‘Decemberville’ celebration returns to Sellwood, Westmoreland

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 23, 2023

The weather was blustery as a revived business promotion and neighborhood celebration called “Decemberville” got underway after the pandemic in Sellwood and Westmoreland on Saturday, December 1st.

“Decemberville provides a way for our neighborhood businesses to create community during the Holiday Season,” explained Sellwood Moreland Business Alliance (SMBA) President Tom Brown. “And, while providing fun seasonal activities for nearby residents, it also brings shoppers from outside our neighborhoods here – as a destination.”

Joining in the celebration were SMILE – the Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood association – and the Sellwood Community House. At many locations, shoppers were wearing free brown furry reindeer snap-on antlers provided by the SMBA and given free to residents and customers.

Earlier in that rainy day, SMILE Station at 13th and Tenino in Sellwood was a major hub of activities. Folks enjoyed a free pancake breakfast, griddled by SMILE Board Member Bob Burkholder. Other SMILE Board members offered crafts, information, and activities in the building – including free cocoa and snacks, and singing of carols around the piano. They also collected blankets for donation to the Willamette Center residential shelter in Westmoreland.

Later in the day, activity picked up in the Westmoreland business district, as Cleveland High School student carolers provided musical cheer, while Charles Leatherwood, from Tom Dwyer Automotive, set up in the Windermere Moreland real estate office opposite the Post Office, making button badges for passers-by.

“From what we’ve heard, those who came to participate in Decemberville this year all left with smiles on their faces,” Brown remarked.

Find out more about the SMBA business association by going online – http://www.sellwoodmoreland.com

And find out about SMILE, a 501c3 nonprofit neighborhood association, at – http://www.sellwoodmoreland.org