Plenty of holiday help needed

Talk about it

The Public Arts Commission of Two Harbors is encouraging businesses and private residences throughout town to light up the community. Commission member John Gregor said his group isn’t promoting “lavish displays but is hoping folks can join in as a community and put up something as simple as a couple of strings of white lights. The total effect can be so hospitable.”

And without lights downtown due to the ongoing reconstruction of First Avenue, lights there will be sorely needed to reflect the holiday season. 

Cooperative Light & Power is donating to businesses a limited supply of LED energy efficient lights and timers that can be picked up at the Moose-Cellaneous Gifts shop on Seventh Avenue.

Rick Osbakken from Agate Electric has volunteered to give suggestions on how to find places to plug your light in.

Gregor says lighting up the area can be a winter-long tradition to show the “pride we will all feel in being part of the winter beautification of our town.”

The Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County News-Chronicle will give recognition to businesses and homes with winning displays.

Give gifts

Lake County businesses, including the News-Chronicle, are gathering gifts for Christmas and the Caring Loving People of Lake County Toy Drive. The News-Chronicle also has a “Christmas Wishes” tree with specific gift requests from youngsters in the area. If you are at a loss as to what our local children would like for Christmas, stop by the office, pick a gift tag, and bring that item back to the News-Chronicle. The goal is to have each tag on our tree turn magically into a surprise for those less fortunate.

Ring bells

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers. The group spends about $22,000 in the community every year for people in need. Of that total, $20,000 is raised by the kettles during the holiday season. All of the kettle money is distributed locally for people in need. This year the North Shore Rotary has taken the lead to organize the bell ringers.

To volunteer or get more information, visit www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/ 472345634604496079. You can sign up on an interactive calendar. If the web is not your cup of Christmas tea, call Marty Byrnes at (218) 464-1213.

Two Harbors kettle sites are at Pamida, SuperOne, True Value Hardware, and the post office. Kettles will either be on site or at the local Lake Bank office for pick-up and drop off after your shift.

If there are other locations in Lake County, let the News-Chronicle know by calling 834-2141 or emailing us at chronicle@lcnewschronicle.com.

Pleas to Santa

The News-Chronicle will be printing Letters and Drawings to Santa in the Christmas Eve issue Dec. 24. Children should send emails or mail or drop off handwritten letters and artwork by Dec. 17 to be included in the special issue. We will print them and then forward the information to the North Pole. Send to chronicle@lcnewschronicle.com or Santa Stuff, P.O. 158, Two Harbors, MN 55616.

Tags: two harbors, community, family