DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

We all know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. We know Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. And, yeah, we know Rudolph.

But just how well do we know them?

The roots of Santa's mystical flying chauffeurs date back nearly two centuries, to a poem that first appeared in Upstate New York. Their names have evolved, as have some of their attributes. Here's a brief history of Santa's eight reindeer.

The Troy SentinelThe 1823 poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" first introduced the concept of the modern-day Santa and his reindeer. Today, the poem is better known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

That poem originally appeared anonymously in the Troy Sentinel -- a daily paper in Troy, N.Y., a town near Albany. It referred to a "miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer."

"A Visit" became the basis for much of modern Christmas lore, and its details about St. Nick and his reindeer would go on to be the subjects of countless songs and literary works.

The total number of standard reindeer grew to nine more than a century later when the most famous reindeer of all joined the fray. Rudolph was first introduced in 1939 in a children's book by Robert L. May. The red-nosed reindeer was canonized in the popular 1949 song by Gene Autry and again in a self-titled stop motion animation film in 1964.

Dunder and Blixem?The names of most of the reindeer have remained unchanged from the original 1823 poem, with the exception of those last two: Dunder and Blixem. The change in subsequent years to Donner and Blitzen has become the cause of an authorship controversy over the anonymous poem.

American poet and theology professor Clement C. Moore first took credit for the poem. In 1836, a reprint of the poem cited him as the author. Some scholars, however, now believe a Dutch New Yorker named Henry Livingston wrote the poem. Here's why:Moore reprinted the poem in an 1844 collection of works, in which he altered the last two reindeer names to Donder and Blitzen from the original Dunder and Blixem.

"Dunder and Blixem" is a Dutch expression that means "thunder and lightning." While Livingston spoke Dutch, Moore spoke German. The 1844 reprint changes "Blixem" to "Blitzen." The latter is the German word for lightning, while the former is Dutch.

The change of "Dunder" to "Donder" was likely an error that Moore failed to notice when he reprinted the poem (since he didn't speak Dutch). Eventually, "Donder" became "Donner," which is the German word for thunder.

'All of the other reindeer...'The eight original reindeer and Rudolph have become the accepted sleigh-pulling team for Mr. Claus. But popular culture is littered with additional reindeer.

LOCAL NEWS Are you in need of grocery delivery service? Call 620-228-5570 for more

information on this new service.

La Harpe Days T-Shirts available at City Hall.

While inside City Hall you are required to wear a facemask. If you are in need of a face mask the City office has a some to share.

If you need assistance after-hours please call the Iola Dispatch Center at (620) 365-1437, they will notify the proper personnel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL LAHARPE CITIZENS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH!!!! MAY YOUR DAY BE AS SPECIAL AS YOU ARE TO US!

A note from our City Superintendent;

Hello Everyone,

I want to share with you, some important information; if you own a generator hooked into your house electrical circuit, did you know, while running a generator during a power outage you are actually back feeding energized electric through the City powerlines? If you need to run a generator during a power outage please take a few extra steps to keep our City crew safe:

1) turn off main breaker in home

2) turn off disconnect outside, below electric meter

Taking a few minutes to do these 2 very important things will save a life!

Thanks again, Mike Hedman

Dates to remember:

December 9th: COUNCIL MEETING AT CITY HALL AT 7:00 P.M.

December 21st: PRIDE Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall

December 24th: City Hall will be closing at noon.

December 25th: City Hall will be closed. The City staff would like to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

December 28th: Past due Utility shut off date.

If you can’t pay your account in full at this time then you must submit your reasoning to the City Clerk BEFORE December 28th.

CITY COUNCIL NEWSCITIZENS CALL FOR BUSINESS

a) Richard Luken shared with the Council that the clean-up was very successful. We had 34 volunteers those included the help from the Latter-Day Saints missionaries and Nelson Quarries provided the equipment. We ended up cleaning 20+ properties. The Friday after Thanksgiving Pride will start work on the volleyball pit. Pride is hosting a Christmas lighting contest this year, winners will be announced December 22, 2020. Richard shared a flyer for a sign for the bicycle pump track and just wanted your opinion. Mayor Crowell stated she would have Fred review it but other than that it looks good. Marcia Davis mentioned they will be installing a frost-free hydrant by the track to keep it moistened. Austin Lee questioned whether we had a water line in that area. Mayor Crowell mentioned she will have Mike Hedman check it out. Mayor Crowell shared that she had talk to Elaine Stewart and she is doing better and was very sorry the Veterans dinner had to be cancelled. She is working on a few things for December, most will be outdoor activities.

