​By J.O. Parker
 
        When Dalton Roberts, a BGM staff member and coach, along with his brother, Eli, found themselves homeless late last week after their downtown apartment was damaged during a police raid on a neighbor's apartment, the good people of Brooklyn and the surrounding area came to the rescue.
           The brothers apartment at 142 Jackson St. was damaged in the raid on Thursday, Dec. 18.
          “As a result, they have lost access to their clothing and personal belongings, which were damaged in the incident,” noted Joe Tafta, the BGM Director of Student Services and Safety.
        Tafta and the school quickly sent out a message seeking donations to help the brothers. Dalton and Eli have since found a temporary home to live in while they put their lives back together.
        “While I felt stressed and anxious about the next steps, the community has truly stepped up, making this transition as smooth as possible,” said Roberts in a Facebook post. “I'm not a wordsmith, and I'm not sure there are enough words to fully express my thanks. I'm definitely feeling the love from our tight-knit community and the surrounding area.”
        If you would like to donate to Dalton and his brother, Eli, contact Tafta at the high school at 641-522-7058 or drop off your donation at the high school office.
      “I'm not sure how I can ever repay all of you,” noted Roberts. “I really do appreciate everything that everyone has done for Eli and I. If there's ever anything I can do, please don't hesitate to reach out.”

​Mrs. McClenathan, BGM Begindergarten Class 
 
Hi Santa! I have been very good this year. Santa I like it and I want a microscope. Mom will be good. I love Dad. See you later Santa! Love,  Brooks 
 
Hey Santa! I want a present. Kora would like a Gabby Dollhouse. Kora has been nice this year. I have been nice this year. Love, Cameron 
 
Dear Santa, Hi Santa! I would like dino this year. I have been nice this year. Do you wrap all the presents with toys inside? Daddy has been nice. Love, Carter
 
Hi Santa! I want a gingerbread man. I want to eat a gingerbread man. I want to get a present. I want to get a train track for the dining room in the house. I have been nice this year. 
 
Dear Santa, I have been a good friend. I will make a picture of you. I want to help you. My brother has been really good. I have been nice this year. Love, Cruz 
 
Hi Santa, I want a Nintendo switch. I have been good this year. I am going to leave cookies and carrots out for you on Christmas Eve. Love, Duncan
 
Dear Santa, I would like a cow this year. I want a cow like Helga the Heggerty Highland Cow. I would like a rainbow candy cane. I have been nice this year. Paiton has been naughty this year, but you should still get him a present. I will leave you a snowman on Christmas Eve, because you like snowmen. Love Greyson
 
Dear Santa, I like you. I want a toy robot. My brothers and I have been nice this year. Ryliegh has been good too. Your reindeer are fun. I will leave you cookies on Christmas Eve. I will give you hot cocoa, it will be by the cookies. I like your sleigh. Love, Jamie 
 
Hi Santa, I want a toy that is a gingerbread bakery. I want a stuffy toy elf. My brother and sister and I have all been nice this year. I am going to leave you Santa Gingerbread Men and Christmas tree cookies. I want WWE stars. Bye Santa! Love, Jaxon 
 
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. My brothers and my sister have been good this year too. I want gymnastics stuff. I want Pandy Pie and Merkat stuffy from Gabby’s Dollhouse. I will leave cookies and milk out for you on Christmas Eve. Love, Karley 
 
Dear Santa, Have I been nice this year? Has Shay been nice? I am going to give you cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. I want a whole Barbie house and Barbies. I want a little Barbie puppy too! Love, Linley 
 
Dear Santa, I want a big robot dinosaur, quetzacoatlus, the biggest pterosaur. I want a brown dinosaur that looks like a T-Rex. I have been nice this year.
Love, Lleyton

​Mrs. Kalinay’s BGM Kindergarten Class
 
Brynn Stadtmueller
Dear Santa, my name is Brynn.  I want a snow globe and I want snow in it.   I want uhm I want it to have a snowman in it. I want Santa inside it on the roof.  And for my sister what I want for her inside in the snow globe, I want me and her inside it.  I want some presents – a toy calendar, I want some make up with heart eye shadow.  I want some blush for 
Christmas and I want nail polish.  I want a toy snowflake.  I want some more coloring books with like a Christmas coloring book. I want to tell Santa Merry Christmas. 
 
