Banner County News, Notes & Nonsense

Good Morning to each of you here in Banner County and to all of our friends and neighbors near and far. Here is hoping that you are all ready for the Christmas holiday. I am not completely, but I am getting closer. Guess that is a great thing since the 25th is only a few days away.

Our college kids will be home and many other family members will be also, and that in its self will be a lot to be grateful for.

Last week the Wildcats hosted Leyton in four basketball games, traveled to Creek Valley the next day, and now they will compete in the Holiday Tournament which will be held in Sioux County this Thursday and Friday, December 20-21. Good luck to you all and safe travel.

The Elementary children K-5 will travel to the Valley to entertain at one of the areas nursing homes before early dismissal on Friday, December 21. School will be dismissed at 12:20 and they will be headed your way--those that are not in Harrison playing basketball anyway.

Sports at this point will go on hold as everyone enjoys the ‘practice moratorium’ or legally assigned break from sports. I looked on our school calendar this week to see what all was going on, and Monday the 17th was blank…that just never happens and I truly wondered what they had forgotten.

Tuesday night was the annual Christmas Concert which was enjoyed by everyone. For the remainder of this week other area events include the Community Cinema showing of the film “Beauty is Embarrassing” on Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. It is free to the community. Following this on December 21-23 “SKYFALL” will play at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday, and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. It is a James Bond film. Saturday afternoon “The Muppets Christmas Carol” will play at 1:30 p.m. and the admission fee is $1.

Down south, on Thursday, December 20, Dawn Moeser will help you create your holiday centerpiece in a class which is entitled, “Classy Holiday Floral Centerpiece.” This will be held at the Chamber office located at 122 S. Chestnut in Kimball. The class will run from 6-9 p.m. and the cost is $35.

The Harrisburg Community Church Christmas carolers were out and about Sunday evening and all enjoyed Chili at the church following that cold experience. There will be candlelight services on Christmas Eve as well as the regular weekly services.

Well, most of us already know all about Santa Claus, especially us “finely aged” folks. But here is a quick review just the same. Santa, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, or Father Christmas has his legendary, folklore type origins in many western cultures. He brings gifts to ‘good children’ usually on Christmas Eve. Our modern figure has been influenced mainly by the Dutch figure Sintrklaas, which, in turn, is based in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of Christian bishop and gift giver Saint Nicholas. This is to say that our modern belief is based on what has been derived from the writing and critical study of the lives of the saints.

His appearance as we know it was influenced in the 19th century by Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been reinforced through song, radio, television, children’s books and films. Tradition which can be traced to the 1820s relates that Santa lives at the North Pole with a number of magical elves and flying reindeer.

I personally could use one or two magical elves right now to help me around here, not just now, but more like one or two days a week!

With all of this said Santa is a jolly ole fellow to have around at this time of year. I like him myself. However, personally I believe that everything I know about Christmas I learned from Jesus. Miracles do happen. The gift of love is continuous. Peace is not a season; it is a way of life. It’s better to give than to receive. Love one another. Look at the world through the eyes of a child. He is the heart of Christmas.

Celebrating birthdays this week are: Lane Darnall, Eddy McGowan, Julie Cochran, and Rhonda Flick. Happy Birthday!

We have no anniversary wishes this week. So I will close by wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Until next week, call anytime, at 436-7152, 641-1335, or e-mail me at [email protected].