Moonbeams continues to
spirits of pediatric patients
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams, hosted by Corewell Health Children’s in Royal Oak, helps light up the lives of the youngest patients in the hospital during the holidays.
The annual event has been a staple at the hospital for seven years, and its coordinators are looking forward to many more years of Moonbeams.
Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams will take place Dec. 9-23 at Corewell Health Children’s at William Beaumont University Hospital, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road.
On each of these days at 8 p.m. sharp for 10 minutes, participants will come together with flashlights, shining them up into the hospital rooms of the pediatric patients. The beams are meant to shine in hope and cheer to the young patients.
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
The city of Clawson kicked off the holiday season with its annual lighting of the tree at Memorial Park on Dec. 3.
Despite the cold weather, approximately 200 people attended the lighting, according to Alec Speshock, executive director of the Clawson Chamber of Commerce.
“It was a great night. Obviously, we had the fun of snow and the chilling temperatures. The snow was beautiful and it made the Clawson Chamber of Commerce.
Amid North Pole snow and cold, Santa Claus arrives on a Clawson fire truck. Clawson tree lighting brings city closer together
The Clawson Christmas tree lights up Dec. 3. Photos by Erin Sanchez
CLAWSON on page 12A
SECOND FRONT PAGE
St. Paul Lutheran Church celebrates history, upgrades
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — St. Paul Lutheran Church and school is the longest-serving church in Oakland County, and it just celebrated more than 150 years and some renovations with a ribbon cutting on Dec. 2. The ribbon cutting, hosted by the Royal Oak Chamber of
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — Chanukah
begins on the evening of Dec. 14 and goes until Dec. 22. To help families celebrate the occasion, the Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Cen-
ter is hosting its annual Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Village Walk on Dec. 18.
The menorah lighting and
walk will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Eagle Plaza, 163 Sixth St. in Royal Oak.
The event is going to be gen-
erally the same this year as in the past, according to Rabbi Moishie Glitsenstein.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce recognized St. Paul Lutheran Church and School for its 150th anniversary and renovations on Dec. 2. At right, Chris Schultz, president of the congregation; Marshall Mackinder, financial secretary of the congregation; and Chris Francik, school principal, help the Rev. Jake Andrzejewski cut the ribbon during a ceremony.
Oak lights up the city with annual tree lighting
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Tree Lighting saw its biggest crowd yet for the kick off of the holiday season in Centennial Commons, 204 S. Troy St.
From 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21, Centennial Commons was filled with holiday magic including ice skating at The Rink, visits with Santa Claus, carnival rides, food trucks, live music, and of course the lighting of the giant oak tree.
“This year’s lighting of the park was pure magic. The weather couldn’t have been
better, and seeing so many families come out to share the moment together made the night truly special,” said Judy Davids, Royal Oak community engagement specialist. “It was one of our biggest crowds yet, and the joy in the park was absolutely contagious.”
Along with the long list of activities that took place at the tree lighting, guests were treated to performances by the Royal Oak High School Drumline, Royal Oak Chil-
ROYAL OAK on page 8A
People walk through Astoria Bakery in Royal Oak during the Cookie Crawl on Dec. 6, which was an activity on one of the weekends of Royal Oak Holidays.
• Unique Children’s Toys
• Home Decor
• Sterling Silver Jewelry
• Advent Calendars (w/w/o Chocolate)
• Advent Wreaths
• Hundreds of Unique Ornaments
• Indoor/Outdoor Nativity Sets
• CANDLES Galore!
• Angels - 100’s to choose from
• Greeting Cards
• Boxed Christmas Cards
• Shipping Available
Photo by Liz Carnegie
RIGHT:
NEWS & NOTES
5A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW • DECEMBER 10, 2025
Santa Claus to visit the Royal Oak Historical Society
ROYAL OAK — Santa Claus will be visiting the Royal Oak Historical Society from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at 1411 Webster Road.
Inside the museum, Santa will be waiting to take photos and there will be gifts for children. Holiday refreshments will be provided.
The event is free to attend. For more information, visit royaloakhistoricalsociety. com.
SantaCon Bar Crawl on Dec. 13
ROYAL OAK — The SantaCon bar crawl will be taking place from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in downtown Royal Oak for folks who want to celebrate the holiday season with a few drinks.
The bar crawl includes a variety of different participating locations, including the new Bella Limone, formerly Pinky’s; Club Christmas, formerly 00 Nightclub; and already existing locations like O’Tooles, Fifth Ave, Tequila Blue and more.
Registration will take place between 2 and 6 p.m. at Cantaritos Bar, Bar Louie, Club Christmas, 526 Main, Tequila Blue, Fifth Ave and Royal Oak Taphouse.
The tickets include a wristband for $3, $4 and $5 beer, cocktails and shot specials at all participating locations, no cover, holiday-themed swag, photo booth pictures with Santa, face painting, and more.
Participants are encouraged to wear holiday or santa-themed attire, but it is not required.
Tickets start at $12.28. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Clawson students perform holiday concert
CLAWSON — The students of Clawson Public Schools will be performing at the Holiday Orchestra Concert from 11:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 11 at the Hunter Community and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court.
