MANSON — Messenger subscribers got a little more than their paper for Christmas from courier Dave Johnston. Johnston and his partner, Leo Poppen, hand made Christmas cards to give out with the paper here.

Johnston drew a Christmas candle on the front of the card and Poppen wrote a poem for the inside.

“It’s just a silly little thing, but I thought you might be interested as the customers all thought it was so cute and we got so much positive feedback from them,” Poppen said. “They really appreciated the personal tone.”

Before the Iowa sun comes up

And you feed your cat or walk your pup,

I try to bring you the latest news

From music and arts to

Political views —

The forecast of heat or

Winter gales,

From sports and opinion

To Manson’s yard sales.

It’s my job to keep you “in the know”

As this world of ours weaves

To and fro.

So I wish you “Merry Christmas”

Before this year is done,

And in the words of Tiny Tim,

“God bless us … every one.”