A big thank you to Mike and Kelly Todd for cleaning the artwork off the Allen City Hall in preparation for the new design. That was quite a job for them to take on but a necessary and a much appreciated one.

And thanks to Destiny Graham for keeping our windows decorated and looking good. Her talent is amazing and she’s so willing to share her expertise to keep us beautiful.

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Once again, Allen residents stepped up to take all the Angels off the Farmers State Bank tree in order to make Christmas better for local kids.

Our friendly postal employee, Daniel Graham, thanks everyone for his birthday wishes last week. Now he’s counting the days until he can retire (only four more years).

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The Mustang bands put on an excellent concert this past Sunday. All levels of musicians played their selections under the direction of Devan Bettencourt.

Allen is one of the few small schools still offering band as an elective. It has been shown over and over that music education is an asset to other branches of learning and we’re proud that Allen is able to offer it.

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It’s the season for Christmas programs and local churches are highlighting the talent of their youth. If your church isn’t having a special program, feel free to drop in and enjoy any church’s programs.

The children and teens from the Richmond Avenue Free Will Baptist will be performing this Sunday evening. The “littles” will do their songs at 6:00 p.m. followed by a play by the church teens.

Bethel Free Will Baptist will also be presenting their children’s Christmas program this Sunday evening.

And on Sunday morning, the Allen First Baptist and Richmond FWB have both announced they will not be having Sunday School (small groups) but will have a worship service starting at 10:00 a.m.

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Next week’s issue of The Advocate will have all the Allen Elementary School’s letters to Santa. And we’ve asked them to answer the question of, “If you would give one gift to one person, who would it be, what would it be and why.” Some of their answers are truly delightful.

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And, from Dianna and Cindy, have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!