WELCOME — Martin County West (MCW) Schools will have an early dismissal today, Dec. 19. The Winter Break will be from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5. It’s hard to believe that begins next week already.

The American Red Cross blood drive will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Dec. 19 and from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 at the American Legion Hall in Fairmont. To make an appointment or get further information, call the 800-red-cross (800-733-2767), go online to www.redcrossblood.org or text BLOODAPP to 90999. There is an urgent need for blood now.

A Cribbage Tournament will begin with registration at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Legion Hall in Welcome. All cribbage players in the area are welcome to join the fun afternoon. All registration dues are paid back fully in prizes. The tournaments are scheduled for the second and third Saturdays each month until spring.

Santa Day in Ceylon from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Children will see Santa on a fire truck and receive a treat bag and a snack. The Helping Hands of Ceylon non-profit group is also sponsoring a light contest for Ceylon residents and the home decorations will be judged that day, so make sure the lights are on. Thank you to the group for the prizes and sponsoring the Santa Day and lighting contest.

Condolences to the family of Rhonda Redenius and Steven Kluver, who passed away recently. They will be missed by family and friends.

The Sherburn Theatre will feature the movie “David” this weekend with showtimes at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be a Memory Cafe meeting for support to caregivers and family of dementia patients at 3 p.m. on Dec. 22 at the Temperance Lake Ridge in Sherburn. All are welcome.

Christmas is next week Thursday, and area churches have special services scheduled. St. Paul’s Community Church in Welcome will have a Christmas Eve service next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Their regular services on Sunday are at 9:30 a.m. The four Circle of Faith Parishes each have their own Christmas Eve services. St. Peter Lutheran in Ceylon at 5 p.m.; Waverly Lutheran north of Welcome at 5:30 p.m.; Trinity Lutheran in Welcome at 6:30 p.m. and First Lutheran in Trimont at 7 p.m. the Trimont Church will also have a joint service on Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn will have a 5 p.m. family service on Christmas Eve and a 9 p.m. candlelight service with communion. Their partner church in Wilbert will have a 7 p.m. candlelight communion service on Christmas Eve. St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Sherburn will have a Christmas Day service on Thursday, Dec. 25 at 8:30 a.m. and a New Year’s Eve service Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m. The Regional Worship Center will have a special service this Sunday, Dec. 21, at their usual 10 a.m. service. All area residents are welcome to join any of these congregations to celebrate the Birth of Christ.

The Sherburn/Welcome Police and Fire Departments would like to thank all those who participated in the Shop with a Cop (or essential community heroes) program that was held on Thursday, Dec. 11. There was a wonderful turnout of 20 children helped with gifts for the family and volunteers from Trimont Fire, Trimont Police, City staff, Temperance Lake Ridge clients and staff, Sinn Celebration of Life Center in Sherburn and volunteers from Sherburn. They collected $7,600 from very generous donations. It was remarked that this was larger than Fairmont’s Shop with a Cop. Without donations this would not have been possible. Thank you to the individuals and companies that contributed.

Officer Sergeant Gina Jorgensen will retire after 37 years as a law enforcement officer in Martin County with the majority of those years with the Welcome/Sherburn Police Department. Chief Trevor Yochim called her a dedicated officer and true friend. Congratulations Officer Jorgensen, thank you and best wishes for the future.

The Sherburn Lions will have a New Year’s Eve Steak, Shrimp, or Pork Chop dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Sherburn Legion Hall. Plan to attend.