As the holiday season progresses, time is at a premium! In between shopping, visiting friends, putting up decorations, baking cookies and ALL the other things you have on your schedule, be sure to carve out a few minutes for these local events.

Hugoton High School’s annual Blue and Red Classic basketball tournament begins Thursday, December 10. The Lady Eagles will take the court in the West Gym at 6:30 p.m. to face the Hooker Bulldogs. Then the boys’ team will face Hooker at 8:15 p.m., also in the West Gym. Get your copy of a bracket from page 8 of this week’s Hermes, and be sure to head over to the high school to fill it out and cheer on the HHS Eagles!

If you missed the Chamber’s Christmas Carnival last Saturday, don’t despair! Santa will be making another appearance at Yardmaster at Third and Main in Hugoton Saturday afternoon, December 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be hot cocoa and cookies available, and the first 100 kids to show up will get a free goody bag while waiting for their FREE picture with Santa!

While making your rounds at local shops, pick up a couple of extra toys to drop off for Stevens County Healthcare’s Third Annual Toy Drive. Toys will go to area children who may not receive a Christmas gift otherwise. Drop off boxes are located at Stevens County Hospital, Pioneer Manor, Dollar General and Flatlanders Farm & Home. Toys will be picked up from those locations December 15, so don’t delay! If you know of a child who needs a Christmas gift, please call Alisha at 620-544-6162.

You can also help local children with Christmas shopping by participating in the Ninth Annual Shop With A Cop event. You can volunteer to wrap presents, recommend a child in need, or make a donation. Mail donations to Hugoton Police Department, PO Box 788, Hugoton, Ks. 67951 or drop them by the HPD at 405 E. Fourth in Hugoton. To find out more, call 620-544-4959.