In the neighborhood

RippeyPlease send your news item to Jean Borgeson at jeanb@iowatelecom.net

Dec. 28, 2015

Rippey public library: Librarian Andrea Williams. Phone: 515.436.7714; Website: www.rippey.lib.ia.us; E-mail: rippeyli@windstream.net

HOURS: Monday 1-6 pm; Tuesday 1:40-5:30 pm; Wednesday 3 to 8 pm; Thursday 12-6 pm.

REMINDER: When Greene County Schools close because of the weather, so does the Rippey public library.

NOTE:  The library is closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

Rippey United Methodist Church:  PO Box 286, 103 West Main St. Rippey, IA 50235. Pastor: Paul Burrow. Phone: 515-436-7731

Adult Sunday school at 9:45 am. Worship service at 11 am. Every Tuesday: quilters 9 am, coffee and fellowship 10 am – everyone welcome.

All church offices will be closed Jan. 1.

News in and around Rippey: Dale and Nancy Hanaman journeyed northward to Superior, WI, for an after Christmas celebration with their daughter and family, Sarah and Benji, Steven, Elizabeth and Andrea. They also celebrated Sarah’s birthday on Dec. 28. Matthew Hanaman, Adrianna and Adyara from Rice Lake, WI, joined them.

Phil and Toni Roberts hosted their family Christmas on Dec. 19 with a potluck meal at the Rippey Methodist Church. The attendees numbered 31 with their four children and spouses, 10 grandkids and spouses, and seven great – grandkids from the cities of Bettendorf, Jefferson, Winterset and Adaza as well home town Rippey.

Following the meal, gifts for the whole group were handed out by Mrs. Clause (Toni). But the real fun began when the surprise gifts were brought out and the grandkids drew numbers for their turn at choosing a gift. This year no exchanges were allowed but each gift had a hint about its contents written on the front! It took some time circling the pile before each took their turn and made their decision.  Some were pleased; some were disappointed but guaranteed everyone was surprised!

The final event was a contest between two teams to answer trivia questions about history, sports, music and Christmas folklore.  It was quite a competition with participants ranging in age of 6-76! The winning team got a basket of mini Hershey bars to share and the other team had to help clean up!

Grandma Toni felt that much of the enthusiasm and comradely among the cousins was due in  part  to her insistence of depositing all cell phones in a basket upon arriving with  a note to please “talk” to each other instead of playing on their phones. Although those grandchildren unable to attend were greatly missed, Phil and Toni felt very blessed to celebrate this special time with so many of their  family.

The traditional Christmas Eve supper for the Roberts’ clan was held in the home of Toni and Phil Roberts with just a slight change of menu.  Instead of the  usual fried potatoes and cold salmon, the head chef (Phil) fixed his ever popular potato soup for all the little “Irish” in the family.  Chris and Brenda Roberts, Lori and Tim Bardole and Cassie and Gabe of Rippey and Karen Roberts and son Dominik and Gregg Soto of Jefferson gathered all at once (instead of the usual staggered shifts) and declared the new menu delicious.  Everyone left for 8 pm church services in Rippey after a joyful meal of good food and laughter—what a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Jean Borgeson enjoyed the lively Christmas morning activities in the home of her daughter and family, Blake, Linda, Sierra, Sophia and Jayden Hampton, in Chandler, AZ.  There is something about the excitement of small children at Christmas time. Other guests for Christmas evening were Blake’s brother and wife, Bill and Holly Hampton of WI.  They flew in for the Greene Bay/AZ game and were able to enjoy their nieces and nephew as they opened the gifts they brought them.

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