The students will be performing classic carols and winter favorites.
The event is free to attend. For more information, visit cityofclawson.com.
Novi and Royal Oak residents design Bonobos storefront window display
NOVI/ROYAL OAK — Isabella Avila-Recillas, of Novi, center right; and Levi Mooney, of Royal Oak, center left, students at the College for Creative Studies, co-designed the storefront holiday window display for Bonobos, 1417 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. The display is part of “Windows on Woodward,” which is a collaboration between CCS, Bedrock and local businesses. Each window is designed by students with input from the retailers for festive holiday storefront galleries. The window displays will be up until Jan. 4, 2026.
‘Enjoy the Holidays, Not the Debt’ workshop
SOUTHFIELD — Gesher Human Services, a human service agency in metro Detroit, is offering a free Zoom workshop to help people enjoy the holiday season without going into debt.
Participants will learn a number of steps to take to create a realistic holiday budget that includes strategic gift giving to find thoughtful presents without overspending. The workshop also will explore creative, low-cost alternatives for gifts, decorations, celebrations and more.
The “Enjoy the Holidays, Not the Debt” virtual workshop will take place at 1 p.m. Dec. 12. Register at geshermi.org/events. For more information about the workshop, call (248) 233-4422 or email lcunningham@geshermi.org.
Compiled by Taylor Christensen, Charity Meier and Maria Allard
Photos provided by Elizabeth Botkin
Photo provided by Royal Oak Historical Society
Amazon unveils Prime Air drone delivery service in Hazel Park
Drones will service communities within an 8-mile radius
BY MIKE KOURY AND ANDY KOZLOWSKI mkoury@candgnews.com akozlowski@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Amazon will soon begin offering deliveries by drone, flying packages straight to the homes of customers who live within an 8-mile radius of the company’s Hazel Park distribution center at the corner of 10 Mile and Dequindre roads.
The shipping option, dubbed Prime Air, will only be available for certain goods. It is being marketed as a convenient way to get lastminute items without a trip to the store. But some are concerned about the safety of flying packages over traffic and homes, the noise it might create and whether it violates the privacy of homeowners.
To address any concerns, Amazon held a public event Nov. 20 at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. The event allowed guests to see the MK30 drone up close, learn about how its onehour delivery service works, and meet the team members who operate it.
Gordy Dalziel lives in Royal Oak, which
is within range of the drones. Dalziel described how he had previously seen an Amazon drone making a delivery in Berkley, in what he believes was a test run.
“It was pretty noisy, which is how we noticed it, but it was fast — it took maybe five minutes once we saw it to drop off its package, and then it was gone. It hovered for a moment and took off,” he said. “When you see how it cuts over the houses and it’s gone so quickly, you can see the efficiency of not being on the roads making those deliveries.”
After the event in Hazel Park, he said he still has some concerns, such as whether the drones will work in all weather conditions, or whether they could violate people’s privacy.
“If you want it delivered in your backyard, to avoid porch pirates, (the drone) might come in with the camera when you’re not expecting it, and you might be doing something where it invades your privacy,” Dalziel said. “So, I can see pluses and minuses. There might be some kinks for them to work out.”
According to Sharyn Ghacham, a representative for Amazon, customers will see whether a product is eligible for drone delivery upon checkout. Customers select and confirm a preferred delivery spot at their address, such as in a driveway or yard. Once it arrives, the drone
See DRONE on page 9A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
During an event at the Hazel Park Community Center Nov. 20, Kyle Degiulio, manager of economic development policy at Amazon, explains the delivery process for the MK30 drone that will deliver packages as part of Amazon’s new Prime Air program.
Royal Oak
from page 4A
dren’s Choir, and skating performances from the Detroit Skating Club.
“It was a magnificent night. It was perfect weather and a lot of fun. We approximated a crowd of 4,000 people,” said Jon Witz, event producer. “There was the kick off of The Rink, and a lot of folks got to enjoy the skating. I think there was anticipation for the lighting, but I think the highlight was the broad range of entertainment that people got to enjoy.”
The tree lighting ceremony was just the beginning of the five weekends that make up Royal Oak Holidays. Each weekend has its own special seasonal theme and activities.
The second weekend of Royal Oak Holidays Nov. 28-30 was a hit, according to Witz, and showed that the tree lighting gave the holiday season a great start.
“One of the highlights of this past weekend was the Hungry Hippos — they were hilarious. The kids, adults and teen division on the ice rink was probably the most fun I’ve seen on the ice in a long time,” Witz said. “We had hundreds of folks enjoy free zip lines and food.”
For the upcoming Royal Oak Holidays
weekends, Witz is hoping to see an abundance of community engagement and excitement surrounding the activities.
“The goal is for the residents of Royal Oak and nearby communities to celebrate the quality of life where they live, to enjoy these times, and to provide an atmosphere that is high value,” he said. “Of equal importance is bringing people to the downtown to support restaurants and retailers and showcase what the city of Royal Oak has to offer, which you know, there are a lot of new restaurants and great shopping locations.”
Witz also said that going to the events each weekend can help remind the people of Royal Oak of the new upgrades to parking and accessibility that the city has been working on.
