News

Happy Friday! We have a lot to celebrate today. 

I'll have a Coke with my pie! We love all nurses, but today celebrate the student nurses who are working hard to learn from home, and finally, we celebrate the incredible Military Spouse who is a Super Hero in our book! 

NATIONAL COCONUT CREAM PIE DAYNATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAYNATIONAL STUDENT NURSE DAY

NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY

We hope you have a great weekend and look forward to beautiful, sunny days ahead!

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Greetings,

We are excited to see Texas opening up. There are some restrictions that will be applied so be very patient with businesses and each other. We will begin to see things return to normal soon. 

This warm, sunny weather is giving us a reason to get outside and enjoy nature. It is good for you and helps to strengthen your immune system.

Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient. Your skin hosts a type of cholesterol that functions as a precursor to vitamin D. When this compound is exposed to UV-B radiation from the sun, it becomes vitamin D.  

In other news, we will begin to visit our local restaurants and favorite getaways. We have attached some guidelines to help you. The individual and employer information is included. It is important to do your part. 

We are offering employers and job seekers an online job fair  through Workforce Solutions Rural Capitol Area. Sign up today. You may find the employee or career of your dreams.

As a rural community we are looking for ways to help you get access to the things you need locally. We are reaching out to the community to help create our own Shop Local - Farm to Table group where you can get locally sourced food products. In the past we had a Farmers Market which struggled, but it is time to bring back the Local Food Producers. Contact our office to get on the list. Send us your 

name, product, address, email, phone number. We are going to post this on our website and the ARCIT.com website. Rural Texas is the Real Texas. If we grow it, they will come!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

Greetings,

Our office is compiling an active list of local products that can be bought by the public and potentially shipped out of Lee County to shoppers all over the world. 

Please send us your preferred information to add to the list. This will be included in our ARCIT Website to help rural producers sell their products. 

Email any information to: chambergiddings@gmail.com

Shop Local is great for our community, but it is our belief that garden to table products are going to become more desirable to the city/urban dwellers.

Locally Sourced Foods and Products/Made in GIDDINGS or TEXAS will be very important going forward. 

We hope you will consider joining us and participating in our efforts.

Please share this information with others that will be interested in participating.

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

Greetings

We have several updates for you and hope you are having a great Monday!

The PPP has ben extended. You can apply today to the SBA for funds. Talk to your lender about an application. If you need to find a lender go to the SBA website:
https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find

There will be a testing site open here on Wednesday. All the information is below. 

FLAG CEREMONY - Monday evening from Rusty Scholl

Here's the Sunday update for the flag ceremony tomorrow evening.

Hunter Biehle's casket is due to arrive in Austin on Southwest Flight #2022 at 5:45 pm. How smoothly everything goes at the airport will determine when the procession leaves Austin. Paul Kipp will call me as they leave. At that time we will start passing out flags, going from west to east.
Each flag has a corresponding small orange turf marker with the flag holder's number on it.
I can't tell you what time is best, as there are two many variables. I recommend arriving about 6:45 pm or earlier and finding your turf market. Bring lawn chairs if you desire.
No uniforms are required, but they can be worn. Same for military caps and ball caps. As the procession passes saluting would be nice.
After the procession passes the same truck that delivered the flags will come by and pick them up.
Hopefully we can provide a show of support for the family that they will always remember. Lee County honors military service with pride..
It would also be nice if you can pick up the turf marker and put it in the truck also.
The Giddings fire department, police department, and sheriff's department are all involved, as well as these branches of the towns that the procession will drive through.
This is going to be a long post as here are the flag locations. Some are going to be added later as I messed up when we were marking this morning. I do know that I was tired after walking and marking 3.6 miles.