Kaylee Kilmer
Dear Santa, Can I have a pony, a rock star pony?  I even want a panda bear that’s fake that’s made out of glass.  I even want, so you know the rubber band thingy that comes with lots of rubber bands and lots of hooks, I want that.  I even want a – let ‘s see there’s so many options – I want some clear white paper at home and some markers.  I even want a, lets see, I want to have a better barbie house.  I would like to add some barbie dolls and stuff, chairs and barbie clothes, yeah.  I want a new water bottle that’s purple and big. I want a brand new TV for my room and I want some squishes. I have a question for the reindeer – does the reindeer fly cause of the Christmas spirit? Merry Christmas.  
 
Brayson Jack
Dear Santa, I want two little baby puppies, one million dollars and one million Robuks.  I want the puppies to be babies.  I want to spend one million dollars on stuff to give to my mom like food and stuff. I’ll buy my sister a $200,000 Barbie house.  Happy Merry Christmas Santa.  I hope you have a great life in the North Pole and heaven, you’re the nicest grandpa I’ve ever seen that flies and gives us presents. I have a question about the elves, do they use cameras or their powers to see us? They have powers to see through walls. I’ll buy $200,000 Farrari for my grandma and chain saw for my dad.  I want an iPhone 17 for my grandpa.  I want one more thing, I’d like to tell Santa have a good day in the North Pole.  

Barrett Dayton
Dear Santa, I want a big trampoline, and I also want training wheels for my bicycle.  I want remote control monster truck with a medium sized ramp. I’ve been good and I am five.  Santa has magic and reindeer and a sled.  
 
Colton Driscoll
Dear Santa, I have a new baby brother.  And I don’t like when Riggs cries at night and he always doesn’t let me sleep.  And then at the Fire Station I got to go in the fire truck and ride in a parade before.  For Christmas I would like a shot gun for going hunting with my dad.  And I would like chocolate and a candy cane.  I want a toy dump truck, which actually is another one.  And then I would like two spare tires for one of my cars and then I would like a car that has four wheels with a pedal that I can push to drive.  And then I want an ice cream set that would be fun.  I think I want three race cars that I would take in a track, a three lane track.  And then a monster Jam truck, which would be the size of my Megalodon.  And that would be Grave Digger. I have two brothers, Riggs always screams at night can you help with that?  I get down and tell him he’s okay and he should calm down and then mom and dad come in.  I like Roudolph the best.  I like the elves because they work hard, they come down here and then report to Santa.  Merry Christmas Santa.  
 
Ivie Morrison 
Dear Santa, My name is Ivie and I’m having a baby sister soon.  I want smelly markers for Christmas.  I want a desk and a mini fridge.  I want a Stanley that’s blue.  And I want a bench thing to reach into my shelf.  I want a TV for my room. I like Dancer the best because he’s in the middle.  Merry Christmas!
 
Mathias Shaw
Dear Santa, For Christmas I was a skate board, a phone, I want a iPad.  I want uhm a bell, I can wake up with it.  That’s it.  
 
Eva Hadsell
Dear Santa, I want a real iphone, I might talk to Santa on it.  I want a motorcycle.  I want an actual car to drive in and I want a snow cone machine.  My favorite is apple, chocolate mint, strawberry and sour patch kids.  And I would like a lava lamp that’s blue.  I usually help somebody sometimes if they are hurt and when they are scared. I help them.  And if someone drops something I pick it up with them.  I want a hot cocoa maker because I think my mom wants them.  I want flowers and a tea cup for my Nana, because I think my Nana would like them.  I want a electric scooter to go to the school and even to my Nanas. I’ve been good even though I been fighting with my sister.  I want you to bring lots of presents like last time.  I want to give my mom and dad something, so they are nice again, maybe a lava lamp.  And a lava cup that has jems and sparkles.  Thank you and Merry Christmas Eve.
 
Evelyn Boyd
Dear Santa, I’m Evelyn, I’m 6 years old.  And what I want for Christmas is a stuffy maker, a slime maker and a comforter. I want the stuffy maker to make my brother stuffy’s because he doesn’t hardly have any.  I want to make colored slime.  Like a light purplish comforter with flowers.  How do the elves fly and why are they so naughty.  My elf is being so naughty, so got oranges and paper towels and made himself into a bed in all the oranges!  How do you fly so fast in one night?  Four hours isn’t that long. Why is your beard so fluffy? Merry Christmas.
 
Brixley Larsen
Dear Santa, I want a real life baby doll.  And I’ve been wanting a real puppy for Christmas.  And I’ve been wanting two real like white kittens.  Because I have another white inside cat at my house.  And I’ve been really wanting a baby hamster, snowball.  I’ll name the cats Snowflake. I really want to get my mom and dad a Apple watch and Apple phone.  And I want to get my sister Jaeda a iPad because she always sneaks on mine.   And I want to get my little sister Jennex a Minnie Mouse plushie. I want to get Ruger a Grinch puppy toy.  Remi doesn’t play so I’ll get him a treat and maybe a Rudolph puppy toy.  My sister is going to be so happy for Christmas because she’s getting Peppa pig but she doesn’t know that yet. I want to get my dad and mom one more thing – my mom a new gold necklace and my dad a new gold necklace so they have the same thing.  My inside cat, she’s really been wanting a toy foot to play with.  Have a happy Christmas at the North Pole with your Reindeer. 
 