“I think with the new parking system coming, I think it just gives us an opportunity with events like these to show, yeah, we can accommodate 4,000 or 6,000 or, you know, without any issues,” he said.
Witz said the must-see attraction this year has to be the Holiday Market, which is open 4-10 p.m. Dec. 12, noon to 10 p.m. Dec. 13 and noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 14.
“The Holiday Market is a must-see and must-enjoy during the holiday season. We are going to have 20 local businesses outdoors selling their products, and great music and atmosphere paired with the skating,”
mation on Royal Oak Holidays, visit www. royaloakholidays.com.
For more information on the city of Royal Oak, visit romi.gov. For more infor-
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
Photo by Liz Carnegie
Elves spread holiday cheer around downtown Royal Oak during the Cookie Crawl.
Witz said. “We are hoping it’s like a Hallmark Christmas card.”
descends to about 13 feet from the ground — low enough to safely deliver the item. It also scans the ground to make sure it’s clear of people, pets or cars before dropping the item.
Prime Air delivers packages that weigh less than 5 pounds and fit within the drone’s delivery box, which measures 15-by-8-by-5 inches. Eligible items include household products, beauty products, office supplies, some electronics and more. The service promises delivery within 60 minutes of the order being placed. The shipping cost is $4.99 per drone delivery for Prime members and $9.99 per drone for non-Prime members.
“You could wake up in the morning, realize you’re out of coffee, and if you don’t feel like leaving your house to run to the store, this drone comes to you and arrives in your backyard with the coffee like 20 minutes later,” Ghacham said.
Upon first hearing about the service, Huntington Woods City Councilman Jules Olsman said his feelings on the drones were “very complicated” and he wasn’t sure how much, if any, local enforcement the city could have.
“I’m sure that they’ll argue that it’s less dangerous than a delivery truck, less intrusive than a delivery truck … that the delivery of
packages is going to occur whether it’s by truck or by drone,” he said. “I guess it’s no surprise that this sort of service is coming about, and it’s not a surprise that a company the size of Amazon is doing it, and they’ve got the resources to get it approved and they’ve got the resources to, I suppose, stand behind it.”
“I’m sure they’re going to argue it’s more environmentally responsible. You know, it doesn’t bother anybody. It comes and goes. You wouldn’t notice that any — it’s not a commercial aircraft,” Olsman continued. “It doesn’t make any noise. … They said it’s 40% less noisy than the original models were. Well, I don’t know what that means. I don’t know what the decibel levels are. I can see it being … intimidating to animals, maybe.”
Olsman is interested to see how other municipalities are going to react to the drone program.
“I’m hearing about it for the first time now,” he said. “I would have a lot of questions and I surely wouldn’t vote to approve anything without a thorough, independent survey on our part, or at least by other municipalities of what the safety risks and concerns are.”
It was exciting for Pleasant Ridge Mayor Bret Scott to hear about a new service coming to the area.
“I’ve not had an opportunity to talk to Amazon directly about it to know how it im-
See DRONE on page 15A
Anniversary
from page 3A
Commerce, celebrated the church’s history as well as the newly renovated welcome center and office space just inside the main entrance.
Students from St Paul Lutheran Church accompanied the Rev. Jake Andrzejewski as he cut the ribbon and received a plaque from the Chamber of Commerce. The plaque commemorated the renovations to the church and its continued involvement in the community.
“St. Paul has a divine and unique capacity to be the unchanging in a changing world,” Andrzejewski said. “These doors you’re going to be walking through are doors that generations and generations of families have walked into, where the same thing happens every Sunday.”
Andrzejewski said that the ribbon-cutting ceremony was important to bring awareness to St. Paul Lutheran Church and the work it does in the community.
“It tells the church and the school of our accomplishments within the ministry of Royal Oak, within the things that we do together as a family, church and school,” he said. “At the same time, it’s an invitation to everyone else. It’s an opportunity to tell everyone it’s an open-door policy for anyone who wants to join the congregation.”
Christine Chubenko, chairwoman of the board of directors for the chamber, used to attend St. Paul Lutheran School in fourth and fifth grade and was a member of the church for a while.
“It means a lot to see the church continue to be a mainstay of the community. They are a great service to our community,” she said. “They (the church) have been a member of the chamber for a while; the plaque was to commemorate their new section. ... They are a foundational piece of the community in general, so we gave them a plaque to commemorate their continued membership and the fact that they are updating and making their place a better place.”
Chubenko said that when she was at St. Paul Lutheran School in fourth and fifth grade was when the church was building its current building.
“I remember that to me, the old church looked so big, and then I found out during the ribbon cutting that it only held 65 people. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I remember seeing tons of people,’ but no, in my little eyes, it was
See ANNIVERSARY on page 13A
We Have the Look... That Fits Your Style
St. Paul Lutheran Church has a long history in Royal Oak.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes Students sing for the chamber members at the ceremony.
Clawson
it a fun night, but the cold and wind was a little rough,” he said. “Outside of that we had a great turnout this year.”
The event was elevated this year with new activities for families and kids to enjoy.
“At the library there were crafts for the children, they were making Cheerio ornaments that they could hang on the trees and the Cheerios would feed the critters around, which is always a cute thing to do,” he said.
