A new event combing city development, free food and Christmas spirit is coming 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 7.
Town Square Coffeehouse House and the Orange City Chamber of Commerce board will be hosting a Community Connection event, including an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Drinks and appetizers are provided and all are welcome to participate.
The owner of Town Square and fellow chamber board member Steve Mahr said that the event is an opportunity for the Orange City community to get to know the chamber board in a casual setting and to encourage conversation on what individuals want for the town.
The chamber board is also hoping for feedback and ideas for the further development and prosperity of Orange City.
Town Square is already a popular hang-out spot to many citizens and students alike, which makes it an easy environment for people to chat, relax and have fun. Mahr also saidpeople who feel “left out in the community can use this event as an opportunity” to become more acquainted with these local government officials and other involved citizens for chipping in on future Orange City events and decisions.
Above all else, Mahr hopes people have a good time and that this can create a chance for people to form more personal connections with the Orange City chamber board members.
Town Square has become a common space for hosting a series of events in Orange City in the past, as well a place for connecting individuals and encouraging open communication between citizens and the local government.
“This event is a good way to remind all citizens that these officials are people too and that we all can contribute to the growth of Orange City even if we aren’t directly involved,” Mahr said.
Mahr said he is excited about these steps to build Orange City up for two reasons.
The first is he loves working on these events and is glad to be a chamber board member. The second, is he is excited about connecting people and developing a more active community within the citizens of Orange City.
Mahr’s dedication, as well as the dedication and hard work of everyone else on the board, promises a fantastic night of fun.
From 5 – 7 p.m. will be the ugly Christmas sweater competition.
Freshman Katelin Looney said she plans on attending and that “ugly Christmas sweaters are amazing and deserve to be appreciated.”
Even students who don’t believe in celebrating Christmas too early or don’t have an ugly sweater to wear, this is a good chance to get to know the people in the town of Northwestern and to cash in on some free food and fun. 
