Festival of Trees set to celebrate its 19th anniversary If you need a little something to get you excited for the holidays, we have the answer. The Festival of Trees, sponsored by Advocates for Developmental Disabilities, will be held next weekend with all the hustle and bustle you can imagine. After reading this article, you’ll understand who the A.D.D. agency is, and why Therapeutic Recreation’s partnership with them is so important. You’ll also learn about how you can be involved in supporting this fundraiser, and how Owatonna’s City Employees have been involved since 2000. Wendy Reller

Thanksgiving at the State School 1888 During the 60-year era of the State School Orphanage (1886-1945), few in our community really knew and understood the child-saving efforts of this state Orphanage. Today, even fewer are aware that 10,635 Minnesota children were placed on the West Hills grounds. During the 1930’s the School often housed 500 children. It was an attempt by the State to save these children from crime and poverty that had left them orphaned, dependent, neglected and abused.

Tennis — a game for everyone Tennis is for everyone, and in Owatonna we are very fortunate to have access to play tennis year round.

Park and Recreation: ‘Your best investment’ As I write this article the temperature continues to drop and snow is in the forecast, meaning that fall is almost complete and winter is right around the corner. That means that 2009 is almost complete and 2010 is in sight. Tim Truelson

Local astronomy club invites public view Jupiter at the Owatonna Soccer Complex Have you noticed the bright “star” in the southern evening sky? The “star” is the massive gaseous 88,000 mile planet Jupiter. With the four Galilean Moons orbiting it, storm belts and the Great Red Spot it is an excellent telescopic sight.