Speshock said that the event included coffee and desserts provided by Ellie’s Carts, a local business that sells baked goods, along with the traditional hot cocoa and cookie station in the community room.
One of the highlights of the night was when Santa arrived via fire truck, greeting the kids while bringing the holiday excitement.
“We also had the choir from Clawson Public Schools and Grace Apostolic Church form together and perform all of the wonderful Christmas songs we know and love,” Speshock said. “It was a very eventful night, and very fun. We had pictures with Santa over at the community room, and then we had letters to Santa that the kids could write.”
Speshock said that one of the most memorable moments of the evening was watching the kids write their letters to Santa. Once the letters were written, the kids could either hand their letters directly to Santa, or put them in a “letters to Santa” sack.
“My volunteers that I had working at the table were telling me at the end of the night all of the fun conversations that they had with the different kids,” he said. “They were all trying to make sure that their letter goes to the North Pole, making sure it goes to Santa. I think it sort of adds to the joy and wonderment that a lot of people forget sometimes. It was cool to be able to hear those moments that were being shared throughout the night.”
Scott Jennex, the director of recreation and senior services for the city of Clawson, said that the event is a great way to bring the community together.
“It’s a night that captures the ‘Little City with a Big Heart,’’ Jennex said. “People from every corner of our little town come out, and this week it happened to be very cold and snowing and people probably wouldn’t go outside unless there was a good reason to, but still we had a really good crowd of people come out and experience the togetherness and the time together.”
Having big events, like the Christmas
Children and adults were excited for the arrival of Santa and the Clawson tree lighting.
tree lighting, in Clawson is a staple for the residents and surrounding communities, and each year the holiday events just keep getting bigger and better, according to Speshock.
“It’s about giving back to the community. It’s taking the time to find a way to bring everybody together during the holiday season and make something special about it,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for the parents
Te Ultimate Health Check-Up:
Full Body MRI Screenings Catch Silent Issues Early
(Southfeld, MI) Te Silent Killer Within. You feel fne. No aches, no pains. But what if something sinister lurks beneath the surface, silently growing, waiting to strike? Te truth is, traditional checkups often miss the early warning signs. Cancer. Aneurysms. Blocked carotid arteries. Tese silent killers can progress undetected for years, only revealing themselves when it’s too late.
Te Full-Body MRI Revolution
Tat’s where the full-body MRI comes in. Screenings evaluate the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, shoulders, hips and spine. It’s like a high-defnition movie of your insides, revealing hidden threats that other tests miss. Full body MRI screenings can catch them early, before symptoms and when they’re easiest to treat.
We all know someone who woke up one day with an unexplained symptom, only to be told they have stage four cancer. Te
pancreas, liver, brain and all other major organs get evaluated during a full body MRI screening. Tumors can be detected in stage one – before symptoms develop. Early detection can be the diference between life and death.
Bionicc Body Screening: Your Early Warning System
Bionicc Body Screening in Southfeld is Michigan’s frst MRI full body screening center. We’re not just scanning your body; we’re safeguarding your future. Our stateof-the-art facility and expert team provide a comfortable, reassuring experience. Our advanced MRI technology can detect tumors as small as a pencil eraser. Screenings can detect aneurysms; risk of stroke and hundreds of conditions that could be lurking undetected. Is it Right for You?
If you’re serious about your health, if you
want the ultimate peace of mind, then YES, a full-body MRI could be the most important decision you make this year. It’s not just for the privileged few; it’s a health resource available to those willing to make a proactive investment in their wellbeing, ofering peace of mind and early detection opportunities.
Don’t Gamble with Your Health
and for the generations that have been doing the tree lighting for years to come and enjoy a tradition. That’s the nice thing about the small town vibe of Clawson. It’s generational.”
For more information on the city of Clawson, visit cityofclawson.com. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no radiation and are available without a doctor’s referral. Scans can detect tumors, aneurysms, stroke risk and other conditions.
Limited-Time Ofer
Every day you wait is a risk. A small tumor today could be a major problem tomorrow. Take control. Get the screening. Get the answers.
Robert B., age 50, did just that. He opted for a full-body scan from Bionicc Body Screening, and a very small kidney tumor was detected that had been missed by a recent CT scan. “It saved my life,” he said. “I cannot recommend this service more.”
Learn more at www.BioniccBodyScreening.com and request a Free Welcome Information Kit and a
Photo by Erin Sanchez
CRIME WATCH
Thief takes vehicle
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 7 p.m. Nov. 22 and 7:45 a.m. Nov. 23, an unknown person stole the complainant’s vehicle that had been parked in the street in the 200 block of North Connecticut Avenue, near 11 Mile and North Campbell roads.
Liquor stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 1:48 p.m. Nov. 21, an unknown person stole several bottles of liquor from the Meijer at 5150 Coolidge Highway.
Vehicle window shattered
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 8 a.m. Nov. 22, an unknown person shattered the complainant’s windshield in the 1600 block of West 13 Mile Road, near Crooks Road.
— Taylor Christensen
from page 10A
only 65, and then we moved to the big, beautiful church,” she said. “I remember looking straight up the brick wall along the back and just feeling how magnificent it was. To me, it was such an opulent and wonderful, warm, sacred feeling.”
