Christmas Highlights!

    IRWIN – An Irwin Christmas Market is planned for Saturday, Dec. 10, offering a variety of events to celebrate the holiday season.    The market will run from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

    AVOCA – Live cold-weather animals from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo are coming to Avoca City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3-4 p.m. as part of the community’s Christmas kick-off celebration, Holidays on Main.

relative newcomer to Harlan, has garnered Harlan Mayor Kate Kohorst’s appointment to the Harlan Municipal Utility Board of Trustees, effective Nov. 20.    Wees, the branch manager at Bank of the West, will replace Mary Johnson, whose six-year term is up Nov.

    The Harlan Newspapers, Hy-Vee and Keast Auto Center have again teamed up to sponsor a coloring contest for children in Pre-K thru 2nd grades. The winning entry and artist will be featured on the cover of this year’s Holiday Greeting issue Dec. 20 and Dec. 23. Look inside today’s paper for details. Watch this Friday’s Harlan Newspaper for a coloring contest for 3rd thru 5th grade students!

    SHELBY -- Ila R. Briggs, 60, Shelby, formerly of Council Bluffs, died Sunday, Nov. 20 at Elm Crest Retirement Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home with cremation to follow service.  There will be no burial.  Visitation with family was Monday, Nov. 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

    EARLING -- Linus Peter Koch, 88, Earling, formerly of Panama, died November 20 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in Panama with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.  A rosary will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Center.  Visitation is Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    EARLING -- Mark and Peg Stessman of Earling marked three milestones in 2016. They celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 5. Peg marked her 80th birthday on June 20. Mark observed his 88th birthday on November 16.    Cards will reach them if sent to Box 242, Earling, IA 51530.

    AVOCA -- Eldon and Agnes Riesgaard of Avoca will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on November 19.    Their children and their spouses are Charlene and Larry Friederich, Avoca; and Monte and Serena Riesgaard, Avoca. The Riesgaards have three grandchildren.