40 years ago

december 19, 1979

Marion’s holiday theme, “Old Fashioned Christmas,” will continue Saturday when Santa will hand out treats to his little friends and the Marion Chamber of Commerce will draw names to see who wins the last of the $900 cash awards offered to adults.

Dear Santa: I would like my ears pierced and a stuffed animal and some shoe skates and some clothes and a Barbie. They’ll probably be some cookies. Love Kristy Herbel, age 7.

This week’s “Personality Profile” features Bennie Holtsclaw, popular “country gospel” singer whose life has not been a rose-strewn path but one in which he has learned to step over the stumbling blocks and sing along down a road to fame and contentment.

Vandals repeatedly drove a narrow wheelbase car across the greens at Marion Country Club this weekend leaving deep ruts marring the putting surface. Damage has been set at more than $1,000.

Kelli Hajek, Vicki Kay Hartley, and Tami Stenzel are pictured as they select books to take home. It was book distribution day at Bown-Corby School and the books are rewards for accomplishments in the Reading Is Fundamental program sponsored by the Marion Parent-Teachers Association.