News

ABOVE: Kali White laughs while sitting on Santa’s lap during his visit to Edgar Dec. 10. BELOW: Kinsley Nejezchleb smiles as she tells Santa what she wants for Christmas at the Deweese Christmas event Dec. 12.

After earning the D1-1 championship plaque, the Harvard One Act had one more stop to make—the D1 Play Production Championships in Norfolk.

Out of the six schools competing, Harvard earned a fourth-place finish, with 170 points and a 3-6-3 ranking from the judges.

Holy Family/St. France earned first place with their play “Under a Cavern Sky,” with a collective 178 points, but the race for runner-up was a tight one.

A mere nine points separated first and sixth place, with the remaining earning between 169 and 172 points.

Callaway’s “We Are the Sea” earned runner-up. Additional placings included: Leigh, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” third; Stapleton, “Dinner and a Swashbuckling,” fifth; and Central Valley, “10 Days in a Madhouse,” sixth.

Seven Harvard students also earned certificates for their acting efforts, including Alyssa Ferguson, Piper Porter, Maizie Boyd, Delainey Gaughen, Kinzee Derr, Myles Ferguson, and Austin Harms.

From its base to the top, Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet high and holds the record for the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.

In mid-November, a group of Nebraska senators, staff and locals to Tanzania began their ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“I learned about the trip in early spring,” District 38 Senator Dave Murman, of Glenvil, said, adding how at the time District 43 Senator Tom Brewer, of Gordon, was attempting to get a group of senators to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“I have always looked forward to going to Africa, though I thought it’d be for a mission trip, not climbing a mountain,” Murman said.

To prepare for the trip, Murman was told that if he could walk 10 miles a day without stopping, he’d be able to climb the mountain, so that’s what he started doing.

Harvard’s One Act—“Ug, The Caveman Musical”— punched its ticket to state during the D1-1 district competition at Harvard on Dec. 1.

In addition to earning first from each judge, all cast members received recognition for their acting.

Other schools competing and their placings were: Deshler, second; Meridian, third; Falls City Sacred Heart, fourth; Sterling, fifth; Dorchester, sixth; Lawrence-Nelson, seventh; and Diller-Odell, eighth.

Harvard will perform at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk. In Class D1, they will compete against Central Valley, Stapleton, Holy Family/St. Francis; Leigh; and Callaway.

Awards are slated for 1 p.m.

Bobby Hoffman sits on Santa’s lap during the Fairfield Scout’s soup lunch with Santa event Dec. 5. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Sutton’s Parade of Lights kicks off this Saturday, Dec. 4, with Christmas caroling beginning at 3 p.m. Carolers at the Sutton Community Home and Assisted Living until 3:30 p.m.; at the Horseshoe Bend duplexes from 3:30-4 p.m.; and Nolde Center from 4-4:30 p.m. They will be taking any special requests from 4:30-5 p.m.

Sutton FFA and alumni are sponsoring a 101 Dalmatians Scavenger Hunt from 3-7 p.m., and from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Friends of the Library are hosting Christmas crafts at the library.

Hayrack rides will be from 3:30-5 p.m., on Saunders Avenue. Astra Bank will be open and offering hot dogs from 4-6 p.m.

Kids cookie decorating at the Sutton Bakery will run from 4-6 p.m., with The Makers Specialty Coffee set up at Therapeutic Massage Center and Midtown Salon from 4-8 p.m.

The public is invited to attend student presentations by Sandy Creek and Lawrence-Nelson students enrolled in the Nebraska Center for Advanced Professional Studies (NCAPS) based on the SC campus near Fairfield.

Student presentations will be held at SC High School from 11:20 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8.

District-wide, there are 88 SC and LN students in grades 11-12 participating in NCAPS. They are paired with 64 different businesses, agencies, and organizations for semester-long career mentorships.

Among the presentations will be:

• Garrett Fisher, paired with mechanics at LandMark Implement in Fairfield under the direction of Burt Schroer, in the field of agricultural mechanics; • Kassydi Garvin, paired with Tam

• Kassydi Garvin, paired with Tammy Albers at LN Elementary School in Lawrence, in the field of early elementary education;

The Clay County Museum, based in Clay Center, will host its annual Christmas at the Museum event from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5.

Families can come enjoy the history of the museum, as well as do activities and view Christmas trees decorated for the event.

Additionally, on Sunday, Dec. 12, also from 1-4 p.m., the museum will be open for those wishing to view the Christmas trees.

Clay Center’s annual Christmas event will host a variety of activities in the downtown square on Dec. 8.

Rocking Around the Square will begin at 5 p.m. with a soup supper at the fire hall (freewill donation). A gingerbread house contest will be judged from 5-7:30 p.m.; those participating should bring their house to the community room at 5 p.m.

A lighted parade will begin at 6 p.m. Kids can then visit Santa at the fire hall following the parade until 8 p.m.

Additional activities include balloon animals, face painting, s’mores, crafts, games, and more.

There will also be Christmas mini photo sessions available at the fitness center for $25.

Sandy Creek’s annual grandparents and special person day on Nov. 23 included performances by students and games. Above and below, groups of kids sing a song for their grandparents. At the right, Brockett Reed throws a ball during a round of dodgeball. LOETTA SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS