WEEKEND BRUNCH 10 AM TO 2 PM TerrysTime.com J E F F E R S O N AT C R O C K E R
DECEMBER 20, 2023 • Vol. 43, No. 27
0080-2312
Happy Holidays from the Staff at C & G Newspapers
Hackel talks about projects at State of the County
MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel took to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
stage on Dec. 6 to deliver his 11th State of the County speech. For 2023’s presentation, Hackel’s pitch for a county on the rise focused upon various projects being worked on or developed. Projects were tied into several points meant
to show how the county was responding to the needs of residents: public safety, neighborhood stability, economy and talent development, infrastructure and quality of life. The main public safety projects mentioned were the $130 million central intake
and assessment center at the Macomb County Jail and the $10 million Sheriff ’s Office Marine Division headquarters, the latter opening days prior to the speech. Infrastructure was highlighted through
See COUNTY on page 10A
International Christmas traditions bring families together BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
C
hristmas traditions vary from culture to culture, celebrating the festive season in their own ways. Karin Schwalbe, a member of the Carpathia Club in Metro Detroit, said in German culture, Saint Nicholas visits homes on Dec. 6. People would clean up their shoes on the night of Dec. 5 and put them out for Saint Nicholas to find. “If you were good, the next morning you would find something in your shoes,” Schwalbe said. “Sweets, candies or there would be fruits, apples, nuts, things like that. And then the same with if you were bad, you found, like, a twig.” Saint Nicholas is a person found in a lot of European cultures including Dutch, Croatian and Belgian as well.
Ivan Callebaut, a member of the Belgian American Association, also put his shoes out for Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas. Other than that, he said the traditions are pretty similar to the ones in America. “Really, we have Saint Nicholas the 5th or the 6th and on Christmas, you know, they started Santa Claus like in the ’70s late ’60s,” Callebaut said. “On the night of the 5th of December, we put our shoes out and, yes, you put a carrot in it, a few pieces of sugar and a shot glass for Saint Nicholas.” In documents provided by Cheryl Heckla, director of the Belgian American Museum in Roseville, in Belgian culture, Saint Nicholas also arrived on Dec. 6. It was noted that it is the children’s prelude to Christmas. “Days before his feast, the children gather around the fireplace to pray and sing songs in honor of the saintly bishop,” the docuSee TRADITIONS on page 20A
Photos by Alyssa Ochss
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: A Sinterklaas made of cloth is displayed in the Belgian American Museum. A stained glass image of Sinterklaas is also displayed. Lukken sit on a tray for a bake sale.
2024 Subaru Outback
2.9%
up to 48 months
Get a great vehicle and support a great cause. With every new Subaru purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to your choice of charities*. November 17 through January 3. 0168-2351
BY DEAN VAGLIA
dvaglia@candgnews.com