New scenic byway leads to activities

For those wanting to take a ?Kansas prairie adventure? on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Santa Fe Trail Auto Route (U.S. Highway 56) has much to offer, said a spokesperson with Friends of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Beginning on the south edge of Canton to Roxbury, Lindsborg and Marquette, organizers are encouraging motorists to stop in those towns and find out more about the byway.

Drive-through display set Sunday?

A drive-through display of Christmas lights and decorations at Marion County Lake is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, and sponsored by ?Neighbors on the Hill.?

Everyone is invited to take the drive that includes five acres of decorations and lights ranging from angels, trains and planes to elves and reindeer. Once the motor tour concludes, Santa, hot cocoa and candy canes will be waiting.

?This is one of the largest displays in the area,?said a spokesperson coordinating the event said.

Directions to the tunnel of lights display are to turn left at Kingfishers and go one mile to Hill Road on the east side of the lake.

Centre school plans band, choir concert

Centre Junior/High School students in seventh through 12th grade will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 in the school?s gymnasium.

The concert, school officials said, will feature the band and choir. Everyone is welcome and the concert is free.

Tampa Christmas Party set for Dec. 7

The Tampa Christmas Party is planned for Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Tampa Senior Center.

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with Christmas caroling. A Christmas parade will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by a visit from Santa.

A craft project and candy sacks will be available for the children, plus games for children of all ages.

Each family is asked to bring a finger food. Participation in the parade is welcome. Participants will begin lining up at 6:15 p.m. in the 300 block of Roosevelt Street east of the park.

This annual event is sponsored by the Tampa Community Association and the Tampa Lions Club.

For more information, call 785-965-2639.

Hillsboro students to present musical

The third and fourth grade classes at Hillsboro Elementary School will present the musical, ?Jingle All the Way,? at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the school auditorium. The event is free and open to everyone.

Tree decorating focus of luncheon

?Christmas with Denise? will be the program for the Lunch n? Learn group from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Marion City Library.

Denise Matz will show those attending how to decorate for Christmas in a variety of ways. Reservations are required and lunch is $5. For more information, call 620-382-2442.

Santa letters wanted at library

The Marion City Library is accepting letters to Santa Claus during its regular hours. Any child wanting to write Santa a letter can do so until Monday, Dec. 15.

Library staff members will then take all the letters to Santa so that he can reply back to each child. Library officials are asking parents to be sure and include the child?s full name and address.

For more information, call 620-382-2442.

Horticulture class to sell poinsettias

The Centre High School Horticulture class will have a poinsettia sale from 9 a.m to noon Saturday, Dec. 6 at the high school greenhouse.

The plants are $5 each or three for $12. For information, call Gaea Wimmer 785-983-4321 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Child screening Dec. 9 in Florence

A free screening for children birth through 5 years old is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 9, Florence Christian Church, 334 W. 5th St., Florence.

Appointments will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The screening will assess development in the cognitive, social, motor, and speech/language areas. Vision and hearing will also be checked.

This process usually takes about one hour for a child to complete. All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary. Call 1-877-878-4519 ext. 113 or 620-878-4720.