COUNTY – The annual holiday adoption program has come to an end this week, with many families receiving help this Christmas season.    Dena Matthews, who manages the program through West Central Community Action, said as of early this week there still were quite a few families needing adoption.  But with the deadline to adopt being Thursday, Dec. 14, those who haven’t been adopted will still see some holiday cheer. 

HARLAN -- Ron Chamberlain and volunteers distributed candy canes with the candy cane legend story attached during the Santa in the Cabins event at the Shelby County Museum Thursday night. Chamberlain and his volunteers have given out 8,600 candy canes this holiday season.      

KIRKMAN – A Kirkman teenager has spent the last year learning the beekeeping trade, thanks to a scholarship he was awarded in November, 2016 from the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA).    Reece Nielsen was one of 19 young adults from across Iowa to receive the scholarship, one of the IHPA’s youth programs.  The scholarship is for young adults ages 13-17 that have an interest in becoming a beekeeper but don’t know how to get started.    N

Mike and Suzanne Rasmussen observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, December 2. A family dinner party in their honor was held at Gina and Matt Glenn’s home on December 2. 

ELK HORN -- Martha Eskov of Elk Horn will celebrate her 90th birthday at an open house from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, Decemeber 28 at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.    Cards will also reach her if sent to 2018 High Street, Elk Horn, IA 51531. 

PERSIA -- Wayne and LaVonne Miller of Persia celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 18 with a party with family and friends in the fellowship hall at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Persia. They also celebrated Wayne’s 80th birthday which was that day. 

 UNDERWOOD (Dec. 12) -- Jake Martin led AHSTW with 22 points, six assists and three steals Tuesday night as the Viking boys basketball team picked up an impressive 63-50 road win at Underwood. A strong second quarter (19-11) keyed the Vikings’ third straight victory as they improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the Western Iowa Conference.

 UNDERWOOD (Dec. 12) -- One bad quarter proved costly for the AHSTW girls basketball team in Tuesday night’s 57-40 loss at Underwood. The Lady Vikes were outscored 13-1 in the second quarter but were otherwise competitive throughout the game. Morgan Eckmann made 6-of-7 field goals on the night and led AHSTW with 14 points. Claire Denning had seven points while Kinsey Scheffler (9 rebounds) and Sarah Butcher both scored six.

HCHS Boys Basketball ScheduleDecember 1    vs. Shenandoah (Won 81-34)December 5    vs. Blair (Won 72-70)December 8    vs. Denison-Schleswig (Won 70-49)December 12    vs. Creston (Won 57-45)December 15    vs. Lewis Central - JV-Varsity, 6:00December 19    vs. CB Abraham Lincoln - Varsity, 7:30; JV, 6:00 (MS)January 2    at Atlantic - JV-Varsity, 6:00January 5    at CB St. Albert - JV-Varsity, 6:00January 9    vs.