Band Performs at Christmas in the Park

By Kristen Kimmel
November 26, 2007

The Ponder Pride Band performed Sunday night at the annual Christmas in the Park. This year it was held in the Junior High cafeteria due to bad weather. The band performed an enjoyable set of three songs, ending with the crowd favorite Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

The night also contained performances by the Ponder Methodist Church children’s choir, Ponder First Baptist Church children’s choir and adult choir and the Ponder Elementary 4th and 5th grade choir.

Everyone enjoyed the complementary hot chocolate, cookies and desserts provided by the Ponder Lady VIP’s along with the big hit of the night - the appearance of Santa Claus.

MercyMe
All That Is Within Me
By Kaleb Broadstreet

From “Almost There” to “Coming Up to Breathe” the Christian band MercyMe has been making hit CDs that have become famous all around the country. And their new CD, “All That Is Within Me” does not disappoint.

MercyMe has been known to be able to do a lot of music styles as they show in their new CD. Some of their songs are rock, some pop, and they even have a country song! The amazing thing about MercyMe is that they do every style well.

This is MercyMe’s fifth CD and this could be their best. There is not a dull song on the whole CD. The first song, “Goodbye Ordinary,” starts the CD off with a bang. It has a fast rhythm and very good words. The first two tracks will have you singing along and enjoying it, but it is the fourth song, “God With Us” that will have you really worshipping and praising God. If you are only going to buy one song from this CD, “God With Us” is the song to buy. The music is great, the words are great, and everything about the song is amazing.

“All That Is Within Me” also has a good message about surrendering yourself to God and glorifying him in everything that you do.

I cannot say enough good things about this CD. As you listen to every song, you definitely feel God’s presence.

By Krissy Boxell
November 26, 2007

Coming this week . . . Hot Rod

After being raised to believe that his deceased father was the test-rider of the infamous Evil Knievel, Rod Kimble was determined to follow in his courageous father’s footsteps. Rod compiled a crew and decided to carry on the family tradition and become a professional stuntman. He began by compiling a crew consisting of two of his close friends, his nerdy brother and later his new neighbor, Denise. Rod attempted to jump common objects such as swimming pools on his moped and entertain children at birthday parties with “dangerous stunts”, though he usually failed quite miserably. While living at home, Rod could never quite seem to gain the support of his pessimistic stepfather, Frank, causing the two to fight, verbally and physically, almost constantly. Despite the steep age difference, Frank was always victorious in these regular battles.

Eventually Frank falls ill and is in need of a pricey operation, and it appears that the family will not have enough money to follow through. Rod takes it upon himself to raise money for Frank by jumping fifteen school buses and taking donations. The question is, will Rod be able to clear the highly-anticipated and nearly impossible jump? Will the crew raise enough money to save Frank and enable Rod to finally beat Frank?

Starring: Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, with Sissy Spacek and Ian McShane

Rated: PG-13 for crude humor, language and drug-related and violent content

Hot Rod rolls onto shelves Tuesday, Nov. 27.