Roscommon Santa Letters - Up North Voice Dec 2024

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Letters to Santa

Roscommon, St. Helen and Houghton Lake Elementary Schools Collins Elementary 1st Grade Mrs. Beecher

Dear Santa Chisiminebuck a mine buck Love, Nickolas Dear Santa Tablit, pon, dess, sooss, santa hat, lip sdik, cat stufe, ntondo swich, roblox 100$, I wot chick please, choos, dog stufe, I wot to be good at math Love, Gracelynn Der Santa Moreo, gomboc, btox, pop, snowe I wot sompel runnr Love, Liam Dear Santa I love you boibe doll

Love, Halrier

Dear Santa Tablit, pon, dess, soogs, santa hat, 100$, in wok chist, lip sdik Love, Faith Dear Santa I wot a mask grdoloado sqle buxp Love Gadbe

Dear Santa Besis axolettls, hacmol, legeu, bicaxeluxc

Collins Elementary 1st Grade Mrs. Greer

Dear Santa Can you git a drt bicke plese Love, Eric Dear Santa I wont mor barie Love, Cataleia Dear Santa Madison I love dada and mit Love, Madison Dear Santa I wont a car. I wond my eerperst. I wont a cat and a dog an I wont u lot of candy plas Love, Reese

2024

Dear Santa I wot a dog

Love, Emmarie

Dear Santa May I have a rmot robot Dear Santa

Love, Milo

Love Thomas

Dear Santa Cat and dog robot that to scol forlou and you ipad Love, Brynn leigh Dear Santa, I wrt lov u

Love, Kalmarye

Dear Santa May I have a jrown with a orbes blartr Love, Jackson Dear Santa I yut a brbey dol for crismis Love, Vanessa Dear Santa I would like a _______

Love, Jaxon

Dear Santa I would like a turpo for Christmas Love, Leighton

Collins Elementary 2nd Grade Mr. Smith

Dear Santa I want some pokemon cards, dinosours, and a copying bird and a new cat toy please and some earing and a kids sleep couch and some jewelry and a picture frame and some flowers please and some blank paper please Love, Allie Dear Santa I have been good this year. I want pokemon please and thank you Love, Carter Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like some hot wheels, makeup and toys for my dog I would like some toys Love, Hannah

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December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like my baby sister to have playdough and toy and how do your reindeer fly.

Love, Sunny Dear Santa This year I would like a hoverboard a ipad a Nintendo a bike Love, Remi Dear Santa You’r so nice for giving us presents evrry year this year I want a hoverboard please Love, Aaron Dear Santa I would like a barbie and a make up set and a cook set. For my brother hot wheels and for my brother hotwheels.

Oter brother a nerfgun. I have been good this year Love, Savannah Dear Santa This year I would like a mini fridge and pop and a vr and a vr gift card and a bed couch.

Love, Bently Dear Santa For chistmas I would like babeiayd and a rocktumblers and hedphones.

My sistr wonts barbees. I wontt a nerf gunand roo blanket and a forntnite xbox game crd Love, Orion Dear Santa This year I would like a new pair of shoes and earrings.

Love, Sage

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a nitendo switch and a new bike.a giant nerf gun and a chromebook Love, Kai Dear Santa This yeari woub like a toy air horn to wake my brother Love, Elijah Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a doll house. My brother would like a xbox 5 Love, Adalyn Hi Santa My name is grayson. I hope ive ben good this year I would like a phone vr dirtbike a hoverboard and a go kart Love, Grayson Dear Santa I love you. And Iv an but toy van and a nubuey and a hotwel.

Love,Nathan Dear Santa For chrismas, I would like a toy car, a toy gun a phone and a wand, and race car, a mine fridge and very last a tv and a race trak for the race car Love, Kyson Dear Santa For Christmas I would like pokemon and switch game Love, Paisley Dear Santa For Christmas this year I would like I love you santa earings Love, Edie

Collins Elementary 3rd Grade Ms. Mann

Dear Santa I would like some things for Christmas if you get me any of this I would be very happy. 1.skin care 2. A scooter 3. Robuxs 4. Thing to decorate my vanity 5. Owalas 6. Vr gift card 7.

Crafts 8. Sim water bottle 9. Long borad 10. Barbies 11. Beat neud phones Love, Tadriana Dear Santa This is what I want for chrismas (sorry if there expensive) first is a iphone 15 next is a …. New buble skincare because I ran out of it next is a puppy (please) sleeping mask next! Jelly cat charm and jelly cat plushey next is a ….

Leated vest next pink palm puff! Thank you santa (: by the way how old are you?

Love, Lillian Dear Santa I want for Christmas more barbie stuff and barbie dolls. Plushie any plushie robux giftcard pop it, gumball machine, blank paper, color pencils, tape, cat headphones, tv, fake food, scooter Love, Matayah Dear Santa For crismas I would really like a art set, blue roller skates, dino toys and a joy l Love stevie Dear Santa Can you git fonut cors ples. Wut od you do at the no por Love, Abandor

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 3

Dear Santa For chrismis I want a nitendo switch, clevend clavers jersey, and my final present is a ohio state singed trey von Henderson jersey plese and thank you Love, Korbin Dear Santa I want a long board for Christmas it would be awsome. I would also like some Michigan gear. And id like a new scooter. And some new nikes please. Id love that Love, Molly Dear Santa Mini claw machine, mini chase car, kids smart watch, peanut the monkey skate shooz, goat yoga toy, a real Yorkshire pupy and new phone Love, Amy

Dear Santa Can I have collge football 25 and madden 25. I have a qusiton are you loo or looo. Can I have nerf gun. Also a mini fridge. Also can I have in to the pit game.

And a presdent for my two dog teddy and brynly like a dog toy… and a Detroit lions jersy. With a Michigan jersy and the last one a gift card.

Love, Treyvin Dear Santa I reale reale want a big claw machine Love, Sophia Dear Santa Skate board rinpoall sate Love, Konshor Dear Santa Can I ber touch et please Love, Rekair

Dear Santa I want to see my dad force crismis because I have it see him in fore avr becus he move to adifrit side audirmilmishi I ples santa. I rile mis him so mush aud that is ol I wunt ples saut. And I am rile sad without him.

Love, Madison Dear Santa Of you give me a long board Love, Dear Santa Gust vatu no I katkit I waot a afidgkuf meometay sonie and meta sonic Love, Lukas

Collins Elementary 3rd Grade Ms. Conway

Dear Santa How are you? I have been try to be good. But this year I want a skateboard.

Please and a few dogs on it. Thank you for the things you gave me last year. I really love the toys Love, Aliyah Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been leaning a lot! This year It would be cool if I got a new bater botl, a new buk pak, and a new puppy. Thank ya for every thing you gave me last year. I really loved the slime you gave me last year.

Love, Sohpia Dear Santa How are you? I have been good this year. It would be cool if I got a glow recipe toner. And u drunk elephant jelly.

Thank you for everything I got last year.

I really loved the plushie Love, Grace Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a drit bike, a bate couger, and a cirky, water botl, Love, Carter Dear Santa How are you? I have been good this year. It would be cool if got a xbox, laptop and a pet snak and aastanlyoda rubux. Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really love the stuff Love, Skylar

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December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa How are you? I have been pretty good. This year it would be pretty nice if I got a computer so I can make better youtube videos.

My next wish for a ocules quest 3S for the same reason of the computer. And for my last wish I want you to give all the kids in Africa 10 years supplie of food.

Love, Jonathon Dear Santa How are you?

I have been trying to do my best at school and at home. This yaer it would be cool if I got a electric dirt bik. Thank you for everything you gave me last year ive been trying so hard to do my best.

Love, Brody Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a sled. Conay and new backpack. Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really love the hovrbur Love, David Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it wold be cool if I got a slime kit, kendick sand, and a stunny.

Thank you for everything last year. I really loved the soccer ball Love, Brooklynn Dear Santa How are you? I have been working really hard! This year it would be cool if I got a jesus plushy, a laptop, and stanly and a sqishamelo. Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really loved the clothes Love, Penelope Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra extra extra hard this year. This year it would bee cool if I got LOLs, magnic blocks, and a rainbow flower. Thank you for everything you got me last year. I really loved the popti mashein.

Love, ariah Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a lago set with a F1 car , hedor gockit and I would u big dr bike. Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really loved the hvr board Love Denzior

Dear Santa How are you? I have been working hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a oof rao dirt bike and a 4 weeler on staairways and a cooler cart. Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really loved the tred bain.

Love, Audley Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a laptop, a trampalen, and more decoratrens for my room. Thank you for the elf I could touch, I loved it!

Love, Briella Dear Santa How are you? I have been working hard this year. I have been learning a lot! It would be cool if I got a puppy and I hundred dollars.

Thank you for everything you gave me last year.

Love, Matthew Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would becool if I got a nike joins shooes for chrismis. Thank you for everything you gave me last year I really loved the toy last year.

Love, Connor Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a stanley, ken clothes, and a coumpter.

Thank you for everything you gave me last year. I really loved the stuff you got me last year.

Love, Joei

Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got skincare I want a lot of skincare and I want a lot of touchl, and I want a lot of stanley, and I want ugg,s and can I more cholthes. Thank you for everything you gave me last year I really loved the suffies Love, Talia Dear Santa How are you? I have been working extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot! This year it would be cool if I got a nref guns. Tokue trucks and baskit ball hoop. Thank you for everything you gave me last year.

Love, Jayce Dear Santa How are you? I have been woking extra hard this year. I have been learning a lot this year it would be cool if I got a vr and blade and srsre. Thank you for everything you gave me last year I really loved the prisit Love, Laken

Collins Elementary 3rd Grade Mrs. Williams

Dear Santa For I want for I Christmas is a mewtoo v and blalk cards that you can draw on and some sparkly ones. What I also want for chrismas is a mario and luigi brother ship it seems so good.

Sincerely your friend Eli

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 5

Dear Santa I wont for chrismas is my sister to be nise to me. Whut I wont for chrismas is a BFF neckless 4 Pepple a tommugochey and hand cuf’s for my sister.

Love, Zoey Dear Santa For Christmas I would want a baby doll docter set. Also id like a inflatable pool or a real dog or cat. I also want a dentist set with visiline and breaces. And the thing I want most is a flute set with directions please?

Sincerely, Sarah Dear Santa Can I hav ae2erinter book the cumber a new cike, zbucks and a dog and a hamster.

Love, Finley

Dear Santa For Christmas I want a computer and tadlet and a money and you too Love, Thomas Dear Santa For this chistmas santa I want a bastit ball cort. But I don’t have a chinm then how do you get in my home. And I osi want earbuds Love, Mila Dear Santa, I am exaited for the holiday becur we get to see your family, and have family dinner with echuder Love, Makenzie Dear Santa I wont a hotres sut I wot a VR I wot sum lagos suts.

Love, Thomas

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December 2024

Dear Santa For crismis I want good for fallmly time. And I want a rc boat and I want a lego billd. And I want a wollt and a rc car Love, Nathaniel Dear Santa I am exsited for chrismis and prasits it is hy secant favrite holiday. My fist favrit hollday is vetrins day becus it is my britn day Love, Tanner Dear Santa For crismis I want legos, a dirt bike, a nothe cur and a trip. But what I really want is family and a dirt bike Love, Derek Dear Santa For chrismis I want a dirt bike and I want a phone Love, Ben

Dear Santa I want a bike, I want a book, I want a phoen, I want a laptap, I want a packpack, I want a toy, I want a playground, I want a math book, I want a pasnsic, I want a whiteborvd, I want a tv, I want a dake, I want aablt, Love, Hope Dear Santa I would like a rc car, lava lamp, backet ball, baeh bag, hoodie, tshirt, pants, drawing paper for Christmas Love, Grayson Dear Santa I want a laptop and a new barbie doll and some thing better for my mom cause she works so hard she is the onley one at my house dwelling with my brother. Some new barbie stuff and some clay that I can bake and sell.

