Celebrating Christmas here & around the world

  • The Aurora Mall was a busy place last weekend. Not only were shoppers preparing for a holiday feast, a jolly gentleman from the north stopped by to give children one last chance to take a spot on his knee. Among his visitors was Peter Berthelsen, the son of Elliott and Abbie Berthelsen.
    The Aurora Mall was a busy place last weekend. Not only were shoppers preparing for a holiday feast, a jolly gentleman from the north stopped by to give children one last chance to take a spot on his knee. Among his visitors was Peter Berthelsen, the son of Elliott and Abbie Berthelsen.
  • Hampton High School held its Christmas concert Thursday night to sing in the season.
    Hampton High School held its Christmas concert Thursday night to sing in the season.
  • Marie Brasseur poses with her husband, Massimo, son Lino and daughter Lila in front of this year’s Christmas tree in her home near Waterloo, Belgium.
    Marie Brasseur poses with her husband, Massimo, son Lino and daughter Lila in front of this year’s Christmas tree in her home near Waterloo, Belgium.
  • Bags of gifts for residents of Grand Island’s Crossroads Mission fill the back of this minivan used to deliver the items provided by donations from local folks in response to a social media post telling of the need.
    Bags of gifts for residents of Grand Island’s Crossroads Mission fill the back of this minivan used to deliver the items provided by donations from local folks in response to a social media post telling of the need.
  • Edgerton’s “Santa’s Angry Elf Escape Room” opened to the public on Saturday for people of all ages to try to avoid being put on Santa’s naughty list. Above, Edgerton after school program students, Destiny Almont (left) and Asher Heiss test out the escape room prior to its opening.
    Edgerton’s “Santa’s Angry Elf Escape Room” opened to the public on Saturday for people of all ages to try to avoid being put on Santa’s naughty list. Above, Edgerton after school program students, Destiny Almont (left) and Asher Heiss test out the escape room prior to its opening.
  • The Giltner Elementary School Christmas concert was filled with holiday cheer and fun surprises during Giltner’s annual winter program last Thursday night. Among the surprises, the foul Mr. Grinch dropped in uninvited during the fifth and sixth graders’ performance. Calling out the Grinch (played by Maverick Consbruck) was sixth grader Avery Eastman.
    The Giltner Elementary School Christmas concert was filled with holiday cheer and fun surprises during Giltner’s annual winter program last Thursday night. Among the surprises, the foul Mr. Grinch dropped in uninvited during the fifth and sixth graders’ performance. Calling out the Grinch (played by Maverick Consbruck) was sixth grader Avery Eastman.

    The Christmas/New Year's Season is upon us and ANR is celebrating with the stories of holiday happenings from Hamilton County and as far away as northern Europe. In this week's print and e-editions of the News-Register, readers will find all of the usual news and sports reports, plus reprints of Sections A & B from last week's Christmas Edition which were not up to our normal high standards.
    The Christmas theme continues in our Dec. 24 issue. Look for these stories:

    Former Belgian exchange student to Aurora, Marie Brasseur, returns in this week's issue to talk about how Christmas is celebrated in her northern European homeland.
    Read about an outpouring of love from Hamilton County for the folks at Crossroads Rescue Mission in Grand Island through their “Giving Tree.” 
    Learn how an irritable imp from the North Pole is creating some holiday fun and adventure at the Edgerton Explorit Center in the Santa's Angry Elf Escape Room, now open through Jan. 5. 
    See photos of kids visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus at their various appearances around the area this season. There are also pictures from school Christmas programs over the past several weeks.

    Pick up a copy of the print or e-edition of the Aurora News-Register today!