OSMOND – It was bitterly cold on Saturday evening, Dec.
13, but the entertainment was hot for the annual Christmas Wishes program, hosted by the Sons of the American Legion (SAL). Not only was the crowd entertained with Christmas music by the award-winning Osmond Junior-Senior High Marching Band, but Fun Pianos raised the roof with a fantastic inter-active performance.
The evening began with a social hour, and then the OHS band was introduced. It was revealed that 70% of the high school students participate in the marching band.
During the fall marching band competitions, they took first in
Columbus, first in class and best overall at the Lions Club parade in Norfolk, and third in Grand Island.
In addition, the band received a 2025 Nebraska Arts award. The band played many Christmas favorites, but ended with the “Armed Forces Salute” in honor of the Osmond veterans in attendance.
After presentation of The Colors, Curtis Alderson started the program, welcoming everyone and reminding them that donations would go to youth, food programs and families in need. Ron Stech then led the table prayer and a catered meal from Tiger Tavern was served to 167 attendees.
Drawing Winners
A drawing was then held for baskets of donated items given by local businesses and individuals. Winners of the drawings were as follows: Osmond Mini Mart basket, Dennis Kuhl; The Alley Bouquet, Jill Jansma; Luke Stueckrath basket, Adam Rice; Wausa Lockers, Shelby Stelling; AllStar Parts bucket, Kelly Hodson; Statement Boutique, Jared Halsey; Crafted Cup and Tiger Town, Doug Schmit; New Frontier, David Heilbrun; Osmond Pharmacy, April Doyle; Flyover Farms Drone Service/G&S Seeds, Annette Gubbels; Michael Foods, Roger Johnson;Aschoff Construction, Zach Alderson; Main Street Alley, Stephanie Anderson; Helena Chemical, Pat Blunck.
A patriotic quilt donated by Country View Quilting, with funds going toward the American Legion’s purchase of the former Ashburn Funeral Home building, was raffled, with the winner's name drawn on Saturday. The winner was Nancy Bessmer.
The drawings were followed by a short video in memory of American Legion and Auxiliary members who have passed away during the past year.
Fun Pianos
After the drawings, members of the Sons distributed envelopes WEATHER HOT, ENTERTAINMENT COLD for donations, and the evening’s main entertainment was introduced. Jason Irvin of Fun Pianos, who was scheduled to attend, was unable to make it to Osmond. Instead, Sam Ferguson, owner and lead player of Fun Pianos, entertained the crowd with a fast-paced, inter-active show that had everyone laughing, singing, dancing and clapping along.
Sam made sure everyone was involved, pitting each side of the room against each other to see who could sing, drum or otherwise “make some noise” louder than the other. He also had various groups — such as Ganseboom, the Chrome ‘N’ Smoke Crew and others — come up to sing, dance, or even play the harmonica, usually with hilarious results. At one point, he had a “party train” dancing their way around the city hall.
Sam took numerous requests for songs, asking for donations for each request, and donated that money back toward the Christmas Wishes.
The program on Saturday raised $19,300 to help those in need, but was up to $20,500 by Tuesday morning, with more donations still coming in.
