theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf   
   Christmas is fast approaching and area communities are already getting into the holiday spirit. It doesn’t take a million strings of blinking lights, enormous Christmas trees covered in expensive decorations, stacks of wrapped gifts, or the increasing pressure to make the holiday “perfect.” It just requires simple, heartfelt, small town festivities that provide something for everyone and bring people together in the spirit of the holidays.
   Back in 2019, North Loup Pride was organized as a community booster and improvement group dedicated to raising funds in order to make things better. They were instrumental in obtaining decorative new entrance gates at the cemetery, hand rails along Main Street to address safety issues, brand new signage on both ends of town, new public trash receptacles, decorative planters in front of local businesses, new Christmas lights for the village throughout downtown, an aluminum recycling trailer for community use, and more. Small changes with big results.
   “We are happy to continue to serve and find ways to improve North Loup in finding smaller but meaningful community projects reflecting pride in our community,” stated North Loup Pride President Laurie Christensen. It is in giving something back to the communities where we live that true progress can be made.
   Each year, North Loup Pride has hosted an Annual Wreath Workshop where individuals, and sometimes entire families, come together to create beautiful holiday wreaths for their homes or to purchase one already completed by talented local crafters.  The event has grown significantly and this year is no different with workshop reservations and wreath orders already matching last year’s numbers. A free children’s craft table is also available to keep the little ones busy making Christmas decorations while their mothers are busy creating wreaths. 
   The children will also be writing letters to Santa which can be “mailed” at the Santa mailbox on Main Street across the from the Gallery. Santa’s elves typically collect the letters and pass them on to Santa so the children receive a reply.
   A free will donation soup luncheon will also be featured with homemade chicken noodle soup, broccoli and cheddar, chili, crackers and a beverage. In addition, a bake sale will be held with the proceeds of both going towards improvements at the community swimming pool.  Efforts are currently underway to raise funds for free standing umbrellas, awnings, or patio tables with umbrellas to provide shade for parents, grandparents or other family members bringing little ones to the pool during the heat of the summer months.  Some funds will also be used to purchase new pool toys, floaties, swimming goggles and other needs already identified.
   “North Loup is lucky to have a pool to entertain the kiddo’s all summer, which is a great expense to the village,” explained Pool Manager Tammy Thompson. “Make a wreath while your kids enjoy the kids craft table, have lunch, and take home some baked goods,” she added. “Thanks to our board for their continued support!” It’s not just a donation….it’s an investment in the future of the community.
   North Loup’s Old Fashioned Christmas is planned for Sat., Dec. 2, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for the wreath workshop, with Santa scheduled to appear afterwards, mingling with the attendees, visiting with area children, and passing out candy canes in advance of his big trip on Christmas Eve. Later that same day, at 5-5:30 p.m., the Village Christmas Tree will be officially lighted by someone specially selected for the honor.
   This year, the Village Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will be held on the stage adjacent to the Community Hall’s south side, under the new pergola. After the lighting of the Village Tree, visitors are invited into the Community Hall for hot cocoa, cookies, fellowship and Christmas Carols.