ELK HORN -- 2019 is the 41st anniversary of the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa’s Christmas celebration called Julefest, which will be held on November 29-30.  The important elements of a Danish Christmas – good food, warm hospitality, flickering candles and other decorations – will all be a part of this weekend’s Friday and Saturday event.

    ELK HORN -- Stanley Nichols, 80, Elk Horn, died November 23 at the Salem Lutheran Home.    A memorial service and masonic service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial at a later date.  Family will greet friends Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.

    HARLAN – Board leadership in the Harlan Community Schools will remain the same for the next year as Amy Rueschenberg and Jessica Anderson were elected Monday, Nov.

COUNTY -- The sixth year of the holiday lighting ceremony in downtown Harlan will kick off Saturday, Nov. 30 with lots of Christmas cheer and holiday events to start the season in Shelby County.    The kick-off to the holiday season is a special one the weekend after Thanksgiving starting on Friday, Nov.

    The Harlan Newspapers, Keast Auto Center and Hy-Vee have again teamed up to sponsor coloring contests; one for children in Pre-K thru 2nd grade, with another for kids 3rd thru 5th grades. Winning entries and artists willbe featured on the covers of this year’s Holiday Greeting issues Dec. 20 and Dec. 24. Deadline for submissions is noon Friday, Dec. 13.

    HARLAN – The holiday season is upon us, and the Shelby County Historical Museum is commencing the festivities with the announcement of their annual Christmas Program. The Christmas Program is a time-honored tradition featuring a sing-a-long, refreshments, the candy cane legend, and more!

    COUNTY – It’s almost time!  Get ready, kids, for Santa to make a stop in your community in December.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town to make his rounds with his friends from the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec.

    HARLAN – Local residents now have a new feature to view while on their walks in Pioneer Park -- a StoryWalk® program where park-goers can read books through a series of signs spread throughout the park.  City crews recently finished installing the pedestals, and the first books were installed.    Although the weather last week wasn’t exactly conducive to viewing the feature as record cold for November set in.

    REGIONAL -- Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is celebrating National Adoption Month in November. It’s a time to celebrate with community members and families who have adopted children in need of loving homes.    This month is also a time to recognize the 123,000 children across the U.S.