The Drummond Island elementary school Christmas program is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Although the Arts Council meeting last week was canceled, practice for the annual holiday Community Choir Concert continues. The Drummond Island concert will be Thursday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Drummond Island Lutheran Church, and the DeTour concert is Sunday, December 20, at 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.The Council will also announce the selection for Volunteer of the Year during the concert. This special honor is awarded annually to a resident of the DeTour Village area who makes a difference through volunteer efforts.

At the rescheduled DeTour Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday, December 11, the members completed an agreement with the village to create an iceskating arena in the pavilion. Skating will be available for both adults and children. Some of the picnic tables will be left in place for those who want to watch the skaters. Parents are already making plans for special events and times when hot chocolate might be served. Work on the area should begin soon and it is hoped the ice will be ready shortly after the holidays or even before if the weather continues to be cold. Chamber members also discussed the annual Winterfest for 2010. The group will again sponsor a snow sculpture contest with the theme of “Sweet Treats.”

The DeTour Homemakers delivered their holiday fruit bags this week. President Kathy Woodward reported that 48 bags were made up and delivered to people in the community. The ladies in the Homemakers have also hosted showers for families who have had house fires, helped pay for the new roof on the museum, made regular donations to the area food pantry, and they purchase and plant flowers around the village each spring.

With a focus on high school and middle school technology needs, parents and teachers in DeTour Village and on Drummond Island will sell raffle tickets to raise money to purchase a minimum of 22 new computers. Tickets are $5 each or six for $25 and may be purchased from teachers or at the school. The raffle prizes are $500, $250, and $100.