Hope everyone had a nice Christmas holiday!

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Birthday greetings for the month of December go out to: Betty Rogers, Katie Feichter, Amanda Wright, Dane Hauskens, Denise Ray, Charles Wong, Kim Konberg, Lisa Frymire, Fred Dolling, Dennis Hitch, Chris Lewis, Charlie Mynatt, Cathy Murray, Tom Crom, Haley Page, Nicole Brunker, Helga Kaiser, Annette Arias, Rob Hoyer, Reba Morgan, Jackson Ault, Julian Velasquez, Gage Ryland and Larry Hayes.

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Ellen Wearin recently returned from a trip with Dr, Lynn and Barbara Burroughs to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to welcome home their son, Major Rett B. Burroughs from his tour of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Army. Major Burroughs was with the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in a forward operating base FGNTY in Jalalabad right along the Afghan/Pakistan border. Rett was the senior Communications Officer responsible for all the communications in an area larger than the size of Rhode Island. Rett’s wife, Justina, son Neal and sister Megan were all there to greet this hero home. The homecoming ceremony was a patriotic tearjerker that every American should see. “It was one of the most touching moments in my life,” said Mrs. Wearin. There are not enough words to thank the families for the sacrifices they make. Ellen was proud to be a part of it.

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Knights Ferry School held its Winter Program on the 18th. Elise Seeds was the Mistress of Ceremony. The Kindergarten through 4th grades started the program with “Christmas Makes Me Sing,” followed by “Jingle Bell Rock” with the whole student body singing. Teacher Randy Russell played the Guitar and Bev Noe played the piano. Then the Kinders sang “Comin’ Down the Chimney” with movements. The First and Second Graders then took the stage to sing “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” a really cute song. The band then came up and performed “Hark, the Herald Angles Sing,” directed by Natalie Brockman. Fourth Grader Olivia Doshas played “Little Drummer Boy” on her violin, accompanied by Mrs. Brockman. The Third and Fourth Graders sang “Percy, the Puny Poinsettia” with Dakota Voortman playing Percy. The Fifth and Sixth Graders did “Dashing Through the Mall” and the Junior High acted “The Nutcracker” (no dancing). All the grades sang “Just One Candle” featuring Alyssa and Kylee Sisco, and all had candles to hold (battery operated). The Handbell choir played “Silent Night” and the audience sang along. It was a lovely evening.

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Have a Happy New Year!