Charlee Beumer
Dear Santa, I want a bubble Tea Baby Alive tea party set.  Even for my brother I want a Paw Patrol play thing.  If he likes it he will be excited.  I want Santa to get Nolan a Peppa Pig play center with a Peppa Pig house. I would really love playing with my brother with that.  It’s really fun to say – Peppa Pig.  I really really want a baby stroller and one for my brother.  A black stroller for Nolan and a pink stroller for me – that’s what my mom said.  Santa is going to get us everything!  Can I have a brush and candy? I have a question about the elf – she got into the sippy cup and squeezed herself into it!  She’s a tricky one, I really like an elf when she makes a mess because then we can dance all day.  I want a tea cup for my baby alive doll, baby tea cups – two for two of my babies.  I’ll get water from the bathroom.  On Christmas Eve I made pictures from Grandma 
Chris.  She’s going to get me kid braces when I turn 6.  Merry Christmas, thank you for getting me a bell Mrs. Claus and Santa for bringing me my elf friends. 
 
Lina Fragoso 
Dear Santa, I love your reindeers.  I am 5, my name is Lina.  Can we ask Santa what we want?  I want a fish stuffy, I want a butterfly kite. I want a Barbie doll princess.  Can she have purple hair?  I want a cat toy.  I want a bunny toy. I want a pink robot. I want a dog toy like Max.  A Max stuffy.  I want a Santa stuffy.  I already got something for Mommy.  We got Vanessa presents.  Also I love the North Pole.  I want a zebra toy.  I want to ask him about Reindeer.  Reindeer eat grass.  I want a mouse toy.  I want a kangaroo toy.  I want a baby pig.  I want a unicorn toy.  Merry Christmas Santa.

Mrs. Gritsch’s BGM Kindergarten Class

​Dear Santa, 
I really don’t know what I want, but I did tell my mom that I wanted a gymnastics doll. I don’t know what else so maybe some surprises. Maybe a hula hoop? Someday I really want to see Mrs. Claus so I can give you both a big hug! I know the elves will tell you if I’ve been good, but I think I have been! You are the BESTEST, Santa! And Mrs. Claus, too!  
From, Eleanor Burkle 
 
Hi Santa! 
How does Nelfie come to our classroom so fast? Can I please have a cat? A black, fluffy cat would be great! I will take care of it! Can I also have some slime? My little brother would like some chew toys, and my sister would like a tablet. My other brother would like a Nintendo Switch. I really like where my elves hide every day! It’s fun! I am going to leave you some cookies!  
From, Aspen Clark 
 
Dear Santa, 
I really want an American Girl doll. It’s the dog walker one. Emma also wants an American Girl doll. It’s the one with make-up. I also want another something for me! I want some real make-up! And a phone! What kind of cookies do you want me to leave you? Have a good Christmas, Santa! 
Love, Hailey Davidson 
 
Dear Santa, 
I really want a PS5 and an Armadillo Mine Expansion. I meant to tell you about the PS5 when I saw you a few days ago, but I forgot! I don’t know what my sisters want. I just can’t think of anything except maybe a new phone! My sister Addy & I have been a little naughty together, but Rella & I are good together! Sometimes she steals my cuddles though! How does Nelfie get to the school & back to the North Pole so fast? I make all the frosting for the cookies so I will make sure to put milk and cookies out for you! Thank you, Santa! 
Love, Jonah Hurst 
 
I love you, Santa! 
I really want fluffy socks for Christmas! I would like for them to be red & green ….. and LONG! I also want a water bottle. It doesn’t matter what kind, but I really want it to be red! Can I have some slime? It doesn’t matter what color! Would you get my dad a new iPad? I also want some more teacher stuff because I want to be a teacher someday. Could I have some new sweatshirts, too? They can’t be cotton though! I just found out I am allergic because I grew lots of bumps that started to get red & VERY itchy! How do your elves fly to the North Pole and always get there so fast? I will leave you cookies & milk! 
Bye Santa! Ayla Kriegel  
 
