• Thank you, Okeechobee, for over 1,100 pairs of socks! The Chamber’s Annual Socks-4-Seniors sock drive starts in early November and runs through Dec. 15 or thereabouts. This year we have collected enough socks to cover residents at Okeechobee Health Care Facility, Hospice of Okeechobee, Grand Oaks of Okeechobee and the Okeechobee County Senior Services and those participating in homebound services. This year we requested socks with grippers (non-skid) as those are safest for the majority of recipients, and your generosity was overwhelming with 3/4 of the socks donated being non-skid. The chamber staff and directors would like to thank everyone who donated one pair, to those who filled bags, had boxes shipped with custom orders, and this year we even had a couple of groups to round up their own donations and then bring them in! Distribution will be the week of Dec. 14, just in time for Christmas!

• On Wednesday, Dec. 9, the chamber held a ribbon ceremony for Ding-A-Ling Deli with new owners Crystal Bendetti and Eric Edwards at the location 2107 U.S. 441 S.E. Samples of soups and sandwiches from the house menu were given for attendees to try, and owner Crystal gave a brief overview of some of the challenges that she and husband Eric faced reopening the well-loved restaurant and their joy of being open! Ding-A-Ling Deli is known for its breakfast and lunch options and creativity of menu. Ding-A-Ling Deli is also the new home of the famous Okee-burger and premium Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. Open Wednesday through Monday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., they can be reached at 863-357-DELI (3354) for pick-up, dine-in or delivery.

• Miller’s Central Air Inc. was happy to help Santa this year in delivering 10 bicycles and 10 scooters to one of our local nonprofits, Helping People Succeed, whose mission is: Providing opportunities and choices that help children, families and adults improve their quality of life through education, counseling, training and employment. Thank you, Miller’s Central Air, for your generosity!