Gibson City Courier from Gibson City, Illinois • 14

4 Journal tVurjfr Niuvmltor 15, 2006 Hometown Holidays C0 Christmas parades kick off the holiday season LeRoy Christmas parade is popular event parade. Divisions for this year's parade are farm implement tractorautotruck, commercial float, commercial vehicle, rental entries, individualfam-. 4 ily and religious float. All entries must be lighted. An overall winner will receive $200 for its entry in the parade while a winner in each division will receive $75.

Fntries in the rental division will not be eligible for a monetary prize. F.ntries received to date-by the parade committee are Ponderosa 4-1 1 Club, McLean 1 County Ford County Fair Queen Ashley Tjardes, Farm Credit Services of -i i 'i 3L I bv) i Snowman dances with the crowd at last TROY SEMPLEHeyworth Star year's "Holidays Heyworth Style" things within the community. They have planned and hosted several community worship sen ices including ones at Easter and Thanksgiving, have coordinated the establishment of the I leyworth Community Food Pantry, and conduct Baccalaureate services for high school seniors at graduation. I ICO member Roxann Barnhill explained that pastors are always there to help people during times of bereavement, when a son or daughter is being married, when a family member is ill, or to provide guidance during times of stress. "The 1 ICO decided that for all of those reasons and more, our local pastors should be honored as the grand marshals tor this year's parade," said Barnhill.

Members of the Heyworth Ministerial Alliance are Rev. Kurt Flora of the Christian Church of Heyworth; Rev. Richard Cray of Full Gospel Tabernacle; Rev. Robert Guy of New Horizon Christian Church; Pastor Becky Lembke of the United Church of I ley-worth; Pastor Chuck Brannock of Faith Fellowship Center; Rev. Dan Melton of Heyworth Community Baptist Church; and Dr.

Lanny Falkner of the First Baptist Church of I leyworth. HCO president Diane Greene said the list of entries is still being compiled. Confirmed for this year are the Mendota Funsters, a group of clowns that shows off their antics while driving jalopy-type vehicles, and 2006 McLean Count" Fair queen Katie Doyle. Past participants have included the Henneberrys, with their holiday calliope and the Shriners performing their famous maneuvers. As usual, the I leyworth I ligh School Marching Hornets will be on -JvamloperfoHnheir-wdfd--winning street routine, and the American Legion will provide a color guard.

Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without the guy, Santa Claus, who will be riding in a tire truck provided by Randolph Township Fire Department. Those wishing to enter the parade can call Diane Greene at (309) 473-3337. Farmer City Christmas parade is November 19 11'. ROY Tor over 30 years, the I.eRoy Christinas Parade has welcomed Santa Clans ami ushered in the local holiday season. This year's event is scheduled tor Sunday.

Dec. 3'. at 2 p.m.. and Santa has been I looked tor the afternoon, lie will he joined in the parade by numerous floats, walking entries, antique and commercial vehicles, costumed characters, hands, emergency vehicles, and horses and ponies. Ruel Neal Post of the American" I.

egk'tn will head the parade with the color guard, and local and area tire departments will also participate. Katie Doyle. McLean County 4-11 Lair Queen, will he riding in the parade, and a number of businesses and organizations have also signed up with floats, vehicles, and marching units. Parade entries may be sent to LcRov Business Development Croup. P.O.

Box 212, LeRoy, IL, 61752, or mav be called in to the HOC office at 309-962-2030. Parade entries are also being accepted at the Silver Moon Restaurant, 962-575 1. Paradergoers are reminded to bring a can or 'two of food or other non-perishable items, to benefit the LeRoy Food Pantry, The Shopping Cart Brigade will travel' the parade route, to accept donations, 'Holidays Heyworth Style' parade Dec. 10 I IFYWORTI 1 The I ley-worth Christmas Organization ICO) has another full slate lined up. for the 2006 edition of "1 lolidays 1 leyworth Style." The festivities arc set for Sunday, Dec.

10, with several -organizations putting out their, holiday cheer. The main event, as always, is the Christmas parade. ltTfepToff at 2 p.m. afieT entries line up at the I leyworth Elementary School. The parade proceeds west down Alain Street, then takes a turn south on Karr Street until it ends in the parking lot of Heyworth unior-Senior I ligh School.

I he grand marshals for this years parade are the ministers from I leyworth seven churches. Collectively, they form the I leyworth Alliance. The alliance meets once a month and work together to accomplish various hig her 29th appearance in the parade. In addition, there are several new groups and organizations, many Shrine entries, holiday floats, local celebrities, antique cars; and tractors, and many other entries lined up for the parade as well! he grand marshals for this year's parade are Dick and Janis Maxwell of Farmer City. Dick and Janis are life long residents of the Farmer City area, and "have contributed significantly to the community over the years.

