DECATUR — The Decatur High School FCCLA will be passing a Christmas stocking at the Dec. 12 junior high basketball game to collect money for the Children’s Miracle Network. All the money raised will go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The FCCLA will also hold a canned food drive this month. The class that collects the most non-perishable food items will win a homework pass. The food will be donated to the Decatur Food Bank at the United Methodist Church. To donate food, contact Kathy Pannel at 752-3983.

Elementary Christmas Program

The Northside Elementary School Christmas Program and Bulldog Pride assembly will be held at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 17, in the school cafateria. Children in third, fourth and fifth grade will be performing in the Christmas program. Family and friends are invited to attend.

Winter Concert

The Decatur School Band is holding a Winter Concert at 7 p.m., Dec. 10, in the high school cafeteria. Family and community members are invited.

Christmas Parade

The annual Christmas parade will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 11. Line-up will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the Decatur City Hall. Santa Clause will be greeting children in the Decatur General Store before and after the parade. The First Baptist Church will be serving refreshments such as cookies, snacks and hot chocolate after the parade.

Christmas Decorating Contest

The Chamber of Commerce is holding a Christmas home-decorating contest. The contest will be judged on Dec. 17, and the winner will be awarded “Decatur bucks” which can be spent at any Decatur business.Toy Drive

Students in the Gifted and Talented Program are holding a toy drive for the Northside Elementary School Christmas Assistance Program. Community members are asked to donate new toys and stocking stuffers. Drop boxes will be at the elementary and high school offices, the Decatur State Bank, the Gallery Cafe and the Decatur General Store until Dec. 11. For more information, contact Allie Elliot at 752-7141 or Andrea VanSant at 752-3981.

Decatur Schools

Decatur schools will close for Christmas break on Dec. 21 if there are no snow days before then. If there are snow days, Dec. 21 and 22 will be used as make-up days. School will resume on Jan. 4. High school semester exams for class periods two, four, six and eight will be held on Dec. 17. Exams for periods one, three, five and seven will be held on Dec. 18.

Creators Cafe

Creators Cafe, a creative writing group, meets from 5 to 6:30 p.m., on the first Thursday of the month in the Iva Jane Peek Library. Activities include reading and writing poetry, discussions of famous poets and their work, challenges, slam and stand up, and contests and prizes. For more information, contact Lisa Brown at 212-0311.

Town Hall Meetings

The Decatur School District holds regular town hall meetings in place of school board meetings at 7 p.m., the third Monday of the month, in the high school cafeteria. There will not be a town hall meeting in December because it would fall during the Christmas break.

VFW Meetings

The Gentry/Decatur VFW Post meets on the first Tuesday of each month - at 7 p.m. during the winter months. New members and guests are welcome. The facility is 3 miles east of Decatur on Arkansas Highway 102, right on Tilly’s Hill Road, and the first building on the right.

News, Pages 2 on 12/09/2009