Members of the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department are hosting an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion.

Aledo Area Chamber of Commerce members are encouraged to get their reservations for next week's meeting in by 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5. The noon luncheon will be at The Livermore Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The Aledo City Council has two committee meetings set for this week. A police committee meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday and a TIF committee meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The public is welcome to attend any meeting.

Candlelight services, both traditional and contemporary, are being observed at area churches this Friday.

An Aledo church is hosting a Christmas meal on Friday, Dec. 25 at the church. Messiah Lutheran Church, 509 NE 2nd St., Aledo will serve a traditional dinner at 1 p.m. at no charge. Please call the church office at (309) 582-5261 or Nancy Watkins at (309) 582-7352 to make a reservation. Carry-outs and rides are also available.

 The Handel Oratorio Society will share a special Christmas tradition with families throughout the Quad-City community with its performances of Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. The performances will be held in Augustana's Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Community members young and old are invited to build this longtime Quad Cities' tradition into their own holiday celebrations.

The Aledo Area Chamber of Commerce December meeting, rescheduled from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15, has been cancelled, with no other December meeting set.

Three days of holiday events are listed for Aledo Holly Days Schedule, Dec. 4-6. A Magical Christmas is this year's theme, with Friday's Christmas Walk and Electric Parade, Saturday's Hot Chocolate Hustle, Christmas bazaars, memorial service  and children's party and a Sunday vocal concert just a few of the things on tap in Aledo

Joy, Illinois' Post Office becomes more busy than usual during the holidays. A special postal cancellation is prepared each year for a unique Holiday touch. Collectors also send in for these cancellations.

Viola Christmas Walk expands into Winola Elementary School from 4 - 8 p.m. Area merchants will also offer Holiday treats and Santa will be present at the Viola Fire Department from 5-7 p.m. There will be a live nativity at the fire station's gazebo, thanks to Country Kids 4-H Club.

Area needy count is up with area organizations involved in serving up presents and food to make it a good Christmas for all.

Rock Island County Extension YOUniversity is offering a lot of holiday themed classes for adults in the upcoming month. Set aside some time for yourself and learn new arts, crafts or cooking techniques.

Come join in the soup fun at Aledo City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Area chefs will bring in their favorite recipes for top soup (or chili) honors. The public is encouraged to attend and help vote.

Veterans in Mercer County have plans for Veteran's Day and the day before. A Marine Corps birthday will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the VFW Hall in Aledo, 106 SW 3rd Ave. The parade starts at 10:45 a.m. in downtown Aledo on Wednesday.

Mark your calendars and visit New Boston for supper on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 4-7 p.m. A fish and chicken benefit for the New Boston Fire and Ambulance is scheduled with lots of good food.