Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday events and celebrations fill calendar

Harrington PDA

The Harrington Public Development Authority met Tuesday evening at City Hall with the following in attendance: Heather Slack, Jill Barth, Paul Charlton, Nathan Luck, Tim Tipton, Bunny Haugan, Jay Kane, Kathi Matthews, Karen Robertson and Jay Gossett.

Luck spoke regarding the Vacant Lot Map. Discussion was held regarding the community meeting structure which will be held at Memorial Hall. The community meeting next January will be facilitated by Tipton, Slack and Matthews of the PDA in which they encourage several representatives of each Harrington organization, entity or business to attend. Matthews facilitated a “vision exercise,” the object being for the PDA to develop a vision statement. The group was led to list the best things about Harrington: 1) today, 2) the ideal for the future. This process to develop a vision statement by the PDA will be continued at the next meeting on December 17.

Thanksgiving service

The Harrington Ministerial Association organized an all-community Thanksgiving service at the Opera House on November 24. Prelude music on the grand piano was played by Linda Wagner. Pastor Cade Clarke of the Nazarene Church welcomed the audience of about 40 and acknowledged that each of the local churches had representatives present. Jo Gooley of the Catholic Church read Psalm 100 and Pastor Michelle Mitchell of the United Methodist church gave the opening prayer.

Musicians from the Harrington Community Church’s Worship Team included Rebecca Hardy on keyboard, Bonnie Hardy on box drum (cajon), Sheryl Stedman on accordion, John Larsell on banjo, Tony Hamilton on guitar, with Stephen Hardy leading the singing. Words were printed and provided for the audience. The first “worship in song” was “Majesty,” which was apparently known by those present as they sang out nicely. Mark Stedman read Deut. 26:1-11, recognizing that it is God who has given us what we have; this was followed by “Lord I Need You.” An offering was taken for the Ministerial Association for expenses for the Food Bank, God’s Closet and the Benevolence Fund. Pastor James Flowers read John 6:25-35, which was followed by “How Great Thou Art.” Pastor Michelle Mitchell read Phil. 4:4-9.

A brief message was given by Pastor Clarke, whose initial remark was “I love this season.” He allowed individuals in the audience to express one thing they are thankful for in their life, among which were healing, God’s grace, people who have come into one’s life and mercy. Pastor Clarke made a few comments that he sees people as living on borderlines between happiness and fear or between joy and worry. He emphasized that we need to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Tony Hamilton of the Community Church reminded everyone of the Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday at the Community Church, emphasized that love never fails and gave the closing prayer.

Harrington’s Hometown Christmas Celebration

The Harrington Opera House Rummage Fundraiser on December 7 will begin at 9 a.m. and last through 2 p.m., with lots of holiday decor and gift items offered. The Opera House Society is indeed grateful to its many donors who have made this venture such a success in the community.

With a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa will arrive on a fire truck at 11 a.m. Young and old are encouraged to come visit with Santa from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enter using the Art Room entrance on Willis Street. As in previous years, professional quality photos are available for a reasonable donation, with proceeds going to the Harrington Opera House. The venue will be open for families to take their own photos from 1 to 1:30. The Harrington United Methodist Church and Harrington Area Chamber of Commerce are donating the “goodie bags.” The Chamber will also be providing gift baskets for some of our senior citizens. They will also be providing hams and a $25 gift certificate to Harrington Food Mart to some of our students and their families.

Harrington’s Holiday Bazaar will begin at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Hall with vendors, homemade soup and rolls, and entertainment. The Bazaar will close at 4:30 to allow everyone to join in the Tree Lighting and Caroling at 5 p.m. on 3rd Street.

Senior Meals for December 2019

The menu for December Senior Meals is available at City Hall, encouraging our seniors to socialize during the noon meal on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Memorial Hall. For Tuesday, December 24, Senior Meals will be closed for Christmas. The entry for Dec. 17 will be baked ham, au gratin potatoes, glazed carrots, chopped kale salad, applesauce and bread pudding. On the 26th the meal will be baked lemon pepper fish, roasted red potatoes, trio vegetables, coleslaw, chilled peaches, garlic bread and dessert. Please call the nutrition director for more information about the home delivered meal program, Markelle at 509-939-6719.