News & N otes
At the Library
Below are the upcoming events at the Parsons Public Library.
Tuesday, Jan. 6: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Veterans Benefit Assistance, 10 a.m., Sensory Hour for ages birth-3.; and 4 p.m.: Anime Club for ages 10-18.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: 10 a.m., Story Hour for ages 2-6; 4 p.m., Afternoon Story Hour for ages 2-6.
Thursday, Jan. 8: 1 p.m., Let’s Color! For adults and teens; 4 p.m., Switch Freeplay for teens.
Friday, Jan. 9: 4 p.m., Let’s Cook! for teens. Regular Library Hours are Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.
Community Christmas Dinner serves over 650 meals
Acknowledgements are in order for the wonderful Community Christmas Dinner given jointly by the Brown-Bishop VFW Post 704 and the Parsons Ministerial Association. Over 650 people on Christmas Day enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. Bowen Pharmacy donated to the event along with several churches and individuals from both sponsoring organizations. The donations were made in money and in-kind food and decoration donations.
Over 100 people volunteered to make the event happen. They cooked and served food. They decorated the hall, displayed desserts, served carryout meals and those who dined on the premises. They greeted the diners and cleaned the hall following the event.
Volunteers delivered around 150 meals. Deliveries were made to individuals and families. They also delivered to the ER staff at Labette Health, the Parsons Police Department and the boys at the Crisis Center.
Don Burris and Susan Ellis of the VFW and Janet Basler, representing PMA, deserve special recognition for organizing the event.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service
The Parsons Ministerial Association is presenting a Martin Luther King commemorative worship service at 2 p.m. Jan. 18, 2026, the Sunday prior to the national holiday. The service will be at Hamilton Chapel United Methodist Church.
The keynote speaker is Pastor Kayela Horn of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Joplin, Missouri. Her presentation is entitled “Where Do We Go From Here.
Brianne Ford and the Viking Dance team will present liturgical dance. Kelli Hervey will sing a couple of solos. Ken Weaver will accompany congregational singing and play a solo offertory.
The Viking Debate Team will recite Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” under the direction of Edward Workman. Parsons area ministers will also lead parts of the service.
The service is ecumenical. People of all ages and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to attend.
To submit content for the News & Notes section, email information at least one week in advance to news@parsonssun. com. Must be 200 words or shorter.
