Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Just wanted to say thank you to all the business owners who opened their doors to us on Sunday, Dec. 4, during the Botetourt Holiday Event on Gloucester’s Main Street. And when I say opened their doors, 

I mean literally!

The cookie decorating, crafts, and apple cider with more cookies, all took place inside the businesses. It was such a pleasant surprise, as I imagined all the activities were going to be set up on tables out on the sidewalks.

Being invited into these warm, cozy businesses made the event fantastic! I have a list of reasons why I love and am so proud to live in Gloucester, but my number-one reason is the friendly people. The Good Life Kitchen had tables upon tables of kids decorating cookies; Field’s Quilting welcomed kids into their back room for a holiday craft, and the Village Blacksmith did a demonstration and answered every question posed by the kids.

Those were three free events my family attended, but there were so m...