The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Harlem Civic Association's eleventh Country Christmas celebration was well attended last Wednesday evening. Strollers enjoyed a mild, but at times windy, evening for the annual event. City workers had hung electric decorations along the main street and volunteer groups decorated each light pole to their chosen theme. The town looked festive.

In the library lobby, Civic Association chairman Brad Becker, and association member Jim Nissen, were cooking popcorn and handing out bags to strollers. A few times, demand out stripped popcorn production and a short line would form waiting for the next batch to complete. It was a nice treat that could be enjoyed while walking and stopping at the various holiday venues.

The library was holding a used book sale and had a tree decorated with the entries in the Christmas ornament competition. Library Director Colleen Brommer, complete with a set of holiday antlers, said the ornament contest winners were Izzy Baker, in the children's division, and Helen Hornung was the adult division winner. The library's "literary tree" was still set up and lighted.

Out on the sidewalk, in front of the library, the Formula 1 students were cooking up Wildcat burgers. This group of Harlem High students won the state competition last year with their computer assisted designed and built race car. They have plans this year to field three teams in the design competition.

The Harlem Senior Center was serving chili, chili dogs and corn bread with lots of holiday treat choices for dessert. A short concert was presented by the Harlem High Chorus and there was a standing room only audience in the activity room at the senior center. Throughout the evening, the chorus sang at other locations in the downtown area.

Richman Insurance had its work counter piled with snack treats from sliced meats and cheese to vegetables and dips. A raffle for a rifle was also going on.

Back toward the north on Main Street there was a lot of activity at the Hitching Post. Families and groups of friends were digging into pizza around the booths at the tables. There were vendors with lots of holiday gift items and stocking stuffers. St. Thomas Catholic Church had a display of 13 miniature churches-Karolee Cronk described the number of churches as a "baker's dozen."

At KB's Deli, on up the street, the jolly old elf himself was welcoming kids and listening to their Christmas wish lists. Santa was available for some candid photos with the little ones.

The city's giant evergreen, in front of city hall, was strung with lights and the mayor flipped the switch to light the giant tree. A stiff wind gave the lights a bit of a psychedelic appearance as the lights were flung back and forth on the swaying branches.

It was a very pleasant evening. The main street was parked full of vehicles and strollers enjoyed the work of many volunteers who put the event together.