Happenings (Week of Dec. 5, 2007)

Sylvester Vinduska to celebrate 90th?

Sylvester Vinduska of Marion will celebrate his 90th birthday with an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at St. John Nepomucene Church in Pilsen.

The event will be hosted by his children, Diana and Larry Landsverk, Lisa and Ken Wittrig, Bill Vinduska, Rebecca Vinduska and Martin Vinduska.

Cards can be sent to 2869 230th Marion, KS 66861.?

HCF now collecting grant applications

The Hillsboro Area Impact Fund, the unrestricted endowment fund of Hillsboro Community Foundation, has now begun its inaugural year granting process.

Grant applications can be picked up from Brad Bartel, HCF secretary-treasurer, at Emprise Bank, 104 E. Grand, Hillsboro. Applicants can also call Bartel at 620-947-3464 (ext. 104) to request an application.

The quickest way for applicants to get an Impact Fund grant application is to download it from the Free Press Web site: www.hillsborofreepress.com.

Grant applications will be accepted from now until Dec. 31. Details as to the process, criteria and where to direct questions are included on the application form.

HCF estimates that earnings on the current balance in the endowment fund will allow about $5,000 in grants to be disbursed in this inaugural year. Plans are to award the grants in January and then to fund the recipients in spring 2008.

The Impact Fund is for charitable uses, to be determined by HCF. The foundation board will annually designate the available funding for these community grants.

Grant applications should be from organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) and who serve the Hillsboro area.

Applications will not be limited to a particular issue or target population. Successful applicants will be those who assist in fulfilling HCF?s mission to improve the quality of life for the community.

?Night in the Barn?set for Dec. 15-16?

The annual ?Night in the Barn? living nativity event by the youth group of Tabor Mennonite Church is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 15-16 at the farm of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen, located between Goessel and Hillsboro.

This year?s come-and-go program will feature Mary?s story as well as the usual menagerie of animals that make the unique event a growing tradition for hundreds of people.

Christmas carols around a bonfire, hot drinks and sales of a new year-long devotional book will also be available. The book, ?Now It Springs Up,? is co-written by Carol Duerksen, Michele Hershberger and Laurie Oswald Robinson.

For more information or directions to the farm, call 620-367-8432 prior to the event.

Remembrance ceremony, Dec. 9

?The Marion County Compassionate Families will sponsor a candle-lighting remembrance ceremony Sunday, Dec. 9. The ceremony will begin at 6:50 p.m. in the courtyard of the Marion Presbyterian Church, Lawrence at Elm Street.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting is an annual event on the second Sunday in December, which is National Children?s Memorial Day. To honor children who have died, candles are lit for one hour at 7 p.m. local time, starting in New Zealand and continuing around the world.

The Marion County observance will include readings, music and the candle lighting. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served following the program.

All who want to honor a deceased child (of any age) are welcome to participate.

For more information, or to have a child?s name read if the family is unable to attend, please contact Thad and Janie Meierhoff at 620-382-3492, Chris and Melissa Stuchlik at 620-924-5793 or e-mail Debbi Darrow at weeb@southwind.net.

Peabody Prairie Christmas, Dec. 8

The second annual Peabody Prairie Christmas, this year themed ?Bells, Boots and Buggies,? will be held Saturday, Dec. 8.

A parade to welcome Santa will begin at 4 p.m. Other events throughout the day-long event will include the Kansas State Historical Society?s cowboy boot exhibition, craft demonstrations, holiday tablescapes displays, a roping demonstration, children?s games and activities and a silent decorated boot auction.

For individuals wearing a ?Bells, Boots and Buggies? pin, there will be free buggy rides through Peabody?s historic downtown.

For more information, contact Kristen Hooper at 620-983-2174.

Temper tantrum workshop, Dec. 4, 6?

Marion County Parents As Teachers is hosting a workshop titled ?Surviving Temper Tantrums? from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Goessel and Marion.

The Goessel gathering was planned for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the city building, while the Marion session is planned for Thursday, Dec. 6, at Marion City Hall.

Cheri Ochs-Wheeler of Prairie View will be the speaker. The workshop will provide parents of children 1 to 3 years old with tips on keeping their children calm?and staying calm themselves?during the temper tantrum years.

This workshop is free to the public. No childcare is provided.?

MOPs fun night planned for Dec. 10

Mothers of Preschoolers will hold a fun night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro.

Individuals are invited to bring Christmas gifts to wrap, or come for food and fellowship. For childcare, contact 620-947-2028.

Vesper Service to be held Dec. 9

The Marion Presbyterian Church will present the annual community Christmas Vesper Service Sunday, Dec. 9.

The prelude will begin at 4:40 p.m. with music by Celtic harpist RoJean Loucks. The candlelight service will consist of choral selections, directed by Mike Connell and accompanied by harp and flute intertwined with scripture and poetry. Special guests include high musician, Jessica Vogel.

CDDO board to meet Dec. 17 in Newton

The Board of Directors of the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at the Harvey County Courthouse Community Room.

The public is invited to attend and there will be opportunity for public forum.

Goessel library to have Wishing Tree

The Goessel Public Library will have a Wishing Tree during the Christmas season. Contributions will be used to enhance the library?s collection.

To participate, visit the library and choose a book ornament from the tree, then either make a monetary donation to purchase the item, or purchase the item and donate it to the library. Personalized bookplates will be placed in each donated item.

For more information, contact the library at 620-367-8440.?