This year’s Harvest Festival grand marshals have resided in the village for half a century.
Ken and Joane Cook will preside over the ninth annual festival Saturday in Howard City. He is 73 and she is 72.

The competition was fierce, but even when the race came down to a tie, Nicole Newell pulled ahead for the win. Newell, 18, was crowed the 2012 Howard City Harvest Festival queen Tuesday night at Tri County High School. She is the daughter of Dawn and the late John Edward Newell.

Singers of all ages are invited to compete in the singing talent showcase Hometown Idol when it comes to the Howard City Harvest Festival at 3 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Ensley Park. Singers will compete in three age divisions: Juniors (age 12 and under), Teens (ages 13-19) and Adults (age 20+). Music must be age-appropriate and family friendly, however, any style of music is welcome.

Sun and snow made a beautiful contrast Saturday at the third annual Howard City Winterfest. Children from throughout the neighborhood and out of town flocked to property near the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library for sledding, snow painting and frozen chicken bowling.