Love, Elorie

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa I hop you get sathag good I would wot a mocuh animal and if you coud get me a futdolicir Love, Andrew Dear Santa I want a dogy and a shqishys in a box of 5 of them one more thing I want a watid dog and some detid pleaes slime Love, Lillith Dear Santa I would like a noo loveolap and a cr car alst I would likcke a rc bot Love Leighle Dear Santa I want a barbie doll and ken. Also I want a baby doll Love, Lillie Dear Santa For Christmas I wot a drown and a another drown Love, Kennedy

Charlton Heston Academy Kindergarten Ms. Wynkoop

Dear Santa pu pe luv bol Dear Santa DrcfadstosDear Santa Yaizen Dear Santa Gknemmm

Love, Bristol

Dear Santa 3 macup 3 tapliptat 3 hetatos 3 luchdz 3 popipt 3 bobcreth 3 mebox 1 kicher skylar Love, Skylar

Love, Clayton

Dear Santa Tooox tooxy fonl tooy legoz don cadbe auror o I love you, Aurora

Love, kaizen

Dear Santa Hvhborbrd brbes noopossetu Love, Nevaeh

Love, Kenny

Charlton Heston Academy Kindergarten Ms. Mikolaiczik

Dear Santa Pilohorn, lootpl, wnv, kaylie yolo Love, Kaylie Dear Santa OMZP 200 Love, Ivann

Charlton Heston Academy 1st Grade Mrs. Sancrant

Dear Santa I love sdrdo

Dear Santa Raindeer squishmellow – Love,Melody

Love, Greyson

Dear Santa I would like a dog fon christmas!

Love, Jordan Dear Santa I would llke a _______ for chrstmas!

Love, Cole Dear Santa Calcsu

Love, cassuis

Dear Santa Itrgo I digsr I w t to siton xrslop Love,Jeremiah

Dear santa I have been a good doe this year. can I please have a new ps2 and ps5 also have a merry christmas. I love you santa Love, hunter

Dear Santa I would like a fuspcros for christmos!

Love, scarlett

Dear Santa Banbie teacher puppy

Dear Santa Pmslolwtlm Pugsley

Der santan xbox riingawtoy

Love, karliah

Love, Elijah

Charlton Heston Academy

Love, rex

Dear Santa Vr motorcycle teyitninja v-bucks tbox cube lol puppy talnie phone Love, owen

Dear santa I have been a good kid could I nolve paw patrol and a horse culonder and a barbie I love you santa love joyce Dear: santa I have been a good kid this year. can I please have a nexv a lot ur squishmellow love ava Dear santa I have been a good gil this year can I please have a new wobot for christmass Love miss ellianoa

1st Grade Ms. Perryman Dear santa I have been a good boy this year can I please have an new vr and huverbord and a PS5 just for me marry Love, henry Dear Soenton I have been a good kid this year. can I please have a nexrv also have a merru christmas Love, jade

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 7

Dear Santa, pls can I have a hoverboardLove, oliver Dear Santa, Pu pe5 barbies plushe pludom Love, gracelynn Dear Santa, Xbox and pet snake and VRhedset Love, Ruyer Dear Santa, Huvrbord violin macupcit skateboard scas vr noowodrobodlflho skabord puppy xbox walkie LOL dolls rubix Love, Jozie Bear santa I ples haf a nromote cdntrol I luf youl jaf lufypletu Love, Cash

Dear santa I have a good grel can I have a violin and uns and a phon a fidgets and a fingerling and have a marh love hannah Dear santa I have been a good kid this year. can I please have an woketoke and a skatbord I love you, daizrx

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December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa I wod like to hav a bluey car Love, Eliranna

Charlton Heston Academy 2nd Grade Ms Liss

Dear Santa I want a xbox for Christmas Love, Rox Dear Santa Dset u wot gish k sirdsobbo kact Love, Amelia Dear Santa I would like a barbie for Christmas Love, Kilee

Dear Santa I would like a tablet for Christmas Love, Liam Dear Santos I would like a bird for Christmas Love, Emma Dear Santa Would I like a big stufu kirewhale for chishasto Love, Hope

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Christmas. Teri McGee is pictured in December 1962.

The family had just moved from West Mifflin, Pennsylvania to Rockwood, Michigan.

"I loved our sparkling tree, full of tinsel and a HO train that ran under our tree every year. Great memories," she said.

Dear Santa I would like a big sufee killer whale for Christmas Love, Natalie Dear Santa I would like a 10 fox tedde bear Love, Travis Der Santa I would like a haceb cat slipr squishmallow for harpobs chistmas bucke begag, Love Myrika Dear Santa I would liked Howell lom bogihi, bird, a lizard, and a PS5 verttiet set Love, James Dear Santa, I would like a apple computer and a lizard for chistmas and a turtle Love, Jayia

Dear Sonta, I would like a barbie for Christmas Love, Sofia Dear Santa I would like cyber truck four Christmas Love, Cole Dear Santa I would like dcr headset, ps5, xbox for Christmas Love, Zander Dear Santa I would like a new toy car for chistmas Love, Johnnie Dear Santa I would like a elf!

Love, Jacob

Dear Santa I want a robot for chrismtas Love, Zavq

Dear Santa, One Christmas favor head phones dear santa I would like phonsehead rccar Love, Jayce

Dear Santa I want a Nintendo, and a new stuffed animal stich Love, Paige

Dear Santa I would tablet. For Christmas water bottle Love, Zeke

Dear Santa I wont a barbie doll and clothes for Christmas Love, Bella

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 9

Charlton Heston Academy 2nd Grade Mrs. Tinnin

Dear Santa My name is abel I have been good this year I would like ice crem playset and baker playset. I would like same Minecraft. I would like a mastertruck track. I would also like a oivt bike I can ride. I would like govee curtolin lights.

Sincerely, Abel Dear Santa I want a LOL DOLL Love, Aria

Love, Skyla

Dear Santa Santa has been spotted in northerm Mexico and he said hi Love, Jagger Dear Santa Bunny Love, Paisley

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December 2024

Dear Santa Hi i wot u babey bed wat has a bed ud a sid on teth pnt I love you sutu Love, Diane Dear Santa I wotiz apypk

Love, Joy Dear Santa I wont bodnorop ples a Satu Love, Keegan

Dear Santa Agickaoc gi morieioidaicknaz Love, Emma

Dear Santa Sopib bab tis the on misi dbut senta claynes Love, Piper Dear Santa, Famley me, mom, dad, sis

Dear Santa, I wont a babyaliv and I olso I wont a lols pris big verbin and I olso wont a big baby boi and a playstation and a Ps5 Love, Ivy

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa Paw paw toawtalltex, somiawna pawxawtenat toy, bluey frog toy Love, Landon Dear Sahto, I blevin you I am so sory for bing bad I wont to be on the god list. I am be gud now Love, Colton

Charlton Heston Academy 2nd Grade Ms. D’iagle

Dear Santa V.R3, Phoon, peachy babay slime, head phoons, cat plush, elechik scooter Love, Leah Dear Santa Axuwotl scuochmelo

Love, Alex

Dear Santa Megatron, bumblebee motersicle, plush, vr Love, Logan Dear Santa Lunch box Love, Addie

Dear Santa Barbie doll Dear Santa 5 bucks and pig

Love, Logan

Dear Santa Lego set a lego car batman lego set avegers iren man a toy car biaster the fart a grapiing hot Love, Owen Dear Santa A mdu quest 3 wings that I can fly to yous Love, Jackson

Dear Santa Vr head get and 1000 vbucks Love, Nicholas

Dear Santa VR head set, terkey, squshmelo Love, Jasen

Dear Santa Woosh rimoet car

Love, Haisley

Dear Santa Doat car, a drone, a clo I can drive Love, Jackson Dear Santa Harepoter trok hot wels

Love, Alexa

Dear Santa A cloto skooshe Love, Scarlett

Dear Santa Marckin gril doll hows Love, Kaiylee

Dear Santa Slime

Dear Santa Also ramote car also a home lunch bag, soccer ball and nets Love, Orion

Love, Corbin

Dear Santa Desck bucbed

Love, Weston

Love, Violet

Dear Santa Ronaldo light Ronaldo glaves Ronaldo shin gards Ronaldo soccer cleats a gold soccer ball Ronalldo cloths asoccer neckla Love, Lorenso

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 11

Charlton Heston Academy 3rd Grade Mrs. Love

Dear Santa, All I want is for my Little sister not to be sick any more. And no doctors.

Your Freind Jaxon Santa LOL

Love, Maxima

Dear Santa Please make me president with millions of body guards, a lamboi raindeer, beylod, gym, to catch a bass, phone, phone case, billion robux, totch screen computer, bunny, rabbit cage, big lego box, smartest kid in the class, and million dollars.

Love, Grant Dear, Santa, Id Glbsebl ei lot Tiketttodisn meeleoant Love, Elicah Dear, Santa, Dolls, Santa Dolls, Legos, Toy clock.

Love, Shyla Dear Santa.

I have been good at school I want pokemon plashoe and pokemon toys and 5,000 vobucks. Some PS5 games and some swich games.

From Ben Dear Santa, I know I have ben bad but I am changing. I ben nice to my buthrs so I wot a ril cat and a cat bed and a cat phohces.

Fum, Liberty Dear, Santa I’v been trying to be good but I’v have hard things gowing on at my home. I hope you give me prasinsts, From Austin Deer santa I have lisined I lrned tims see 5X6=30 I love you can I have a ben benbug Love, Nevaeh

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December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dela Santa Ockitaest

Love Cetan

Dear santa I woht to have crismis with my mom and dad and I wont a new brbe irem haos foh my sistr and ibih good I hav a nhd ol as but 1 bt.

Frum Avieva Dear Sant, I got all A on my paper, tests and I was good at school and I show grit and I ben really this year and I love math, 5x5=25, 6x5=30 and I am good at school From : carly Am I good or bad Dear Santa I ben r chouce LUVS aluv

Love, Paul

Dear Santa For Christmis I want: bddeblads, 35, ibs of bedns, nihiogo lego, jrasic world lego, stich lego, swich games.

Love, Philip Dear Santa, I have been good this year. This year I want new close. I don’t have a lot that fix me and I want a pc.

Love, Penelope Dear Santa I’v ben the best I could this year I riley, riley want a hors for chismas. And a big hors or unicorn lago set Love, Ava Dear Santa Can I have vsbucks for chismis Love, Eric

Charlton Heston Academy 3rd Grade Ms. Maynard

Dear Santa 6 stich lifs. Pokemon cadss, santa we love you a lot Love, Maddisyn Dear Santa Cat stuf please, hamstr please, car please Love, Sophia

Dear Santa Xcon t riakeh headset new cord aaa billeoh to llers legoo sh a hecters luh Love, Chenco Dear Santa, For chrismas can you get me a oxulotow toy please and thank you one reson why I love chrismas is that we are all shareing and calling and speening time to gether.

