Hillsboro’s celebration of Christmas highlighted by the arrival of Santa Claus

Hillsboro will celebrate Christmas tomorrow with the arrival of Santa Claus, downtown hayrides, $300 to be given away and its annual Parade of Lights.

Other events sandwiched between the opening of the FBLA Christmas Store in the morning and nightfall’s lighted parade will be carolers singing all around downtown, free hot dogs served over the dinner hour and the drawings for two giant Christmas packages in the middle of the afternoon.

“Fun stuff for everyone,” said Steph Olsen, local businesswoman. 

Christmas Cash campaign on pace with last year’s record-setting run

The Hillsboro Business Association will close out 2007 with a paid membership of 62 businesses, a record number for the local organization.

In addition, the business group this year awarded full memberships at  no cost to five non-profit foundations in the community.

Neil Nelson, editor of the Hillsboro Banner, has been president of the business group the last three years. Gail Mooney has been HBA’s vice president for two years. Joelle Morrison is the association’s secretary and Betsy Tate its treasurer.

Nelson, Mooney and Morrision are leaving their posts at the end of the year. 

Landmark given second chance to shine

By MICHELLE MCLEAN

Michael Bishop never saw a movie at the Traill Theater — but someday the Hillsboro man plans to take his young daughter Paige to the Main Street landmark in Hillsboro for a show — and popcorn.

Its neon sign dimmed since the mid-1960s, the Traill has been given a new lease on life. Bishop and the non-profit group he created — Hillsboro Preservation Foundation — saved the 1916 brick showhouse from the wrecking ball this fall. With a helping hand from the City of Hillsboro and Traill County, HPF bought the vacant structure for less than $20 in fees. Ownership of the building had reverted to the county because of unpaid property taxes.