hido, SMFA secretary and treasurer, said, “We had
town’s original buildings. Prior to ever becoming AJ Spurs, the building was called The Templeton Mercantile through the 1970s and at one point owned by the Peterson Family. The Peterson’s also owned a hardware store across the street--we know it now as Hewitt’s Hardware. The building has seen many phases throughout its years. It was at one time a butcher shop, a
TEMPLETON — Throngs of people strolled up and down Main Street in Templeton on Saturday, Dec. 18, to participate in the first inaugural Christmas on Main Street. The Templeton Chamber of Commerce put on the event. “Our event started out as, just sort of brainstorming what we could do to give back to Templeton business. So, we thought it would be fun to just have a Main Street Christmas celebration. No charge to anyone,” said Templeton Chamber of Commerce Executive Co-Chair, Kathy Nutt. The event encompassed a large chunk of Templeton’s Downtown. Starting on 8th Street at the American Legion Hall, where you could visit Santa, mine for gold with Central Coast Gold Prospectors, and shop the craft fair. “It’s great to be here in Templeton for this first Christmas [event] that’s going on today. Everybody’s having a good time,” said Cynthia Everett of the Templeton Lion’s Club. Who had a booth inside the Legion Hall. Both sides of Main Street were lit up with thousands of Christmas lights, and people filled the street as they discovered what Templeton had to offer. Almost every business participated in some way, from hot cocoa and popcorn to fun things for the kids to do. Including an emoji scavenger hunt! In regular Templeton fashion, an impromptu parade featuring pick-up trucks, UTVs, golf carts, and motorcycles started circling up and down the street as the temperature dropped and it began to get dark.
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BUSINESS
Templeton Mercantile Returns to Main Street Starting with The Pig Iron The Pig Iron is now open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on Sunday
Wreaths Across America has ceremonies at more than 2,500 locations around the world. Photos by Camille DeVaul
Wreaths Across America at Templeton Cemetery District Wreaths were placed at 350 veteran graves By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The El Paso de Robles Chapter, National Society Daughters of America (NSDAR), and the Templeton American Legion Post #220 paid tribute this holiday season to 350 Veterans buried at the Templeton Cemetery. This was the chapter’s third year working with the legion in raising funds for the purchase of the wreaths. Volunteers with the NSDAR and the Templeton Legion gathered around the flag pole, located at the center of the Templeton Cemetary District, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day.
HARVEST
Members from the El Paso de Robles Chapter, NSDAR were Lisa Wood Regent, Lida Lucas, Diana Brenna, Linda Wood, Teresa Terry, Susan Howard, Lori Mansfield, Denise Carlson, Susan Clark, and her husband, Mike Clark. Templeton American Legion Post #220 opened the ceremony with their color guard, and El Paso de Robles Chapter president Lisa Wood led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. A prayer was read, and a bugler played taps, the tune we all know for its role in military funeral ceremonies. Wood addressed the volunteers saying, “Remember, we are not here today to “decorate graves.” We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.” WAA coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
SPORTS
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
TEMPLETON — When Taylor Odenwald was working his first job as a busser for AJ Spurs in Templeton, he joked that one day he was going to own AJ Spurs. Little did he know that he was right. In late 2020, Odenwald convinced some friends to purchase the AJ Spurs building with him. All locals from San Luis Obispo County, together are bringing a new concept to Templeton’s Main Street while restoring and maintaining the historical value of the building. “It has always been a special spot to all of us. I’ve been joking for the last 15 years that someday I’m going to own AJ Spurs,” says Odenwald. Templeton has always been a small community whose Main Street is still home to some of the
SENIOR LIVING
BEST OF
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
The Pig Iron serves “California comfort food” in the historic Templeton building. Contributed Photos.
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