We are coming on a New Year!

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What are your plans?

Sarah Brock

Dec 30, 2025

New Year’s Eve Reminder
It’s New Year’s Eve, Gainesville! Whether you’re heading out to celebrate or staying cozy at home, please remember to drive safe, take care of each other, and have the best time ringing in 2026.

Don’t forget — many local businesses have adjusted hours today and tomorrow for the holiday, so be sure to check your favorite spots before heading out.

Here’s to fresh starts, big goals, and a really good year ahead. 🥂

This newsletter is sponsored by the Cowgirl Mercantile

Come into the Cowgirl Mercantile for the best gifts for the cowgirls in your life at

419 N Commerce St Gainesville, TX, Tues-Sat 11am-6pm

GISD Christmas Break
Gainesville ISD students are officially on Christmas break! Enjoy the time with family, fun, and some much-needed rest. Schools will resume Monday, January 6th.

Image credit to Gainesville ISD FB

Last Chance to Shop Bungalow 123 Before Renovations
Bungalow 123 is heading into a major renovation — and this Saturday is their last open day before they temporarily close to refresh and repair the shop for the new year.

They’re also running 40% OFF all clothing this week, so if you’ve had your eye on something, now is definitely the time to stop in.

🗓 New Year’s Week Hours:
Mon–Tues: 10–5:30
Wednesday: 10–4
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10–5:30
Saturday: 10–5 (last day before renovation closure)

Make sure to swing by and support this local favorite before they pause for their big refresh! 💛

Image credit to Bungalow123 FB

Open Play for Littles in Downtown Gainesville at TreKen Playhouse
Need something easy (and fun) for the kids this week? Head to Open Play at The Busy Bee Playroom in downtown Gainesville. It’s the perfect place to let the kids burn off energy while parents relax and catch up.

🗓 Tuesday, December 30 & Friday, January 2
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
💵 $10 per child (guardian must stay)
📍 201 W. Broadway St., Gainesville
Outside food and drinks are welcome — and no registration is needed. Just show up and play!

Image credit to Trken Playhouse FB

Now Showing at Butterfield Stage: Southern Fried Funeral
Butterfield Stage Players have announced the cast for their upcoming production of Southern Fried Funeral — a big-hearted, laugh-out-loud Texas-style comedy you won’t want to miss. Expect strong accents, Texas-sized laughs, and all the small-town family drama that makes live theater so fun.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now
📍 Butterfield Stage – 201 S. Denton St., Gainesville
📞 Box Office: 940-665-8152

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the new year, this one needs to be on your calendar.

Image credit to Butterfield Stage FB

GISD Teacher of the Month — December
Big congratulations to Leasha Lamoy, GISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Month for December! Mrs. Lamoy teaches 6th grade ELAR at Gainesville Intermediate and is known for going above and beyond to support her students — especially emergent bilingual learners. Her classroom is a place where students feel encouraged, challenged, and genuinely cared for. Way to make Gainesville proud!

Ring in the New Year at The 1845 – Valley View
Looking for somewhere to celebrate New Year’s Eve close to home? The 1845 Bar & Lounge in Valley View is hosting a New Year’s Party on December 31st with live music from Nashville recording artist Jeff Smithart starting at 8PM.

Stick around for a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and enjoy classic country, outlaw honky-tonk, and Southern rock favorites while you ring in 2026.

📍 302 W Obuch St., Valley View

If you want a night out that feels fun, festive, and local — this is your spot.

Image credit to The 1845 FB

Try a Free Martial Arts Class at Talon Martial Arts
Looking for a fun way to get the kids moving — or a new workout for yourself? Talon Martial Arts in Gainesville is offering free trial classes with sessions for kids and adults.

🕔 Mondays
• 5:15–5:45 PM – Tigers (ages 4+)
• 5:45–6:30 PM – White Belts (ages 7+)
• 8:15–9:15 PM – Adults (18+)

Great for building confidence, strength, balance, and self-defense skills — and it’s a fun, encouraging environment for all ages.

Image credit to Talon MA FB

Weekly Run Club at The County Seat
Looking for an easy way to move your body and meet new people? The County Seat Run Club meets every Monday at 6PM in front of The County Seat in downtown Gainesville — and it’s welcoming to all fitness levels.

Run starts and ends at 105 W. California St., and runners get ½ off their first appetizer plus happy hour drink specials after the run.
Good people, good vibes, and a great way to start your week.

Image credit to County Seat FB

Now Hiring at Goodies on Commerce
Goodies on Commerce is looking to add a couple of cooks to their team! They’re offering flexible hours with morning, afternoon, and evening shifts available — and no experience is required for daytime shifts. Training is provided.

If you’ve got a good attitude, a strong work ethic, and want to join a fun local crew, this could be a great fit.

📧 Send your resume to foodies@goodiesoncommerce.com
Or stop by Goodies on Commerce to apply in person.

Image credit to Goodies on Commerce FB

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Ranch 82 – Whitesboro
Ringing in the New Year with dinner plans? Ranch 82 in Whitesboro is hosting a special 3-course New Year’s Eve dinner on December 31st — plus live music to set the mood for the night.

Enjoy options like ribeye steak, pork chops, Tuscan chicken, and house-made desserts to wrap up the year right.

📍 12265 E Hwy 82, Whitesboro
📲 Reservations by text: (940) 241-0614

If you’re wanting a nicer night out without driving far, this one’s a great pick.

Image credit to Ranch 82 FB

Local Student Art on Display at Cooke County Library
Edison Elementary students have artwork on display at the Cooke County Library, and it is absolutely worth stopping by to see. The exhibit features colorful creations from several classrooms and will be on display through January 31st.

If you’re looking for a feel-good reason to swing by the library, this is it — come support our local students and their creativity!

City News

Nighttime Road Closures on I-35 & FM 51
Heads up, Gainesville drivers — night work is happening on I-35 and FM 51, which means overnight closures and detours while crews move barricades and shift traffic lanes.

🕗 Closures run 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM
🚦 Northbound and southbound I-35 traffic will be detoured to the frontage roads near the Elm Fork Bridge.
🚫 FM 51 will not be able to cross I-35 — drivers will need to use frontage roads and make U-turns at US-82 or FM 1306.

Plan extra time if you’ll be out late!

Holiday Trash & Transfer Station Schedule Update
The City of Gainesville has released the Holiday Cart Schedule for December 29 – January 2 with a few changes due to the New Year’s holiday.

🗓 Thursday routes will run as scheduled — no special pickup.
⚠️ Some collections normally on Thursday may shift to Wednesday.
🚫 The Transfer Station will be closed Saturday, January 3 and will reopen Monday, January 5.

Be sure to plan accordingly so you don’t miss your pickup this week!

"High Springs Family Leads Community Clean-Up Effort, Inspiring Others to Join In"

A family in High Springs, Florida has taken on a mission to clean up their community and has already collected nearly 1,500 pounds of trash.

The family spends their weekends picking up litter along the roads and in local parks, making a significant impact on the cleanliness of their neighborhood.

Their efforts have inspired others in the community to join in the clean-up efforts and work towards creating a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy.