By Mary Jane Farmer,  for the Van Alstyne News on SceneInTown.com

This has been a real honor and privilege to be trusted with these children’s heart-felt wishes.  

The Van Alstyne Public Library is and has been “The Official North Pole Postal Express” and taking in and sending off Letters to Santa. It provides a form, which simplifies the process for the very young — and probably for those adults who helped the youngsters. They could check one of three: “This year I have been: Very Nice, Naughty, or/and Naughty & Nice.” Then, they explained one or more things that they did that was nice, and followed that with the enviable “This year for Christmas I would like…”

Oh, yeah — Santa made time and answered each letter the following day.

And another ‘oh, yeah’ — The kiddos’ names have been changed here so as to keep their wishes a secret from everyone except Santa.

A third ‘oh yeah’  — The Public Library, 151 West Cooper, will be continuing the Letters to Santa Project from now through December 21.

MARIA, age 3— Been very nice and has “Listen to Mommy, Listen to my teacher, and Clean my toys.” For Christmas, Maria wants a BABY.

TAMMY, age 7, has been very nice by helping with an angel tree and by hugging Papa. She wants three things this year: a Karaoke Machine, Make Up, and Squish Mallows.

CANDY, age 10, checked Naughty & Nice, and has been giving craons (crayons) to her brothers. All she wants this year is a Digital Wach (watch).

“Christmas Tree, oh Christmas tree – how lovely are your branches.”

ISAAC is age 2, and wholeheartedly clicked that he has been very nice this years, but didn’t give any of his crowning achievements. He did say he wants some Pokemon stuff, or more specifically, a Pokemon Binder.

HUDSON, age 5, scratched through the ‘very” and just checked ‘Nice.’  His best achievements were that he made donations to the local Angel tree and also helped the coach in PE at Sanford. Hudson wants a Dirt Bike, Nintendo Games, and a RC CAR.

BETSY, age 9, has been Very Nice; has held the door for a stranger, and donated for an Angel. This young angel wants Roller Scates (skates), a Squishmellow, and Moms Job.

DANDI, age 4, has been very nice also. She has donated toys, played with her friends, and shared her toys. She hopes Santa will bring her a Yo-Yo and a Toy Squish Poop – let’s hope she meant ‘pup.’

MARSHALL, age 5, was very nice by “helped my mom, and I played with my brothers. I also helped my Dad with projects around our new home.” For Christmas, Marshall hopes for a R C Car, a Jay Lego Set, Football Gloves, and Gold Football Cleats.

IRENA has been a very nice 3-year-old this year. She has cleaned her room, love her mom and dad, and helps mom work at car shop.  Her hopes are pink, as in a Pink Barbie  and a Pink Car.

BROOKLYN, on the other hand, has been both naughty and nice. At the age of 10, she has helped her brother with his homework and other stuff that he needed help with. This young lady hopes for “Money to Donate” and some more to money “Get my friends Christmas presents.”

This gorgeous sleigh greets people to the Van Alstyne Public Library

FRANKIE, age 5, was one very nice through the year. She “play with baby brother.” And wants a Fairy Garden from Santa.

TAYLOR, age 5, admits to having been both naughty and nice through the year. She has helped her mother around the house. Santa is asked to bring Taylor a Cat.

QUINN, no age given (Kinda like Santa himself — who really does know his age?) and was very nice this year by sharing “gum with my sister.” His hopes are for a Digital Watch.

ISIAH, age 7, was both naughty and nice and said the nice parts were that he “listen to my mommy; ate my lunch food; and wake up for school on time.” Isiah wants a Lego set and Mini Cars for Christmas.

KASS, age 29 and very nice — has been “very helpful with all.” And all Kass wants is “No gifts, just want to send a message to my Daddy (He is a star now) that I miss him and I love him so much.”

BK, age 7½, was very nice. “Visited (2 sweet little ones) when I could. I stayed with (another sweet little one) a few times when she was sick while her dad to go to work in the office.” He is asking for Mario Lego Sets, Harry Potter Lego sets, and some Nintendo switch games.

JERRIE, age 3, was both naughty & nice. This Santa fan said she “patted Mom on the back-she was having a ruff day.” She is only asking for a Cheeta Stuffy. And “PS: Eddie is creating this for me.”

URIAH, age 9½, admits to having been naughty but also nice. He “helped my mom carry her stuff to the car when she had a lot of stuff.” He wants a revt gun, even though he knows “that would be really $ expensive $.”

OLGA, age 4, was very nice all year long! She “help my mommy and play with cousin.” She’s asking Santa for a LOL Doll.

