BGM Elementary students participate in a Christmas Music Program in the school auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 5. Students performed in three groups - kindergarten - second; third and fourth; and fifth and sixth grades.

    The Grinnell Friends Church brings the Christmas story alive in three scenes: the shepherds on the hillside, the stable, and the wise men on the journey, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 - 15 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. both nights. Each scene is complete with church members dressed in period costumes and a few live (if not ocassionally unruly) animals.
​     The presentation is designed as a drive-through exhibit, but families are welcome to park in our west lot and walk back through to get a closer look. We would love to have you join us this year as we reflect on the original nature of the Christmas story.
      The church is located at 1115 West St. So., Grinnell.

By J.O. Parker
 
        The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Holiday House Walk on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2 – 5 p.m.
The house walk is part of the town’s Holiday Traditions celebration being held in Brooklyn throughout the day.
      This year’s walk features tours of five homes along with the William Manatt House, better known at the Brooklyn Historical Museum.
        Tickets are still available at the door for all six locations for a cost of $15.
        Following is a short overview of each house on the walk:
 
The William Manatt House – Brooklyn Historical Museum – 304 Jackson St.
       The Brooklyn Historical Museum is a historic dwelling that is associated with the settlement of the town. William Manatt and his father, Robert, moved from Holmes County, Ohio and settled in Poweshiek County in 1848. The farmstead they developed eventually became the city of Brooklyn. Robert laid out most of the town in 1855. William sold property to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad for a $1, and it reached Brooklyn in 1862. He granted land to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1869. Manatt owned several businesses in town, which were ran by various family members, and he owned an estate that grew to 1,500 acres of land. He had this house built in 1869 on property that included a large barn, carriage house and pasture land. Manatt died in the house in 1906. His widow, Roxann, and two of his daughters, Thursia and Nellie, lived in the house until they died or moved out late in life. His youngest son, Coe, bought the house in the mid-1950s when Nellie moved out, and donated it to the city of Brooklyn before he died in 1962. It housed the Brooklyn Public Library until the Spring of 1999, and since then the Brooklyn Historical Museum.    The two-story frame structure features Italianate elements, especially the tall, segmentally arched windows and hooded crowns. Dental molding is found on the cornice. The porch that encircles half of the house is not original. The museum is furnished with period furniture, clothing and antique artifacts from the 1895 – 2000 era, along with displays from local residents who served or are serving in various government and military positions. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
 
Kris & Kayla Seitz – 614 Spring St.
        The Seitz’s ranch style home was built in 1973 with an addition in the late 1990s. The couple purchased the home in May 2023. It features four bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a finished basement.
        “The home is larger than it looks and though in town, features plenty of privacy and a spacious yard,” said Kayla.
 
Leah Keller – 204 E. Des Moines St.
        The Keller home is the newest being showcased in this year’s walk. It was built this year. The Keller family has lived in the home for nine months. The home features four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Leah said her favorite part of the home is the huge back yard.
       “I love the joy that decorating for Christmas brings to our home so when asked if I would take part (in the house walk), I said yes so, I could share that joy with others,” said Leah.
 
Craig and Jill Kalinay – 412 W. Des Moines St.
      The ranch style house was originally built in 1998-99 and the Kalinay family moved into the house in 2013. The Kalinays are the third family to own the house. It features approximately 3,000 square feet that’s finished with a basement living space and walk out patio. There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms in the house. There is a sunroom upstairs off of the living room and master bedroom. It has an attached garage with a basement garage as well. The couple has painted and updated most of the flooring and fireplace and added a bar to the basement living space. 
      “Our home fits us perfectly and we’ve been very happy living in town so close to the school,” said Jill.
 
Casie Olson – 904 Mills St.
       Built in 1900, the Olson family has lived in the home since March 2018.
       The house features four bedrooms, three upstairs with a full bath and one bedroom with master bath on the main floor. There is a half bath off of the kitchen. An added unfinished bedroom is located in the basement.
     “My dad (Gary VanTomme) and I finished the woodwork, trim and floors when the remodel was taking place,” said Casie. “My kids and I also worked on the demolition process with the contractor. It was a team effort.”
 
Erik and Amanda Christensen – 705 Jackson St.
       The Christensen’s brick craftsman home was built in 1914. Erik and Amanda have lived in the home since September 2015, and say they absolutely love it.
       The home features stunning original woodwork with stained glass built-ins and wood columns, hardwood floors and beautifully ornate original cast iron radiators.
      The couple has renovated bathrooms and added some period accurate tiling. They have added some other touches as well, like planting a couple thousand tulip bulbs that bloom around the house in the spring.
       “Our focus when styling the home has been on letting the traditional beauty of the house really shine,” said Amanda. “We are very proud that we get to continue the preservation of this grand old house.”

Kris & Kayla Seitz – 614 Spring St.

Leah Keller – 204 E. Des Moines St.

Craig and Jill Kalinay – 412 W. Des Moines St.

Casie Olson – 904 Mills St.

Erik and Amanda Christensen – 705 Jackson St.

        The annual Friends of Drake Community Library is hosting its Festival of Trees Kick-Off on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Grinnell Middle School Jazz Band will perform at 6 p.m. followed by the GMS Honor Choir. Come vote for your favorite tree with your money and support the library. Want to decorate a tree to help Friends raise money for the library? Register your tree with the Friends. Thank you for your support of our community library!