Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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As Christmas draws near and holiday cheer fills the air, one figure looms large in the imaginations of children and adults alike: Santa Claus. With his twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks and hearty "Ho, ho, ho!" Santa is now synonymous with the spirit of giving, but few are aware that his origins stretch back centuries, through a rich history of generosity, religious devotion, and evolving cultural traditions. The Saint Behind the Legend The story of Santa Claus can be traced all the way back to the...
Take a trip back in time to Christmas's past as the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual old-fashioned Christmas. Start the afternoon with shopping experiences at two local businesses. The Sidebar, 522 Main, will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., with holiday shopping for gifts and stocking stuffers. Roots by Jaci, Farmhouse 43 and Cut Across Creations will host a holiday open house at 312 Nebraska Street, from 3 to 7 p.m. Shopping, snacks and drinks will be available. Soups,...
Clearwater residents will begin the holiday season with an old-fashioned Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 3. Between 5 and 7:30 p.m., soup, sandwiches, desserts and drinks will be served at the American Legion. Donations to the Antelope County Food Pantry will be accepted. Canned items may be dropped off at the event. Sleigh rides will be available on Main Street through the event.Santa Claus will make an appearance, so youngsters are urged to bring a wish list to share with jolly old St. Nick. The...
With the official start of summer quickly approaching, The 402 Theater Group offers more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved by providing entertainment for the community. Jillian Henn, of Orchard, is one of the creators of The 402 Theatre Group. "The 402 Theater Group is a community inspired to bring the performing arts to rural communities," she said. The group started in 2022, when Orchard resident Don Lallier posted an ad around town to gather interest in starting a theater...
The "Summerland Advocate-Messenger" brought home 17 awards from the Nebraska Better Newspaper Contest. Recipients were announced Saturday, during the Nebraska Press Association awards banquet at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln. SAM competed in Class A, which features weekly newspapers with circulation up to 699. Entries were published in 2022. The paper took top honors in five categories, including agriculture advertisement, featuring Automated Dairy Specialists; signature page,...
A world premiere took place in Orchard, Dec. 17, when the 402 Theater Group presented "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The 10-minute holiday play, inspired by the Christmas song, opened Dec. 17 at the Orchard Community Center. The script was penned by Orchard resident Don Lallier. Cast members included Jersey Grey, Jillian Henn, Raeley Meyer and Gunnar Shabram. Lynae Stelling provided musical accompaniment and Derek Henn assisted backstage. Following the production, Santa Claus paid a visit...
An Orchard theater company will make its debut, Saturday, with a take on a popular holiday song. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," penned by Orchard resident Don Lallier, will be performed by the 402 Theater Group, at 5 p.m., at the Orchard Community Center. Organizers call the play "the perfect event for children and family to attend right before Christmas." Cast members include Raeley Meyer, Jersey Gray, Sara Trease and Gunnar Shabram. Lallier will direct the play, while Jillian Henn serves...
Concertgoers will have two opportunities to hear holiday spirit come to life at Summerland School. On Monday, Dec. 12, junior and senior high school choir and band members will perform at 7 p.m., in the auxiliary gym. Elementary musicians will perform Dec. 20, at 7 p.m., in the main gym. Fifth- and sixth-grade bands will start the show, followed by the kindergarten through sixth-grade program, “Holly and the Ivy League.” The musical, written by Roger Emerson and John Jacobson, introduces Holly Day, who is upset because girls aren’t allow...
Clearwater will kick off the holiday season with its annual old-fashioned Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 4. Soup, sandwiches, desserts and drinks will be served between 5 and 8 p.m., at the American Legion. Donations to the Antelope County Food Pantry will be accepted. Canned items may be dropped off at the event. Santa Claus will make an appearance, so youngsters are urged to bring a wish list to share with jolly old St. Nick. Sleigh rides will be available on Main Street throughout the evening....
Joyful fellowship. The two terms combine to set the ambiance for a longstanding Page tradition, the yearly women's salad supper. This year's supper, celebrated Dec. 1, at the Page United Methodist Church, featured candlelight and snowflakes, creating warmth and light, illuminating memories and creating new ones. Diane Heiss, a member of the supper's planning committee, said the tradition "starts the season off right." "I also liked it because daughters came with their moms and sometimes the...
“Kids believe in Santa; adults believe in childhood.” Author Cate Kennedy hits the mark with that line from her short story collection, “Dark Roots.” Last week, while Scott, Elizabeth and I fulfilled Santa’s elf duty, stuffing toys, candy and fruit into brown paper sacks, visions from Christmases past reminded me of the good ol’ days and what days leading up to the holiday were like during the age of flower power and groovy, man. In Clay Center, Santa Claus made an appearance on Saturdays i...
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a grand entrance, in Orchard, Saturday, Dec. 4. Jolly Old St. Nickolas and his wife will arrive at 4 p.m., at the park. Buggy rides will be available for visits between 4 and 5 p.m. Holiday displays will light up at 5 p.m. Hot chocolate, cookies and apple cider will be available. Orchard Economic Development Association and Orchard Community Club sponsor the event....
Santa Claus must feel especially jolly whenever he is coming to town and climbs down the chimney of Terri Hergert's Royal home to deliver Christmas presents. That is because Hergert has a collection of Kris Kringle items that would make Santa's rosy cheeks blush as red as his iconic suit. "It's the make-believe, magical part of Christmas," Hergert said. "I just have always liked Santas." She has been a fan of the white-bearded, white-haired Father Christmas ever since she was a child growing up...
While Santa Claus stopped in Clearwater, Saturday, a green-faced Grinch added to holiday fun, photobombing pictures as Jolly Old St. Nick greeted area youngsters at The Office. Unlike past years, Santa parked his sleigh along the street and greeted families as they drove by. Santa read children's wish lists, asked who had been naughty and nice and offered holiday greetings and goody bags. He told the Advocate-Messenger, "The best part of Christmas is receiving hugs and cookies." The Grinch may...
Dear Santa, It is almost Christmas and I am feeling very excited! Some presents I would like to ask for this year are ukulele and a Mp3 player. To show you what I think of when we talk about Christmas, I drew you a picture of joy and Jesus' birthday. Merry Christmas! Love, Makenna Bergman Dear Santa, It is almost Christmas and I am feeling very jolly! Some presents I would like to ask for this year are OMG surprise, American Girl doll, Omari, a bouncy ball, and a fingerling. To show you what I...
Clearwater, Ewing, Orchard, Royal and Page children wanting to share Christmas wish lists with Santa have an opportunity to do so. Ewing information technology application classes are acting as liaisons between Santa and Ewing students. Letters should be received by Dec. 1 and include the child's full name, grade level and address in the letter. Letters should be mailed to Computer Elves, Summerland Public School, PO Box 98, Ewing, NE 68735. Clearwater, Orchard, Royal and Page youths, preschool...
Youngsters in the Page area are invited to visit the Farmers Store, Saturday, Dec. 7, for a visit with Santa Claus. The jolly old man will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. A 4x6 photo will be taken of visitors and will be available for pickup at the Farmers Store on Dec. 11....
Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard children wanting to share Christmas wish lists with Santa have an opportunity to do so. Ewing information technology application classes are acting as liaisons for Santa. Letters should be received by Dec. 13 and include the child's full name, grade level and address in the letter. Letters should be mailed to Computer Elves, Ewing Public School, PO Box 98, Ewing, NE 68735. Clearwater and Orchard youth, preschool age and younger, are invited to write letters to...
