CEYLON — Today is a busy day in Ceylon. There will be a Santa Day from 1 to 3 p.m. across from the Post Office and next to the museum. Children will see Santa arrive on a fire truck and receive a treat bag. Bring your camera, and take a photo with Santa. Have a cookie and have fun. The Helping Hands of Ceylon non-profit group is sponsoring this fun event for area children and they are sponsoring a Christmas Decorating Contest for Ceylon residents that day. Judging will take place tonight so make sure your Christmas lights are shining. They will have gift cards for the first three winners ($50, $30 and $20) . Thank you to that group and to all the residents of Ceylon that decorated their house.

There will be an Ugly Sweater Party from 7 p.m. to close tonight at the Lake Belt Bar and Grill in Ceylon. The winners of the best costume/sweater for individual and couple will be announced at 10 p.m. The Lake Belt Bar and Grill will have line dancing at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

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.

Condolences to the family of Irene Deling and Corey Iverson, who passed away recently. They will be missed by family and friends.

Coffee Lovers meetings are from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays in the back room of the Lake Belt Bar and Grill in Ceylon. Christmas is on a Thursday, and there will not be a meeting that day but area residents are welcome to join on future Thursdays.

Next week is Christmas, and area churches have special services, most on Christmas Eve.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ceylon will have a 5 p.m. service. The other parishes of the Circle of Faith group will have Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m. at Waverly Lutheran Church (north of Welcome) and at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome and at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Trimont. The Circle of Faith parishes will have a joint service on Dec.28 at 9 a.m. at First Lutheran. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilbert will have a candlelight/communion service on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. and their partner church in Sherburn (St. John) will have a family service at 5 p.m. and a candlelight/communion service at 9 p.m. The St. Paul’s Community Church in Welcome will have a 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. The Regional Worship Center in Sherburn will have a special service this Sunday, 12-21 at 10 a.m. St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Sherburn will have a Christmas Day service at 8:30 a.m. and a New Year’s Eve service Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m. All area residents are welcome to join any of these congregations for a Celebration of the birth of Christ.

The Ceylon Fire Department Relief Association would like to thank all those who attended their pancake brunch last Sunday. Your support for the community fire department is appreciated. Thank you to the firefighters and families that served.

An aeration system will be located on Clear Lake, one mile west of Ceylon. Extreme caution in this area (southwest portion of lake) and near the system is advised. Please stay away from open water and thin ice signs. This is scheduled to begin on Dec. 28, 2025. For further information contact Terry Tonneson (507) 236-9601. Be safe and cautious.

Congratulations to Ceylon native, Gina (Steele) Jorgensen, on her retirement from a 37-year law enforcement career in Martin County. Thank you for your service and best wishes for your future.

Have a blessed, fun and safe Christmas.