Hi Santa! 
I am telling you right away that I have been on both lists. My sister, Kinley, too! It was a couple times at our house that we might have been just a *little* bit naughty, but we have both been A LOT more NICE! I really want slime for Christmas! It’s the blue kind from Target! Can I have a hula hoop? I also want a Barbie! It has blue clothes on it, & it goes with a song my sister knows! Kinley would like a different Barbie than me, but it goes with the same song. It has some gold, white, & red on it! Have the reindeer been sick? I think they might get sick sometimes, too! I hope they are okay if they ever fall off the roof of a house! I think I’ll maybe leave some cookies AND brownies with milk!  
Merry Christmas, Santa! 
Kenna Kriegel 
 
Dear Santa, 
I am pretty nice to people so I think I am on the nice list! I hope so! I want a doll set that has the doll closet with it. I also want some skin care & make-up! Could I have some slime? I want it to be pink and blue! And maybe some Barbies! The ones I would want are Chelsea, Barbie, & Ken! My sister *really* wants a new phone! Is Nelfie bringing you the notes? I know I have a good one! What kind of cookies do you want me to put out for you?  
Love, Sawyer Kriegel 
 
Dear Santa, 
I wish for you to have a happy Christmas! And the elves, too! And even the reindeer! How do the elves just snap their fingers & BOOM they are somewhere else? I would like a Hot Wheels track & some Barbie dolls. I would also like a little reindeer toy. Well, I think I should ask if I am on the naughty list or the nice list? I think I am on the nice list probably, but I don’t know! I wish you a Happy Christmas, Santa!  
From & Love, Lydia Parker 
 
Hi Santa, 
I love you, Santa! I miss you because I only get to see you sometimes! I want two hula hoops for Christmas! I really want to try doing two at a time, but if it doesn’t work then I’ll just use one! I also need a piggy bank because I have been saving money. The Tooth Fairy keeps bringing me money for all my teeth, and I have *another* loose tooth already! And then I want a baby crib for my baby dolls. I did want a hamster, but my mom said not now for that! You always bring me three presents so it really wouldn’t be fair to get four, so I am saying no to the hamster! I’m going to leave you cookies and some carrots for the reindeer! I will put out the reindeer food, but it’s not for you so DON’T eat it! You will probably say, “That’s DISGUSTING!” I think that’s it!  
Bye Santa! Lennox Rhoads 
 
Dear Santa, 
I hope you like my tree! I really want a toy dinosaur and more NumberBlocks. For NumberBlocks it’s going to be one square all the way up to 100 squares! That’s really all I want! Why do the grown-ups not see the elves at school? I love you! That’s to Mrs. Claus though!  
From, James Rogers 
 
Dear Santa, 
I hope you are having a good time at the North Pole! I would like the Batman Headquarters toy and a Grinch stuffie! Can you bring my brother, Tucker, a tool bench suitcase and a wrench? I will put out some cookies for you! Mom forgets to do this sometimes, but Dad always remembers!  
From, Rhett Thompson

Mrs. Ehresmann, BGM First Grade
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Jeter. I am six years old. Thank you for your elvs to come to our hous to give us cande in our stocking. for Chrismas I want a Lego set of a house because I want little legos. I need a new huvr bord because my old one brok. Thats why I need a other one. How do you get in the skie? Merry Chrismas.
Love, Jeter   
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! my name is Lance and I am 7 years old. Thank you for the presints. can I have a lot of cool cars becuse I dont have cool cars. My ltl sistr needs the doctr because my litl sistrs hand needs to hel. How do you have majik because of the hat.
Love, Lance
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Kai and I am 6 year old. Merry Christmas! Can I please have Mareo Galixsee 2 because I think it is fun. I need help focising in class. Do you go to the uthr Domenchins and dlivr presints?
Love, Kai
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Coraline and I am 6 years old. You are nice. I want Robx because I play roblox. I need shos because som are small. How do you get majic? Thank you for the gifts.
Love, Coraline
 
Dear Santa,
I am Cohen and I am 7 yers old. I like your elvs because they are funy. I whant a psf and Maddin 26 and a machick 8 boll because the machick 8 boll tels you if you are bad ornies and Maddin 26 is a football gaem. I need medusen so I feel betr. How mene elvs do you have? See you soon!
Love, Cohen
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Jacobi. I am 6 years old. I like your sled. I want a remote kachrol rase car because it will be sooper fast. I need a baby crib for the baby. How do you go to all of the houge
Love, Jacobi
 
Dear Santa,
Hollo! My name is Lucas and I am 7 years old. your elves are funy. I want duck Decoos because I can duck hunt. I need my famley to have a good life. If you di who will be sant? How old are you Santa are you rel?
Love, Lucas
 