Love, Xinlee Dear Santa 1 lego complex cars 2 new computer parts 3 1,700 robuxs, 4 1,700 vbucks 5 happy ness Love, Dove

Dear Santa I want peekchou toy set and pokmeon zenr that’s opin up Love, Darren Dear Santa I love crimis is fun the zowe is fun a dxhepenfu Love, Ryan Dear Santa Can I get a PS5 please and get me Minecraft lights and get me roblox toys, and skibbidid toys too and get me lots of figits, Love, Zowie Dear Santa Harry potter lago and book junie nlones book a wate a pone Love, Joslyn Dear Santa I whod like to have a qiet class for as long as I love and a new phone please and for my family to lwag stoveme Love, Chumotte

Dear Santa LED light. A phone 10000$ gum Love, Jemma Hi Santa, I love you I Biev you are rel Love, Mia Dear Santa Penon Dre Snth I wish tat I crd see you Dear Santa Bisqthto

Dear Santa Pone sitc lap skmest

Love, Drake

Love, Elijah

Love, Josah

Love Daxtyn

Dear Santa Can I have a playstatshan 5 Love, Xander Dear Santa Led light, more stitch sufe, gum, stitch lape, good pens, money, 1,000,000,000 money, a phone. A tuchscren. A 3D pen, a new book for draling. Tokochey. Plusheys, new clows, intrucstiong books Love, Victoria Dear Santa, Fishing rod, siohn lah guide book, oajames, fish alarm clock, blanket, race car set, pushey, tox trackers, camra, gloves, bomocylors toy cars, hecking blanket, connect W, pack of hunny buns, hoes, cought head phones Love, Preston

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 13

His santa

Love, Christian

Our Lady of the Lakes Kindergarten Mrs. Kruse

lap

Dear Santa Can I please can I have a sit on your Love, Lainie Dear Santa I want to hold your hand Christmas Love, Jace

Dear Santa One a dyon Christmas can you bring ruboulph the Love, Carter Dear Santa Can I please have a big trex vampire From Griffin

Our Lady of the Lakes 1st Grade Mrs. Kruse

Dear Santa, Can I please have a cat

Love, Ezzy

Dear Santa, Please can you come to my house Love, Mattie Dear Santa Can I please hav slippers and a cat fond a little fox for Christmas!

Love, Madilyn Dear Santa I wut sum nurfbox

fox

Love, Perry

Dear Santa Can you get me a stuffy Love, Kennedy

Dear Santa Can I please have a lego set Love, Justin Dear Santa May I please have a tablet From Kaiden Dear Santa Please can I have monster high dolls From Rosie,

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December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa Can you please make sure that my family is safe Love, Claire Dear Santa, Please can I have an electric dirt bike.

From Jack

Our Lady of the Lakes 2nd Grade Mrs. Robb

Dear Santa I would like a hot wheels ultimate garage.

From Nicholas Dear Santa I would like to spend time with my family, I also would like a pury of hiyheels, I also want so more tcach splise.

Love, Avery Dear Santa, I want a tan stanley please. I want a baby kitty realy bad thank you. I want a stitch baby pj’s. I want glue on nails.

I want skincare too. I want a 4 year old fake silicone baby. I want my family to be happier. I want a hole pack of clips.

I want a real baby. I love my elves tell them that plese From Cambrie Dear Santa I want a dog lego set, mario plush full series of dog mah books and a acion figure Love, Curtis don’t forget iphone Dear Santa I want a barbie camper that has a super big water slide Love, Abby

Dear Santa What I want from Christmasis lots of bad kitty books. I would also like 2 lego sets and a cookie machine. And a new water botel for school Love, Madysin Dear Santa For Christmas I would love some sticthes please. Like some stich slime please and some puppy pjs please. I also would like a sitkc standley pleas. I would like a skin car set to please. I would like a poke of talir swift sticrs pleas.

Love, Natasha

Our Lady of the Lakes 3rd Grade Mrs. Smith

Dear Santa How have you been? How is Mrs. Claus? How are the elves and the reindeer? I hope the North Pole is still in shape. Thank you for all the presents, and candy. I will make sure I put cookies & milk for you and carrots for the reindeer. I have to make sure my dogs don’t eat them because my dogs love carrots. I will make sure I will give presents to ever body in my family. I would like a Nintendo switch From, Collin Dear Santa How are you reindeer doing? Ok, lets get to the asking part, please may I have a stuffed animal wolf, and toy horse that you can ride and moves automatically like a hover board. I would like a new kitten, Minecraft formy Nintendo, a pink guitar, and a baby hamster, and a braclet making machine.

From Kylie Dear Santa, How are your reindeer doing? For Christmas, I would love to go to the north. I would love some hot chocolate.

I an so excited to have Christmas! I wish for a remote control race care I love you beard!

Love Christian Dear Santa How is Mrs Clause doing and the reindeer? Thank you for everything you got me in the past. So, how about we get to what I want, a magic set, mini quish-mallows, L.O.L. Surprise Dolls, and maybe a V.R. I have a feeling I’m not going to get a V.R. Oh, and by the way, one of the most things I want is… to spend Christmas with my family and to go to Great Wolf Lodge. P.s. thank you!

Love, Lemmy

Dear Santa How are the reindeer? Oh, and how is Mrs. Clause? Ok, let’s get to the good part, Santa. What I want for Chrismas is a hamset. Can I have a toy momster truck, a new scooter too, a doll house, and a new silicone doll, and a crib and a horse toy that you can ride, but I want it white and make the sillcone cute too.

Love Essabella Dear Santa, Thank you for bringing your reindeer on Christmas day. Also, how is Mrs. Claus doing? I will bring corrots for the reindeer. I hope the reindeer have fun in the sky. I hope you have fun times steering the sled. Is it cold up there?

What I would like for Christmas is a VR headset, a Nintendo switch, PS u games, Nintendo switch games, finally a white board PLEASE! One more, thing a PS5 Love, Colin Dear Santa Thank you for all the presents you have given me in the past. How is Mrs. Claus? Also how are the reindeer? This year I want only two things: they are 1: a MetaQuest3S 2: A new bed. Wishing you an amazing new year!!!

Love, Madison

Roscommon Elementary School Kindergarten Mrs. Bibbey

Dear Santa I would like a excavator From, Nehemiah Dear Santa I would like a lego zoo please From, Grayson Dear Santa I would like lego dino please From Campbell Dear Santa I would like prhcoos kit cheh From Laikynn Dear Santa I would like a toy plese dign Love, Aleena Dear Santa Fod deqrsanta I would like a vest please Love, Joseph

Dear Santa I would like a transf or mer buvim please diebee Love, Luke Dear Santa Prince cleo yn I would like Love, Tressa Dear Santa I would like cargh stuffey please Love, Forrest Dear Santa I would lik a box of squishes Love, Quindalin Dear Santa, I would like a ipd please Love, Charliegh Dear Santa, I would like swair

Love, Creek

Dear S

Dear Santa A mermaid (written by teacher) Love, Audrey Dear Santa Walking a dog (written by teacher) Love, Ellianna Dear Santa PS5 Dear Santa Lego emmigaml sgbc

Love Jaxson

Love, Henry

Dear Santa A golden mystery egg, lipstick, teddy bear (written by teacher) Love, Ivy Dear Santa A barbie doll house (written by teacher) Love, Robert

Roscommon Elementary School

Dear Santa A barbie dream house with barbie (written by teachter) Love, Athina

Dear Santa Eyeshadow, lipstick, teddy bear w/ crown (written by teacher) Love, Carol

Roscommon Elementary School

Kindergarten Mrs. Weiler

Dear Santa Tonka truck (written by teacher) Love, Rowan Dear Santa Me on santas lap with my brother (written by teacher) Love, Theodore Dear Santa A squishmellow (nightmare before Christmas) (written by teacher) Love, Lumen

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

Kintergarden Ms. Napolitano

Dear Santa, Stu, plasuah, isdbets, Dear Santa Oiniubibbey fimle sit u Dear Santa I want robux and mcrio

December 2024

Love, Ryan

Love, Olivia

Love, Micah

Page 15

Dear Santa Moster tho robux2

Dear Santa, I uot jna sdic mat and hedbad Love, Reagan Love, Easton

Dear Santa I lotcochiz pes sot enilso tv Love, Otto Dear Santa I have been really good again this year. I help my daddy whith chores without being told. I really want a dirtbike!!!!! Thank you for my skate board last year Love, Logan Dear Santa All I want for chritmas is a phone Love, Emmet

Roscommon Elementary School 1st Grade Ms. Blossfeld

Dear Santa I whot a dog for crismiss Love, Elenor Dear Santa I will like a bumb boxand a toy with stufy axullatl with a downut and a toy nowmll axullatl stufy Love, Melanie Dear Santa You or the best because you wrk so much Love, Kyhslee Dear Santa I will like a dinos toys and a axlotl toy and a pekcnoo viteog gam and a toy aer plah and a ffft blasth Love, Caylee Dear Santa For crismis I whont asbabe cats in a littel box Love, Nova Dear Santa I wont a uculuyle and a pet hermit crab and a todd parr book and a taxnc and hax doods and a new wotrdotle and sticrs and shrt with culrs on it Love, Isabella

Page 16

December 2024

Dear Santa I wot a PS5 prlteples and a conu Love, Liam Dear Santa I would peme pokemon not e doppem and letgns Love, Eli Dear Santa I wit a lit of ceches and a huw wotir bdlir Love, David

Roscommon Elementary School 1st Grade Ms. Grainger

Der Santa For Christmas I would like a mikrfone and a woch and a a cat ikre Love, Aria Dear Santa BO Rrobux and a puupel for chrismas would like Love, Lena Dear Santa Beke ectric dirt bike electtpc go cart Love, Bo Dear Santa For Christmas would like Love, Tommy Dear Santa For Christmas I would like phone and microphone and jolly rancher Love, Nora Dear Santa I wot a I fone

Love, Khalessi

Dear Santa For chrixtmas I would like a meta quest and dpeca and xbox Love, Anthony Dear Santa For Christmas would like a pupe and I would have a cide and a budrfliy stufe Love, Talia

Dear Santa For ckrismis I wont fortnte gam pleys Love, Colton

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a reul phone and suft cat Love, Aasiyah

Dear Santa, Ac lyon, holels, menerac, mimommu, scibcna, Love, Jacob

Dear Santa For Christmas I would pupe and I wod cat Love, Lynk

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa Giu xouasoir

Love, Xander

Dear Santa I would atte liokihy toys a new water bottle Love, Danielle Dear Santa Frozen toys peppa pig toys (written by teacher) Love, Madison

16

Dear Santa For Christmas would like an iphone Love, Silas

Dear Santa For Christmas would like I wot mostrhiv dols and wosh and a Love, Jaynee Dear Santa For Christmas I would morex

Love, Wyatt

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a xbox Love, Soryn Dear Sata For Christmas I would like a le phone 16 and a lego sete a dinosaur Love, Maxwell Dear Santa For Christmam I would like a dimindemining kit and a fossl minig kit Love, Connor

Roscommon Elementary School 2nd Grade Ms. Stachurski

Dear Santa For Christmas I would PLEASE like a blue fuzzy axlotol suit. Merry Christmas Love, Kayce Dear Santa I want coom scidisis and a 10$ rordlox Love, Christopher

Roscommon Elementary School 1st Grade Ms. Hovey

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a dool quib Love, Stella Dear Santa For Christmas I would like mackupp from reese 2 ranededng kitins Love, Reese Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a toy car Love, Carter Dear Santa For Christmas I would like bol Love, Helina

like rseecor

Dear Santa For Christmas I would Love, Soromon

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a whuvrs book Love, Liam Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a nigg tools Love, Mason Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a spris Love, Lucy Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a xbox and a xbox cinchror and a craft set Love, Raelynn Dear Santa For chrismas I would like a orginiser and a book bin and sqooshmellow and some garlinand a pink char and some litse and a caty scegrli Love, Mckayia

Dear Santa For chirstmas I would like a sienis kiet, elf of the shelf, volcanek cole, jems, rokcleshen, snow glob, ordements, tree Love, Carson

Deere Santa For Christmas I would like a blankowr Love, Aedias

Deer Santa, I wold like heely’s and a coton candy moshen Love, Arya Jo

Roscommon Elementary School 2nd Grade Ms. Lehman

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a squishmellows and a doll and a science kit Love, Lydia

Dear Santa I want from santa is grapes for my shitch black mini mrssikit Love, Weston

Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like gron and PS5 and drrtbcke ples Love,Blayson Dear Santa For Christmas I would like tdblit lip glost, brum set, chok cnchrlr plushes, books, pjs, math thing, puppys, sqoosh melos, pet uneeys, boin drowe and bunee fod and a caje for the bunee loos kdndees Love, Hazel Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a majik mix, a silky soft stuft bunny and buter slime.

