The 2026 Litchfield Rescue Squad calendars are available for sale. The sweepstakes drawing will be held on January 6th and then the winners are announced each week throughout the year.
Litchfield Rescue Squad Captain Chris Guggemos says the calendars are available for $20 each at Litchfield Building Center, KLFD, Miller Automotive, Ramsey Printing, Mid Country Bank, Sure Stay, Insurance Solutions and from any current Litchfield Rescue Squad member. He says the proceeds from this fundraiser help them purchase equipment beyond normal budget items that they would ask for from the Litchfield City Council.
Guggemos says they have four trucks, a side-by-side and two boats. Litchfield Rescue Squad Chief Blake Tangen says they’ve also been able to purchase items like the LUCAS devices with proceeds from their calendar sales. He says the Rescue Squad mostly responds to medical and lift assists calls, and also accidents, search and rescue calls, sporting event stand-bys and more and they now have a full roster of 30 members, but people are still welcome to apply.
Tangen says applications are available at City Hall for potential Litchfield Rescue Squad members and also on their Facebook page. He says when you purchase a sweepstakes calendar, you have 246 chances of winning back your $20, twelve chances to win $100 and three chances to win $300 on April 15th, during Watercade and on September 11th.
On this day in music, December 23, 1964, after several years of mounting pressure, Brian Wilson suffered a panic attack while on tour with The Beach Boys. The event was a life-changing one for Wilson, who made the difficult decision to step away from performing live with his band. While he was replaced temporarily by Glen Campbell, Wilson would remain a vital part of the group’s songwriting and production (leading to such revolutionary albums as The Beach Boys Today!, Sumer Days (And Summer Nights!!), and Pet Sounds.
In 2007, The Police were named the highest-earning touring group of the past year. The run of dates was particularly special – not only celebrating 30 years since the band’s inception, but also marking the reunited trio’s first tour in 24 years. At the time, the 151-date global run became the third highest-grossing tour of all time, with profits reaching over $360 million.
In 2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms, the English heraldic body formed in 1484. The motto on McCartney’s coat reads, “Ecce Cor Meum,” Latin for “Behold My Heart,” which served as the title of his 2006 classical album.
In 1962, during his first visit to the UK, Bob Dylan gave an impromptu performance at the King and Queen pub in London’s West End. While attending a folk night at the pub’s upstairs room, Dylan was recognized by several audience members, who insisted that he perform a few songs.
In 1966, the final episode of the popular UK TV show Ready Steady Go! aired, featuring a star-studded line-up of special guests, including Mick Jagger, The Who, Eric Burdon, and The Spencer Davis Group, among several others.
BORN ON DECEMBER 23
1935: Esther Phillips
1941: Tim Hardin
1949: Adrian Belew
1949: Ariel Bender (Mott the Hoople)
1958: Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
1964: Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
1974: Montsho Eshe (Arrested Development)
On this day in music, December 22, 1984, Madonna scored her first No.1 hit in the US with “Like A Virgin.” Produced by Nile Rogers (co-founder of the disco group, Chic), the song held the top spot for six weeks and became a global phenomenon, landing at No.1 in Canada and Australia and peaking in the Top Five across Europe. “Like a Virgin” also served as the title track and first single from Madonna’s sophomore album, though Rodgers (who produced nearly every song on the LP) pushed for “Material Girl” to lead the record. The song would become a signature hit for Madge and a cultural touchstone of the 80s.
In 1973, Elton John began a two-week run at the top of the UK album chart with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The LP became a sensation, thanks to such enduring hits as “Candle In The Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and the title track.
In 2002, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of The Clash, Joe Strummer, died at the age of 50. With the innovative political punk-rock band, Strummer released a variety of highly-influential titles, including 1979’s London Calling and 1982’s Combat Rock.
In 2014, Joe Cocker died at the age of 70. Ranked as one of the greatest singers of all time by the likes of MOJO and Rolling Stone, the British artist was beloved for his gritty vocals and expressive performances.
In 1967, Pink Floyd played their last major show with Syd Barrett at The Olympia in London. The star-studded event, dubbed Christmas on Earth Continued, also featured performances by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Eric Burdon and The Animals, and Soft Machine, among others.
In 1972, nine-year-old Little Jimmy Osmond became the youngest person to have a No.1 hit in the UK with his single, “Long Haired Lover From Liverpool.”
In 2010, North London’s Abbey Road zebra crossing (made famous by its appearance on the Beatles’ Abbey Road LP cover) was officially recognized for its “cultural and historical importance” and given Grade II status by the UK government.
BORN ON DECEMBER 22
1944: Barry Jenkins (The Animals)
1948: Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick)
1949: Robin and Maurice Gibb (The Bee Gees)
1968: Richard James Edwards (Manic Street Preachers)
1972: Vanessa Paradis
1989: Jordin Sparks
1993: Meghan Trainor
The Light Up Litchfield Committee from the Litchfield Visitors Bureau has announced the winners in the annual holiday business lighting contest. It’s Not Hair/Radiant Glow Spa/Kristi Isaacson Accounting took first place.
Litchfield Visitors Bureau Board member and Light Up Litchfield Committee member Monica Schreiber says second place went to Ecumen of Litchfield and 3rd place went to the Chamber Serving Meeker County. She says other participants in the contest included St. Philip’s School, Threads of Hope and Meeker Energy/Vibrant Broadband.
Schreiber says the Committee had a lighting ceremony planned for November 29th, but it had to be cancelled due to the weather. She says the Christmas tree in the Central Park Bandstand blew over the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so they had to work to get it back in place.
Schreiber says they would like to thank all of the sponsors and donors who help make the holiday lights possible in Litchfield. She says they are trying to add to the decorations in Central Park each year and they need more people to volunteer to be part of the Light Up Litchfield Committee. Anyone willing to join the Committee, should contact the Chamber in downtown Litchfield – call 693-8184.