Christmas brings families together

Beverly Davis and Lynda Foster were in Topeka Thursday and Friday of last week. Lynda had a meeting to attend and Beverly went shopping. On their way home, they visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Thomas.

Kelli and Beth Ludlum of Washington, D.C. were home for the holidays. On Dec. 23, Joe, Ann, Beth and Kelli attended a Christmas dinner at the home of Joe's sister in Topeka.

Dec. 23 was the 4th Sunday of Advent. The Sampson family was in charge of lighting the candle of Joy. The candles of Hope, Peace and Patience were the other advent candles, each lighted on successive Advent Sundays.

The Rev. Andy Smith, pastor of Hiattville United Methodist Church, delivered a sermon titled, "Stave IV -- Where Am I Going?" Scripture was read from Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25.

Glenda Miller is home recovering from her recent shoulder surgery. We wish her a speedy recovery.

A family gathering was hosted by Bob and Glenda Miller with all their children and their families attending on Christmas evening, as well as Mabel and Elmer Miller, Glenn Smith, Richard, Nola and Kim and Haley Smith.

The Rev. Carl and Sandra Ellis spent Christmas night at the home of Mabel and Elmer Miller.

The Christmas Eve service at the church was well attended.

The Charles Brewer family had their usual Christmas Eve supper and gift exchange with Kevin, Rachel, Kayla and Kole Wagner, Barry, Laura and Payton Vogelbacher and Clara Brewer attending.

On Christmas morning, the following joined Clara Brewer for breakfast: Mildred and George Hall, Don, Laurie, Ashten and Erin Hall, Dana, Gabe, Chloe and Abby Harris, Tim, Katie and Brook Usury, Charles, Paula Brewer, Barry, Laura and Payton Vogelbacher, Ed and Barb McDaniel.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ludlum hosted a dinner for the Callow family on Dec. 26.

Mr. and Mrs. Rod McGinnis and Chance were Christmas dinner guests at the Dean Mitchell home. Later in the afternoon the families of Karen and Ken Hines and Gerald and Melissa Mitchell joined them.

Tom and Pat Christy enjoyed spending Christmas at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson with their son Richard and his friend Kristen and their daughter Beth, her husband Shawn, and their daughter Lilly.

Mr. and Mrs. Daren Slater, Kolby and Kaden of Enid, Okla. were guests at the home of John and Lorna Slater. On Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brillhart and Clay joined them for dinner. Clay spent the night with his cousins.

Judy Tripp enjoyed having her family visit her over the holidays. Pastor Andy Smith and his friend Morgan Whitaker visited over the holidays with his parents and also with Morgan's parents. Sympathy is extended to Morgan and her family at the death of her grandmother. The funeral was held Jan. 3.

Kevin, Rachel, Kayla and Kole spent Christmas Day at the home of his parents in LaHarpe.

Beverly Davis hosted a family gathering Christmas Day. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Davis and family were here from Scott City. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Davis and girls of Scott City spent Saturday night, Dec. 29, with Beverly and attended church with her Sunday morning. They returned to their home on Monday.

Ken Keeney attended Christmas Eve services at First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott with Don and Oda Keeney. He spent Christmas Day at the home of Estalee and Carney Simpson in Fort Scott.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Mitchell helped their daughter Karen and family move from Sheldon to Larmar Saturday, Dec. 29.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Maloney had Christmas dinner for their son Rick and family and his mother, Helen Maloney.

Congratulations to Don and Patty Gauthier on the birth of their new grandson born Dec. 30.

John Slater drove to Perry, Okla. Jan. 1 to watch his grandsons show their pigs.

Lavone Page has moved to Fort Scott over the Christmas holidays.

Pastor Andy's sermon was titled, "Stave IV: What Will I Do?" Scripture was read from Hebrews 2:10-18 and Isaiah 63: 7-9. The congregation was glad to welcome the Mark Davis family as visitors and to welcome Mattie Nel Dixon back after an absence of three Sundays due to the weather.

Roger Miller had the misfortune to have his barn burn early Monday morning.

Ideal Chapter 369 O.E.S. met Dec. 27 with Effie and Dean Mitchell presiding in the east as worthy matron and worthy patron.

The worthy matron welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming on such a cold evening.

Letters were received from Associate Grand Matron Karen Adams and Associate Grand Patron David Rake, stating they would like to make an official visit to Ideal Chapter on Dec. 11, 2008. The Chapter voted to receive them on that date. Thank-you notes were read from the family of Ethel Smith and from the worthy matron and worthy patron.

The next meeting will be Jan. 10. Refreshments of cookies, sandwiches and hot punch were served by Beverly Davis and Effie Mitchell.