Merry Christmas
Mount Vernon native Joel Riley of 610WTVN Radio, center, was the grand marshal for Saturday’s Mount Vernon Christmas Parade. Riding with him on his sleigh, which was pulled by Tami Vaughn and her team of horses, was his wife, Laura, and son, Justin.(Photo by William Hartman)
Young people Brice Newlon and Dylan Snyder, left, were making christmas decorations with the help of elves Dylan Mills and Darren Aethenent at Creative Foundations on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Virgil Shipley)
The First-Knox National Bank parade float won the Dan Emmett Best Overall award in the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade on Sunday. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
More than 500 Knox County Head Start kids and their parent enjoyed a spaghetti dinner at Kenyon College as guests of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Preston Hempfield, left, and his brother, Payton, do crafts with the aid of DKE members. Standing from left are Mike Spencer, Charlie Dienens, Brandon Casey, Taylor Hartwell and DKE president Sam Baker. (Photo by Virgil Shipley)
Members of the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 147 were collecting toys for their annual Toy Drive on Saturday. Lodge 147 consists of law enforcement officials across Knox County as well as retired officials. Pictured is Kandy Golden, at right, making a toy donation Saturday at Big Lots while collecting the toys were, from left, Wilson Warner, George Curry and Knox County Sheriff Office Capt. Dave Shaffer. Toys were also being collected Saturday at Walmart. (Photo by Alan Reed)
The Kenyon Athletic Center was filled with holiday cheer on Sunday as shoppers took advantage of the 44th annual Gambier Craft Sale. Unique items, such as these serving plates made from candlesticks, were found among the 99 crafters. (Photo by Samantha Scoles)
The bell choir from New Life Community Church provides music in the gazebo on Sunday during Fredericktown’s Christmas Walk. (Photo by Pam Schehl)
Mary Cline of Gay Street United Methodist Church, left, picks up 100 pounds of venison from Quentin and Tammy Combs for the church’s Hot Meals program. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
Santa waves to the crowd as he walks with members of the Utica girls basketball team during Wednesday’s Christmas Walk. (Photo by Alan Reed)
Auctioneer Jerry Scott, center, asks for bids on a truck renovated by the Knox County Career Center during the annual Food for the Hungry Drive on Saturday on Public Square. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
Jon King, a DJ for WNZR, helps unload the a car full of food items for their team. Melody Lahmon, with help from Deb Ackerman and Beth Arndt, collected the food to donate to Food for the Hungry. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday by the Knox County Compassionate Friends at the Angels of Remembrance memorial. (Photo by Pam Schehl)
Smiling for photos near the start of the Bladensburg Christmas Parade on Sunday are parade grand marshals Jim and Gwen Dugan. (Photo by Alan Reed)
Boy Scouts and volunteers come together to stock The Salvation Army food pantry during the Food for the Hungry drive. Seated in front is Salvation army youth director Adam Hansen. Standing, from left, are Cody Berges, Colton Gerber, Sienna Jackson, Dylan Burton, Katie Johns, Trenton Barton, Jesse Barnes, Trevor Mackie, advisory board member Kevin Mishey, Tyler Mackie and Joe Henning. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
“The response has been phenomenal, we appreciate the support,” Mount Vernon Fire Department Chief Chris Menepace said of donations to the department’s annual Christmas Gift drive. Firefighters kneeling from left are Capt. Chad Christopher and Bryan Cantrell. Standing from left are Jake Frederick, Jonathan Mooney, Chief Chris Menapace, Bryan Conant, Chad Chenault and Kelly Shira. (Photo by Virgil Shipley)
Mary & Martha ministry members prepare to wrap gifts for children they are reaching out to this Christmas. Pictured are, front row, from left, Elda Dix, Nancy Kent, Mary Ann Devore, and Phill Grant; back row, from left, Pat Jarrell, Debra Devore, Delora Miller, and Sharon Overly. Not pictured are Sally Johnson and Mary Pay. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
Music instructor Sarah Reyes, at right, leads students through motions in the tune “Song of Peace” during the winter performance of Rabbit’s Gift on Tuesday morning at East Elementary School. (Photo by Alan Reed)
Army man surprises his mom for Christmas
Army Spc. Nic Beeman, left, surprises his mother, Wendy Ford, on Tuesday. She wasn’t expecting him home for Christmas and they enjoyed a warm reunion. (Photo by Rhonda Bletner)
A manger scene is in the left foreground in this Christmas lights display on North Mulberry Street. Knox Countians are in the Christmas spirit as light displays like this one are up all around the county. (Photo by Virgil Shipley)