Andrzejewski joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in 2020 and said that being a part of such a historic church is a humbling yet exciting experience.
“I was only here for three years when the church celebrated 150 years, and being new, but also feeling like I belonged here for so long, that’s the impact of this church,” he said. “It really is cool, especially in the pastoral position where I can vouch for the 17 pastors who have been there before me, and I can give excitement and honor to the pastors who will follow me. So, for me, it’s humbling in that way. I get to be a part of a history that long predates me, and I get to build a future that will long come after me.”
Looking to the future, Andrzejewski hopes that the church continues to be a safe space for the community of Royal Oak.
“I hope we can continue to be a staple to Royal Oak. I am hoping that now that we have 150 out of the way, we can still cater to the younger generations that are moving in truckloads to Royal Oak,” he said. “This is what we love to do; we love to teach and preach Jesus, and we love to bring families in and let them know they are a part of the bigger family of heaven for the next 150 years.”
For more information on St. Paul Lutheran Church in Royal Oak, visit stpaulroyaloak. org.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
Editor: David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
Reporters:
Taylor Christensen | (586) 498-1081 | tchristensen@candgnews.com
Mike Koury | (586) 498-1077 | mkoury@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
and Obits: (586) 498-1099
| (586) 246-8114
jbender@candgnews.com
Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
HappyHolidays
Moonbeams
from page 1A
Patients will also shine their lights back to the crowd to create a connection between the community and the patients, reminding everyone that they are not alone this holiday season.
Kathleen Grobbel, Child Life program manager and co-leader of Moonbeams, said that this year the moonbeams will include some added sparkle that won’t be announced.
“We are going to have a little added sparkle on certain days, but that will be unannounced, where we are going to give out some fun flashing items to people who are the first to arrive,” she said. “Those will be random nights that we have the special lights passed out, thanks to some generous donors in our community.”
Grobbel said that she and her co-leader of the event, Lisa Muma, RN, are encouraging attendees to register online that they will be coming so that organizers can get a head count on how many people attend this year’s Moonbeams.
Grobbel said hundreds of people come to the event each night, and every year she gets to talk to families or attendees who have heartwarming stories to share of why they are at the event.
“Usually people have a really touching story about why they are there to support the kids in the hospital,” she said. “And on the pediatric unit, it really means a lot for the kids. Watching them come to the windows and see the lights and just feel special for that little bit of time before they go to bed at night is really important for them.”
Muma said that she is “mostly retired” from Corewell Health, but she helps Grobbel with the Moonbeams event because it is her favorite event of the year.
“It’s so wonderful to see the community come out and support our children and families who are stuck in the hospital during such a wonderful time of the year and missing out on their family celebration, school celebrations,” Muma said. “To have the community come out and let them know they are not alone and they are here for them, it’s just wonderful.”
Muma said that many of the families she has spoken to have made the event a family tradition.
“The families tell me they are raising their children to really understand how important it is to support other children going through a tough time,” she said. “We have also had families who have been inside of the hospital now on the outside. They really understand how important it is and how wonderful it is that they are able to do that, having been on the inside themselves and kind of sad during the holidays, to now being able to be outside and cheer up other children.”
Because the event is popular each night, Muma and Grobbel are encouraging people to arrive at 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. to make sure they can get parking. Parking is located at the north parking deck; additional lots are near the Coolidge Highway entrance and Neuroscience Center.
Attendees are being asked to gather near the Medical Office Building across from the East entrance; signs will be posted to help people find their way.
Drones and laser pointers are not permitted at Moonbeams.
“I am just so grateful for our community. We couldn’t do this without an amazing community of families, individuals and our first responders that all come out. We could not do this program without them,” Muma said. “We really appreciate them.”
For more information on Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams and to register, visit core wellhealth.org/moonbeams. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
File photo by Erin Sanchez
Participants in Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams on Dec. 15, 2024, shine lights from the parking lot to connect with pediatric patients at Corewell Health Children’s at William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak.
Drone
pacts Pleasant Ridge residents and which residents would be able to take advantage of the service,” he said. “So, there’s some homework that I have to do yet to understand all of that.”
Scott thinks anything that can provide better service from Amazon is good but understands any concerns people might have about the drones, which he hopes to get more insight on from the company.
Scott also wondered what, if any, are the technical challenges of the drones flying into a city like Pleasant Ridge, such as weather conditions and the number of trees in town.
“There are also issues around tree coverage and things that might rule out a number of homes in Pleasant Ridge,” he said. “I’m curious to speak with them about all the things that might allow for an address to have service and not have service, but also understand how people can opt in or out.”
After getting more information on Prime Air through an online informational meeting, Ferndale Mayor Raylon Leaks-May thinks it will be a worthwhile service
“There were some people online that were concerned about what these cameras and the drones would be recording,” she said. “It sounds like based on what I heard that they’ll strictly be
covering the deliveries and, of course, assessing the area as far as landing and safety.”
Leaks-May was uncomfortable when she first heard about the drone program, likening it to something out of a movie, and had concerns about potential privacy issues. She now thinks it can be a resource of convenience.