Dear Santa,
The wintr. How mene elfs do you have. Thank you Santa.
Love, Jaxon
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Jaxon and I am 6. Thank you for the presents. I want a blue square needo so much fun to squish. I need worm clos.
Love, Jaxon
 
Dear Santa,
Hi and Hello! My name is Brandon and I am 7 years old. I like you becuse you are Santa. Did you sprinkle out stars? I want sun and moon becuse I am good kid! I need my mom and dad and brother asll so bad. I taly lovs LaBafan. I know she gives gifts. 
Love, Brandon
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Briella and I am 6 years old. Happy Christmas! I want for Christmas! I want for Christmas Kpop demons grls because they are cool. How are your randers and how are your elfs? 
Love, Briella
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Eleanor and I am 7 years old. y are so jolly. All I want is my famly because famly is the most in potint thing My Mom need’s medsin because she is sick much Is Dasher the most papylr? See you soon.
Love, Eleanor
 
Dear Santa,
Hello!! my name is Bayliegh and i am 6 years old. You are sopr nice!!! Please can i have a k pop dols because they are fun!!! My mom needs her back to hel because she is brock it! How old are you? Merry Christmas!!!! Love, Bayliegh
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Addi. I am 6 years old. Merry Christmas! for Christmas I want more babie stuff because I want more I need my brothers hand to heel because he needs to move it. Is coment the most popeler raindeer? Merry Christmas!
Love, Addi
 
Dear Santa,
My name is Remingtyn and I am 6 years old. Your elves are funny. I want a new eyegad because my old one is brokin. My moms back is iche so she needs help. If you diy then who is going to be Santa? Merry Christmas!
Love, Remingtyn
 
Dear Santa,
Hi my name is Barrett. I am six. You are the best. Can I ples have a big pokmon card because I dont have that mach pokman cards. I need my medsin to feel bedr. How mine rander do you have? see you son Santa.
Love, Barrett
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Bishop and I am 7 years old. you are jolly and you are funny. I want love because it is so nice I need water because you need to stay alive How many elf do you have? Merry Christmas! 
Love, Bishop
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My nam is Kason and I am 7 years old. You are the best. I want a x box because iss so fun to play my bluther. could I please have snowy dos for Crisms. How old are you? Thanke you and see you sown!
Love, Kason
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! I am Rella and I am 8 yers old. You are jolly! I want Mrs. E. to have a brak because she wrx hrad. I need diprs for me because I had a kinde srje. Haw mene Elfs are there? Ho Ho Ho Santa Biy tel Candy kan hiy!
Love, Rella
 
Dear Santa,
I am Zayden I am 7 years old. Thank you for presints. Can I get a airoft gun fulle otomatic for christmas? I need new P.E. shas because my P.E. shas are too low. How do you cary so many toys? Travl safly.
Love, Zayden 

Mrs. Fragos, BGM First Grade

​Dear Santa
I already met you before, but hi Santa!  
I wish for Dino Smashers! Like any of them, but I really want the one with Christmas lights because I’ve watched that before. Like A LOT of times! I also want a figure ….. like a big volcano or tiger. Like it is REALLY big & it comes with the volcano, but do NOT bring the one that isn’t really fun! That one is way too boring! No more talking from me, Santa! That’s enough for now. 
From, Phoenix Santosus 
 
Dear Santa
Hi! My name is Scarlett I want slime for Christmas. Thas yow for given me that for Christmas. I want slime because. I luve plaeg with slime I want a new fon and a new tve. I need a new Sorphr because it is not wrken vare gud. Thak you Sana,
Love, Scarlett
 
Dear Santa
My name is Jack. Hope you have snow at the North Pole. I don’t like snow because it’s too cold! I would like another Toney character. Merry Christmas, Santa!
Love, Jack
 
Dear Santa
Hi! My name is Hollis Strachota are my Elfs goween to bo suthen nodee? I want a XBokx Cinchrr plees because myn has stik jrift. Can I have a new atowe 2 plees. I need a Bug kedor because my sistr named Kardyn skard fo bugs. Have fun at Chrismis eev.
Love, Hollis
 
Dear Santa
Hi! My name is Jacob. Did your elf get wrapped up? For Christmas I want a tablet. I would also like a Lego car. I need a charger for my tablet because it keeps dying. 
Love, Jacob
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Rax. How are you doing Santa? I want 4 frogs and 4 scorpions because they hide. I want a snow globe. I want a bug net to catch bugs. I live on Summit Street.
Love, Rax
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Ryder. Are you having a good day at the Nerth Pl. Tell yer elf to not mes a round. I want a x box for Crismas because I like to play farming sem. I wan a toy snoe pwow. I need a noo fiyer a rarm becauses all of them ceep braking. You are the best santa ever. Thank you.
Love, Ryder
 