Love, Atticus Dear Santa Makeup, iphone, vbucks, playstation Love, Mackenzie

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a piritship a pol so I can plawif satu Love, Corbin Dear Sonto, for crismis I would like a nuter psfiv Love, Renan

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

December 2024

Page 17

Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like a god, a bike, robux, black nail polish, iphone, air pods, call of duty, lip gloss, squishmellows big ones, apple watch Love, Kyra

Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like a tablet, ruidough plushy, Nintendo swich lastely pueqwin squishmelow, lastley slime.

Love, Joseph Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like squishmellows and make up and a iphone II and a apple watch and a stufanuml the sise of me Love, Emma Dear Santa For Christmas I would like costume koablcos, a koala hoodie, a hadea pleas and a baby yoda, a book, a slof, Love, Harian Dear Santa For Christmastmas I would tgrn like vbucks callfo duty rc crh pesreh crismciseh patsnnith bebee dog Love, Liam

Page 18

December 2024

Dear Santa 1 rabet 2 cat m. towe’s rasecon Love, Jaiden Dear Santa For Christmas I would like a PS5 and a applewatch and a dog stuf aruml bear and bugamy robot and a footes.

Love, Talon Dear Santa, For christma I would like PS.5. rc car drum set, cuchroir, cupqdr. New bowe suich a tu form Love, Silas

Roscommon Elementary School 3rd Grade Mrs. Neville

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like make up and robloc looooooo and vbucks and apple watch and playstation Love, Avery

Dear Santa PS5, Madden 25, Brian Branch Jersey, Jameson Williams Jersey, Jahmyr Gibbs Jersey, Lions PS5 skin, gaming desk, gaming chair, football cards Love, Connor

Dear Santa, For chrismas, I would like a apple watch and makeup and class Love, Summer

Dear Santa In santa can you git me the PS5 nfl game and tickis xlm.

Love, Anthony

Dear Santa I would like 50$ robux giftcard . black and white onrlouds fully sharpened pencils,stechbook, clothing, apple watch, playstation, PS5 Love, Malati

Dear Santa Toys, nirf gun, new soccer cleat, whte sweatshirt, black sweatshirt, watch, tent, loft bed, spy tools Love, Sailer

Dear Santa For Christmas, I would like a lip glos chruk and a cn p of platoe.

Love, Amelia Dear Santa I wou like playstation 5, iphone Love, Fischer Der Santa, I want squishmellows, apple watch, noo hoodie Love, Conner

Dear Santa For Christmas I would call of duty $ tbsc scm dscudg Love, Cooper Derr Santa Xbox s, a cat, plushy, t-shrt, book’s list V Love, Shay

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

Dear Santa I want a iphone ii promdx in vellox apple vishlr pro Love, Bradley Dear Santa, Mark us will you use house in mickey mouse Love, Markus

Roscommon Elementary School 3rd Grade Ms. Gonsha

Dear Santa Whiteboard set, sharpe eresel, water botel, cowatt boats, cloves Love, Kasee

Dear Santa This Christmas I rily want the grave digger tracts Love, Sawyer Dear Santa Im going to be giving you a list of things that I want for chrimas. 1.

Snow pants for crimas 2. Nintendo 3. A snowbike 4. A new Gameboy 5. Caylus plus= psi really want a 6. Ps5 pro bably not gonna get 7. Snow 8. Make my mom and dady happy 9. V-bucks and robux 10. An culus quest 3 or vr 11. Lanky box plushys 12. Mini drift car-hot wheels difter 13. A globe 14. Areagl uhele 15.

Words biggest pop-it 16. My family Love, Cash

Roscommon Elementary School 3rd Grade Ms. Durbin

Dear Santa, How are you? Plese I want lagos and magic mixe and candys. Thank you Love, Isabella

Dear Santa How are you thank you, love lettie.

This year for Christmas I want a ckroom book & a iphone also I want a 30ft tumble track and a tummle bler with a bigsk wish mat Love, Lettie Der Sutu I woulte a vr and ps4 tlcu Love, Eric

Dear Santa, How R U , How r the elves, this year for Christmas I would like a lego mario sonic movie 2, a piano, paper mario color lash, a copy of 001 Love, Blaine

Dear Santa I have been really good this year this is what I would like for Chrismas a ninja steel mormer with the star also a dino charse sword and finally a 2 prais of black headphones also forgot to menschen I would really whont to see my parents get maired.

Love, Cash

Dear Santa How are you I hope you are well.

This year for Christmas I would love the worlds biggest lego set Love, Christian Dear Santa Thank you for giving me joy. Thank you for giving me my elf. Can I pleaes hav a computer and a puppy and a huther elf and slime and bate and a beter phone case and a brastit macing cit and pjs and hales and a prite jres and a slepovr with hadly and Brynlee and klar Love, Kora

Dere Santa You are the dest are in so I wuv wudring if you can git me a amarcin gril doll lunch box and with food too thack you Love, Annaitt Dear Santa I want a VR set please

Love, Davina

Derre Sqto Pleese bee cwiite because my isi ckips wakin me up qx xmis!

Love, Leleand Dear Santa Lego titanic gogo, nef gun, hot west, mack box, tick and tow toy From Dominic

Dear Santa How are you? I love you Santa.

Phone Love, Elana

Dear Santa I am very happy that last year you loved the cookies & the rain deer loved the carrots. It would be the best cristmas ever if you gave me an elf & that is all for my letter to you Sincerlly, mara

Dear Santa How are you? Can I pls have a vex uro plush, a phone, nezuko flip flos, nexuko wig, nezuko swetshrt, fangs Love, Elianna

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters To Santa

Dear Santa I’ve been thinking about you. How are the ELF’s I would be so so happy if ou could get me these things I want 1. Phone 2. Slime. 3. Bracelit kit 4.

Phone case 5. Pajamas 6. Nails. 7. Oreo Hershey bar 8. Dress 9. More slime 10.

For the world to be better Love, Hadley

December 2024

Page 19

Dear Santa How ar you for Christmas can please have nerf hun thank you and a back pick Love, Lander Dear Santa How are you? I’ve been thinking about you.

I hope you are well.

This year for Christmas can I please have a car with a controller, 10,000 robux, five big packs of gum. Thank you Love, Jex Dear Santa How are you im amazing my faverite hoiday is chrismas and I would love this I want a iphone II Please and I want a iphone 11 case please and how is miss cluas? Love you santa Love, Jace

Page 20

December 2024

Dear Santa Hi Santa you ar t be best man mi name is kylo I thaik I wat a treager plese a chqbisohic 3 Love, Kylo Dear Santa How are you I am good. May I have a lag ohms spitfire, a xboxs, a thor luse, fonies and call fo dude Love, Elijah Dear Santa How are you. I wont vbucks please. I want rebux pleas and thank you.

Please can I have a rc car and iphone 10 please

Love, caleb

Dear Santa How are you I hope you can make it for chrismas all I want for chrismas is a blashtoydx and a mow plese and thanks Love, Carveail

Dear Santa, How are you? You are the best and I can’t wait for you to come if you could I would love a barbie car. Thank you Love, Emma

Dear Santa You are the best also how is mris clos. I want a nitedo duich pees. And the titanic lego set plees. Have a good crismis Love, Charlie

Dear Santa, How are you I miz you zoy mach and can I git of crismiz a to hav a dog Love, Annallza

Dear Santa This year I was pretty good I don’t want much but I want all of duty, some vbucks so ples can I have that and thank you Love, Linkin

UpNorthVoice.com ~ Letters to Santa

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Voice Vol. 15, Issue 12

Tis the season!

NORTHERN MICHIGAN – The holidays are around the corner. And Northern Michigan is in a celebrating mood.

One highlight of the upcoming season is “Christmas in the Village in Roscommon.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. the morning of Dec. 7, have breakfast with Santa at Roscommon Elementary School.

Continue your day by stopping at the Good Shepard Methodist Church for a delicious cookie walk or make a wreath at the Gahagan Nature Preserve.

If you prefer to stay downtown, be sure to check out the Festival of Trees and tons of kids’ activities at the CRAF center, or work on your Christmas shopping. Light up the night and end your evening with the ▪ See TIS THE SEASON on page 6

.com

Read us online at UpNorthVoice.com!

ROCKIN THE MISTLETOE- JJ Jackson from the Jackson Music Program in Fairview brought instruments to encourage the kids to have fun and play at the Mistle Toe Market.

▪ See more of the Mistletoe Market on page 12

December 2024

IN THIS ISSUE: Fairview Eagle Voice – 3 Out & About- 4 Rosco seniors – 8 Veterans Day events – 10 Hosting Ogemaw hunters – 11 Slim Randles – 12 Mistletoe Market – 12 Hale students – 13 Pillowcases – 13 Toad’s Stool – 15 Buck pics - 15 Sudoku – 17 Comfy Chair – 20 Laughing Buck – 20 COOR – 22 Toys for Tots – 23

Seeking the ‘Gift of Life’ West Branch woman needs liver transplant

By Donna Thoma The need for organ transplants in the US and worldwide has significantly increased in the past few years.

The two organs that are needed most frequently are kidneys and livers. About twelve percent of organs needed are livers, and nearly 83 percent of patients need a kidney.

West Branch resident Robin Shipe is in need of a liver transplant. Shipe has stage 4 liver fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. Her condition is not due to alcohol or drug use. Non-alcoholic cirrhosis has become a leading reason for liver transplantation. Shipe is, otherwise, “in good health.”

People on the liver transplant list are ranked according to the

seriousness of their disease. In Publisher and Editor of the Up Shipe's case, due to her relatively North Voice, was a patient at UPMC good health, she Pittsburgh, and a would be unlikely to recipient of a liver receive a liver from from his niece. a recently deceased A live donor can donor. Receiving liver be a friend, family tissue from a living member, community donor becomes her member, or stranger. best option.

In Shipe's case, there According is no family member to University of who can donate as she Pittsburgh Medical was adopted. She does Center, more than have three children; 11,000 Americans however, they aren't are on the waiting list West Branch resident Robin able to donate. for a liver transplant, A live donor would Shipe is in need of a liver with only about 5,000 transplant. need to be 55 years of deceased donor livers available. age or younger, and for Shipe, they'd One year ago, Mark Constance, need to have either 0 negative or 0

positive blood type and be in good health. Blood type and age are two most important criteria to be a liver donor.

Henry Ford Hospital is home to the largest liver transplant program in Michigan. Henry Ford Hospital has a Center for Living Donation, to give living organ donors a higher level of personalized care and support.

Shipe's procedure would take place at Henry Ford Hospital.

