It’s that time of the year where giving is on almost everyone’s minds. This year, local businesses are doing what they can to spread Christmas cheer. There’s been a lot of talk about inventory shortages, the rise in shipping prices, and the need to shop local. Hicken Lumber and Home Center have taken these needs to heart.

Santa Claus is coming to town and he’ll be riding on a firetruck. The Gothenburg Fire Department is hosting their annual Project Santa to bring Christmas to families that are suffering hardships. This year the Chamber of Commerce and two local firemen have teamed up to support the fire department’s mission.

Gothenburg Public Library will be hosting its fifteenth gingerbread celebration. If you have a gingerbread house or other gingerbread creation you would like to share with the public, we invite you to bring it to the library by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7th. Entries may be made from gingerbread or other materials (crackers, Styrofoam, wood, cardboard, ect.) -- let your imagination be your guide.

The Gothenburg Volleyball Varsity Team ended the year at the Nebraska State Volleyball Championship Tournament with a loss to GICC in four sets this past season. the Swedes finished the year with a record of 27-9. The record on the home floor was 15-3. The Swedes were 4-4 away from home and 8-2 on neutral sites during the season.

SWEDES VARSITY GIRLS showing team unity as they talk about the team play on the court at the State Tournament in Lincoln. CHARITY WYATT/TRI-CITY TRIBUNE

SWEDE TARYN O’HARE (8) goes up high at the net to blast a spike during this past season in District Volleyball action. BRAD MESSERSMITH/TRI-CITY TRIBUNE