Our Gang donates two bikes for Arcadia youth

Tina and Paul VanKirk drove to Kansas City Airport before Thanksgiving to meet her brother Curt Holland. He came to help their dad, Howard Holland, rural Garland, close half the deck and go deer hunting.

After two days of working hard and not a deer to be seen, the group, along with grandmother Ruth Holland, went to Nashville for a family Thanksgiving dinner and late night shopping.

Our Gang has announced the Arcadia Community Center has been reserved for the fourth Saturday of each month in 2012. Usually, no date is reserved in May due to the alumni banquet being held.

Mark your calendars now for the coming year. You will be notified if any dates have to be changed. Chili Dump will be planned for Jan. 28.

Sunday, Dec. 11, birthday offerings were given in the Arcadia Christian Church for Zachary and Nicholas Younge by their mother, and Mary V. Shead gave for her 93rd year. The congregation honored them with the birthday song.

On Dec. 18 there will be special music by Jessie Dunn. On Dec. 25 there will be no Sunday school classes held. Church will start at 10:30 a.m. Come to show thankfulness on Jesus' birthday.

Mae Watt called Vera Parrish on Sunday morning to say a friend took her to a Christmas party where Don Lemon and wife sang a duet. Mae's son and wife, Tom and Phyllis Watt, spent a recent vacation in Florida. The Watt family wishes the JOY Class a merry Christmas.

Arcadia Comunity Turkey Dinner was held Saturday evening, Dec. 10, in the community center with an estimated crowd of 200 people coming and going. The bountiful menu was prepared and served by the Open Door Mission and Christian Church attendees and many other citizens of Arcadia. Tickets were given and door prizes won by drawing numbers. Gifts of packaged foods were given for the needy this season. An auction was held at the end of the dinner hour for the pies and cakes donated but not served. Proceeds will help buy supplies for the next dinner. Janelle Bunny, Liberal, Mo., presented vocal music for the evening's enjoyment. The organizers of this event wish to thank everyone who helped and donated to the evening in any way.

Special credit goes to the young girls and boys who helped by serving in many ways. By working together, we become a united town.

Women's Evening Out is Dec. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the Economy Inn & Suites Restaurant at Centennial and Broadway, Pittsburg, Kan. Take advantage of some pamper time such as hand waxing and hand and arm massagaes, face painting, etc. Look for the solution to stressful Christmas shopping. Funnel cakes and drinks are available.

At the Dec. 5 dinner and meeting time of Our Gang, they were able to purchase two children's bikes to donate to the Christmas party for Arcadia youngsters to be held on Saturday night, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., when Santa will arrive.

Sunday, Dec. 11, the Shead family and friend gathered at Chicken Annie's in Yale to celebrate the 93rd birthday of Mary Shead. A crown was presented to her by her great-granddaughter Katy Shead of Fort Scott. Katy and her brother, Benjamin, helped with card opening and gift wrappings.

Others attending were Rose Campbell, Charles Corporon, Pittsburg; Larry and Vickie Shead, Garland; Mark and Haley Shead (who baked the cake), Fort Scott; Ralph and Cindy Shead, Carl Junction, Mo.; and Matthew and Ashley Shead, Joplin, Mo. Blessing was given by Larry Shead, and a thankful blessing to all from the honoree.