Christmas shoppers in sweaters and even shirt-sleeves filled downtown sidewalks to take advantage of unseasonably balmy weather. And a popular Sants Claus roamed through the crowds, drawing compliments from adults and adulation from children.

Four former state lawmakers gathered for a forum discussion their experiences in public service and delighted the listeners at the Adams Alumni Center. They were Charles Stough, Don Hults, Arden Booth and John Vogel, all Republicans with broad and long careers and public service and state activities.

The local Emergency Services Council was holding regular meetings to determine ways to make the best use of help programs for the needy, not only for Christmas but for the coming year, as well. Resources had been good to date but were dwindling as the holiday season wound down.