Shipe experienced her first liver symptoms when at age seventeen, she developed jaundice. Her jaundice reappeared when she was twentyeight. Along with the yellowing of her skin, she's experienced nausea, stomach distension due to fluid in the ▪ See GIFT OF LIFE on page 9

Letter to the Editor

Relax with turkey, parades, and football

To the Editor Some of my friends feel like jumping off a bridge because Kamala Harris lost. Other friends seem to think that they can walk on water because Donald Trump won. I just hope that the ones who can walk on water save the ones who jump from bridges. We are all still friends and in the same boat (SS Trump) now.

We elected a president, but nobody was proven to be right or wrong. I still have concerns about another Trump presidency. That does not mean that I want him to screw up so that I can say “told you so.” It

would still be bad for our country.

Everyone should be rooting for Trump to get it right. If he does, then we all win. If not, then we all lose.

We can all find things on his platform that we like. For me it is tax-free social security. Most retirees will get about another $200 a month.

For the next two months our focus should be on family, friends, and the holidays. Start with Thanksgiving.

Relax, eat some turkey, and watch the parades and football. The tryptophan may do us all some good.

Randall Rousselo Roscommon, MI

Nominate your queen

HOUGHTON LAKE- Tip Up Town will be celebrating 75 years this coming January and will be looking for their 2025 Queen.

To be nominated for Tip Up Town Queen, the candidate must meet certain criteria. They must select a registered non-profit organization to represent, be at least 18 years old, and either live in or work in Roscommon County.

Applications are available at the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce. Please contact them by phone, 989-366-5644, or online at www.houghtonlakechamber.net for more information. The deadline for applications is December 15.

2024 Tip Up Town USA Queen Heather Emerick with Ashley Neville representing Houghton Lake in the Roscommon 4th of July Parade.

Up North Voice

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY: AuSable Media encourages all readers with a connection to the community to submit letters to the editor for possible publication. Please limit letters to 300 words.

Author must include a daytime contact number. Letters are the individual opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the staff, advertisers or contributors to the Voice. The Voice reserves the right to accept or reject any letter.

To submit a letter email it to: Alicia@UpNorthVoice.com, mail to P.O. Box 113, Roscommon, MI 48653, or stop by the office at 709 Lake Street in Roscommon.

HELP WANTED! AuSable Media / Up North Voice.com is seeking a marketing consultant to help our customers grow their business. This is a remote position.

Experience preferred but will train the right personality. Interested parties can send a resume and business references to tracy@upnorthvoice.com.

A Division of AuSable Media, LLC A veteran-owned business located at 709 Lake Street, PO Box 113, Roscommon MI 48653 • 989-275-1170 “Friend, guide and companion of all good people”

Up North Voice is published monthly and distributed in Roscommon, St. Helen, Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, Grayling, Lovells, Waters, Gaylord, Johannesburg, Lewiston, Comins, Atlanta, Mio, Fairview, McKinley, Rose City, Luzerne, Lupton, West Branch, Skidway Lake, Hale, Glennie, Curran, Tawas City, East Tawas, National City, Whittemore, Prescott, AuSable and Oscoda.

It is available at newsstands or annually for $40. Stories, advertisements and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. UpNorthVoice.com is updated daily with breaking news and photos.

Voice Staff Alicia Noragon Copy Editor

Alicia@UpNorthVoice.com

Mark Constance MConstance@ UpNorthVoice.com

Axel Jacobs Roscommon Distribution

Page 2 December 2024

Tracy Constance

Paul Grabstanowicz

Tracy@UpNorthVoice.com M: 419.236.0359

Paul@UpNorthVoice.com M: 630.567.3263

Sarah Novak Reporter

Warren Stutesman Reporter

snova.kaye@gmail.com

wstutesman@gmail.com

Matthew Barnes Grayling Distribution

Cody Jackson Mio Distribution

UpNorthVoice.com

Donna Thoma Writer donnathoma0@ gmail.com

Jeremy Shore Houghton Lake Distribution

Micheala Wade West Branch Distribution

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989-275-1170

UpNorthVoice.com

December 2024

Page 3

Out & About - December 2024 CRAWFORD COUNTY: Grayling, Frederic, Lovells 7- Chili Cook Off, 12-4 p.m., free chili entry, $10 entry for tastings, win prizes, proceeds fund Toys for Tots, 6674 W M-72, Grayling 14- St. Mary’s Women’s Club Annual Cookie Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grayling 14- Grayling Winter Famers Market, 10a.m-4 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging Crawford County Extras Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Lunch- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Dinner- 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Mon- Chess Club-1-4 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Wed- Mahjong – 1-3 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Thurs- Penny Bingo – 1-3 p.m.

Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Thurs- Pokeno- 9:30 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Fri- Pantry Bingo – 1-3 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Mon & Wed- SilverSneakers – 10-11 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues & Thurs- Zumba Gold – 10-11 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior

Center 1st Sun. - American Legion Breakfast Buffet, at 9 a.m., American Legion Post 106 1st Tue.- Friends of a Feather- 9 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging 2nd Mon. - Post meeting, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 106 2nd Thurs- Veterans Coffee hour, 10 a.m., Grayling American Legion 2nd Thurs - Families against Narcotics, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church 3rd Tues - Grayling American Legion Aux Post meeting, 5:30 p.m., Grayling ROSCOMMON COUNTY: Roscommon, Higgins Lake, Prudenville, Houghton Lake, St. Helen 13- Christmas Concert, 6 p.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Roscommon Roscommon County Extras Mon - Reserve Tech HelpHoughton Lake Public Library Mon, Thurs, Fri- St. Helen Baptist Church Food Closet, 12-3 p.m.

Mon, Thurs, Fri- AA Meeting, St Helen Baptist Church, 10-11a.m.

Tues – Roscommon Ukes Strum and Sing, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ages 8-80, Roscommon Area District Library Tues – AA Meeting, 7-8 p.m., St Helen Baptist Church

Tues & Thurs- AstroDurance12-1 p.m., CRAF Center, Roscommon Wed- Dance Workout- 2:30-3:30 p.m., all ages welcome, Roscommon Area District Library Weds- Hookers Anonymous3-7 p.m., bring your own knitting or crocheting project and socialize, Made Up North, 704 Lake St, Roscommon Thurs - Sit & Get Fit-2:30 p.m., Roscommon Area District Library Fri - Story-time Fridays- 10:30 a.m., Houghton Lake Public Library Fri- C.A.I.R (Christians Associated in Recovery)-7 p.m. St Helen Baptist Church 1st Thurs- Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m., Blogett Airport Houghton Lake 2nd Sun. – VFW Country Breakfast- 8 a.m., VFW Post 4159 Check the MSU Extension Webpage for their list of upcoming classes at http://bit.ly/MSUEevents or call 989-275-5043 IOSCO COUNTY: Hale, Whittemore, Tawas, Oscoda 6- Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., free, Huron Shores Chorus performance, Oscoda United Methodist Church Iosco County Extras Mon - BINGO, 6:30 p.m., Whittemore Chamber of Commerce 3rd Tues. - Whittemore Chamber Meeting, 7 p.m., 405 E. Sherman Street 3rd Thurs- Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. American Legion Post 211 900 E. Lincoln, East Tawas OGEMAW COUNTY: West Branch, Rose City, Lupton 2- Council Open House, 6 p.m. immediately following the city council meeting, meet the mayor and city council members while enjoying

Page 4 December 2024

UpNorthVoice.com

finger foods and refreshments, City Hall Council Chambers, 121 N Fourth St, West Branch 7- Homemade Spaghetti Dinner, 4- 8 p.m. door prizes, 8 p.m. raffle drawing, $12.99 donation for dinner, families welcome, proceeds benefit Special Olympics Michigan winter games, Clear Lake Bar, 2212 Clear Lake Rd, West Branch 7- Art Walk and Wine Tasting, 5-8 p.m., downtown West Branch 12- Customer Appreciation Day, 12-2 p.m., complimentary lunch, Vic Bond Sales, West Branch Ogemaw County Extra Weds. – BINGO, Early Birds at 6:30 p.m., Regular 7:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus off M-30 Weds. – AL-ANON meeting, 8 p.m., 12 Step-Up Club, 236 First Street Weds. – Preschool Storytime, 11 a.m., West Branch District Library Thurs. – Optimist Club, 7 a.m., Loggers Depot, 314 Houghton Avenue 1st & 2nd Mon. – City Council meeting, 6 p.m., West Branch City Hall, 121 N. Fourth Street 2nd Mon. - Kiwanis Young Professional Club, 6 p.m., Highway Brewing Company 1st & 3rd Tues. – Rose City Council meeting, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 310 N. Williams Street 1st Tues. – West Branch Retail Merchants meeting, 6 p.m., City Police Station, 130 Page Street 2nd & 4th Tues. – Kiwanis Club of West Branch, at Noon, China Inn 1st Weds. – Women’s Support Group, 5:30 p.m., Safe Haven Doula, 322 W Houghton Ave 1st Wed.- Ogemaw County Veterans Coffee Hour- 9-10 a.m.

1st & 3rd Thurs. - Newborn Parent Support Group, 6 p.m., ▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 8

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Tis the season Continued from page 1

Electric Light Parade.

Check out roscommonchristmasinthevillage. com for a schedule of events!

During that event, Santa will be arriving via the Annual Lake State Santa Train. Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with the friends, will be coming to Standish, West Branch, Roscommon and Grayling.

Santa is scheduled to stop at the following locations: • Standish Railroad Depot on the corner of US-23 and M-55 from 9-10 a.m.

• West Branch Chamber of Commerce grounds at 422 West Houghton Ave. from 11 a.m. to noon.

• Roscommon Depot located at the AuSable River Center from 2-3 p.m.

• Crawford County Building located on E. Michigan from 4:305:30 p.m.

Also featured the same weekend is the 6th Annual Christmas in Fairview event on Dec. 6.

Held at the “four corners” of Fairview, this long-time community event will be held from 4:45-6 p.m.

The event will feature a singalong by Kevin Salibury, hot chocolate, soup and hot dogs, and business open houses feature holiday sales and prize drawings at downtown businesses.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus are stopping at the Fairview Township Square to light the tree.

The Fairview Town Square is locate at 1975 E. Miller Road in Fairview.

Other regional events include: ROSCOMMON COUNTY: Roscommon, Higgins Lake, Prudenville, Houghton Lake, St. Helen 6- Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m., free/donations accepted, 5 octave bell and chime choir, wind ensemble, strings section, and chorale group, Beacon Assembly of God Church, 250 Lake St, Roscommon 7- 47th Annual Christmas in the Village, Roscommon 7- Good Shepherd Cookie Walk, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, proceeds support women’s and children’s agencies in N Michigan, 149 W Robinson Lake Rd, Roscommon 7- Reindeer Run, 3 p.m., 5K run/walk, 1 mile run/walk, free for 12 and under, $25 ages 12 and up, AuSable River Center, Roscommon 7- Baby Its Cold Outside 2024, 6:30-10:30 p.m., 21 and older, beer, wine, and hors d’erves by Beachwood Café, live music: Derek Boik, $20 at the door, AuSable River Center, Roscommon 13- Christmas Concert, 6 p.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Roscommon 14 – Stuff the Ambulance at Gerrish Township Fire Department. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

13-22 – The Wonders of Christmas walk through event will be at the Historic Anchor Inn, Sat.,

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Dec. 13-15 and Dec., 20-22 from 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy some hot chocolate and try your luck with a fun scavenger hunt! Call 989-443-1130 for more information.

CRAWFORD COUNTY: Grayling, Frederic, Lovells 7- Chili Cook Off, 12-4 p.m., free chili entry, $10 entry for tastings, win prizes, proceeds fund Toys for Tots, 6674 W M-72, Grayling 13- Christmas Concert, 6 p.m., Michelson Church, Grayling 14- St. Mary’s Women’s Club Annual Cookie Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grayling 14- Grayling Winter Famers Market, 10a.m-4 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging IOSCO COUNTY: Hale, Whittemore, Tawas, Oscoda 6- Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., free, Huron Shores Chorus performance, Oscoda United Methodist Church 7- 19th Annual Northern Lights Parade, 5:15 lineup, 6 p.m. parade begins, downtown Oscoda 8- Holiday Concert, 3 p.m., free, Huron Shores Chorus performance, Tawas Area Presbyterian Church 14- Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., toys, décor, arts and crafts, Mrs. Clause and her helpers will read Christmas stories, fundraiser for Hale Senior Center, Eagle Point Plaza, 415 E Main St, Hale 14- Christmas Light Parade, parade line up 4:30-4:45 p.m. at Bernards and ends at fire department, Santa will arrive at 5 p.m., chili/soup contest, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, and Christmas crafts, downtown Hale, for questions contact Sue Reilly 989-728-2811 22- Christmas Sing-Along, 3 p.m., free, public welcome, singalong with Heavenly Angels violin group, led by Lynn Barclay, Hale Creek Manor, 3191 M-65, Hale OGEMAW COUNTY: West Branch, Rose City, Lupton 5- Winter Wonderland Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., tree lighting and fun activities after the parade, downtown Rose City 7- Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., handcrafted goods and unique finds, Ogemaw High School 7- Santa Train, 11 a.m., visits with Santa and tree lighting, call the West Branch Chamber of Commerce for more information: 989-345-2821, downtown West Branch 7- Holiday Storytime, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., stories, snacks and crafts, families, children, and tweens welcome, West Branch District Library 14- Breakfast with Santa, 9-11 a.m., pancakes, sausage, hot chocolate, crafts, First United Methodist Church, West Branch 14- Ogemaw County 3rd Annual Christmas Feast, 3-6 p.m., open to the community, gifts for all ages, home cooked meal, food basket giveaways, Ogemaw County Fairgrounds, 2300 Rifle River Trail, West Branch 14- “Snow Globe Christmas” is ▪ See TIS THE SEASON on page 7

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Cookies, cocoa, and caroling

GRAYLING- The streets of Grayling were alive with Christmas spirit for the opening of the annual Festival of Trees, and the Christmas Walk held the weekend of Nov. 15.

Families enjoyed shopping, Santa’s

Reindeer, kids’ activities and ending the evening with the Light Parade to ring in the holiday season. Be sure to visit the Festival of Trees at the Grayling Mini Mall until Nov. 30.

~ Photos by Nicole Mygrants.

Above: Kids crafts during the Christmas Walk in downtown Grayling.

Right: He’s always watching!

Santa made his appearance at the Annual Grayling Christmas Walk.

Below: Cookies, cocoa, and crafts with Miss AuSable Riverfest ladies.

Send your photos, announcements and club events to: info@ UpNorthVoice.com

Tis the season Continued from page 6

the theme for this year’s Christmas Light Parade in downtown West Branch. Sat., Dec. 14, beginning at 7 p.m., witness the magic of the season as the parade lights up the town!

21 – Goodar Township Fire Department. Visit Santa starting at 11 a.m.

OSCODA COUNTY: Mio, Fairview, Luzerne, Comins 7 - Creative Craft Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tri-Point Church of God, 831 W Miller Road in Mio. Proceeds to benefit the food pantry.

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14 – Make a Christmas ornament at the Oscoda County Library. 1-3 p.m. Cost is $10.

14 – Christmas Cookies and homemade soup sale at Living Water Lutheran Church at 207 East Fourth in Mio from 10 a.m. to noon.

Donations accepted.

17- Winter Music Concert, 6 p.m., featuring voices of the Mio Elementary students, Mio School.

Editor’s Note: If you have a Christmas event that is not listed, but you need a hand promoting it, please email your flyer or info to info@ upnorthvoice.com.

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December 2024

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Giving thanks to our seniors

By Donna Thoma

ROSCOMMON COUNTYResidents of five senior living facilities, The Brook of Houghton Lake and Roscommon, Kings Nursing Center, Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center, and The Horizon Senior Living Center, were presented with sweet treats on November 20- 21.

Members of the Roscommon

County Victim Service Unit along with Sheriff's Deputy Emilie Pellerin, delivered Thanksgiving cookies and Thanksgiving cards to the residents.

Children from Collins Elementary decorated the Thanksgiving cards and Robert Roussselo baked hundreds of the individually wrapped fall-themed cookies at his cost for the program.

Robert is a graduate of Roscommon High School and the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.

Out & About Continued from page 4

MyMichigan Health West Branch in the Executive Dining Room 1st Thurs. – Ogemaw County Fair Board meeting, 7 p.m., meets in main building 2nd Wed. – Aktion Club, Noon, First United Methodist Church, 2490 State Rd 3rd Mon. - Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary meeting, 5 p.m., VFW Post 3775 3rd Tues.- OCGHS General Membership Board meeting, 2:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 E. Houghton Avenue 3rd Thurs. - Ogemaw Area Swim Boosters 6 p.m., Ogemaw Heights High School Room 210 OSCODA COUNTY: Mio, Fairview, Luzerne, Comins 7- Creative Craft Show, 10

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a.m.-3 p.m., Tri-Point Church of God, 831 W Miller Rd, Mio 11-Free Business Resources, 5:30 p.m., food and beverages provided, learn about free business resources including grant and workshop opportunities, RSVP to Deb Coulon 989-826-1123, Ma Deeters, 2262 Deeter Rd, Luzerne 17- Winter Music Concert, 6 p.m., featuring voices of the Mio Elementary students, Mio School Oscoda County Extras 2nd and 4th Fri- Clothes Closet for Adults- 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.- Comins Community Church- 4263 W. First St. Comins 3rd Thurs- Craft Day- 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.- TriPoint Church of God- 831 W. Miller, Mio Every Mon- Bible Study- 10 a.m. & 7 p. m. - Living Water Lutheran Church, Mio

Calling All Writers!

The Up North Voice is looking for freelance writers.

If you have interest in local events, interviews with community members, and have a passion for writing, we want to talk to you! Please email alicia@upnorthvoice.com for more information.

Every Tues- Women's Group6:30 p.m.- TriPoint Church of God- 831 W. Miller, Mio- for more info call Deb 989-390-2708 Every Weds- Men's Fellowship10 a.m.- Living Water Lutheran Church Every Weds- Women's Bible Study- 10 a.m. Living Water's Lutheran Church Every Thurs- Men's Group- 7 p.m.-TriPoint Church of God- for more info call Gene 989-350-0638 1st Fri- Fish Fry Dinner, Luzerne American Legion, 4:30-7 p.m.

2nd & 4th Sundays – Live Music

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Open Mic Productions, 2-4 p.m., Seymore Avenue at First Street, Comins. For more info call 989-3906977 OTHER REGIONS: 1st Mon-Tot Time- 10 a.m., Fife Lake Library 4th Weds- Cheboygan Co Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m.

-Cheboygan VFW 4th Thurs- Alpena Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m.

Art in the Loft Every FridayYoga- 9 a.m., video led, contact cwilcox@tadl.org, Fife Lake Library

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Gift of life Continued from page 1

abdomen, and extreme exhaustion.

Until her first bout of jaundice, Shipe was unaware of any critical health issues.

Over the years, she has had several misdiagnoses. Early on, doctors thought her jaundice might be due to something she'd eaten and exposure to Hepatitis A. Shipe recommends people get a second opinion when faced with serious health issues, as not all physicians are aware of every prospective complication.

Twenty-five years ago, Shipe had her gallbladder removed, and was told she had a “fatty liver with elevated liver enzymes.” The doctors told her they would “keep an eye on these.” They thought it would “heal itself.” Shipe has never had Hepatitis.

Due to being adopted, she has no family health history.

In 2023, she was referred to Henry Ford Hospital for a possible transplant, and in May 2024 was placed on a transplant list, as she is now considered “high risk.”

Thorough evaluation of a potential donor is done by the transplant facility, to ensure compatibility with the recipient. Surgery takes

Ask your marketing consultant about AuSable Link!

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approximately six hours, and both patients will be required to stay in the hospital.

Generally, the donor will spend five to seven days in the hospital and an additional six to eight weeks of recovery time according to Johns Hopkins.

Most recipients spend seven to fourteen days in the hospital, with the first few days in intensive care.

Doctors watch a few factors, such as the patient’s condition prior to surgery, availability of rehabilitation facilities near the transplant center, and possible rejection of the new liver.

The donor’s liver will begin regeneration immediately after donating, returning to normal function in two to four weeks. The liver will regrow to nearly its full volume in about a year.

In most cases, insurance will cover the cost of the transplant surgery. The recipient's insurance

typically covers all medical services related to the donor’s organ donation, including evaluation, hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up care. As a recipient, Shipe's insurance covers all medical costs for someone to be a live donor. Living donors can also receive follow-up care related to being a donor for up to five years at no cost, according to Shipe.

Anyone interested in being a living donor, and possibly being matched to Shipe, may call Henry Ford Hospital at 313-916-1826 for more information. General information about being a living donor can be found at www.

henryford.com/services/transplant/ liver/living-donor.

Shipe welcomes anyone wanting more information to feel free to reach out to her with any questions concerning her personal situation.

You can reach her via email rshipe1088@yahoo.com or cell 989387-8639.

There is a great need in our country for donor organs from both living and recently deceased donors.

You can designate yourself to be an organ donor on your driver's license.

Shipe and husband, Dave, live near West Branch and own R&J Screen Printing & Embroidery.

PIRATES GET TOGETHER – The GMEINER Family held their annual 2024 reunion recently. The piratethemed event was held at Perry Lake.

-Photo courtesy of Lynn Gmeiner

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Representing the American Legion Post 422, Commander Doug Walter, representing the Veteran of Foreign Wars 7435, Command Ed Nesbitt, and Representing Vietnam Veterans Association 882, President Terry Frank at the Veterans Ceremony in Hale.

The annual Veterans Day celebration in downtown Roscommon.

Honoring local vets REGION- Community members and neighbors honored all military veterans, living and deceased, for their service and sacrifice.

Attendees of the Veterans Ceremony in Hale, Gary Koepke, (Army) of Hale Brad Malone, (Army) of Hale, and Moe Miers (Navy) of Hale.

The American Legion Post 422 visited the Tawas Village Nursing home for Veterans Day. Each veteran received special cards made by Hale School children and gifts from the American Legion Post and Auxiliary.

Veterans' Rick Landry (Luzerne) and Tom Huber (Mio) in front of the podium inside the new veteran's building at the Oscoda County Veterans Day Celebration.

The 7-gun salute in honor of those that fought for our country.

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Right: American Flag and POW Flag Bearers Ron Green and Mike Powers at the Veterans Day Ceremony in Hale

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House hunters Farm host memories

By LuAnn Zettle The numbers of hunters traveling north began to increase after World War I ended, and the trace of roads began to appear. With no hotels, motels, or resort cabins, the local businesses encouraged the area farming community to “rent” out spare rooms to downstate hunters and “rent” out their farmlands for hunting.

Area farmers especially liked getting paid by men who would “thin” out the very herds that were destroying their crops. It became a lucrative side business for many farmers and over the years great friendships were forged as well as a wedding or two between hunters and farmers’ daughters.

In my family, the hunters got up pre-dawn to a big farmer’s breakfast of pancakes, sausage, ham, eggs, toast (from fresh homemade bread), a variety of homemade jams and maple syrup rendered from the maple grove behind the barn.

There would be a large stove-top If you want to get things done You need some helping hands.

No problem here, We volunteer, No matter the demands.

– TOM FOBBE

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steel percolator of black coffee that could be “hospitalized” with fresh cream and little cubes of sugar. Of course, the real reason the hunters kept coming back year after year, Clara’s famous, big fluffy cinnamon rolls with thick icing on top.

By the time the men got their bucks strung up on the buck pole, Clara had a hardy beef stew topped with dumplings for their lunch.

The November hunting season was cold, wet, and frigid with snow.

If it was hard weather, the bathroom and kitchen pipes would freeze and that meant using the “path bath” out the back door a few yards from the old farmhouse.

There was no smoking, no alcohol, and no taking the Lord’s name in vain at grandma’s house, but playing cards, dice, or a game of checkers was just fine.

I recall the pungent smells of damp woolen hunting attire strung up across the dining room and the front room, hanging near the fuel oil heating stoves.

By the mid-1960s fewer nonrelatives came to our farm to hunt.

The farms had either changed owners, or the younger ones acquired their own up north residences.

Wherever the hunters are today, I hope they’re making sweet memories, just like the ones I have.

Above: Grandpa (William) and Grandma (Clara) Benjamin’s farm on M-55, at the buck pole near the junction of M55 & M33 in roughly 1940. Pictured (l-r) Arnold Traska, George Hurrelbrink, Vern Benjamin, William Benjamin, Herman Greeger, Burt Benjamin, Ivan Benjamin, Wilson Benjamin, Ed Musalff and Acel Dayton.

Below: Clara Benjamin, Rena Benjamin, Lucy Benjamin and Mae Dayton posing in front of the buck pole in approximately 1940.

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Heating with wood Home Country

By Slim Randles It’s natural to mumble nasty things about the cold weather. We all do it from time to time. But even the cold has its merits.

One big plus is that it makes fireplaces a reasonable addition to our lives. In cold weather, we can build a fire in our home with a clear conscience. This is something that doesn’t translate well to summer heat, but when it’s cold, here comes the fire. Strange, isn’t it, our love affair with a fireplace? Makes absolutely no sense. Today, we can make houses so impervious to cold that every time we light a candle, the temperature goes up ten degrees.

So what do we do? We cut a hole in this sealed anti-cold unit so we can

Senior Arin Pyles, Sophomore Carter Toensfeldt, and Senior Zachary Watros were selling gourmet dips by Pam's Pantry with proceeds going to the Fairview track team.

Mistletoe Market

sit and look at the flames, the way our ancestors have done since they learned to walk upright and invented kindling.

But we don’t care. We’ll spend a lot of extra money to buy a house with a fireplace, and not think a thing about it. Because this fireplace is the spiritual center of a home, as it’s always been. It’s the gathering place. It’s the place to read, to learn, to meet and tell stories. It’s the core of our universe. The fireplace – and those waiting for us there – is what we dream about when we’re miles from home in the woods or desert. It warms us, inside and out, cooks our food, and answers our questions.

Questions? Sure.

When the fire’s burning low, and you can just see the little blue lickem flames curling around the glowing embers late at night, and when we’ve about talked out the day’s adventures, we can look at those embers and find answers to questions we didn’t even know we had. And we feel sorry for people who don’t have these advantages.

Above: Emily Anderson and Brooke Howe of Rolling Dough in Mio with a variety of their fresh baked breads.

Below: Ray and Becky Schilling raffling off tickets to fund the annual Nor'Easter Music Festival held the second weekend in June at the Oscoda County Fairgrounds.

FAIRVIEW- The Mistletoe Market took place on Sat., Nov. 23 at Fairview Area Schools. The gymnasium was filled with several vendors selling wares for all your holiday shopping. ~ Photos by Sarah Novak.

Right: Corie Thompson of Lacework n' Fibers in Fairview demonstrating how she spins wool from her sheep to make yarn.

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HALE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH- Hale Schools would like to give special recognition to the November Students of the Month. Their hard work and dedication are valued and encouraged to continue throughout the rest of their life. The students received their academic awards on Mon., Nov. 18 at the Hale School Board Meeting. Back (l-r) A. Watts, A. Hollis, A. Barclay, A. Beebe, B. Chrivia, A. Brito, and C. Streeter. Middle (l-r) J. Chrivia, R. Brumfield, C. Olmstead, H. Reilly, J. Jameson, and N. Dafoe. Front (l-r) L. Jackson, and Cannon Brown. Not Pictured: L. Schleben.

Theresa Ekdom and Vanessa Varner presenting at the Pillowcase project event.

Pillowcase project

By Donna Thoma

ROSCOMMON- On Tues., Nov. 19, members of Zonta and Roscommon Emergency Services Director Vanessa Varner presented the Pillowcase Project to approximately twenty adults and children. The event was held at the Roscommon County Library.

Individuals were given pillowcases, small flashlights, and small bottles of water to begin their project. Individuals marked the pillowcases with additional items they may need in case of an emergency, fire, tornado, or flood.

Suggested items to include may be pre-wrapped snacks, medications, soft toy, blanket, change of clothing, diapers, or for those with pets, water bowl, food, or meds for the animal.

Items would need to be small enough to fit in the pillowcase, and the pillowcase would need to be in a place where it can be quickly accessed in an emergency.

Speakers included: Mary Stone of the Victim Service Unit; Ann Sylvester and Theresa Ekdom of Zonta; Aaron Grace, Assistant Chief of Higgins Fire Department; and Vanessa Varner.

Aubrey Grace, Anna Sylvester, Mary Stone and Vanessa Varner explaining the importance of being prepared for an emergency.

Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com

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UpNorthVoice.com

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Members of the American Legion Post 422 in Hale handing out candy to the Trick or Treaters on Halloween night.

Trick-or-treat

Violet (8), Rain (3), and Ryver (4) Vance of Hale at the South Branch Trunk or Treat.

Aylin and Amelia Scales pose in their Halloween best!

Friends of Library Treasurer Chris Constantine help mom and son pick out a free book!

Along with Halloween treats, the library gave away 150 books!

Photos by Sarah Novak and Kristi Major Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice. com

South Branch General Store 6386 E. County Line Rd. South Branch, MI 48761

(989) 257-4463

TRAILS

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BEER WINE LIQUOR GROCERIES BAIT ICE SMALL HARDWARE 989-275-1170

At 9:40 AM, Bob Morin, a retired fire chief from Erie, Michigan, brought in a 95-pound spike horn buck, the smallest of the day at the buck pole held at Skips Sport Shop in Grayling.

Clara Seaman (12), with her dad James Seaman.

Kallen Tunney, a 12-year-old from Grayling, with a 182-pound, 8-point buck scoring 104. Kallen’s achievement marked one of the standout moments of the day at the buck pole in Grayling

Trophy bucks!

Ann Galbraith and Tammi Gadowski serving up hotdogs and sloppy joes by donation to help fund a larger buck pole at the Annual Mio Buck Pole.

52 deer in total were brought in and hundreds of spectators were in attendance.

REGION- Opening day in Northern Michigan is just like a holiday to some. Local schools and even some businesses were closed, so hunters, young and old could get to the woods and wait for that big buck to come their way.

~ Photos by Sarah Novak, Missy Millikin, and courtesy photos.

1st place winner was Gunner Dykes with his 9-point buck!

Jessica Hoppe took this battle-tested five point hung at the buck pole at Skip's Sport Shop in Grayling.

Justin Jones of Davison shot this 9-point on public land.

Mark Liley of Swartz Creek shot this 9-point on his private land in Mio.

Clara Seaman (12), with her dad James Seaman.

Congrats on her first buck!

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Everything we need is near, Like groceries, doctors, stuff.

No need to move, We’re in a groove, Right here is good enough.

First time hunters, John Duffy and Xander, received prizes for the youth division.

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– TOM FOBBE

December 2024

Page 15

Owl prowl

By Kalsa Parker Browning, Education Director Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve

ROSCOMMON- Join us for a magical evening under the stars at the Owl Prowl event at the Gahagan Nature Preserve! This exciting experience will take place on Thurs., Dec. 12 from 6- 7 p.m. Gather your family and friends for a delightful night of listening for the calls of our local owls, including the majestic Barred Owl and the powerful Great Horned Owl.

As we stroll along the serene trails of Gahagan, our knowledgeable guide will share insights into these remarkable nocturnal creatures. We will play owl calls, and with a bit of luck, we might strike a conversation with these birds in their natural habitat.

Don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure and dress warmly for this outdoor excursion! Flashlights are recommended as our trails get dark quickly during this time.

Register for our event at https:// www.gahagannature.org/calendar.

The Preserve is located at 585 Southline Rd. in Roscommon.

For more information or questions, please contact info@ gahagannature.org.

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Singing the Christmas spirit Toad's Stool By Warren "Toad" Stutesman Merry Christmas! While November holds so many holidays for me, my absolute favorite holiday is Christmas. It not only represents the birth of Christ, but it has all the very best songs. I just love to sing Christmas hymns.

I help run the sound system at church and I always play some nice music before services for listening. I have been playing Christmas music of late. This started on the tenth of November. I did get some questions about it being early but I just said that I like it. Now when I am playing this great music I am singing along of course, and I must say that I am singing just awesome. I mean I sound good. But then others arrive, and it is then that my sound quality begins to degenerate.

I have this theory that there is a finite amount of good sound in a song and when others are there, they are taking some of that quality for their own singing and so then mine goes down accordingly. It is either that or I am not actually that good of a singer and I prefer to think that I...

AM Gooood.

Let us not forget though the main reason for Christmas...presents. Oh, come on now we all like presents don't we. I know that I do, I just love giving presents to others. What

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did you think that I meant getting presents? Well, I may like that a bit also but giving is just so full of happiness.

My bird friends have sure been busy visiting me. We are going through suet blocks at about four a week. I like seeing so many woodpeckers and there are six to ten at many times. Thankfully the Rose City Ace Hardware still has the great suet at a very nice and affordable price. It is much less expensive than anywhere else I can find it.

I have been continuing to feed the turkeys a bit of corn now and again, but the Blue Jays don't seem to understand that this was bought for the turkeys and are eating it anyway. I guess that maybe they are identifying as turkeys and as such then they are allowed.

Deer season was pretty good for my eldest son, Zebulon, as he started the opening day with a very nice seven-point buck.

The reported season totals for deer are down about 12 percent compared to last year. I wonder why our harvests are down each year. Is it fewer deer or the fear of disease or the cost of hunting resulting in fewer hunters? Whatever the reason, it is sad that our hunting heritage is slowly slipping away. At least that's how I feel. Whitetail deer is a great renewable resource that we have in abundance is healthy to eat and tastes just awesome to boot.

That is all for this month. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Let us please keep Christ in Christmas.

To contact the writer, email wstutesman@gmail.com.

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Sudoku sponsored by:

Sudoku Printed using Brain Bashers Sudoku Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone

See answer on page 21

OSCODA COUNTY ARTIST OF THE MONTH- Julie Anne Giordano (Parker) began her artistic career in 1984 with Julie Giordano Studios in Northville, Michigan, following a brief study tour in Paris.

Specializing in hand-drawn portraits of people, pets, and homes, her pencil drawings showcase her passion for color, texture, light, and intricate detail.

Julie expanded her business to include the J. Giordano Gallery,

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providing a venue for local Michigan artists. She also hosted a cable TV show, *Artist Profile*, highlighting Michigan artists.