“With technology, I guess anything can go wrong,” she said “I was uncomfortable at first because I didn’t know how that would actually work. I mean, you just drop a package. Where are you going to drop it? Or what about the weather? How do these things work? It’s just something I didn’t know much about. But apparently they have navigated all of that and I’d like to see what happens.”
The drone itself has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and features advanced technology for detecting and avoiding obstacles. Ghacham also said that the drone is “quieter than a vacuum (cleaner) upon delivery,” faster than traditional delivery and that it helps reduce road congestion.
The program also has a system in place for detecting what it calls “high-frequency buyers,” changing up routes between deliveries so that the drones don’t always fly past the same homes.
At press time, a start date for the delivery service had not been finalized.
Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 4981077. Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
That Gives You More GET AN AUTO LOAN
bonus on new or used auto loans§
You’re shopping for a car that gives you more — more features, more safety, and more power. So choose a lender that gives you more. MSGCU gives you personalized guidance, plus a $100 bonus when you apply by December 31!
Anyone in Michigan can bank with us.
Menorah
from page 3A
“A new thing that we will have is a giant Judah Maccabee, which is kind of a giant person that you can take photos with, so that’s going to be a new fun thing for the kids and families,” he said. “The Maccabees are basically the people that will fight to bring the celebration of Chanukah, the victory of Chanukah.”
The event will start at 4 p.m. with the downtown Chanukah Village. Participants can pick up their village map at the Eagle Plaza and stroll through downtown Royal Oak finding activities, treats and giveaways at each stop.
At 5 p.m., Glitsenstein will be lighting the ice menorah back at the Eagle Plaza, where there will be doughnuts and hot cocoa, fresh latkes, a fire show, the grand gelt drop, the Chanukah train, and the giant Judah Maccabee, according to jewishroyaloak.com.
“There aren’t a lot of (Jewish) events that are so open to the public. It’s open, and downtown, it’s free, and everybody can come,” Glitsenstein said. “It’s very welcoming. You don’t have to be a certain way, there are people that are not Jewish that come, the event is for all different people that just want to explore a different culture.”
Glitsenstein said that the goal of the Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center is to always provide a safe space for people to enjoy Jewish culture, no matter if they are Jewish themselves or not.
“You don’t have to be a member anywhere; you can just park your car and be a part of it,” he said. “So, I think that’s kind of a unique thing about this event, because a lot of
18.
events, you have to pay or you have to come only in a certain place or certain time, or whatever it is. But here it’s kind of welcoming, and it gives an opportunity for the community to meet the Jewish culture.”
The idea of Chanukah is to light up the world and spread light, according to Glitsenstein.
“It’s a very powerful message, especially today, when
people have a lot of issues or there are a lot of times of depression, and with Chanukah we can light up the world and start to do some good, and by doing good you can actually change the world and also empower yourself,” he said.
For more information on the Chanukah festivities and the Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center, visit jewishroyaloak.com. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
File photo provided by the Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center
Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center is getting ready for its annual menorah lighting and Chanukah Village experience that will take place
p.m. Dec.
Autos Wanted
OFFERINGS AROUND MICHIGAN
AUCTION
Huge Annual Online Tool Auction! Featuring Snap-on, Milwaukee, Dewalt, Craftsman and more! Welders, compressors, lifts, heavyduty power, and hand tools. Bid now through 12/15/2025 at Bid. SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC.com. Questions? Call Joe at 1-800-835-0495.
Winter Sportsman Auction. Bidding open. 250+ fine firearms, vintage sporting, antique & modern ammunition, militaria, tools. This is a Great sale! Shipping available. Bid anywhere anytime @JohnPeckAuctions.com. Ofices Gladwin & Charlotte. Selling items like this? Call John Peck 989-345-4866.
POP CULTURE, VINTAGE and MCM TOYS, cast-iron mechanical banks, diecast cars, Star Wars Prints, vintage collectibles & more. Bid online now at BidItMi.com. Call Estate Auction Experts of Michigan, 313-600-5451.
BUILDING
AMISH-built storage sheds starting at $2,500. Custom sizes & colors. We deliver anywhere in Michigan! Call 989-832-1866. MyNextBarn.com
Amish-built mini-cabins starting at $5,295. Made in Michigan! Custom sizes & colors. We deliver statewide. Call 989-832-1866. MyNextBarn.com.
Published: December 10, 2025
BUILT RITE POLE BUILDINGS Statewide. Prices starting at - 24x40x10 - $18,300.00. 30x40x10 -$20,400.00. Erected on your site. Call for price not shown on any size building or go to www.builtritepolebuildingsmi.com. Or call 989-259-2015 or 989-600-1010 or 989-324-0035.
BUSINESS SERVICES
METAL ROOFING regular and shingle style, HALF OFF SPECIAL COLORS! Lifetime hail asphalt shingles. Vinyl siding. Licensed and insured builders for 40 years. AMISH CREW. 517-575-3695.
FURNITURE
Adjustable Bed Brand New with mattress. Made in U.S.A, in plastic, with warranty. Retail Cost $3,995.00 sacrifice for $875.00 Call for showing or delivery: DanDanTheMattressMan. com. 989-923-1278.