Dear Santa,
My name is Kate. I hope you are having a grat day. Ples can I have a A cat plushe because I realy want it. and it is squishe. I also want a sled. And My mom needs medisin because she is sic.
Love, Kate
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Simon. I think you are the best. for Christmas. I really want a morf because they are dooln to moov. I want a Nintendo swish. I really need new chapstick because my lips cep geting drie. Thank you santa.
Love, Simon
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Harlee Massenagle. I hope you have a grate Christmas santa and Mrs. Cloz. tell your funy elfs do not do bad stuf. santa can you get a barbe home because I like to play with it santa. Thank you. I also want a new vanada for my room. Because my sister and me need it. santa you are grate santa to make stuf.
Love, Harlee
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Kora. make sure that your elfs are ready for christmas? I want a camera because I can take family pictures. I also want crunchy slime. Mom neds gluvs. Dad neds socks.
Love, Kora
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Barrett Upoh. Is Miss cloz and your randear doowing good. I want a I atendo 2 because their very fun. I also Love a magik eight ball. I need new hadoos because my old hadoos are to snoll. 
Thanks you santa.
Love, Barrett
 
Dear Santa,
Hello! My name is Naylea. How are your elfs doing? I want a phone because if I get lost I can call my Mom or Dad. I also would like a cotin cande mshing I also need hrd mittin because I have a flufe mittin. They make my hand cold. Have a good day.
Love, Naylea
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Paisley. I wonder how you are doig at the noth pol. are your elfs doing a goodd Jobs for Christmas I want a huv bord because my ant used to have one. I allso want a camra. My mom allso needs mor bandads. You are the best.
Love, Paisley
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Jordan! Mrs. Clos and santa how is your day. I want a rmee costoom because I like rmee thing. I would want a rmee lago. I need new glubs because I ceep loozing them. 
Love, Jordan
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Isik. I hope your elfs are being good and I hope you have a grat day. For Christmas I would like Don’t Brak the Ice because it looks like a fun game. I wold also like Robux  and Vbux. I need new snow pants. Thank you Santa,
Love, Isik
 
Dear Santa,
Hola! My name is Forst Lang. I wsh you are haveng a good day. Can I please have a Nerf tanck because it wood be fun to play with. I osl want a nintendo two for chrismis. I need new glas. I hop you fall for my trap. 
Love, Forest
 
Dear Santa,
Hi! My name is Natale Pluvial. I like you ef. I like redy for christmus. I wol Slim and legos. I need book mine are wet. Crems.
Love, Natalie
 
Dear Santa,
Hola, My name is SharKalya Heishman I hope you have a grat Crismis. For Crismes I want a X box because my ants boyfrend dus not let me play on it. also would like a runpunscol doll. My mom needs a new job because Denny’s cloed. Can you giv my dad new gahs and can you giv my sistr a new three robot cars. 
Love, SharKayla

Mrs. Henkle, BGM Second Grade
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I have helped on the bus. One thing I need is a pair of 2 belts. One thing I want is dirt bike pads. I want to get Levi a James Cook jersey. 
Love, Beau 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I need tennis shoes. I want a toy DRex and a toy army truck and the doors open. I want a baby stroller for my sis. 
Love, Jalen 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I have helped my grandma make cookies. One thing I need is a new pair of socks. I want a bead kit. I want to get new books for my cousin Oliver. I also want to get a rattle for Claire Marie and a teddy bear for Harvey. 
Love, Elise 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very good this year. I have helped my mom make supper. One think I need is socks. One thing I want is an iPhone 16 pro. One thing I want for my sis is a four wheeler. I want my dad to bring me to school every day. 
Love, Oliver 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been kind of bad this year. I am sorry. One thing I need is new pants. One thing I want is a lot of football cards. I care for my dad because he is nice. I would give my dog a present which would be a treat day. 
Love, Dempsey
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very very good this year. I have helped my mom when we moved. One thing I need is more socks. One thing I want is an elf doll. For my baby brother I would give him a fruit shaped teether. 
Love, Korbyn 
 
Dear Santa Claus, 
I have been very good this year. I help my mom clean. One thing I need is new high heels. One thing I want is cinder joys. I wish that my sister Maggie feels better. 
Love, Charlotte 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I helped my dad this year with the deck. I need a new game. I want a dirt bike and a drex. I want to get Lincoln a Xbox. 
Love, Graham
Dear Santa, 
I have been very good this year. I have helped Charlotte when she got hurt. One thing I need is a new water bottle. One thing I want are high heels. 
Love, Korbyn
 
