It's December, and on the first day, Mother Nature didn't let us forget it is wintertime. As I'm writing this, the snow is coming down, the plows are out, and Engadine Consolidated Schools are closed owing to bad weather.

The Wildwood Mennonite Church north of Engadine on Sandtown Road invites everyone to join the congregation in celebration of the Christmas season Sunday, December 14, at 7 p.m. They will be singing in the season, with snacks and fellowship to follow.

The Luce-Mackinac Genealogical Society will meet Thursday, December 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the library at Engadine High School.

The Newberry Elks Lodge will have a steak fry and men's stag night Thursday, December 4.

The Newberry Eagles Club will have a fish fry Friday, December 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the club on M-28 in Newberry.

Everyone is invited to the Newberry Merry Christmas celebration Friday, December 5, with the tree lighting, caroling, and a visit by jolly Santa Claus, in downtown Newberry. In conjunction with this, the Luce County Community Resource and Recreation Center will have professional pictures taken, starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (906) 293-3729 and ask for Mary.

The Naubinway Engadine Merchants Association's annual Christmas Craft Bazaar will be Sunday, December 7, from noon to 5 p.m. in the gymnasium at Engadine school. Craft tables are still available. For more information, call Jennifer at (906) 477- 6201.

The Eva Burrell Animal Shelter will have its fourth annual Christmas bake sale Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) at Pamida in Manistique. All proceeds will fund the daily operation of the animal shelter. There also will be a drawing at noon.

The Gould City Eagles will have a euchre party Saturday, December 20. If you're interested in playing, please stop by the club on US-2, just west of the Gould City junction. For more information, call (906) 477- 9964.

Everyone is welcome to the Manistique Lakes Lions Club all-you-can-eat pancake brunch and bake sale Sunday, December 21, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Community Building in Curtis. Children age 10 and younger are welcome to have a free breakfast, and gifts with Santa.

Happy birthday to Gen Cousineau December 4, Jackie Frazier December 5, Leon Everhart December 6, Kristina Miller and Art Butkovich December 7, Brandon Moesch, Bob Edwards, and Paul Kleeman Jr. December 8, and Lois Bryant and our wonderful daughter, Meggan Morrison, December 9.

Happy anniversary to Steve and Kelly Pinter December 6, Jerry and Renee Schultz December 7, and Fred and Lois Bryant December 9.

Until next time, take care.