Tampa: Christmas lights are worth the drive
By JANE VAJNAR
Tampa correspondent
(785) 965-2285
It is well worth an evening drive around Tampa to see the Christmas lights. The city's lights went up early last week. (Tampa is a little different from some cities which turn on their Christmas lights before Thanksgiving.) Many residents also have put money and effort into beautiful lighting displays to share with passers-by. Leona Kleiber has added an attractive stable for the Holy Family this year. Other outstanding displays grace the homes of Pastor and Kathy Davis, Lois Sklenar, Paul and Edna Backhus, and Frank and Anna Mae Stika, to name only a few. Of course, the crèche in front of the Lutheran church is a beautiful reminder of "the reason for the season."
Holy Redeemer Altar Society enjoyed its Christmas party Sunday evening at the senior center. A catered meal was followed by group singing of Christmas carols with Lori Moldenhauer providing piano accompaniment. Hostesses Mary Ann Frantz and Dee Duggan decorated the hall with Nativity scenes. Lori Moldenhauer, Rita Brunner, and Martha Melcher won door prizes, but all present received gifts.
Tillie Hein attended the funeral for Ed Urbanek Tuesday morning at Pilsen.
Rustyn Kerbs was a Sunday dinner and afternoon guest of his grandparents, Reuben and Lucille Kerbs.
Leroy Schwartzman of Ballwin, Mo., is here spending some time with his mother, Helen Schwartzman.
Steve Spohn of Hutchinson and Juanita D'Albini of Hillsboro visited Gary and Carol Spohn and Georgia Spohn Sunday afternoon.
Jerry and Jeanne Rziha, Julie and Dana went to Atchison Sunday to visit John and Jeanne Rziha, Michael, Christopher, Joseph, and Timothy and to attend Timothy John's baptism.
Frank and Anna Mae Stika, Tom and Lori Moldenhauer and Nikki, and Ronnie and Lisa Hanschu, James and Anna attended the children's Christmas program Sunday morning at the Methodist church in Hope. James, Anna, and the other children performing chose people from the audience, including Lisa, Anna Mae, and Nikki, to depict characters in the Christmas story.
Helen Schwartzman, her houseguest Leroy Schwartzman, Martha Melcher, Eleanor Murphy, and Tillie Hein enjoyed dinner in Woodbine Sunday.
Tampa State Bank's directors and employees at both locations enjoyed their Christmas party Saturday evening with dinner at Cottonwood Falls.
Jane Vajnar went to Saline and Ellsworth counties Saturday to pay Christmas calls on relatives and old friends. She visited Berniece Burwell in Salina, Wanda Sneath at Carneiro, Marc and Wendy Stroede at Kanopolis, Elizabeth, Brooke, and Jennifer Copp and Fern Smith in Ellsworth. Meghann Bunch and Iris also were at the Stroede home.
Tillie Hein accompanied Jim and Kris Srajer, Grant and Cole to Mass at Elmo Saturday evening, followed by the children's Christmas program in which Grant portrayed the little drummer boy. A number of other Tampa youngsters were in the program as well.
Gary and Carole Spohn were guests of Georgia Spohn for supper in Herington Friday evening. Later they drove around to view Christmas lights in Herington, Ramona, and Tampa.
Deb Hall and Kaylee of Herington and Tom and Dee Duggan were in Lee's Summit, Mo., Thursday and Friday visiting Darla Hall and Adam. On Thursday evening, they attended the 5th and 6th grade winter concert at Hawthorne Hills School, in which Adam performed.
Autumn Chisholm, Mildred Hamm, and Jane Vajnar were among those attending the King's Daughters Christmas party Thursday evening at the Durham Baptist church. Hostesses Dorene Joy, Janice Kaufman, and Valera Hamm provided festive refreshments and decorations. The program consisted of a prayerful candle lighting ceremony. In a short business meeting, the group decided on a Christmas project and drew names for 2003 heart sisters. The evening ended with a gift exchange and the revealing of heart sisters.
Donna Rose and Velber Bevan of Hutchinson entertained Georgia Spohn Dec. 11 with dinner at the café.
Members of Sunflower Senior Citizens enjoyed dinner at the café Dec. 10 as their Christmas party. Joan Jones was a guest. After dinner, they went to the senior center for card Bingo and snacks. Hostesses were Evelyn Hensley and Maxine Mueller.
American Legion Auxiliary held its Christmas party at the café Dec. 9. Hostesses Mary Ann Frantz and Dee Duggan had decorated in a festive spirit. After the meal, the group played card Bingo and sang Christmas carols, accompanied by Margaret Vinduska on the accordion. Bonnie Crandall, Amy Rehmert, and Beryl Steiner won the door prizes, but all present received gifts from the hostesses and from the unit president, Bonnie Crandall. Others present were Bonnie Funk, Lorene Kleiber, Maxine Mueller, JoAnn Nowak, Cathy Rehmert, Jane Vajnar, and Ruby Vinduska.
Because of early publication of the Christmas issue, there will be no Tampa news next week. Be ready with your news after Christmas.
