The late Elleen Oberreuter loved her family. She loved her faith. She loved finding small pieces of her faith on family trips. These pieces of her faith were in the form of the birth of Jesus and his Holy Family, otherwise known as a Nativity set. Like her family and her faith, she was very dedicated to this of Nativities.
    Last year was Elleen's final year to personally display her collection. With help from family members, she had covered most horizontal surfaces in her Danbury home with figurines depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Some of the Nativities were larger, using more space. Some were small, just filling in small places. As was said, Elleen was dedicated to this collection of over 200 Nativity sets, and she made sure to have her home decorated with many of these treasures before her December 5th death last year. The family was able to enjoy this gift from the Oberreuter matriarch one last season.
    "Whenever we went on a trip, Elleen had to find a Nativity to take home," said Elleen's husband, Irvin. While this task is easy during the Christmas season, summer trips required a little more shopping for the spiritual souvenir.
    Irvin added that Elleen began collecting Nativity sets as a very young girl. Before she entered elementary school, she had her first Nativity set.
    "We never got all of the Nativities up each year because there were just so many," added Carrie Oberreuter, daughter-in-law of Elleen and Irvin and fellow Nativity collector whose own collection gained pieces thanks to Elleen. Carrie also mentioned that her brother-in-law and his wife, Craig and Brandy Oberreuter along with sister-in-law Angie Oberreuter spent the majority of the time setting up these sets each year. The project typically took a couple hours to accomplish.
    While this reporter cannot vouch for Elleen's favorite child (I believe she loved them all the same just from conversations in the past), she did have favorite Nativities. According to Carrie, Elleen's favorites were a Willow Tree brand Nativity which was displayed year-round on the antique sewing machine once owned by Irvin's mom, Anna Oberreuter; a Nativity from Israel made from olive wood; and a Precious Moments Nativity. Perhaps her favorite family members were the grandchildren - perhaps. Again, I cannot vouch for Elleen. Carrie did note that Elleen's wedding gift to the grandchildren was a Willow Tree Nativity. She even purchased these gifts for weddings which she knew she wouldn't be able to attend.
    Elleen watches over her family in her Heavenly form now. While the Nativity sets were not set up in grand displays this year, the memory of each of these will be in the minds of the entire Oberreuter clan.

    The staff at Shelby County State Bank invites all to attend their open house on Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
    Along with refreshments, gifts will be available for patrons. All can also have a chance to win $100 in local dollars.
    Please plan to attend.

    A holiday vendor fair will fill the Charter Oak-Ute school in Charter Oak on Sunday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Get some holiday shopping done while supporting small businesses.
    Lunch will be available to purchase, and a silent auction will be held throughout the day. Proceeds will be donated to CO-U School.

    Well, this might be old news by the time you get the Review, but a press release from the DOT was not received for this road construction, and we learned about the construction after we went to print last week.
    Starting this week, the bridge leading into Mapleton over Hwy. 141, just off the Hwy. 175 turn off will be closed for construction. The post on the 511ia.org states that the road will be closed until December 19th. However, the road was to be closed on Monday and was still open, so it seems logical that it will open a bit later. Perhaps a bit of snow delayed the start.
    The detour advises drivers to take 175 to Danbury and then south on Story to E16 and turn west. Please see the map.

    In the past, Sherry and Ray Wimmer have had requests to give tours of their Christmas home. Sherry decorates each room, making sure the room is done to her satisfaction, and the word is out that she does up her house in good olde-fashioned decor. Because of the multitude of requests they have received, they are opening their home to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. There will be no admission charged.
    Please join the Wimmers at their home at 506 Main St. in Danbury to share their Olde-Fashioned Christmas cheer.

    What's Christmas without Christmas stars? After all, a star led some very important people to a humble manger to see a very special baby.
    Cord Memorial Library will have stars in their eyes and on the tables on Tuesday the 9th of December. All ages are welcome to visit the library between 3:30 and 5:30 and decorate a start or two to take home. They make a great gift, gift tag, and an addition to Christmas decorations.
    There is no cost to participate in this craft. Library donations are always welcome. Let's do come & go from 3:30-5:30.
    While at the library, remember to check out the raffle items which will be drawn on December 20th.