An AMISH LOG HEADBOARD AND Queen Pillow Top Mattress Set. Brand new-never used, sell all for $375. Call anytime, 989-923-1278. DanDanTheMattressMan.com
WANTED
Old Guitars Wanted: All Gibsons. Especially Les Pauls, ES-175s/ ES-355s, SG/SJ models. All Gibson acoustics. Fender, Martin, Rickenbacker, Gretsch. TOP DOLLAR PAID! Call toll free 1-866-433-8277.
Employment
or
Eastpointe OilChange, EXPERIENCED TECHNICIAN, MustHaveExperience!! Applyinperson: 17830E.9MileRd. Eastpointe,orOnline www.twinsoil.com
forestablished,growing company.Opportunityfor advancement,friendly workenvironment, experiencenotnecessary, sewingskillsaplus. Fulltime.Sundaysoff. Starts@$15.00/hr. Benefitsavailable. Inquireinpersononly @JanetDavisCleaners, 27607Woodward, Berkley
Basement Waterproofng
ACCULEVEL.Your foundationrepairand basementwaterproofing experts.Whetherbasement,crawlspaceorconcreteslabweʼllguideyou ontherightpathtoa healthyhome.Actnow! Upto$600off.Restrictionsapply.Callfora freeconsultation. 1-866-438-1859
Bathrooms
BATHROOM REMODELING BasicBathrooms
Startingat:$10,995.00 Experienceofover 500-bathroomsacross Metro-Detroit, Lookatourworkat: andyscarpentryllc.com 248-376-0988 Lic/Insured/References
Brick Work
MOUTON'S MASONRY
Any&allmasonryrepairs. Brick,block,steps, chimneys,porches-tuckpointing,Cementwork, mortar-matching. 25-yrsexperience Free-estimates. References/Insured. 248-252-5331
Carpet Cleaning
CARPET WAVY-n-LOOSE?
WePower Re-stretch and Steam-clean ForOneLowPrice MultipleRoomDiscount CallNow:Craddock's CarpetCare,Inc. 586-754-9222
Chimney Service
CHIMNEYS,INC
$129/Sweep& SafetyInspection •Repairs•Dampers •Caps•CrownRepair Senior/MilitaryDisc. NextDayAppointment Available 586-431-0591
ROYAL EXTREMECLEAN
586-219-0335
AirDuct&DryerVent Cleaning,GasFireplace Tune-ups&Repairs, WoodBurningFireplace Cleaning&Repairs, Multi-ServiceDiscounts. Royalextremeclean.com
Cleaning Service
CLEANINGLADY withover20-yr experienceislooking forwork.Weekly, bi-weekly,monthly Excellentreferences. Flexiblehours. Bonded&insured. 248-890-8830
VANTAGE CLEANINGSERVICES: 3rooms+hallway $139.Deepcarpet cleaningforhomes andbusinesses. CallToday 586-922-6429
Electrical
586-755-3636
Dr.Electric AffordablePrices! Father&Son MasterElectricians Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting,Backup GeneratorTransfer Switch,License#6109094 SenDisc.V/MC/Lic./Ins.
CASTLEELECTRIC
586-634-1152
(directcellphone#) Panelupgrades, generators,hottubs, EVCharger, 220lines.ALLSERVICE Licensed&Insured Dependable,quality work! License#-6111359
MASTER ELECTRICIAN JIM
586-582-9320 (Cell)
Over30YearsExp. NewInstallationWork Repairs Troubleshooting ElectricalUpgrades CodeCorrections
PREPARE forpoweroutagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Actnowtoreceivea FREE5-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase. Call1-855-773-8191 todaytoscheduleafree quote.It'snotjustagenerator.It'sapowermove.
Gutters GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402
Handyman Services
HANDYMANWOW
Painting,Drywall, Powerwashing, SealCoating *Driveways*ParkingLots MinorPlumbing, Caulking,Shelving, CallForaFreeQuote! 248-755-0246
3Sons HandymanService 586-888-9031 (Call/Text) Electrical,Plumbing, HVAC,Minor/Major Repairs,AnySizeJob. FreeEstimates 10%Discount
Handyman Services
HANDYMAN Extraordinaire! Doesalljobs,anysize, whenyourhome needsabestfriend. Licensed&insured. CallGeorge 248-515-5158
THEHANDYMAN THATCAN! GreaterRoyalOakArea Licensed-MIBuilder Drywall/Plaster/Tile, Carpentry/Paint, Plumbing/Electrical, Handicap-Access, Installation/Assembly, Exterior-Repairs 30yrs/exp.24/7. 248-739-9779 "Nojobtoosmall!"
Hauling & Waste Removal
***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL Wehaulitall!Demolition Big&Small,Residential/ Commercial,Rubber WheelDumpsters-10,15, 20-Yards,Clean-outs, ConstructionMaterial, Small-Moving,Appliances,Furniture&More! Free-Est.Sen/Mil/Disc. 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com
BURLYGUYS JUNKREMOVAL removesANYTHING! Appliances,furniture, basementcleanouts, hoardersallwelcome! CallorText 248-224-2188
Landscaping & Water Gardens
JAY'SHOMESERVICES
Roofing,Siding, Gutter,Repair.Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt!
