Neilburg Composite School has recently received a donation of a microwave from Garth and Dolores Hollingshead. It will be used in the Grade 10 classroom. The Marsden and Neilburg Branches of the Synergy Credit Union have made a donation of $500 to the school. These funds will go towards the purchase of new microphones for the gym.
The Neilburg/Marsden United Church held their annual White Gift Sunday Dec. 9. The Children's Christmas Choir sang, The Huron Carol and Go Tell it on the Mountain. Nick Hein and Isobel Ramsay-Mackenzie gave short recitations. The older children also presented a play called Merry Christmas for Marvin. The event was organized by Joan Gibb. Brenda Gross made a presentation of a poinsettia and a gift certificate to Margie Poppleton, who has moved to Lloydminster. She is missed, but settling into her new residence there. Thanks was also given to Tom Poppleton for "filling in" the pulpit for Rev. Lorna while she has been recuperating from her illness. After the service a hot luncheon of turkey stew was served to all in attendance. The food stuffs and toys collected at the service will go to families in need this Christmas season.
Manitou Evangelical Free Church held their Christmas Cantata Dec. 16. The evening began with Carol singing and Myron Wiebe as the MC. Cliff Scott played a piano medley before Brooklyn Krahn sang, Do You See What I See?Barry and Janice Peters sang O Holy Night. Barry accompanied them on both guitar and violin. The Peters family also presented a piano solo and then Carson played Jingle Bells for his four-year old sister, Chloe, who brought down the house with her charming performance.
Mother and daughter duo, Sabrina and Hannah O'Grady sang a duet before Cliff Scott sang a solo. It included some passages in Japanese. Cliff also played the organ to accompany Joseph Schwaiger's trumpet solo. Myron and Ruth Wiebe and family sang All Hail the Power of Jesus Name before Kaylyn Koch sang a solo. Marie Plummer read the poem, What Martha Jane Lee Found Under HerTree. The country gospel group, Relative Harmony, sang several numbers, too.
Cowboy Poet, Gordon Allen, recited A Cowboy Prayer, which was composed by Badger Clark. Australian import, Andy Jones, sang three cowboy songs, including one titled, Christmas in Prison. The musical portion of the evening concluded with the Cantata. The choir consisted of Hazel Wiens, Ruth and Myron Wiebe, Cliff Scott, Adair and Sabrina O'Grady, Gordon Allen and Mandy Isaac.
The festivities then moved to the Christian Education Wing where an international Christmas celebration was set in place. Tables were set up with food and information from various countries including the Philippine Islands, Scotland, Scandinavia, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Mennonites, and France. It was a very enjoyable evening and folk lingered late into the night visiting with one another.
