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News for 1/9/2019



Pastor Lorna making mats;


also Carolyn Billings and Lorena Stephens lending a helping hand.

Come help make mats!

Everyone is welcome to join the fun on Saturday, January 12, from 9-noon at St. John Lutheran's parish hall. If you have an interest in helping others, come help us cut plastic bags, tie them together to make plarn, and even learn how to crochet if you want. We need help with all the steps of making these mats for the homeless of Nebraska and Kansas. We have crocheting needles, scissors, roller cutters, and mats ready to use/borrow/keep. All we need are willing hands! We plan to meet one Saturday a month as long as there is interest so if you can't make it this Saturday, get your supplies from Robin Billings and work from home....and joint us the next month! Balls of plarn are in the church's hall for the taking if you simply want to crochet at home, or take bags from the church and cut and tie them for someone to use. Hope to see you there!!

Thunder Ridge School News

School is back in session! After a two week holiday break, school began Monday, January 7th. High school students have Winter Formal this Saturday, the 12th, from 8:30-11:30pm. Important Reminder: there is no school on Monday, January 14th!

TR Activities/Game Dates

JANUARY

Wed. 9- Career Exploration for 7th/8th grade @ MS 8:30-10:15am; MS Honors Program in Auditorium @ 3:15pm

Thurs. 10- MS BB vs Rock Hills 4:00pm (8th grade concessions)

Fri. 11- HS BB @ Wilson 4:00pm

Sat. 12- Winter Formal 8:30-11:30pm

Mon. 14- NO School; NPL Tournament @ Lincoln

Tue. 15- NPL Tournament @ Lincoln

Wed. 16- MS In-School Spelling Bee @ 9:30am in auditorium

Thur. 17- NPL Tournament @ Lincoln; MS BB vs Pike Valley 3:30pm

St. John Lutheran Church News

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kensington announces to the surrounding communities the sad news of the passing of their former Pastor, Virgil Raymond Anderson. He was born April 19, 1927 near Audubon, IA and passed December 13, 2018 in Estherville, IA. Pastor Anderson served St. John’s from October 20, 1963 to August 13, 1978. He and LaVille lived in the 2-story parsonage located East of the church. They raised 12 children in this area before moving to Iowa. Many folks from here may remember having an Anderson in their class; Paul, Kenneth, Lea, Larry, Gloria, Timothy, Phillip, Joy, Carol, Lisa, David, and Heidi. They all were involved in Luther League, 4-H, and many school and community activities while living in Kensington, KS.

The visitation, followed by funeral service, for Pastor Virgil R. Anderson was held December 30, 2018 at Wallingford Lutheran Church. Memorials may be sent to: Wallingford Lutheran Church, 220 St. James Ave, Wallingford, IA 51365. Cremation was chosen and a private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Cards of sympathy can be sent directly to LaVille Anderson, PO Box 354, Wallingford, IA 51365.

Pastor Virgil R. Anderson graduated Dana College, Blair, NE in 1950. He attended Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, IN and received his B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) Degree in 1953. He was ordained June 1953 in Atlantic, IA. His first parish was Winneton, NE, where he served 4 years, followed by Flaxton, ND for 6 years. In 1963, he accepted his call to serve St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington, KS and Pleasant Green church, located north of Kensington. He faithfully served our congregation for 15n years; during which time, he also did graduate work at FHSU, Hays, KS. He received his MS degree in Counseling in 1971. He was called to Wallingford Lutheran Church, Wallingford, IA in 1978.

-Respectfully submitted by Mary (Schalansky) Struckhoff

The Peppermint Party

Nearly 40 people attended the St. John’s Lutheran Church Christmas party held December 2, 2018. The annual party is sponsored by WELCA and this year’s theme was “The Peppermint Party”. Guests registered at a small table with a flickering candy cane striped candle surrounded by holly greens, while large candy canes lined the walk as they proceeded to the food.

Guests were treated to breakfast casserole, coffee cakes or cinnamon rolls provided by WELCA members. The kitchen window was outlined by candy cane lights entwined with red and white swirled garland. Food presentations appeared on red or silver serving trays. A beverage table continued the theme with peppermint candy placemats, a lit-up candy cane striped Christmas tree, crossed candy cane napkins in a matching napkin holder, and little snowman toothpick holder. Offerings of coffee, teas, and hot chocolates and creamer choices could be found. A holly berry bowl was full of white colored mint M&M’s for the chocolate lovers sweet-tooth.

As attendees found their places, the tables were adorned by candy cane striped table coverings with red table runners. A floral design of white roses, pine cones, traditional greenery, peppermint candy sprigs and a homemade snowman finished the arrangements. Miniature jars were fashioned in a snowman motif, sat beside the sparkly, snowflake-silver ribbon covered containers holding these floral arrangements. Old-fashioned candies, such as “Red Bird” puffed peppermints or Christmas tree nougats, and peppermint candy swirled yo-yo’s were scattered on the table runners for the guest’s taking.

Each place setting provided choices of a hand beaded candy cane, a snowman ornament folding a candy cane, or a “Meaning of the Candy Cane” card with a candy cane held in it. Also, a homemade “Peppermint Kiss” thumbprint cookie, already in a sealed baggy ready to take home.

Mary Struckhoff, WELCA Justice Officer, gave the Welcome. She presented the history of the use of peppermint, how candy canes came to be, along with an explanation of its meaning. The group sang “Oh! Christmas Tree” then Amber Beach-Hardacre shared “The Meaning of the Cardinal Bird at Christmas Time”. She also recited a dramatic reading, “The Cardinal Bird,” a poem by William Davis Gallagher. The group joined in singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. Mary thanked everyone for attending, and folks continued sharing fellowship.

The backdrop for the party’s presenters was a 9-foot Christmas tree with red lights, decorated with red and silver ornaments, homemade red and clear-cut beaded candy canes, several peppermint candy looking ornaments in a variety of sizes, iridescent snowflakes, sparkly red cardinals, 3-D silver stars, and red and white snowmen. Tina, the snowlady, Taylor, the greeter, and tiny Todd comprised a snow family and stood beside the peppermint candy themed tree on a floor mat with a crossed candy canes design and the word “Joy” appearing. Perched on a 1920’s wooden plant stand, behind a snow family, was a beautiful but heavy, red cardinal bird to watch over us.

As guests left, they meandered past an all white, ceramic nativity. A table covered with a pretty red table cloth held a frosted glass light with crossed candy canes glowing, sitting on a matching candy cane table runner.

After the party, the WELCA members created cheer plates to deliver to people in the community who aren’t able to get out to attend parties such as our Peppermint Party. Deliveries with Christmas Carols sung, hopefully added cheer to their Sunday and Christmas holiday.

-Respectfully submitted by Mary Struckhoff, WELCA Justice Officer

American Legion Menu

We hope everyone had a good start to the new year. Join us every Friday night! Serving from 6:00-8:30pm on January 11: This week our special is BBQ Meatballs, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and a roll. We'd love to put tables together for your friends or to make your supper to go by calling 785-476-3204. Thank you for your support for 2018!

Weekly Inspiration

Happiness isn't about getting what you want all the time. It's about loving what you have and being grateful for it.

No amount of regret changes the past, no amount of anxiety changes the future, any amount of gratitude changes the present. - Ann Voskamp

Remember this: A person becomes 10 times attractive not by their looks but by their acts of kindness, love, respect, honesty and loyalty they show.

ISO NEWS

Your news is important to us. Send your info to Erica Barnes at ebarnes8185@gmail.com with subject line: NEWS; or feel free to call 785-476-8185.