North Loup’s Old Fashioned Christmas
A Go Within DHM Guidelines
North Loup is rapidly becoming known as “the little town that could”. Spurred on by the efforts of the North Loup Pride (NLP) Association, which is an organization comprised of community minded individuals dedicated to the improvement of their hometown. The group has taken on several projects to enhance the services and environment of the village. They have already added new signage to the cemetery and helped to purchase new Christmas lights for Main Street. Their current goal is to provide additional handrails in front of the shops along the business district.
COVID-19 has put a kink in their plans for an Old Fashioned Christmas this year. Original plans included an all-day celebration with various events unique to a small town atmosphere. However, with the sharp rise of cases in the area, coupled with stricter health measures, it became necessary to adjust those plans.
“We are a determined group of people,” stated NLP President Laurie Christensen. “We recognize the need for the restrictions and we want to keep people safe. So, we had to get a little more creative. We know we can do this and still remain within the guidelines.”
Since last year’s Christmas Wreath Workshop was such a huge success and enjoyed by so many, the group had planned to offer another one this fall. In view of current restrictions and mandates, this year orders will be taken for custom-made live wreaths or wreath kits that families can create together in the safety of their own homes. For prices and ordering call Janet Cox at 308-496-4242 or Elaine Asper at 402-990-2692. Arrangements will then be made for the wreaths and kits to be picked up on Nov. 29 or Dec. 6 from 2-4 p.m. at NL Community Hall.
“North Loup Pride is a nonprofit organization,” commented Janet Cox, the creative genius behind the wreath project. “We’re like any other small, local entity struggling to do good work for our community in extremely difficult times, so all contributions are sincerely appreciated.”
In addition to the wreaths, a Christmas coloring contest will be sponsored by Main Street Gallery for elementary school students with monetary prizes to be awarded. The coloring sheets can be picked up at the Gallery during regular business hours, Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The deadline for submitting them is Dec. 18. Also, elementary school children will be creating ornaments for the Village Christmas Tree this year instead of the memory ribbons that have been used in the past.
The big show will happen on the evening of Dec. 6 when residents gather on Main Street for the lighting of the Village Christmas Tree, provided by Craig Vogeler and erected by Heath Birkel, Darrell Jorgensen, Tony Boyce and the Rick Meyers family.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand, of course, and plans are underway for children to be able to make their Christmas wishes known to the big man in red while still maintaining the necessary social distance. This will also be a photo opportunity for parents. Individually bagged candy will be provided by the North Loup Lions Club at this time since their annual Christmas Skating Party cannot be held due to COVID-19. The entire event will be set to Christmas music, courtesy of Betty and Bud Carlson, “Lost in the 50s”.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend an Old Fashioned Christmas in North Loup, Sunday evening, Dec. 6, around 5 p.m., just as it’s getting dark. You won’t be disappointed!
WinterFest and Small Business Saturday
The Greater Good By Katie Walmsley, Ord Area Chamber & Valley County Economic Development
WinterFest and Small Business Saturday are almost here! The 2020 WinterFest and Small Business Saturday festivities officially kick off this Sat., Nov. 28.
Start your WinterFest by gathering a team of shoppers and downloading the GooseChase app to participate in the Co-Chamber Winter Scavenger Hunt.
Take your scavenger hunt teammates to Roy’s Place to go over clues and plan your shopping route while you enjoy cookies, cider and cocoa from 8-11 a.m.
After you enjoy your Saturday morning treat, pull up the Ord, NE Facebook page to watch the Live Virtual Snowball Drop at 10 a.m. Listen as participating community members win various Snowball Savings offered by area businesses and for your chance to win extra giveaways during the live event. Immediately following the Virtual Snowball Drop, swing by the Chamber office to pick up your winnings and begin shopping local!
Be sure to save your Small Business Saturday receipts to enter for the Holiday ChamberBucks drawing!
Stop by Ord’s Ace Hardware between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to get a contactless picture with Santa.
Support local businesses this season and browse various holiday offerings featured in the local Holiday Shopping guide. While shopping, complete clues for the scavenger hunt for your chance to win up to $400 in Ord Area and Burwell ChamberBucks.
Don’t forget to stop by the Ord Township Library to drop off letters to Santa!
At 5 p.m., visit the Valley County Museum to purchase delicious baked goods that benefit the replacement of the museum roof. Grab refreshments provided by the Valley County Historical Society or Valley Rods Unlimited, then find a good spot downtown to watch the WinterFest parade starting at 6 p.m.
Following the parade, warm up at The Golden Husk while you watch “A Dog Named Christmas” and enjoy more holiday treats.
For updates on WinterFest and Small Business Saturday activities, find the event on the Ord, NE Facebook page. You can also find a list of WinterFest and Small Business Saturday activities, as well as information about the Holiday Shopping Guide, at www.OrdNebraska.com/blog.
Meals By Pick Up or Delivery Only At Ord Senior Center
Due to COVID-19, the Ord Senior Center is only doing deliveries and pick-ups at this time. The doors are closed to the public but the menu is available weekly in The Ord Quiz and all ages are welcome to order.
Peg Klanecky, Ord Senior Center coordinator, appreciates the community of Ord and Valley County for the continued support to the center. Because of your generous donations, the center continues to provide meals for those who need them.
Valley County “Make Christmas Happen” 2020
The Valley County “Make Christmas Happen” project will continue in 2020. Donations received from Valley County residents, businesses and organizations are used to prepare Christmas baskets of food and gifts for individuals and families in need.
Forms to request participation in the program are available at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office located at the Fairgrounds 801 “S” Street, Ord, NE, the Food Pantry at 213 S. 15th Street, Ord, NE and the Arcadia Township Library at 100 S. Reynolds Street, Arcadia, NE. Forms must be completed and returned to one of these locations by Nov. 25.
Donations from the public will allow this project to make a difference at Christmas for residents in need. Donations may be left at the First National Bank in Ord, Cornerstone Bank in North Loup, First Nebraska Bank in Arcadia and the Ord Township Library. If you would like to provide a gift for a child as part of this project, a tag may be selected from the “Giving Tree” at the Ord Township Library to purchase a gift, with a value of $25 or less. Wrapped gifts must be returned to the library by Dec. 15 with the tag attached.
For questions or if you are having difficulty locating a form for participation in the program please contact Lana Kolar at 308-346-4455 or the Ord Township Library at 308-728-3012.