Everyone please check you flag locations. I know I texted a lot of errors when I was letting people know where to go.
3. Small cemetery off hwy 290
4. Sonic billboard
5. Closed gas station across from metal building shop
6. Across from CEFCO
7. Across from Tractor Supply
8. Los Patrones
9. Wilberts Tire
10 Across from Buc-ees
11.Across from Starbucks
12.McDonalds
13. Auto Zone
14.ClosedPawn Shop
15 Across from America's Best Motel
16. Across from Giddings water tank
17. Round Top Bank
18. Sonic
19.Whistle Stop Antiques.
20 Liquor Depot
21. Los Primos meat market
22. Across from Golden Chick
23. Burger King
24. Chevron sign
25. Rebas
26. Citizens Bank
27. B&B Auto Supply
28. Across from car wash
29. Across from Santa Fe Steak House
30. Across from RBS Campers
31. Intersection of Dallas and hwy 290
32. Center of cemetery
33. West entrance of cemetery
34. Insurance billboard at west side of power station
35. Center of power station
36. East of Texaco station
37. Travel Plaza Truck stop
38. West of Texaco station
39. RV store
40. RV company west entrance
41. Mayer Road
42. Tejas Trading Post Sign
43-46 Tejas Trading Sign
Thank you for accepting all my errors.
Weather is forecast to be clear and the temperature about 80 degrees
Thank you everyone and God bless..

Free Covid Testing by Appointment from Lee County
This will be a mobile drive through Covid-19 Testing site

Where: at the Giddings Public Library, 276 N. Orange St, Giddings
When: Wednesday, April 29 from 9am-5pm
How: By appointment only. Call 512-883-2400 or go to txcovidtest.org

Only individuals with symptoms will qualify for the limited testing:
Fever - Chills - Cough - Fatigue - Body Aches - Shortness of Breath - Sore Throat - Headaches - Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea - Nasal Congestion - Loss of Taste/Smell

The warm weather and gentle rain is starting to really give the plants, flowers, and trees a good healthy glow. The pecan trees at the office have started dropping their twirlies and making a big mess, but that is where the yummy pecans come from. 

We received a questionnaire for businesses from the Governor's office. They are seeking input for their Task Force. The questionnaire is on our Business Covid page of the website. Due by this Thursday.  Our input is needed to determine when we can open our businesses.

We are excited to announce that Retail to go is rolling out on Friday.  Local retail stores will be open and can serve their customers on a curb side basis. It would be fun to have a yard sale or sidewalk sale to commemorate this day! Which gives me an opportunity to announce the first ever, HUGE plant sale at ALTMAN PLANTS this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will be able to fill our little garden plots and stay busy this weekend.

Big shoutout to Debbie Kinas for sprucing up our flower bed behind the Eleanor's Cottage. It was a blank slate that Debbie was able to brighten and give some cheer to us. We appreciate her hard work!

We were also very interested to see how all of our local churches have embraced technology and creativity to have their members be able to enjoy Church! It's great to see our community continue to grow their relationship with God through this new fangled technology. 

We are all learning new things and becoming more tech savvy! Keep up the good work! We need to keep cheering each other on...

Plant Outlet Sale!!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Giddings Facility – 1180 PR 2906
Right off Hwy 290
Credit cards accepted!!
Hours Dependent on Availability and Weather
All prices are final
****Limited time only****

Greetings

We are starting to dig in the recipe books to find something new to cook for supper. It is interesting to see all the great dinner ideas on social media. We made Harlan's Burritos the other night and I had forgotten how much I loved that recipe. I believe more recipes will be attempted during our self quarantining. 

We should produce a Quarantine Cookbook that has all the best recipes we discovered during these days at home. I have been part of two cookbooks in my life and I can tell you... it is a lot of work, but so worth it. 

We are in the deep part of the 2020 Census and want to remind you that it is very important to complete your form. There are many ways to community will benefit from a complete census count. 

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That includes the following -

• Roads
• Schools
• Public Libraries
• Medical & Emergency Care
• Representation at the State and Federal level
• Firefighters 
• Food for Families

Census results affect planning and funding for healthcare—including programs such as Medicaid, Medicare Part B, State Children’s Health Insurance, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news, the SBA is providing lots of information to small businesses. We are posting the forms and press releases as we receive them on our front page of the website. We will continue to provide you with updates to all information.

Thank you to our community volunteers as they provide leadership during this unusual time in our lives

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

Good morning

We are happy to see the end of this week.  AND what a week it was...

