'tis the season to celebrate

by corey prestoN

corey preston / coreypreston@miconews.com Members of the Prairie View High School Choir belt out “Sleigh Ride” at the Christmas Tree Lighting Program at the Linn Valley Community Center. More than 45 community members attended the program, which also included performances by the Linn Valley Band and a number of Linn Valley children.

coreypreston@miconews.com

As dozens of huddled-together neighbors and friends joined in on a chorus of “Joy To the World” at the annual Christmas Tree-Lighting Program in Linn Valley Sunday, it was clear that nothing brings people together quite like the holidays.

“It's just so great to all be together,” said Judy Fitch, as she listened to a performance by the Prairie View High School Choir with her grandchildren. “We come out every year. It's a great time.”

Fitch's husband, Mayor Ralph Fitch, welcomed the roughly 45 community members on hand at the Community Center, and asked that anyone able contribute to the city's Christmas Tree Fund.

“We used a lot of it up last year, so we need to build it up again so we can help more families in need,” Fitch said.

The ceremony — which also included performances by the Linn Valley Band and children from Linn Valley Community Church and a presentation of colors by the Linn Valley Fire and Police Departments and Boy Scout Troop #3047 — is one of a myriad of holiday happenings that will dot the calendar this season.

LA CYGNE

The city of La Cygne's lighting ceremony and chili supper, sponsored by Iota Tau, is set for Thursday. The festivities will include a 5 p.m. chili supper at La Cygne Elementary School, the proceeds of which will go towards the city's Christmas lighting fund, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus at 6 p.m. and the crowning of the Snowflake Princess.

Meanwhile the La Cygne Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring an outdoor holiday decorating contest throughout December, although houses must be decorated by December 5. Judging in three categories — best traditional, best spiritual, best whimsical — will be done by Dec. 21, and prizes will be awarded by Dec. 24.

LINN VALLEY

“Santa's Shop” will be held for children on Dec. 8 at the Community Center, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Santa Claus will visit at 11 a.m.

MOUND CITY

The Mound City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its third annual homes tour, beginning at 2 p.m. Dec. 8. The tour of three unique homes, including a straw home and an old Victorian, will run from 2 to 5 p.m., according to organizer Pam Hart, and costs $5 per person, benefitting the Chamber of Commerce.

On the morning of Dec. 8, crafts, games and a visit with Santa Claus will be available to children, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Bunker Hill Community Center.

That same evening, Mound City will host its annual Village in the Valley event at the historical park, at which the stories of four notable and historic Mound City women — Clarinda Montgomery, wife of Jayhawk chieftain James Montgomery, Winnie Campbell, a freed slave, Hannah Wickham, who as a girl witnessed the Mine Creek battle and kept scrupulous scrapbooks, and Susan Wettles, an abolitionist — will be shared from 5 to 7 p.m.

JAYHAWK USD 346

Jayhawk Elementary School will hold its annual Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, followed by the Jayhawk-Linn High School Christmas program at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and the Blue Mound Elementary Christmas program Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

A K-12 Christmas program will be held Dec. 14 at Jayhawk Elementary School.

PRAIRIE VIEW USD 362

The Prairie View High School choir and band will be busy this holiday season with a number of performances, beginning with a band performance Dec. 3.

A grades 6-12 choir concert will be performed Dec. 10.

On Dec. 5 the concert choir will perform for Fontana senior citizens, followed by a Dec. 11 performance at the retired county teachers banquet at Fontana Methodist Church, and a performance for Beagle senior citizens Dec. 18.

Both the jazz band and the concert choir will tour Kansas City Dec. 13, with stops to perform at various locations.

Meanwhile Fontana Elementary will hold its Christmas program Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Parker Elementary will hold its program Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and La Cygne Elementary will hold its program Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

Parker Elementary will also host “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” chicken noodle supper for the community on Dec. 15.

PLEASANTON USD 344

Pleasanton Elementary will have its winter concert Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

The Jr. High School and Senior High School will perform their winter concert Dec. 17, also at 7 p.m.