Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 26, 2014 Dear Readers: It is hard to believe that the holiday season is right here. If you were not ready, this recent arctic chill should get you in the mood. Maybe we will have a white holiday season to remember. For many retail establishments, the holiday season is a make or break scenario. If the business does well, one moves on. If the business has a poor holiday season, changes have to be made. The success of the season is not only for those retail establishments and their employees, but it has tentacles that reach out to all aspects of society. If businesses do not do well, there is far less money to go around to local employees and, therefore, less for them to spend in the local economy. I have used this column many times over the past three years as a platform to preach the advantages of shopping locally. I personally try to avoid the “big box” and chain stores and support the locally owned family businesses that put the profits back into the local economy. I would like to say I never shop “big box” or chains, but that is not the case. I am, however, conscious of trying whenever and wherever possible to support small businesses and local merchants who make up the main streets and bring such vibrant char- acter to the towns here in northern New Jersey. Clearly, I believe it is incredibly important for the health of our local economy and all of us as a community to do the same. Once again this year, American Express will be celebrat- ing the advantages of shopping at small businesses over the holiday season with Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 29. Register online, and shoppers who spend $30 at a registered small business, will get $30 back. Please check the website, americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop- small, for details. In other news, on Friday, Dec. 5, Santa and Ms. Claus will be coming to town. It is a phenomenal Wyckoff event, with both the fire department and the police department helping Santa get into position at many of his stops. There is certainly a ton of behind-the-scenes work by various Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce members that goes into this event. We would like to encourage the community as a whole to come out at any of the stops and support the local businesses along the way. This year at Wyckoff Town Hall, Santa will be unveiling one of the holiday stamps that that was designed by Janet Atkinson, a longtime Wyckoff resident. The stamp, which is called “Fun Ice Skating,” was selected over hundreds of other designs that are submitted to the post office through- out the year. It is with great sadness that I announce that this is my last column, as I will be retiring as president of the Wyckoff Chamber Commerce after three incredible and utterly ful- filling years. It has been an absolute honor, a privilege, and a gratifying experience to serve you and help promote the fine town of Wyckoff and the local business environment. I will continue to be active with the Chamber as a board member and I look forward to seeing everyone around town and wish all a wondrous holiday season. Sincerely, Jay Vidockler, President Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce