Volume 1, Issue 27 DECEMBER 1, 2023
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
‘The library is so beautiful right now’ 28th annual Celebration of the Trees lights up SADL
By Sharon Hallack
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
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If you hurry, there’s still time to take in the Shelby Area District Library’s (SADL) annual Celebration of Trees. The 28th annual event will conclude tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 2 at noon at the library. With over 60 creatively designed Christmas trees, wreaths, table centerpieces and a toy train with lights and sound, as well as outdoor accents, gift baskets and a “buy it now” table, there is no shortage of unique Christmas decor and gift items. “The library is so beautiful right now,” President of the Friends of SADL Cindy McKinnon said. “The community has really come through. We’ve run out of room.” The Friends of the SADL invite the community to stop in by tomorrow or visit the SADL Facebook page before noon to see everything that’s available and place bids before it’s too late! Over 40 holiday displays have been set up by a group of Friends of SADL “elves,” McKinnon said. The ladies collect holiday decorations and donations all year long, designing and repurpos-
Instructors Kirstie DeVries and Tim Hertzler, back left, stand with students from the Hart High School Student Leadership Class. • Stacia Erickson/Echo
Baked Goods Bingo to benefit area families By Stacia Erickson
ing many of the items into something totally new and different. Added to these displays are another 25 business, individual and group displays. “You’re not going to find these items in any store,” McKinnon said. Individuals may place silent auction bids in person or by calling the library at 231-861-4565 to place bids by phone. “We will bid for people (not in attendance) up until the last minute if they want us to,” McKinnon said. Proceeds from the holiday fundraiser assist with the purchase of new books and materials for programs like storytelling, princess and pirate parties, upgrades to the library and arts and crafts activities. According to McKinnon, the Celebration of Trees is the Friends of SADL’s largest fundraiser of the year, bringing in anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 in recent years. “Funds raised help fill the gaps in the library’s budget,” she said.
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Two years ago, another opportunity for giving was added to the annual event. For each donation of $10 or more, an ornament with the donor’s name (or anonymous) is added to the library’s Christmas tree and the donor’s name goes into a drawing to win a basket filled with local merchandise certificates from businesses across the entire county and holiday goodies valued at more than $450. Winners of the silent auction will be announced, and the drawing for the “Friends Holiday Basket” will take place tomorrow at noon.
• Brendan Samuels/Echo and Contributed
The Hart High School Student Leadership Class is calling all area residents who love food and Bingo. They have a fun holiday treat in store! According to the teacher of record, Kirstie DeVries, and her class co-coordinator, Athletic Director Tim Hertzler, “the kids came up with this idea themselves!” That idea? A Holiday Baked Goods Bingo Night! It’s an idea that DeVries confessed to partially “stealing” from Drummond Island, where she has spent many a happy summer vacation and where she first encountered the baked goods bingo idea. This is Kirstie and Tim’s second year “co-teaching” the leadership class, and both feel it is part of their calling. Hertzler said that after Covid, he knew the class needed to have things done differently. Kids needed to almost relearn what it means to participate, interact, and think beyond themselves. He now sees other students observing what’s being done and wanting to become part of the whole process. That’s a win for everyone! DeVries grew up watching her mother, Kim Smith, a now-retired Hesperia teacher, regularly use project-based learning. She credits her love of such a teacher-inspired learning style to her mom. DeVries considers this class to be totally “project-based.” She particularly enjoys watching the students “love being part of the process!” DeVries herself finds that she also enjoys event planning, brainstorming, and the organizing part of the class. She added that the biggest struggle sometimes is the management of the enthusiastic participants. Both leaders, DeVries and Hertzler, see the class as an opportunity to pay it forward in the Oceana County community and beyond. Their vision includes the hope that the students of today will continue to grow in their love of community and service, and that love will have far-reaching benefits as those students become community members, parents and caring individuals who, in turn, will “pay it forward.” Other current class projects include “Go Bags” for local women’s shelters, goods and services for the Oceana Animal Shelter, adopting families for Christmas and the recent “coin drive” with cash collected competition from their peers (approximately $1,100) slated to fund future projects for the class. Holiday Baked Goods Bingo Night is happening next week, Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 5-7 p.m. This fun holiday event is generously hosted by the Oceana County Council on Aging, located at 4250 W. Tyler Rd. in Hart, and promises to be full of fun and good eating. This time, the game thought to have originally begun in the 16th century will mean everyone wins: today, the students, the community and all the collective future. Bingo players will not be charged admission but must purchase their Bingo cards with non-perishable food items (one per card). All items collected will be distributed to area Oceana County families and pets in need over the holiday season. Suggested items include breakfast and lunch foods (remember, no school means no breakfast or lunch for some kids in need) and items such as macaroni and cheese, soup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit, vegetables and meats, boxed dinners, etc. Dried Pedigree brand dog food and treats will also be accepted, as the Oceana County Animal Shelter will benefit from any donated pet items. Prizes for each game will include a variety of donated homemade baked goods. Additional baked goods will also be for sale during the event. Anyone interested in helping but is unable to play Bingo that particular evening can still donate non-perishable food and/or baked goods. They are asked to bring donations on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the Hart High School office located at 300 W. Johnson St. in Hart. Please use the west parking lot entrance.