Our new normal is to work from home, and the creativity and ingenuity of small businesses has been heartwarming. Who knew that social distancing and self-quarantine would be so enlightening. This situation has taught us all to be more patient, be willing to learn new technologies, to think outside the box, or in this case throw out everything you ever knew and START FRESH!

21st Century technology is for everyone, not just the kiddos. Ask Judge Fischer about learning how to Skype. Think of all of the retail businesses who have moved to an online format to sell items. What about the businesses willing to set up face to face appointments or personal shopping experiences? Even Brookshire Brothers is going to be able to do CURB SIDE SERVICE. 

In two weeks our world has changed.  Is it better? Maybe so, Maybe no. Only time will tell, but I guarantee every business will look at their employees differently. Every business will be more accepting of the flexible, work from home model. Every business that had to lock their front doors to customers is sad because those daily visitors are what make us smile and feel connected.

Tell your story... How are you being impacted by this corona virus challenge? How will you change doing business in the future? What have you learned in the past two weeks that you didn't know before?

We learned that our website needed some TLC. Kelita is on the job making it a clearing house for information. The amount of information we have received is like drinking from a fire hose. So much at once and a lot of times conflicting. We are trying to vet the documents and send the most important information you need.

We are here to help you. The community support has been amazing! Let's continue to work hard for the good of everyone. 

Giddings is open for business, but you may want to call ahead, or make an appointment. Lots of our local restaurants have been doing great to-go specials and many fast food places have their apps which makes ordering ahead easy. Check out our restaurant list on the website. www.giddingstx.com for times and phone numbers. 

Thank you to all of our many local citizens who have stepped up to volunteer in so many ways to help make our community better! 

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

To Business Owners whose Business is Negatively Affected by the Virus

Please share your story of economic loss from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) with both the Small Business Administration and with the Texas Travel Alliance TODAY.

In order for Texas businesses to become eligible for emergency, low-interest bridge loans from the SBA to help you pay immediate costs such as your mortgage and payroll, a business from each of Texas’s 254 counties needs to show the SBA it has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Here is what you can do to help: please email this Economic Injury Worksheet to: TDEMPARecovery@tdem.texas.gov 

Additional information from the U.S. Small Business Administration about Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be found here.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/EIDLLoans

Sending in this form will not financially obligate your business in any way. When the declaration is granted for the SBA emergency loan program, applicants will receive information on how to apply for their loan.

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

In a world where news/entertainment/information is at our fingertips 24/7/366(leap year) we have been inundated with the coronavirus updates.  Some news stories are factual, many are not, and we are being told things that in some cases are not based in fact. 

The information that is attached to this email is meant to help calm fears and provide a helpful guide. There is a wealth of information available to you online. I highly recommend checking the CDC website and the Texas Health and Human Services(https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/) websites.

We are providing updates from the CDC, TDHS, Governor Abbott, SBA, and others who have information regarding the COVID 19. The safety of our community is of utmost importance at this time, therefore we are postponing the March 17th Casino Night event. We are going to schedule later in the year after we get the all clear from state and local officials.  As other event information becomes available we will pass it along to you. 

We are maintaining communications with the US Chamber, SBA, Congressman McCaul's office, the CDC, and others. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html  

Remember to Wash Your Hands!

Denice Harlan, PCED, IOM

Executive Director

We are happy to see the warm weather for 'Spring Break'! This is a nice change after several years of cold spring breaks. And of course the time change is already upon us and that just adds to our joy! Well for some it is a joy, for others a pain.  Time change is uncomfortable for a lot of us. 

Finally, we are glad to announce for the Lee County Fair Association the entertainers for the upcoming Lee County Fair on May 14th through 16th...

Friday, May 15th will feature Sam Riggs

Saturday, May 16th will feature Pat Green

Lee County Youth Fair Board members will have season passes available soon! Watch the Lee County Fair Association - Giddings, Texas  facebook page for announcements.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend and happy SPRING BREAK! 

Let us know if you have questions about our upcoming St. Patrick's Casino Night.