I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and I hope that none of the good cooks in the area were put to too much of a disadvantage when the power went out about 11:30. I’m sure there was a lot of cussing when that happens right before everyone was finishing up cooking the big meal. Jo and I are lucky as we have a stand by generator that comes on about 30 seconds after the lights go out. We wouldn’t be without it It has been a big month here in Gladbrook starting with Halloween. This event is headed up by the Young Women of Today and the Gladbrook Commercial Club, the Gladbrook Library and many volunteers. The Young Women spent several days decorating the upstairs of the City Centre in a Halloween theme. It was very nice! The night started with the Methodist Church UMW serving hot dogs and water, then downtown to the Main Street starting at the west end where Becky Posusta had a trailer decorated for the small kids 5 years and under. Next was the library where Beth and all of her helpers spent a lot of time and money decorating for the older kids (6 to 70+ years). The upstairs was decorated very nice and scarey, then on into the basement where Scott Stephenson and Zach Wegner worked their magic in fixing up Gladbrook’s old jail and the rest of the basement. There were spooks and an electric chair where they were electrocuting the mayor. A lot of the young kids are not as brave as they thought they were – Just ask Bennett Schmidt and Casein Sash. After the jail everyone goes further into the basement torcher chamber and now things really get wild. A lot of our grade school and middle school kids were in charge here and really did a good job scaring everyone. Then on down the street where the Ambulance, Fire Trucks and Police car were next to the hay bale maze sponsored by Mandy and Spanky. We had over 250 kids plus their parents and a lot of visitors from the surrounding area Next was the Tree Lighting on November 20 and once again the Young Women of Today took control along with the Commercial Club to make this a continuing tradition here in Gladbrook. We had Santa Claus upstairs with the Frozen movie theme and a lot of decorated Christmas trees. Everyone had a good time along with Santa, Anna and Elsa and the Christmas tunnel. On Main Street Dennis Dostal and Vicki Lacina were there with the horse drawn trolley giving rides. This was the first year in a long time that we had nice weather and nobody froze too badly. Hot dogs and cider were available along with Christmas carols with Linda Goos and the GR Chorus around the Main Street tree. There were drawings where kids received a present sponsored by the Commercial Club and once again we had over 250 kids around the tree. If you were counting between Halloween and Tree Lighting, we had over 500 kids enjoying our town. A big Thank You to the Gladbrook Young Women of Today, the Gladbrook Commercial Club and everyone else who took part to make our town a great place to live and come to. Thank You Everyone! Along the same line of volunteering here in Gladbrook in 2018 we had over 7380 people at our theatre and 5110 visitors at Matchstick Marvels in nine months time. This really bring a lot of strangers to our town from all over the U.S. and also the world. When the final figures are in, we expect 2019 to be even better. None of this could happen with out Pat Acton’s continued help and support and all of the volunteers who help at both Matchsticks and the Theatre. You all help in keeping Gladbrook alive and growing. Thank You! Future dates to watch for are the new water meters that will happen soon, I hope. Be sure to take in the decorated Christmas trees upstairs at the City Centre. Lion’s Club Soup Day is December 14 starting at 10:30 to 1:00 serving chili, potato and bean soups, hot dogs and drinks plus a lot of homemade pies. There will also be a 4-H cookie walk and Farmers Market there too. Also on December 14 will be Kids Shopping Day at Peace Church where every kid is welcome to shop. Everyone come and enjoy our town. Thank You to all and have a very Merry Christmas!

Keith Sash, Mayor