Dear Santa, 
I have helped hold a door. I need a belt. I want a Josh Allen jersey. One thing I would give Beau is a James Cook jersey. 
Love, Levi
 
Dear Dear Santa, 
I have been very very good this year. I have helped my mom when we moved. One thing I need is more socks. One thing I want is an elf doll. For my baby brother I would give him a fruit shaped teether. 
Love, Korbyn 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I have helped on the bus. One thing I need is a pair of 2 belts. One thing I want is dirt bike pads. I want to get Levi a James Cook jersey. 
Love, Beau 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I need tennis shoes. I want a toy DRex and a toy army truck and the doors open. I want a baby stroller for my sis. 
Love, Jalen 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I have helped my grandma make cookies. One thing I need is a new pair of socks. I want a bead kit. I want to get new books for my cousin Oliver. I also want to get a rattle for Claire Marie and a teddy bear for Harvey. 
Love, Elise 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very good this year. I have helped my mom make supper. One think I need is socks. One thing I want is an iPhone 16 pro. One thing I want for my sis is a four wheeler. I want my dad to bring me to school every day. 
Love, Oliver 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been kind of bad this year. I am sorry. One thing I need is new pants. One thing I want is a lot of football cards. I care for my dad because he is nice. I would give my dog a present which would be a treat day. 
Love, Dempsey 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very very good this year. I have helped my mom when we moved. One thing I need is more socks. One thing I want is an elf doll. For my baby brother I would give him a fruit shaped teether. 
Love, Korbyn 
 
Dear Santa Claus, 
I have been very good this year. I help my mom clean. One thing I need is new high heels. One thing I want is cinder joys. I wish that my sister Maggie feels better. 
Love, Charlotte 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I helped my dad this year with the deck. I need a new game. I want a dirt bike and a drex. I want to get Lincoln a Xbox. 
Love, Graham 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very good this year. I have helped Charlotte when she got hurt. One thing I need is a new water bottle. One thing I want are high heels. 
Love, Korbyn 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have helped hold a door. I need a belt. I want a Josh Allen jersey. One thing I would give Beau is a James Cook jersey. 
Love, Levi
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been very good this year. I have helped take care of my baby cousin. I really need some new tennis shoes. For Christmas I want a mini fridge. I would get my mom some mechanical pencils and some erasable pens. 
Love, Marilee 
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been good this year. I have helped my friends. One thing I need is a new water bottle. One thing I want is a new iPhone. I want to get Marilee a new iPhone. 
Love, Madelyn 
 
Dear Santa, 
Something nice I have done is hold the door for my mom. I need a new hair clip. I want a new horse. I want to give my dad the best day ever. 
Love, Camryn 
 
Dear Santa,
I have been good this year. I have held the door for someone. One thing I need is a new phone in case of emergency. One thing I want is Roblox on my iPad. I want Levi to have a four wheeler. 
Love, Lincoln 
 
Dear Santa, 
This year I have helped my mom feed my baby brother. One thing I need is help to be more caring toward others. I would really like some kinetic sand to play with this year. If I could, I would like to get my cousin a PS5. 
Love, Aleah
 
Dear Santa, 
I have been a little bit bad but good this year. I have been doing good things like when someone was getting bullied I helped them. One thing I need is a new pair of shoes. One thing I want is a new house. One thing I want to give Jordan Love is a letter from me. 
Love, Lane 
 
Dear Santa, 
I been good this year. I want a tablet. I need clothes. I want mom to have family pictures of all of us of a snowglobe. 
Love, Autumn

​Mr. Pavey, BGM Second Grade
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I helps with this year is getting snow off the driveway.  One thing I need for Christmas is a book. One thing I would like is an X-box.  For my mom I would like to give her a puzzle and my day a fire hydrant ornament.
Ethan
 
Dear Santa,
When my mom has daycare, I help her with children.  I need more clothes for Christmas.  I would like an Ipad for Christmas, I know that is a lot of money. I want my whole family to get everything they want.
Kye
 
Dear Santa,
I washed the dishes for my mom.  One thing I need is more rags.  One thing I would like for Christmas is a Hover Board.  I would like to grandma to get a blanket.
Esmae
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone else is I helped my little brother get a snack.  One thing I need is clothes.  One thing I want for Christmas is an I pad with Messenger.
Emma
 
Dear Santa,
I helped my friend pick up his stuff.  I need new pants.  I want a soccer game for PS4.  My mom needs some makeup.
Noah
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone is in the morning I held the door for people.  One thing I need are gray flared pants.  One thing I want is a small fuzzy giraffe. 
Meredith
 
