Van Horne Community Newsletter - November 2009
City News: City Hall has been inundated with requests regarding different ordinances and rules, so we thought that it might be a good idea to explain the different ordinances and what they mean for residents.
The most common comment this month has had to deal with door-to-door peddlers and solicitors.
The very first thing that all residents must remember is, YOU have the right to talk with and allow or not allow anyone into your homes and residences. If you are not comfortable talking to solicitors and peddler, simply DON’T.
Rule # 2 states that all peddlers and solicitors must register and obtain a permit from City Hall. Peddlers and solicitors must register at City Hall and provide there name, social security number, address, a description of what they are selling, the name and address of the company that they are working for, a description of vehicle that they are driving and a statement as to whether or not they have been convicted of a felony. All registered peddlers are given a copy of this permit, with my signature (Linda Klopping) at the bottom. They are also told that they must carry this permit and show it to residents upon request. This is not proof that they are a legitimate company, nor is it an endorsement from the city for the product they are selling, this is just proof they have registered, and if there is a problem later, the city does have some information on file. So, if someone shows up at your door trying to sell you something, your first question should be “Can I see a copy of your permit?”
The City has also restricted the hours that solicitors may conduct business. They are only allowed door to door soliciting from 9:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. This means that if someone knocks on your door after 6:00 p.m. and tries to sell you something they are probably not registered and should not be out soliciting. Please for your safety do not talk to or allow them into your homes.
Now that we have established all of the rules for soliciting, we do allow a few exceptions. These exceptions would include fundraising from all nonprofit, civic, charitable, religious, or educational groups from Van Horne and the surrounding Benton Community School District. This would include, Scouts, 4H groups, Benton students, Lions, Firemen, First Responders, Van Horne Events Committee, Church groups, etc. These rules also do not apply to companies that do not practice door-to-door sales but call upon regular customers (such as the Schwanns Company). And as always, if you have a question or concern, please contact City Hall.
City Hall also would like to wish you Happy Holidays and hope that as the fervor of the Holidays start to overwhelm us, we take a moment to stop, breathe deep, and remember the important aspects of the Holidays. - Linda
Dates on Deck
November 22 Lions Breakfast from 8:30 – 12:30 @ the Emergency Response Station
November 24 Senior Citizens Luncheon at Noon @ Emergency Response Station
November 25 Friends of Library Pie Fest 7:30 am to Noon and 4 pm to 6 pm @ the Library
November 26-29 City Hall will be closed for Holiday
November 27 Regular Friday garbage pick-up
December 2 Movie Afternoon at 1:30 pm @ the Library
December 3 Toddler Story Time at 10:00am @ the Library
December 6 Light Up Van Horne (see attached flyer for activities and times.)
December 7 Library Board Meeting at 4:00 pm @ the Library
December 10 Legion and Auxiliary Christmas potluck at Noon @ the Legion
December 10 Adult Reading Group at 3:30 pm @ the Library
December 13 Businessmen Appreciation Luncheon and Santa visit from 11 a.m. 12:30 @ the ERS
December 14 City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. @ Van Horne City Hall
December 16 Van Horne Tree of Lights at 12 @ the Van Horne Clinic
Van Horne Events Committee: Van Horne has a new and exciting group this year. The Van Horne events committee has planned another exciting Light Up Van Horne Campaign scheduled for December 6. Please see the attached flyer for information. The committee has also established a website at www.VanHorneEvents.com Any group with upcoming events in Van Horne is encouraged to contact Lisa Nolan to have information included on this web site.
Van Horne Tree of Lights: Please join the Van Horne Clinic on its annual Tree of Lights lighting at noon on Wednesday, December 16. Refreshments will be provided. Please note the NEW tree and lighting will be at the Van Horne Clinic this year.
Christmas Eve Services at Salem United Methodist Church: We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the community to join us at one of our services on Christmas Eve. They will be held at 5:30 pm and 10:00 pm on Thursday, December 24. All are welcome to join in celebrating Christ’s Birth in a service of story, song, and prayer!
The Friends of the Library will hold their annual Thanksgiving Pie Fest on Wednesday, November 25th, at the Van Horne Library from 8 AM - 12 Noon and from 4 - 6 PM. Thrivent has graciously agreed to provide matching funds for this fundraiser. Once again we will be offering homemade pies, sweet rolls, cookies, and other baked goods. Donations of your delicious homemade pies and other baked goods will be accepted at the Library starting at 7:30 AM that morning. Remember, the sale starts at 8:00!
Legion and Auxiliary Christmas Potluck has been planned for Thursday, December 10 at 12:00 noon at the Van Horne Legion. All Auxiliary and Legion members are invited and encouraged to attend.
Senior Dining Entertainment: Be sure to attend the monthly Senior Citizen Luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, November 24 at noon at the Emergency Response Station. Come join us for food, fellowship and fun.
On November 22 the Van Horne Lions will be providing a breakfast at the Fire Station from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Menu to be determined and a free will offering will be taken to help the Van Horne REC board. The Van Horne Community has been very supportive of the Lions in the past and it is certainly appreciated.
LIBRARY NEWS
Toddler Story Time: We will be having story times on the first Thursday of each month for preschool age children. Activities will include a craft and snack. Please join us on December 3 at 10 a.m.
Items for sale: The Friends of the Library has many books and movies for sale year round. Stop in and browse for your favorite author or film. Prices are: Children’s hardback books, Videos and Music CDs for 50¢; Adult hardback books for 75¢; Paperback books for 25¢. Many of the items are in like new condition and would make great holiday gifts!
CHECK IT OUT!
DVD titles: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Confessions of a Shopaholic, “O”, Of Mice and Men, All the Pretty Horses, Bobby
Children’s Titles – Barbie: Be Proud of Yourself by Louise Gikow, Backyardigans: Pirate Treasure by Justin Spelvin, Spring is Here by Joan Holub, Uh-Oh Max by Jon Scieszka, Time for Bed by Laura Driscoll, Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer, Can You See What I See? by Walter Wick, Road Race by Melinda Crow, Spooky Hayride by Brian James, Snow Day by Margaret McNamara, Berenstain Bears’ Family Reunion by Stan Berenstain, Scooby-Doo and the Rotten Robot by Mariah Balaban, Batman Saves the Day by Jennifer Frantz, Ginormica’s Big Battle by Gail Herman, Johnny Tractor Saves the Parade by Dena Neusner, The Dark Knight: Batman’s Friends and Foes by Catherine Hapka, Eloise Skates by Lisa McClatchy, Country Girl: Hannah Montana by Kate Egan, Red Sled by Patricia Thomas, Thomas and the Jet Engine by Awdry, Christmas is Coming and By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert, Dr. Brad Has Gone Mad by Dan Gutman, Ambush by Zachary Rau
Teen Titles – Today I Will by Eileen Spinelli, Devious: an It Girl Novel by Catherine Von Ziegesar, The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer, Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley
Adult fiction – The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell, Blood Game by Iris Johansen, Southern Lights by Danielle Steel, Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury, Henry’s Sisters by Cathy Lamb, House of Reckoning by John Saul, Home for Christmas by Andrew Greeley, Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly, Angel Time by Anne Rice, True Blue by David Baldacci, The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan, A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist, Rough Country by Stuart Wood, Rainwater by Sandra Brown, Ford County by John Grisham, Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter, Love’s Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
Non-fiction titles – 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper