The city is considering a fireworks permit for the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop on the Marion County Courthouse lawn. The fireworks display would be detonated on the Cooperative Grain and Supply parking lot.

A retirement reception and open house was held Friday for Elora Robinson, vice president and cashier of Marion National Bank. Robinson retired from the bank after serving 38 years. She and her namesake granddaughter, Elora, are pictured on the front page as they open a gift from the bank.

Wilbert and Donna Backhus of Tampa will observe their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 28 with a family celebration.

Most of page 8 is devoted to the history and renovation of the 100-year-old Victorian home at 115 North Fourth Street, Marion.

Dear Santa, I want a real red dog named Clifford, a big kid bike, a big Nemo blanket, a big sandbox to play with my dump trucks, and a very big water gun to squirt my sister and cousin. Devin Hamm, age 4.

Grand prize winner of the $500 gift certificate in the Christmas in Marion promotion is Betty McCully of 222 S. Freeborn, Marion. Other winners of gift certificates were Early Bird, Audrey McLinden, $100; Week 1, Mary Jo Bezdek, $100; Week 2, Lila Hoffman, $100; Week 3, Lana Fahey, $200, and Ruth Will, $200.