Dick recently retired from the Fanner City State Bank, where he 'served as Senior "ice President and Trust Officer. ie also continues to serve" as a trustee and treasurer for the Clark Foundation, trustee and treasurer of Wood- lawn Improvement Association, on the Board of Directors and as treasurer for Cunningham Children's Home, and is a trustee and treasurer for the Farmer Methodist Church. Janis continues to work at Maxwell Counters in Farmer City, is a member of the Farmer City Library-Board, and. is a member of the Shakespeare Club. Immediately the parade.

Santa Claus will be making his appearance at the new Santa House built bv the Blue Packaging Croup, Moyer District Library, Parkland College CDL Training Services, Busey Bank, Gibson Area Hospital, GCMS High School senior football players, Ropp's Flower Factory, Bank of Gibson City, City' Lions Club, GCMS Fire Protection District, Gibson Area Ambulance, Ace Hardware, Ford County Youth Soccer, Kuhns Equipment Company with two entries and I leritage Manor. Parade line-up is set for 5 p.m. on South Wood St. near County Market with judging of the entries at 6 p.m. The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m.

making its way along First 'Street (Route 9 East) to San-ganlon Avenue where it will travel north to Tenth Street. Over 40 entries traditionally participate in the parade, which draws several thousand people to the community. Two reindeer from Hardy's Ranch of Rantoul will be present in the downtown area for visitors to stop and learn more about these special animals. Santa and Claus will make their entrance to' Gib-- son Citv for the holiday sea- soh-during-the-parade-riding on a special float. The famous couple will meet with area children the parade in Santa's house located near IPG in downtown Gibson City.

Children will be able to give their Christmas list to Santa at this time and will receive a spe cial treat. Live entertainment will be on stage in downtown Gibson City beginning at 5 p.m. Food vendors will be available throughout the evening and the businesses will remain open until 8 p.m. Sat. Dec.

16 at Percfection 'Coffee. House. Jancl Duquette will sing and her husband, Drew, will accompany her on the guitar for the entertain-! ment. "The breakfast is S3. 50' each.

Breakfast with Mary and Joseph On Sat. Dec. 9, "Breakfast with Mary and Joseph" will return to the First Christian Church in Gibson City with serving beginning at 9 a.m. The breakfast, a gift to the children -of. the community, will follow a simple portrayal of the story of Jesus' birth.

Reservations are preferred for this event, but not required. Parents are encouraged to attend and children six years of age and younger must be ac- cepting telephone entries for the parade, as well as telephone reservations for the Chocolate' Extravaganza. The office phone is 309-062-2030. Complete information about the Christinas Celebration will be available soon on the BDG website, www.leroybiz.org. Santa visit l'ollowing the parade, Santa Claus will greet visitors in downtown I.eRoy.

FROSTY DANCE parade. FARMER CITY- The 32nd Annual Fanner City Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will be Sunday, November 19 at 2 p.m. -The. Parade is traditionally one Of the largest Christmas parades in central Illinois, and always draws a huge crowd of spectators from throughout the area. WWHP, 98.3 'PM.

Farmer City, will be broadcasting the event live from the business district. Santa Claus will also be making his grand entrance into Farmer City, and will be available after the parade at his house in the Farmer Citv Central Park. 'I he wiiltollow its traditional route, starting at the Farmer Citv fairgrounds. and proceeding down Main Street through the 'business district. The' theme for this year's parade is "Christmas in the and there are- nearly 100 entries lined up for the parade again this year, Entrants for the parade include the Blue Ridge.

I leyworth. and Deland-Weldon Marching Bands. I he Gene Clown Band will be returning to the parade again this year. WCIA chief weather tore-caster ludv Eraser will be mak- conjunction with the parade, on Dec. 10.

'j'he Sons of the American Legion will serve soup and sandwiches at the Legion from. 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Ladies' Auxiliary will have a craft show set up as well. The GFWC Illinois Woman's Club of Heyworth is sponsorimi a bake sale and a "Visit with Santa" at VFW Post 155''.

203 E. Main St. At the L'nited ChurcR. ot I ley members will hold their annual Cookie alk in the church's Fellowship I lall at 502 E. Main St.

Prior to their parade performance, the high school marching band will perform a concert at 1 leyworth' Elementary School, along with the junior be announced in the coming weeks. Sunday events Sunday. Dec. feature chili at the LeRoy Masonic Temple and LeRoy first United Methodist Church, business open houses, craft fair at Water lower Place. "A Liste ot Christmas" at the Crumbaugh Library, the Children Christmas Shop, open houses at the local museums'.