Dear Santa,
I went to church almost every Sunday!  Can I please get some pants, thank you.  Can I please have an Ipad, thank you!  Can you please get my sister a book, thanks.
Avery
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone else is one of my friends got hurt and I helped him up.  One thing I need is a new pair of cowboy boots.  One thing I want is an eye mask.  I also want a chewy toy for my dog Beau Beau, the doggo.
Nathan
 
Dear Santa,
I made my sister a present.  I need 100 dollars.  I want an I Phone 16 Pro.  I care about my sister, I want her to have an electric scooter.
Jaxton
 
Dear Santa,
I helped my mom open the door because she is on crutches.  I need clothes.  I wan an Ipad. Can you get my mom some medicine.
Penn
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone else I helped my sis with her homework.  I need a new toothbrush.  I want a Christmas blanket.  I want Meredith to have a wonderful Christmas.
Cora
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone else is I gave them an X-Box.  One thing I need is deodorant.  One thing I want is an X-Box.  I care about my dad and I want to give him some new work pants.
Briggs
 
Dear Santa,
I have multiple things for my mom because she has to take care of the baby.  I need by brother to stop picking on me.  I want a T.V.  I would like a copying cactus toy for my sister.
Kyan
 
Dear Santa,
I helped my mom with the dishes.  I need fuzzy purple pants that are soft.  I want a dog stuffy that is white and brown.  I care about my mom because she cares about all of us.  Can she have more Packers stuff.
Ana
 
Dear Santa,
One thing I did for someone is that I took care of someone.  One thing I need is some toothpaste. One thing I want is a VR Headset.  I want my mom to have a cat that doesn’t run away from her.
 
Dear Santa,
I stuck up for someone once.  I need new headphones.  I want a new phone.  I want to give my sister a Labubu doll.
Sunny
 
Dear Santa,
I gave someone a snack that didn’t have one.  I need Crocs for Christmas.  I would like a Stitch blanket.  I would like to take a trip somewhere we can do pottery.

      A colorful nativity scene was one of many on display at the St. Mary's Catholic Church "No Room at the Inn" on Friday, Dec. 5 in Grinnell. The annual display features nativity scenes from across the globe.

​By J.O. Parker
 
      “No Room in the Inn” was the theme of the nativity display at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell on Friday, Dec. 5.
       The event has been held since 2008, outside of couple years during Covid, and features numerous nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus.
      Some were American based and others featured nativity scenes from other countries. Some where big and featured elaborate displays while others were simple and brought peace and comfort.
       While milling around the room, guests enjoyed the various nativities and reading the stories that went with them. Some in attendance enjoyed hot coffee or juice and cookies.
        Doris Hotchkin, who helps host the yearly event, recalled a nativity scene on display from few years back.
While looking at the various nativities that year, she noticed one that was in her words, rough around the edges.
        “It had a story with it and I read it,” said Hotchkin.
        She said when the couple got married they didn’t have a nativity scene because they couldn’t afford it.
        Hotchkin went on to say that the wife of the couple went to the dime store and bought one piece of the nativity scene each year.
       “Each piece had been 10 cents” said Hotchkin. “Reading the story made it the best piece in the display because of the story.”
          Another couple at the nativity display was Doug and Megan DeJong of Grinnell.
          “It is very calm and peaceful,” noted Doug. “The music is beautiful.”
        “It is nice to see the nativity scenes,” noted Megan. “They show a different side of the common businesses of Christmas.”
           “It is amazing to see all the nativity scenes from all over the world,” added Doug.
          “It is just amazing,” said Megan. “I’m excited to bring ours next year.”
           Megan said her grandpa made the manger scene.
           The St. Mary’s Social Action Committee hosts the nativity program.
          “We invite all area churches to bring nativities to display,” said Connis Dayton, community chairman at the church.
          Attendees are asked to make a donation to see the nativity scenes. Funds raised are used as follows:
        • 50 percent goes to St. Josephs Emergency Family Shelter in Des Moines.
        • 25 percent goes to MICA Food Pantry in Grinnell
       • 25 percent goes to Brooklyn, Grinnell and Montezuma Ministerial Associations to help local and transient homeless, and near homeless persons.
        “It’s been a way to bring churches in Grinnell and the surrounding area together to celebrate the birth of Jesus ,” said Carolyn Grosenbach of Grinnell.
        “It is a very nice event,” added Sharon Mealey. “I look forward to coming and enjoying the nativities each year.”
         “It’s very well received by the public,” said Tommalou Jay of Grinnell.