I am writing this on December 13 and it has been raining all day. My wife says it looks like Wolf Creek is going to go out of its banks. At least it isn’t snow! Must be global warming and those darn Republicans causing it. On the other hand how much greater fall could we ask for? Just saw on Facebook the Des Moines Sunday Register state football players for all of Iowa. The Rebels did very well with Colton Dinsdale being selected to the Elite Team as defensive line backer, Dalton Schwartz, 1st team defensive line and Eric Stoakes as 1st team running back. What tremendous honors for these young men, your school and your towns. We are very happy and proud having you represent us. That also goes for all the rest of the GR football state champ team members. Congratulations on all the awards you have received. The big news here in Gladbrook is the Freedom Rock is being painted this week and hope to have it completed on Sunday, December 13. The Legion is planning an official unveiling at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 20th with a dedication to be done on Memorial Day, 2016. This is a great addition to our Memorial Park. Thanks to all for their donations of money and labor for this project. If you haven’t gotten upstairs in the City Center to see all the Christmas trees put up by various business and organizations, do it. They look great. Also drive around town at night. It seems to me that we have a lot more Christmas decorations on more homes this year than in the past. Nice weather seems to help on that. Thanks to all who take pride in our community and showing that Gladbrook is a nice town to live in. We had a large turn out for the Annual Christmas Tree lighting. Lots of kids enjoyed seeing Santa, the trolley ride and hot dogs and hot cider. The GR chorus did a great job in leading the Christmas carols. I’m not going to mention those who helped with the project because I’ll miss someone – so thank you for making it a fun night. Yesterday, December 12, was also a big day in Gladbrook. We had a great turnout for the Lions Soup Day which also had the Gladbrook Gals & Guys 4-H club cookie walk and the Vendors Fair going on in the Memorial Building. If that wasn’t enough to get you to come to our town, it was the annual kids free shopping day at the Peace Church. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is a time when kids can shop for presents for their parents, siblings and grandparents by themselves. The parents stay upstairs and the kids are helped by local volunteers. The church basement is full with gifts for all ages. Each kid picks something out for their relatives which is then gift wrapped by volunteers. There are many great items donated by the folks here and around the community. The kids have a great time shopping without their parents and it is all Free. Thanks to all who make this possible. On the personal side for the first time in 30 plus years, Jo and I got to go and watch elementary Christmas programs. It was a lot of fun. The GMG kindergarten, first, second and third grades did a tremendous job. This was on Tuesday, December 8 and the gym was packed with standing room only. Our grandson, Easton, is in kindergarten there. Then on Thursday, December 10, we went to Traer for the Pied Piper Preschool program at the library. Grandson, Casein, is in preschool there and again there was standing room only. Both programs were very good and well attended by parents and grandparents. They were both fun programs to watch. I need to wrap this letter up but first I would like to announce that we have a new librarian here in Gladbrook. Beth Wegner took over when Karen Collins retired. Beth is planning to have a lot of kids activities and has done a great job of decorating the library for Christmas. Stop in and welcome her to this new job and check out a book or DVD. There is always free conversation, coffee and goodies on Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00 – so stop in. Finally, Jo and I would like to thank everyone for making Gladbrook such a great town to live in and showing everyone that Gladbrook is indeed “Alive and Growing.” From the two of us, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keith Sash, Mayor