--It’s not about what you know but who you know.  Saturday afternoon the New Haven Preservation Society’s connection at the North Pole made it possible for Santa Claus to stop by the Walt Theater for the sixth straight year.

Photo provided by David Menke
Pictured left to right are recently elected officers of the New Haven Preservation Society. Judy Kemp, Historian - Colleen Kuhn, Vice -President - David Menke, President - Dee Sewell, Secretary - Marian Kelley, Treasurer.

The Preservation Society is sponsoring "Santa at the Walt" this Saturday, December 8.  Doors will open at the Walt Theater in downtown New Haven at 12:30 with a showing of Christmas cartoons beginning at 1:00.

Photo by Kyle Quick

New Haven, Mo. – I bet few people, including myself, knew that New Haven has a Community Christmas Tree.  In fact we’ve had the tree for four years after Hennigs Automotive donated the tree in 2008, at the time known as GDX.

New Haven, Mo. – The air-conditioning was needed for the 70-degree weather that was experienced during the New Haven Preservation Society’s 25th Annual Candlelight Christmas Home Tour.

The annual event has traditionally marked the beginning of the holiday season, however with the unusually warm temperatures it felt like summer in December.  On the flip side, the weather encouraged people to tour houses, resulting in one of the largest turnouts in its history.

Pictured: Boeuf Lutheran Junior Bell Choir

New Havne, Mo. - The 25th Annual Candlelight Christmas House Tour began and ended with live musical entertainment.  The New Haven Community Singers, under the direction of Sandy Engelbrecht and Leigh Tenkku and accompanied by Elaine Pehle kicked off the 2012 Christmas House tour with a performance at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.

Backboard says good by to where it has sat since 1984.
Photos and article by Kyle Quick

New Haven has always been a one-of-a-kind town with a special community. New Haven’s community, which extends beyond the city limits, has always supported their school district, especially locally owned businesses.

There were many historical events that took place in 1984, the same year the Elementary Gym was built, such as Boston College’s Quarterback Doug Flutie winning the Heisman Trophy, Michael Jordan of North Carolina received the Jon R. Wooden Award, and two rounded top basketball goals were installed in the newly built gym at New Haven's Elementary.

Sneak peak inside the home of Brad and Lauren Zobrist, which promises to be a unique design, combing both modern and traditional Christmas decorations. 
By Kyle Quick:

--Over the last month Tori and Jessica Panhorst, Mark and Ellen Zobrist, Ervin and Betty Niewald, and Brad and Lauren Zobrist have spent countless hours decorating their homes in preparation for the Annual Christmas House Tour.

Updated:
Picture of Bryan and Carol Hebbeler's decorations from the 2011 Christmas Candlelight House Tour.
Photo by Kyle Quick (Houses Listed Below)

New Haven, Mo. - The New Haven Preservation Society will present their 25th annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour on December 2, 2012.  The afternoon begins at 3:00 p.m. with a concert presented by the New Haven Community Singers at St. Peters United Church of Christ, 607 Maupin St., New Haven, MO.

--The New Haven Garden Club will join the community in celebrating the holiday season with its fourth annual Community Christmas Tree lighting festivities December 1 at 6:00 P.M. on the levee in downtown New Haven.

The theme of the tree is “All Things Natural.” The decorations were created by members using blooms gathered from their gardens this summer.

Photos by Kyle Quick

Hermann, Mo. – Thanksgiving morning (Thursday) nearly 200 volunteers and participates turned out for the 3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5k walk/run hosted by Hermann Area District Hospital (HADH).  They have hosted the event each year through a collective effort on the parts of local businesses and volunteers.

New Haven, Mo. – Saturday morning Boy Scout Troop #453 joined thousands of troops across the United States “Scouting for Food”.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for local food pantries, as they make sure families are able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and have plenty of food during the winter months.

Ronald “Stub” McDonald (on right) was adamant about holding the basket of flowers.

New Haven, Mo. – The New Haven Senior Center has been a vital asset to the community for over 14 years, providing lunch, games, entertainment, and social interaction for senior citizens on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.

Thanks to the aspiration of three ladies and contributions from the community the Senior Center opened their doors in 1999, operating solely off of private donations.

Hermann, Mo. -National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded, “can do” spirit that prevails in rural America and Hermann Area District Hospital has been an unwavering asset to the rural community.

Pictured left to right: Grand Knight Louis Menz presents a check on behalf of the Knights of Columbus to Carol Rauth, Director of the New Haven Senior Center.

Photo by Kyle Quick:

The Knights of Columbus held their annual breakfast this past October to raise money for the New Haven Senior Center.

Left to right, Ivan Meyer, Jessica Zeiss and Natalie Witte.  Photo courtesy Hermann Area District Hospital

Prior to Halloween, Natalie Witte and Jessica Zeiss, seniors at Gasconade County R-I School, and members of the FCCLA went to Hermann Area District Hospital to dress us up the hospital for Halloween. 

Hermann, Mo - Modern Woodmen of America Youth Club 2304-1L from Morrison, Missouri donated 15 Cuddly Critters to Hermann Area District Hospital for the pediatric patients. 

Photo by Kyle Quick.  Pictured left to right:  Haupt’s sister Dana Saale, Beth Haupt, and Haupt’s mother Violet Haupt.

Tuesday, the New Haven Care Center recognized Beth Haupt for 25 years of service.  Haupt has been working at the Care Center longer than any other employee as the Care Center was established just 29 years ago. 

Definitely the best decorated “trunk”.
By Kyle Quick

--Trunk or Treat has become popular among many communities as an alternative to Trick or Treating.  St. Peter’s UCC began Trunk or Treat several years ago and it has grown from a small event into the place to visit on Halloween.  So what exactly is Trunk or Treat?

Bring your little Superman and pretty Princesses to your local departments this Halloween for photos, candy, and fun!

The New Haven Police Department and New Haven EMS will be handing out candy at the Ambulance Building on Halloween night.  The New Haven Fire Department will also be handing out candy at the Fire House.

These leaf theives obviously were not concerened about getting caught.

By Kyle Quick

New Haven, Mo. – Most people love this time of year as leaves change from their summer green to their beautiful Fall colors.  The down side is they also begin falling to the ground, forcing people bring out the rakes.

Unfortunately some people are no longer able to rake the layer of leaves that cover their yard, but one of New Haven High School’s clubs has been giving back to the community and helping those people out.