Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Worth Saying More Than Once: Merry Christmas

Good Morning, Banner County!

Here we are and one week from today Christmas will be over and there will be less than one week left in the year 2019.

Just cannot believe it. Time is sure flying and I know for a fact I am not having that much fun!

This sure has been a year of changes at our house, sort of like the weather was this year. Anyway, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!

With all of the snow in our yard it sure looks like Christmas, and in some places that are unmarked it looks like we have fields of diamonds.

I don’t enjoy the cold weather. However I cannot imagine being anywhere at this time of year and having temperatures above 40 or palm trees instead of pines.

But for those of you that feel differently, that is okay, especially when we know the real reason for the season. Where we are and weather are just a couple of things that really do not matter. So have a great Christmas holiday and enjoy those kids home from school for … ever.

The junior high boys basketball team will compete against South Platte here at home Today, December 19 at 1 p.m. And that is it for the rest of the year.

School will be dismissed at the regular time on the 19th and students will return back on January 6. That does seem like a very long time, or maybe I am just thinking of a particular 17 year old.

There will be Community Caroling Friday, December 20. Maybe they will head your way and sing you a song.

Happy Birthday to folks here, who are Barb Stoddard, Jesslyn Martinez, Lane Darnall, Harper Schmidt, Eddy McGowan and Julie Cochran.

Congratulations to anniversary couples Mr. & Mrs. Michael Olsen and Tanner Groves.

In the valley, it is starting to slow down somewhat also, in preparation for the 25th. Today is also the date for the Move & Grove story time hour from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Gering Library, and the Ecumenical Blue Christmas Service will take place in the evening at 7 p.m. at the St. Francis Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff located at 14 East 20th.

This service is dedicated to those of us that have stressful feelings during this time of year. A time for some folks of sadness more the happiness.

Santa’s Village in Gering is open during the daytime, but they are having a Special Friday Session on the 20th. The hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and I will tell you from personal experience that the hot chocolate there is really good. Especially when the snow is falling and your 6 year old grandson is in no hurry whatsoever to move from one little place of business to another.

On top of that, he put himself in the jail cell with the abominable snowman! Took his picture.

The Yuletide Lights will be on out at the Legacy of the Plains Museum from 5 to 8 p.m. on this evening and I think this is the last night for them until next year. They will host the Trees Along The Trail the next day, though, Saturday, December 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, earlier that day, the Farmer’s Winter Market will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1400 East 20th Street. They will be at this location on these hours each 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.

The Midwest Theater in Scottsbluff will show the Free movie  “A Christmas Story,” at 1:30 p.m. on the 21st.

The Riverside Zoo has added two new dates if you still want to catch the Wild Lights exhibit. The dates are the 21st and 22nd and since I have no times please call them for that information.

The Annual Christmas in the Valley Dinner at the Harvest Valley Church will be held on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You may call for in home delivery by contacting them at 633-2999. 

Well, I will say it one more time: Merry Christmas and take care until next time.

Barb Cross is at 436-7152.