Submitted by Kim Kaye King

(Photo courtesy of Jimmy Cummings)

GOOD CATS AT RISON - Rison High School has selected its Good Cats for the second nine weeks. Students are selected from a random draw of students who have not been written up for tardiness or received detention. The students receive gift cards from local businesses as rewards. Pictred are Aaron Mayfield (El Girasol), Jacob Weaver (Triple Cross), Jaxson Gross (Anytime Smoothie), Jimena Castillo (Corner Express), Ashleigh Johnson (Main Street Cafe) and Dakota Johnson (Pizza Pro).

Christmas in France

RISON ELEMENTARY ARTISTS OF THE MONTH - Rison Elementary Artists for the Month of December 2023: Top row, left to right: Jase Marshall, Jason Stephenson, Jakerria Cranford, Kently Newsom, Denaysia McCloud, Aria Brown, Ja'Elle Caldwell; bottom row, left to right: George Lodua, Bradley Severns, Isabella Clark, Layton Baldwin, Ana Taylor, Ashley Salvador. Not pictured: Gwen Williams.

POWELL PARK CHILI/SOUP COOKOFF - The Powell Park Winterfest Chili/Soup Cook-off that was originally scheduled on Dec 9, had to be postponed due to projected severe weather conditions. It was rescheduled to Dec 23. The first place winner was Juran Smith with Spicy Turkey Chili, second was Adrain Smith with Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, and there was a tie for third place with Billy Griddine with Deer Chili and Penny Morris with Zuppa Tuscana Soup.

VISITING SANTA - Virginia Brewer (left) and her daughter Sheila Smith (right) visited with Santa during the Pioneer Village's drive-thru lights event this past Friday night. Photo by Marty Bowlin.

Busy Bees at Christmas

SANTA VISITS NEW EDINBURG - Santa listens to one of his visitor’s wish list for Christmas while his helper (right, Melody Spears) hands Santa a gift to give to the child. Each year, the New Edinburg Community Center hosts a visit from Santa hands out gifts to boys and girls on the porch of the “Santa Shack” that is fully decorated in Christmas trees and othe decorl.

DECKING THE HALLS AT THE COURTHOUSE - The Christmas tree inside the Cleveland County Courthouse was decorated this year by the children of the office staffs. Pictured are Andrea McDaniel, Beau Herring, Mitchell Herring, Aria Brown, Lana Brown, Edie Ingram, Jeremiah Mull and Aubrie Mull.