The Harlan Newspapers, Hy-Vee and Keast Auto Center have again teamed up to sponsor a coloring contest for children in Pre-K thru 5th grades. The winning entry and artist will be featured on the covers of this year’s Holiday Greeting issues Dec. 18 and Dec. 21

AVOCA -- Downtown Avoca is celebrating a Fabulous Frosty Event on Saturday, November 24 from 3-7 p.m. to celebrate Holidays on Main, and everyone is invited.  The event offers food, fun, and unique entertainment for all ages.      The fun-filled afternoon begins at 3 p.m.

COUNTY -- The fifth year of the holiday lighting ceremony in downtown Harlan will kick off Saturday, Nov.

    GRISWOLD -- Bernard Russell Hansen, 82, Griswold, died November 8 at the Griswold Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.    Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Shelby Cemetery.  Family will greet friends Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Marjorie Ladwene Thomsen, 82, Harlan, died November 9 at Elm Crest Assisted Living.    Private burial will be held at the Shelby Cemetery at a later date.    Thomsen is survived by her husband, Kenneth Thomsen, of Harlan; sons Rick (Lori) Thomsen of Omaha, NE and Barney (Carol) Thomsen of Anita; daughter Lori Teachout of Tennant; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge

NDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Ten Harlan FFA members traveled to the National FFA Convention and Expo on October 24-27 in Indianapolis, IN. The members attended several tours and participated in various National FFA Convention activities while on the trip.

    HARLAN -- Allan Hjelle of Elk Horn has announced his intention to retire as a member of the Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees. Hjelle read a prepared statement at the October 30 MMC board meeting. The November board meeting will be his last meeting as a board member. Hjelle has served as a board member for 25 years.

    WALNUT -- Walnut will host a Festival of Trees Friday-Saturday, Nov. 23-24 in conjunction with Walnut’s annual Christmas Antique Walk.    The event is being sponsored by the Walnut Creek Historical Society and Museum.  Contests will be held for decorated trees, festive table-settings and nativity scenes.  Prizes will be given for the top three in each category.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan City Council has given approval to allow the Harlan Lions Club to create a holiday decoration display using LED lights at the Potter Park shelter house in Harlan during the holiday season.    The council also voted to waive the permit fee for the shelterhouse use for the decorations.    Lions Club members are hoping many people will view the display which will be in the shelter house near the museum complex especially