Campers and Rangers have been busy this week, decorating the park for Bonham State Park's annual Light Up the Park Event! Join us from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, and Saturday, December 16, for a night of lights and celebration. Bonham State Park will also be accepting unopened toys for children of all ages, on behalf of the Fannin County Children's Center

St. Andrew Methodist Church hosts its annual Christmas Music Festival, a joyful celebration featuring favorite carols, choirs, full orchestra, and more, on Sunday, Dec. 10, at both 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., in the sanctuary, 5801 W. Plano Parkway. Before or after the festival, guests are invited to visit with Santa and his reindeer and pose for a photo in his sleigh – complete with falling snow.

Join us in continuing the year-long community-wide celebration of Bonham’s 175th Anniversary. We will wrap up the celebration with a time capsule burial on February 2, 2024, at Bonham City Hall. Please see below for time capsule information, time capsule submission ideas, and how to submit your piece of history to give to our future in 25 years. The deadline for time capsule submissions is Friday, December 29.

TxDOT’s Travel Information Center on US 75 north of Denison will host a holiday impaired driving prevention safety event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dec. 15. TxDOT personnel, local law enforcement representatives and first responders will be on hand to share the dangers and legal consequences of drinking and driving. MADD spokesperson Emma Dugas is a featured guest this year.

SANTA IS COMING! Attention parents! Get ready to make this holiday season extra special for your little ones. Join us at the Creative Art Center on Saturday, December 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a yummy and festive event - Cookie Decorating with Santa! This enchanting experience will allow your children to unleash their creativity while having a jolly good time. They can come dressed in their comfiest Christmas pajamas and Santa hat, adding an extra touch of coziness to the event. And here's the best part - we have arranged a free photo opportunity with none other than Santa himself!

1936 – Abdication Crisis: Edward VIII signs the Instrument of Abdication. In early December 1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire arose when King Edward VIII proposed to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who was divorced from her first husband and was in the process of divorcing her second. The marriage was opposed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth. Religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised. As the British monarch, Edward was the nominal head of the Church of England, which at this time did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive. For this reason, it was widely believed that Edward could not marry Simpson and remain on the throne. As a twice-divorced woman, Simpson was perceived to be politically, morally and socially unsuitable as a prospective queen consort. It was widely assumed by the Establishment that she was driven by love of money or position rather than love for the King. Despite the opposition, Edward declared that he loved Simpson and intended to marry her as soon as her second divorce was finalized. The widespread unwillingness to accept Simpson as the King's consort and Edward's refusal to give her up led to his abdication in December 1936. He was succeeded by his brother Albert, who became George VI. Edward was given the title of Duke of Windsor, and styled Royal Highness, following his abdication, and he married Simpson the following year. They remained married until his death 35 years later.