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'Tis the season

CHAPPELL – With less than two weeks until Christmas, communities throughout the region are celebrating the holiday season.

On Sunday evening in Chappell, the community choir performed its third performance of the day and offered a festive hour-long concert to cap a weekend full of events. The choir, celebrating its 40th anniversary, presented "Night of Miracles."

At the conclusion of the cantata at Chappell United Methodist Church, former members of the group were invited to the alter to join in the singing of "Joy to the World."

In front of the nearly 100 community members who attended the event, narrator Ardeen McCord honored the contributions of some of the choir's longest serving members.

Karen Anderson, who played the piano, has accompanied the group for almost its entire 40-year history, McCord said.

Duane Newman, who sings bass, has sung with the choir during every year of its existence and is essential to the behind-the-scenes preparations, she added.

Director Cindy Miller, sopranos Sheila Cheleen and Dru Lutkehus, alto Charlene Sauder, tenors Ed Lutkehus and LaDene Rutt, and McCord all first sang with the choir at least 30 years ago.

Earlier in the weekend, the Chappell Chamber of Commerce hosted a Christmas celebration to support local businesses and gave away "Chamber bucks."

In Sidney, a craft fair with more than a dozen vendors was held at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp on Saturday.

Lodgepole residents gathered at the Depot Museum on Sunday afternoon to make Christmas ornaments and take photos with Santa.

 

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