248-242-1511
Landscaping, Shrub&TreeTrimming, Clean-ups, Gardening/Tilling PropertyMaintenance, ServingThe RoyalOakArea Since2008. 248-755-6995
Painting
586-792-3117
PETE'SPAINTING
WINTERSPECIALS!
10%OFF Specializing inVacantHomes, Great-Rooms,Deck Staining&WoodenFence Repair,Interior/Exterior, Residential/Commercial. SeniorDiscount, Free-Estimates,Insured.
(586)229-4267
AmericanPainting FallSpecials!!! Residential/Commercial •Interior/25YearsExp. •PowerWashing •Insurance•Drywall •PlasterRepair •DeckRepairs•Cleanouts•HomeRepairs •SeniorDiscounts
PEAKPAINTING
Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. *WillBeatAnyOther ReasonableEstimate! 35yrsexp.Sen.Disc.Ins. CC-Accepted/References. 586-722-8381
ANYONE'S PAINTER
Interior/ExteriorPainting Commerical/Residential PressureWashing, DrywallRepairs, DeckStaining, FreeEstimates,Insured. Call586-921-3654
Professional Services
CONSUMER Cellularthesamereliable,nationwidecoverageasthe largestcarriers.Nolongtermcontract,nohidden feesandactivationisfree. Allplansfeatureunlimitedtalkandtext,starting atjust$20/month.For moreinformation,call 1-866-306-6243
Roofng
AA4DABLEROOFING
Hurry&SaveBig-$$$! WINTER-SPECIALS Upto30%-Off!!! Roofing/Siding/Gutters, All-Leaks/Repairs, Residential/Shingles/ Commercial-FlatRoofs/Torch-downs 30yrs-exp.CC'saccepted. 586-822-5100
SILVERSMITHROOF MAINTENANCE
$225•MinorShingle ReplacementSpecial $88*GutterCleaning Residential/Commercial
WeAcceptAll MajorCreditCards Over30-yrsexp. FamilyOwned 248-707-4851
ANDERSON Painting&Carpentry CompleteInterior/Exterior Services.Plaster/Drywall &WaterDamageRepairs. Wood-Staining.Wallpaper Removal.Kitchen/Cabinet Refinishing,Insured/References.Free-Estimates 586-354-3032 248-974-4012
FARR'SPAINTING
Interior/Exterior Wood&DrywallRepairs MoldRemediation FreeEstimates CertifiedMoldInspector 248-345-3308 farrsmoldremoval.com
Created
APEX PLUMBERSCORP 586-217-9002
Tree Service
35-YearsExp.Seniors/ Military/Multi-TaskDisc. Free-Est.•DrainCleaning •PlumbingRepairs/ Fixtures•SumpPumps/ WaterHeaters.Lic/Ins. apexplumbers corporation.com Lic#8111771
MARATHONPOWER WASH&PAINTING •INTERIOR•CABINETS •EXTERIOR Painting,refinishing &powerwashing Family-Owned& FullyInsured 586-463-9564 marathonpowerwash.com
EAPLUMBING ANDDRAIN FullServicePlumbing. DrainCleaning,Sump Pumps,WaterHeaters, Leaks,Disposals, CameraInspections, BackflowTesting andMore. 586-477-7777 License#803020312
WATERWORK Plumbing.com •DrainCleaning •SewerCamera •WaterHeaters •SumpPumps •BackflowTesting 248-542-8022
SameDayEmergency ServiceAvailable Reliable/Experienced License#8003885
BERGBROS.LLC. “FullyInsured, HighlyReferred.” SeniorDiscounts Tree-Removal,Stump Grinding,Tree-Trimming, Hedging,Shaping, Emergency-Service Residential/Commercial Free-Estimates (586)262-3060
DAVE'STREE&SHRUB
30%-WinterDisc.Insured, SnowRemoval, EmergencyStorm Damage,LeafClean-up, Large-TreeRemovals, Trimming,Stump-Grinding,Gutters,SeasonFirewood(100acord) (586)216-0904 davestreeandshrub.com
ELITETREE SERVICE "Bringing30yearsof experiencetoyourdoor!" Treetrimming, removals&stump grinding.Insured&FREE estimateswithfairprices! FirewoodForSale 586-756-0757
Shops & Sweets Holiday
Markets weekend
DECEMBER 12-14
Friday: 4pm to 10pm, Saturday: 12pm to 10pm, Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
Featuring gifts and goodies from 15 local artisans and businesses!
DON’T MISS...
• Ice Skating at The Rink • Holiday Markets
• Holiday Cabin with Live Music
• Visit with Santa • Cookie Crawl
• Horse & Wagon Rides
• Marshmallow Roasting Stations
Toy Drive
When you donate a toy worth $10 or more you will help bring joy to local hospitalized pediatric patients. Toy drive takes place December 12th - 14th during the hours the Rink is open. Visit www.royaloakholidays.com for more event info!
At M3 Investment, our commitment goes beyond fnance—it’s to Royal Oak. M3 Investment is
to partner with the community by spotlighting every magical moment Royal Oak offers this holiday. We look forward to seeing you at the next event!