NEW BUSINESS

a) Thanksgiving/Christmas for employees- Michelle shared last year $120.00 was given to full time employees and $100.00 was given to part time employees with taxes withheld from both, she asked the Council if they wanted to do the same this year. Danny Ware Jr made the motion to give all employees $120.00 with taxes withheld. Austin Lee seconded. Motion carried 2-2 with Sharlyn Thompson and Cynthia Carr opposing. The Mayor opposed to break the tie and asked for another motion. Sharlyn Thompson made the motion to give full time employees $120.00 and part time employees $100.00 with taxes withheld from both. Cynthia Carr seconded. Motion carried 2-2 with Danny Ware Jr and Austin Lee opposing. The Mayor approved this motion and asked Michelle to issue checks December 1, 2020.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a) Heating & Cooling bids – Mayor Crowell stated the grant for the digger truck needs to be closed before we can move forward on a grant for the heating and cooling, I am wanting it closed by year end so let’s table this until the January meeting. She stated if it closes before that then we will move forward.

b) Per Diem- Mayor Crowell stated we need a motion to rescind the previous vote and word it correctly this time. Danny Ware Jr made the motion to rescind the previous motion from the September 9, 2020 Council meeting. Austin Lee seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Cynthia Carr made the motion to have the employee turn in receipts and the City will reimburse them, not to exceed $35.00 a day. Danny Ware Jr seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

c) Electric School for Dereck- Mayor Crowell asked Fred to work up a contract to cover costs the City will endure and share at the next Council meeting.

d) Stop Signs – Tabled to Decembere) Agreement w/ County fire barn- Mayor Crowell mentioned line #2 need to have the

word truck listed as trucks but other than that it looks good to go to the County

Commissioners. Dany Ware Jr made the motion for Fred to submit corrected agreement to the County. Cynthia Carr seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

a) Fred Works, City Attorney – Attended meeting through Skype. Mayor Crowell shared with Fred we had a couple of scenarios on what to charge the outside city limit water users. She asked that Michelle and Fred get together on this and come up with an ordinance to look at in December or January. Fred suggested once we get the ordinance agreed upon then we have a special meeting with the users on these water lines sometime in March. Cynthia Carr stated she read that Gas requested an exemption to publish their ordinances on their website instead of an official newspaper and was wondering if that was something that we could do as well. Fred said he would look into it.

b) Roy Caler, Water Representative – Had nothing to report.

c) Penny Miller, Code/Animal Control – Absent from the meeting. Mayor Crowell stated that she has told Penny & Mike they did not need to be at the meeting during this Covid breakout. Penny shared her reports for the month of October. Austin Lee asked what the status was on the camper issue. Mayor Crowell stated that Fred and Penny worked up a letter and it has been sent to the property owner.

d) Marc Waggoner, Fire Chief- Absent from the meeting and no minutes were shared.

e) Mike Headman, City Superintendent –Absent from the meeting but shared his monthly report and workorders. Sharlyn Thompson asked where things were on fixing the utility pole that was about ready to fall over. Michelle stated it hadn’t been done yet because there are mixed feelings on what the City should or shouldn’t be responsible for. Sharlyn asked if Michelle got with Fred on the City’s liability and Michelle stated she spoke with Loren Korte and the City is insured to fix those poles if needed. Michelle suggested she get with Fred and come up with a policy on the electric and have it reviewed in December.

f) Michelle Altis, City Clerk – Shared 2 bids to fix the broken fan and radiator in the police car; B & E Repair submitted a bid of $523.59 and Quality Auto submitted a bid for $582.20. Mayor Crowell suggested we go with Quality Auto because they have worked on the Police car before. Sharlyn Thompson made the motion to take the police car to Quality Auto and get it fixed for $582.20. Austin Lee seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Michelle shared we were approved for the technology grant and needed to know what account to purchase the items from. Thrive will be reimbursing us $5,004.18. Danny Ware Jr made the motion to take the funds out of the General account. Sharlyn Thompson seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Mayor: City Attorney: Ella Mae Crowell (496-6219) Fred Works

City Municipal Judge: Police Chief: Patricia Miklos

Fire Chief: City Clerk: Marc Waggoner Michelle Altis

Assistant City Clerk: City Treasurer: Penny Ebert Teresa Driskel

Maintenance Staff: Code/Animal Control Mike Hedman – City Superintendent Penny Miller Penny Miller & Dereck Ranes

City Council Members: Austin Lee (496-2323) Danny Ware Jr. (496-2156) Cynthia Carr (496-7500) Sharlyn Thompson (496-3348)

Ron Knavel (496-2508)

Laharpe City Hall Hours: Monday-Friday

902 S. Washington 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-5:00 P.O. Box 10 Ph. (620) 496-2241 Laharpe, KS. 66751 Fax (620) 496-2240

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE; CITYOFLAHARPE.ORG

Buckeye Cookies III

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. You'll need wax paper, a double boiler, a cookie pan, and a medium bowl. In the medium size bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar (mixture will be stiff).

2. Shape into balls and place on a pan covered with wax paper. Place into the refrigerator.3. In double boiler, melt chocolate and shortening. Pour into bowl and dip balls with chocolate.

Refrigerate for thirty minutes until chocolate is firm.

Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2/3 cup evaporated milk 1/4 cup butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter

and salt. Bring to a full boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.3. Remove from heat and pour in semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. Stir until

chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours, or until firm.

Soft Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup margarine, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.

3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head, and was turning around,Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.He had a broad face and a little round belly,That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"