Frosty the Holiday events planned rail ages in i bson i Holiday festivities begin Nov. 26 in Heyworth Ridge High School shop class last year. All children are encouraged to visit Santa in his new house and see the wonderful building our local high school students built! The Fred O'Malley VFW Post 6190 will also be hosting a chili dinner at the VFW hall on the square in Farmer City. The post will serve lunch from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm on the day of the parade. Individuals or groups who still wish to enter are asked to call Chad Wills, parade chairman, at 309-928-3 1 54.

Santa arrives after dark in Gibson City GIBSON CITY Gibson City is definitely the place to Jxi-sear-for the-holiday season. Many activities are planned for the very young and the young at heart to help make the holiday season a little brighter. The season will kick off with Gibson City's 12th annual Lighted Holiday Parade at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 8.

The theme for this year's event is "Ignite the Holidays." The GCMS High School Project Ignition Team has been selected as "Citizens of the Season" and will be recognized while ridintr a float in the Grains on North Sangamon Ave. The train's visit is sponsored by the Gibson City Lions Club. Following the visits on the train, the Moyer District Library and Percfection Coffee. I louse will host a Santa I lour at Percfection. Cookies and tea will be served, and Santa will read a story for the children.

A craft activity will also be conducted during this event. Santa's hours Santa will visit with area children at Santas house, on X. Sangamon next to IPG from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat.

Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 3 Breakfast with Santa A "Breakfast with Santa" will be served beginning at 9 a.m. 4 to 7 p.m. at the Silver Moon Restaurant.

The Crhristmas Celebration is sponsored by the LeRoy Business Development Group and community businesses. Parade entries are welcome, and registration will take place at the corner of Mill and Cen- ter Streets (high school parking lot), "beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. I 'he LeRoy Business Development-Group office is ac By DORIS BENTER Gibson City Courier GIBSON CITY The retail businesses will host a "Sleeping Santa Sale" from to "9 a.m.

Sat. Dec. 2. a Tax Free Saturday" sale oh Sat. Dec.

9 and a "Desperate I lusband" holiday sale on Sat. Dec. 16. Details for these events will be announced later. Santa Train The popular Santa Train will again visit Gibson City on Dec.

9 with the time of arrival to be announced. Children will be able to visit with Santa Clausaboard the historic Santa train while it is parked near Specialty By TROY SEMPLE Heyworth Star 1 IKYWORTI I The holiday season in I leyworth kicks ott.on Sunday. Nov. 26 at 6 p.nT. with the annual "Lighting of the Gazebo" at Merle E.

Shannon Volunteer' Park 'in downtown Hey worth. The Honors Chorus from Heyworth Junior-Senior High School will perform Christmas carols and "Miss Noel" will be Crowned that evening. It he can work it into his schedule. Santa often makes an early-season appearance a well. On Saturday, Dee.

2. the Little' Miss 'Merry and Master Jack Frost pageant will be' held' at. 1 p.m. at the By SUE BRATCHER LeRoy Journal LI-ROY Le Roy's annual Christmas Celebration is scheduled for Dec. with 'if' wide variety, "events and activities planned tor families and children of all ages.

Friday open house The event will begin Friday. with open houses at a number of L'eRov businesses. LeRoy Heyworth American Legion. 205 E. Main St.

According to Barnhill, the pageant is open to boys in girls in three age groups: 3 to 4 year olds, 5 to 6 year olds, and 7 to 8 year olds. The children are interviewed by Mrs. Claus." Roxann Barnhill said. "Then, the judges listen in on the. interviews to select a Miss Merry Christmas and a Master Jack Frost from each age group." Registration is from 12 to 1 p.m.

at the Legion, with judging to follow. is no need to pre-register your child. East, treats and more Several organizations -also have activ ities planned in featuring sales, holiday items, and free refreshments. Silver Moon Restaurant will host an Italian Christmas buffet from 5, to p.m. Cookie walk Saturday's events include a cookie walk, sponsored by Noah's Ark Daycare, visits with Santa Claus at LeRoy True Value, and open houses at numerous places of business.

Other Saturday events will Christmas Celebration is weekend-long event and numerous other activities. 1 he LeRoy Christmas parade will step off at 2 p.m.. and will feature floats, walking and marching units, antique vehicles. Shrine units, and music bv the LeRoy and Heyworth I ligh School marching bands. Chocolate Extravaganza The event will, conclude ith the 'LeRoy.

Business Development Group's "Chocolate Extravaganza." scheduled from.