Monday evening, December 15, Trinity Lutheran Church held a farewell dinner in honor of Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey, her husband, Kurt, and their children, Hannah, Sophie, and Elijah, as they prepare to move further north, to Juneau, Alaska, to serve the Shepard of the Valley Lutheran Church. Forty parishioners, along with friends, enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Swiss venison. Sharon Smith prepared a list from A to Z of all things related to Pastor Tari and her family, which brought more than a few laughs. Then Sharon and Pega had a box full of little mementos of the congregation, such as a fishing pole with a fish, representing the interests of Dick Bentley, a sailboat and mid-summer pole for Dave Movalson, and a garage sale sign for Tracy, my mother, Ella Atwell, and myself - to name a few I could remember. It was a good thing. The fellowship hall was decorated with pine boughs and candles, with tiny Christmas tree lights strung across the ceiling. So festive an event, although a bit sad. Trinity Lutheran Church is part of a twopoint parish with Zion Lutheran of St. Ignace, sharing the pastor, church secretary, office manager, and other aspects of operating two parishes.

Kenny Smith did get out of Bogotá, Columbia, Thursday, December 18, only to be grounded in Newark, New Jersey, because of Detroit being snowed in, as was Pellston Airport, so Sharon doesn't know when he will arrive. Soon, we hope.

Brevorters attending the Christmas program at the elementary school in St. Ignace Thursday, December 18, were Sharon Smith, Pega Kennedy, and Mike and Lara Gustafson. Kristi and Morgan Gustafson and Allison Smith were part of the program.

Jim Dyer and Dot Glashaw attended the senior citizen dinner in Engadine Wednesday, December 17. It was at the Engadine school, with the high school students preparing the meal, and there was a program with the school band. Dot sat with Darlene Shoemaker, Esther Bigelow, and Mary Ellen Stephenson, all of the Rexton area. Jim won the table prize, being the eldest person there. Age has its advantages, sometimes.

Pega and John Kennedy joined the many members of the family of their daughter-in-law, Chrissy Becker, for a sleigh ride around the Mackinaw City area. Everyone brought food, which was shared at Cedarbrook Village, formerly the Ramada Inn in Mackinaw City. A good time was had by all.

The Nesbergs and staff of the White Tail restaurant enjoyed four days off last week. Susie and Russ did make it to town together, and then spent time decorating their home on Cut River Road for the holidays. There have been snowmobilers out and about, and all indications point to a good winter for all of our local businesses.

Kyle O'Boyle is home from Northern Michigan University for the holidays, as is his sister, Katelynn O'Boyle, from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.

Kathy Reid is done working at the Bay View Restaurant in Epoufette for the season, unless they get swamped with snowmobilers. She and Bob have lots of birds, chickadees, gold finches, snow buntings, ladder-backed woodpeckers, blue jays, and the "corn pops," as the ravens are called. They love the popcorn Bob throws out for them.

Jim and Jerri Rose are enjoying their new picture window that Russ Nes berg installed. It's a nicer view, and a lot warmer.

Dave and I shopped in Sault Ste. Marie Thursday, December 18, as did Thora Shepard and Anita Dumas.

Shepard's Forest Products entertained their jobbers at a dinner by the White Tail restaurant Saturday, December 13.

Lee Foster is employed at the Lutsen Resort in Lutsen, Minne sota, this win ter. The resort is a historical landmark, having been a wayside for travelers stranded or in difficulty during the rough winters years ago.

Happy birthday to Marilyn Jean Berry, Bill Borland, and Donna LaLonde December 17, Jennie and Jessie Humphrey December 19, Jamie Rogers December 24, Mary Ann First December 28, and Michael She. p ard December 31

Happy belated anniversary to Jim and Jerri Rose December 10.

Anniversary wishes to Michael and Helena Shepard December 21 and Jack and Thora Shepard December 24.

Enjoy the blessings of this holiday season and love one another.