(AKRON)–A Christmas tradition in the Akron area marks its ruby year with a change in the time of the program.
The 40th annual Akron Community Christmas program brings together musicians from Akron area churches, and features soloists and small groups. This year, the Akron-Westfield Chamber Choir will also take part in the program.
In addition to musical selections, the Akron Ministerial Association will present a Reader’s Theatre, with “A Christmas Cup of Tea.” The program is presented this (Sunday) afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron beginning at 4 p-m.
The afternoon time is a change from the evening program.
Christmas hymns will be sung by those who attend and the Christmas story will be read from Scripture.
The program is sponsored by area churches with a committee of representatives from those churches planning the program and coordinating volunteers for the evening.
A freewill offering received during the service will be used throughout the year by the Akron Ministerial Association.
A fellowship time with refreshments will follow the program. The Christmas event is open to the public.
Medical officers chosen at Floyd Valley Hospital
LE MARS)–Officers who lead the medical staff at the Le Mars hospital are expected to continue their work for another term.
The medical staff of Floyd Valley Hospital has re-elected Dr. Shahid Naqvi as president for 2010. Dr. Naqvi is a general surgeon who lives in Le Mars. He previously worked in southern Iowa.
A family practice physician at Family Medicine Clinics, Dr. Thomas Duncan of Le Mars, will serve as vice president for 2011. Dr. Duncan provides care at medical clinics in Le Mars and Remsen.
The Medical Staff re-elected Dr. David Meis as the secretary. Dr. Meis, a Le Mars native, is a radiologist who lives in Le Mars.
The confirmation of the election of Floyd Valley Hospital Medical Staff Officers is on the agenda for the hospital Board of Trustees Tuesday evening at 5:45.
Winter fire safety stressed for the holidays, cold weather
(SIOUX CITY)–The State Fire Marshal has issued a warning to those who’re using alternative sources of heat during the cold weather to take the proper precautions to avoid a fire. A spokesman for the Sioux City Fire Department says winter is a dangerous time for fires from many sources. Firefighter Joe Rodriguez says heating sources are a danger, but so are the decorations such as candles.
He says you should never go to bed or leave the house without blowing the candles out, and keep them in a sturdy container and away from combustibles. Rodriguez says people sometimes plug too many things into too few outlets and you can avoid problems by reading the directions on your holiday lights.
He says you should find out how many strands you can put in one outlet so you don’t overload them. Rodriguez says real Christmas trees can become a fire hazard quickly if not taken care of properly.
Rodriguez says keep the trees away from heating vents to avoid having them dry out quickly, and be sure there is always water in the tree base. Rodgriguez says after you’ve made sure your heating source and decorations are safe, be sure your smoke alarms are working and make sure everyone knows how to safely get out of the home in case of a fire. (Josie Cooper, KSCJ News, Sioux City)
Clay completes one-week lending course
(LE MARS)–A business programs specialist in Northwest Iowa for U-S-D-A Rural Development has completed a lending program.
According to Bill Menner of U-S-D-A Rural Development, the Iowa Banker’s Association Commercial Lending School training was completed by Kim Clay.
Clay is a business programs specialist in the Le Mars office of U-S-D-A who works with lenders and businesses in northwest Iowa counties including Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury.
Funds are used for home mortgages, improvements to community facility and infrastructure projects such as health clinics, community centers, public safety buildings and water and wastewater systems as well as business and economic organizations.
NWC student to intern at the Kennedy Center
(ORANGE CITY)–A Northwestern College senior will spend the spring semester in Washington, D-C.
Greta Hays is one of 20 Kennedy Center interns.
A public relations major with a theatre and speech minor, Hays applied for a total of 14 internships in Chicago and Washington, D-C.
The senior at Northwestern will work on publicity, promotion and coordination for the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. This is a showcase of regional winners from graduate and undergraduate theatre programs around the United States.
After graduation next May, Hays plans to pursue a career in arts management or casting.
Heart, Boitano at Tyson December 16th
(SIOUX CITY)–Eighteen spotlights are planned for what’s expected to be the most production heavy performance the Tyson Events Center has ever hosted.
The Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular December 16th in Sioux City will feature special musical guest, Heart, performing 10 of their top hits live.
The live skating production will be filmed and then televised nationally on December 26th on NBC.
The cast also highlights a roster of World Championship figure skaters, performing with Heart on the ice sheet directly in front of the Tyson Event Center stage.
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