Wednesday Story Times held here inside the VA Public Library — all decorated out for the season.

TAYLOR, age 2, checked the ‘Naughty & Nice’ box, and there were so many nice things she did that she just left that column blank for us to fill in. All she asks for is Fruit Snacks, Playdough, and Dolls.

SUZIE, age 5, has been both naughty and nice, she owns up to both of those. She “Ate my dinner, helped my brother, and learn to read.” This year, Suzie wants Frozen, Elsa & Anna toys, and Lego Duplo. Unequivocally, she promises, “I will be the best kid.”

HECTOR, age 7, said he’s been ‘Muey Bien’ or Very Nice. “I pict up the poo for my mom.” He’s asking Papa Noel for a (specific) lamp.       

EVELYN is 4 years old. She clicked all three boxes, saying she’s been Very Nice, Naughty; and Naughty & Nice.” She “help my brothers, played with brothers.” She’s asking, this year, for a Barbie House, a Barbie Doll, and a LOL Doll.

And PS: If anyone sees Santa wandering around, please tell him I have a set of Frozen sunglasses, just the right size for the young ‘un who is asking for Frozen stuff.

Press Release from Texas Department of Transportation, Nov. 10, 2023
PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to widen US 75 in Grayson County from FM 1417 south to the Grayson-Collin County line. Property owners along this portion of US 75, along with local
government and public officials, have an opportunity to comment on the environmental review process for this project.
The purpose of this proposed project is to add capacity, improve traffic operations by converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way, add frontage road turn around opportunities, and add ramp improvements along this portion of US 75.
The project would extend approximately 14 miles, widening this portion of US 75 from two main lanes to
three main lanes in each direction. Main traffic lanes in each direction would be 12 feet wide, with 10- to 11-
foot-wide inside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide outside shoulders separated from main lanes by a two-foot-
wide concrete traffic barrier. No additional right-of-way would be required, TxDOT officials said.
Environmental documentation, studies, maps and drawings and other information pertinent to this proposed
project are on file and available for viewing at two locations: the TxDOT Paris District Office, 1365 N. Main,
Paris, Texas 75460; and the TxDOT Sherman Area Office, 3904 South US 75, Sherman, Texas, 75090.
The project materials are in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator, one will be provided
for you. These arrangements and disability access arrangements can be requested by calling (903) 737-
9213 no later than 4 p.m. Central Time at least three business days before the date you would like to review
the project materials or submit comments. Advance notice helps TxDOT arrange to provide these
accommodations.
Project materials are also available online at www.txdot.gov by searching for “US 75 Grayson County.”
Comments can be submitted in writing and mailed to TxDOT Sherman Area Office, 3904 S. US 75,
Sherman, Texas 75090; or emailed to Elecia.Moore@txdot.gov no later than Dec. 3, 2023.

Story and photo by Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town.

On the southeast corner of Van Alstyne Parkway and U.S. Highway 75, QuikTrip is building a new convenience store and fueling area.
QuikTrip builds and operates attractive convenience stores with gas stations and is known for its customer service and cleanliness. Company plans call for removing the existing Shell building, awnings, signage, and underground fuel tanks, City Manager Lane Jones told the Council at its August meeting.
QuikTrip’s Corporate Communications Manager, Aisha Jefferson, said that they expect all work and stocking to be completed and ready for opening in July 2024. After the closing of the Shell station there, local drivers had the option of getting their gasoline at the Quick Check, Valero, or the Born in Texas stations.
The new store, which will be Van Alstyne’s 4th convenience store, will be redeveloped from the ground up, she said. It will be about 3,800 square feet in size; will have regular, premium, and diesel gasoline; and will offer freshly-made foods such as pastries and ready-made meals.
Currently, a construction crew is onsite tearing down the above-ground items, including the gasoline pumps and signage. The crew is also digging to remove the underground fuel tanks and make the sites available to replace those old tanks with new equipment. Jefferson said they might possibly replace the water pipes underneath, as well. “We want to make sure we don’t use any old parts,” she said.
Jefferson also said that the QuikTrip company plans to make it “the best paying convenience store in the neighborhood.” Hiring will begin about in January, she said, and those wanting to hire on can begin the process by going Online to QuikTrip.com and filling out the provided paperwork.
There is a QuikTrip on the west side of U.S. Highway 75, five miles south in Anna. This new Van Alstyne store will compliment it by being on the east side of the highway, thereby providing travelers a way to use the facilities without having to turn around.
The work site is marked and/or blocked on all sides (as shown in the photo) to not approve any admission when the crew has ceased working for the day.