Her mural work has been featured in *Better Homes and Gardens* and *Detroit Monthly Magazine*, and she also painted the murals at the Alpine Chocolate Haus in Gaylord.

Julie currently creates commission-based artwork, displayed in galleries in Lewiston and Gaylord.

UpNorthVoice.com

December 2024

Page 17

Giving Tuesday By Suzanne Luck, Executive Director - RCCF

ROSCOMMON COUNTY- As Giving Tuesday approaches on Tues., Dec. 3, we at the Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) are reminded of the powerful impact that local philanthropy can have on our community. Each year, we’re given the chance to reflect on what truly matters and how we can all come together to make a meaningful difference.

When you donate locally, especially through organizations like RCCF, your contribution doesn’t just support a cause; it impacts real lives in real time, right here in Roscommon County. Research even shows that every dollar given to local nonprofits brings three dollars’ worth of value to the community.

This multiplying effect is a testament to how impactful local giving can be, and it’s a reminder of why we’re asking you to join us this Giving Tuesday by “keeping it in the community.”

Donors who can see the impact of their giving are more likely to stay engaged, which creates a ripple effect of support. Giving locally doesn’t just benefit the nonprofit; it strengthens the community.

Studies indicate that donors believe their contributions have a greater impact when given to local organizations. There’s something powerful about seeing the fruits of your generosity in your own backyard. This is especially true in smaller communities, where even a modest donation can help launch or sustain programs that improve people’s lives.

There are countless ways to give locally, and each can make a big difference. Think about causes that resonate with you. Whether it’s supporting students through scholarships, contributing to local food security initiatives, or

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promoting community health, RCCF offers a range of funds that align with different interests and values. This Giving Tuesday, consider donating to a fund that speaks to your heart.

Supporting local nonprofits helps foster a stronger, more connected community. When you invest in RCCF, your donation goes toward issues that directly affect Roscommon County, ensuring that your gift stays in the community and helps meet local needs. Giving locally means you’re helping to build a legacy that benefits your own neighbors and loved ones.

At RCCF, we’re dedicated to creating a lasting impact in Roscommon County through the power of local giving. Our mission is to support the programs, services, and community projects that enhance life in our area. Thanks to donors like you, we’re able to work toward that mission every day.

The RCCF Community Impact Fund is a unique resource for Roscommon County. Donations to this fund help us support initiatives that address emerging and immediate needs in our community, making it an incredibly flexible and responsive way to give back. Contributions to the Community Impact Fund enable us to respond to critical needs, fund innovative programs, and support nonprofits in making a lasting impact.

This Giving Tuesday, let’s “keep it in the community.” Your gift, no matter the size, helps to build a brighter, more resilient future for everyone in Roscommon County.

Let’s make this year a celebration of the power of local giving and the difference we can make—together.

To donate, please visit our website at myrccf.org.

Nice that there’s so little noise, And what there is ain’t bad…

Like breeze through trees, A child’s sneeze, Or passing car…be glad!

– TOM FOBBE

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Best gingerbread recipe!

Introducing your new favorite gingerbread recipe! These starshaped gingerbread cookies with cream cheese filling will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Credit: thepioneerwomancooking.com Ingredients For the cookies: • 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour • 2 tsp. baking soda • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt • 1/4 tsp. allspice • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves • 1/4 tsp. ground ginger • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg • 1 tsp. grated orange zest (can reduce by half) • 3/4 c. salted butter, at room temperature • 3/4 c. granulated sugar • 1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar • 1/4 c. molasses • 1 large egg, at room temperature • Coarse sugar, for sprinkling For the filling: • 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature • 2 Tbsp. salted butter, at room temperature • 1 1/4 c. powdered sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

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Directions 1. For the cookies: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and orange zest.

2. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. With the mixer running, drizzle in the molasses, mixing well and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat well.

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing until just combined after each addition (the dough will be dense and dry). Divide the dough in half and place each half between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Roll each piece of dough into a ¼-inchthick rectangle. Stack the dough on a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.

4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough into stars with a 3-inch cookie cutter. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and gently press the sugar into the cookies. Arrange 2 inches apart ▪ See GINGERBREAD RECIPE on page 22

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Turkey classic View From the Comfy Chair

By Joel Vernier The holiday season is about to begin, and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. I just love this time of year!

Napping during the holidays lets me enjoy the current holiday and reflect on holidays past. I think I will just settle back into my "Comfy Chair," close my eyes, and dream about the holiday cheer, food, family, friends, and fun I have enjoyed through the years.

I settled deep into my "Comfy Chair," pulled up my comfy throw blanket with the turkeys and pumpkin pies pictured on it, snuggled in, and at long last, sleep was about to envelop me like hot gravy on mashed potatoes, I was about to slip into REM sleep, and I was abruptly woken when my wife yelled out, "Joel, did you pick up the turkey?"

I quickly woke up from my nap and replied, "No, I forgot!" She yelled, "Well, you better get going, or we will have frozen TV dinners with all of the trimmings this year." There is nothing wrong with frozen dinners, but the tradition at the Vernier house is turkey. "On my way!" I yelled back, racing out the door.

As I drove out to the store, a flock of wild turkeys crossed the road ahead of me. They are beautiful birds and, in the wild, very smart, unlike the white turkeys that have been

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?

Frostbite.

What's the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?

The Christmas alphabet has Noel.

What falls at the North Pole and never gets hurt?

Snow!

I’m a type of clothing everyone loves but no one ever wears. Kids get so excited when they wake up and see I’m there. What am I? Christmas stocking.

domesticated for our consumption.

I remembered a story that domestic turkeys are kept under a roof because if they were outside during a rainstorm, they would look up at the sky. The rain would cause them to drown themselves. I have never quite figured out how the "Natural Selection" Darwin theory resulted in the turkeys growing a pop-up timer ever evolved.

I went into one of the local grocery stores, down the meat aisle, and looked at the turkey section; much to my shock and surprise, there were none in the cooler case!

A little sweat appeared on my brow. Upon asking the meat clerk where the turkeys were, I was told: "Sold Out!" I headed out of the store and raced to the second grocery store in town, they were also sold out.

Panic began to set in. Anxiety driven pure stress induced panic!

I drove to the neighborhood butcher store, ran up to the counter said, "Help I need a turkey for Thanksgiving!" The butcher responded, "Sorry, we are all out of turkey."

"This is a nightmare!" I yelled out. "My entire family is coming over for Thanksgiving dinner to-morrow; what can I do?" The butcher replied: "Well, sir, you could serve Spam. It is very popular in Hawaii, you know."

I heard myself like I was dreaming."

Spam I cried out, how many cans of Spam do I need for 12 people?" He replied: "12 cans, one per person, especially if you are a snacker while preparing it!"

I envisioned the holiday table set with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, green ▪ See TURKEY CLASSIC on page 21

What has two red legs that don’t touch the ground?

Santa Clause stuck in a chimney.

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

The grinch.

The grinch who?

The grinch who stole Christmas.

What do you call it after all the gifts for Christmas have been opened?

A Christmess.

Calling All Writers!

The Up North Voice is looking for freelance writers.

If you have interest in local events, interviews with community members, and have a passion for writing, we want to talk to you! Please email alicia@upnorthvoice.com for more information.

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Laura Halsey of Needful things speaking about the project with Sandy Egbers, Joe Moore, Mary Stone, and Nancy Shmitz.

Helping the community What can YOU do to help?

By Donna Thoma

ROSCOMMON COUNTYRoscommon County has a substantial group of folks considered homeless.

Adults may be living in their vehicles, tents, or other types of structures.

Each of the Roscommon area school systems generally have nearly 150 students considered homeless, as the youngsters may be couch surfing, or living with other non-custodial friends or relatives.

Needful Things of Houghton Lake is one of several places in the county that can help those in need. Recently acquiring a 501-c3 designation, Laura at Needful Things can better track what she gives out, as well as those donating being able to record donations for their taxes.

Recently, a woman who had been homeless for over a year found housing and needed to outfit her new home with all her day-to-day items.

Laura was able to give her many kitchen, bath, and bedroom items however, the woman is still in need Nice to know town history, All things along the way.

Who came here first, Times best and worst, What got us to today.

Sudoku Answer

– TOM FOBBE

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of some larger pieces.

With the weather getting colder, those homeless are in danger of the cold. Needful Things needs help from the community to support what they do.

The current items needed are: • blankets • tarps to fit under and over tents or to cover belongings • tube socks or other socks • gloves/ mittens • knit hats • personal grooming items such as: • shampoo/toothpaste/ toothbrushes/menstrual pads/tissue • gas cards/propane In addition to helping the homeless, Laura also does a Princess Project, supplying dressy garments to girls and women for prom, homecoming, and weddings. Donated dresses are provided, and the ladies may shop as they normally would.

This year she has given out thirtyeight dresses and two men’s outfits, ▪ See HELPING THE COMMUNITY on page 23

Turkey classic Continued from page 20 bean casserole, baked cabbage, pumpkin pie, and there, in the middle, a stack of Spam shaped to look like a turkey. Where is the white meat? How do I carve it? Where is the wishbone? I do re-member liking Spam at deer camp but for Thanksgiving? I have enjoyed Spam & Eggs, Spam sandwiches, and cold Spam out of the can when camping in the rain!

I ran to the Spam aisle and picked up 12 cans of the original Spam flavor. (Wait, there are other flavors?).

Then, I headed off to the gravy aisle to pick up some jars of natural turkey gravy. cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, celery, 2 cans of pumpkin pie, pie crusts, and whipped cream.

Then my shoulder was moving from side to side; it was my wife.

"Joel, you must have been having a nightmare, wake up." "I didn't get the turkey," I exclaimed. "Yes, you got it yesterday." I jumped up, grabbed my car keys and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" she asked. "To the grocery store, I have a sudden urge for Spam," I responded.

I just must have a taste of Spam, unlike computer spam, I love Spam!

I'll grab my nap later!

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December 2024

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Obituaries & Death Notices Theresa M. Thomas, 97, West Branch, passed Oct 20 Gerald N. Lucas, 87, West Branch, passed Oct 21 Dan “Danny” J. VanSnepson, 58, Oscoda, passed Oct 17 Dorothy L. Alejski, 85, Whittemore, passed Oct 22 Diane L. (Fenner) Jones, 78, Prudenville, passed Oct 19 Sally A. Duby, 91, Mio, passed Oct 24 Joanne Nevills, 81, Houghton Lake, passed Oct 23 Patricia "Patti" L. Overley, 62, West Branch, passed Oct 26 Randy J. Poole, 76, Prescott, passed Oct 23 Penny M. Perrin, 73, Prescott, passed Oct 26 Mary H. Maclean, 81, Hale, passed Oct 26 Jeanette M. Allison, 88, Grayling, passed Oct 27 Wesley D. Eldred, 39, Roscommon formerly Essexville, passed Oct 26 LeRoy J. DeWeese, 85, Prudenville, passed Oct 25 Charles J. Sauve, 88, West Branch, passed Oct 26 Edward E. Cline, 90, Prescott, passed Oct 27 Clyde Herb, 74, West Branch, passed Oct 29 Carolyn S. Lewis, 89, Tawas City, passed Oct 27 Edward "Ed" S. Sowa, 69, East Tawas formerly Flint, passed Oct 27 Timothy F. Adrian, 83, West Branch, passed Oct 31

Richard T. Spencer Sr., 89, Oscoda, passed Oct 28 Alice C. Dettmer, 89, Tawas City, passed Oct 29 Brenda L. Lincoln, 59, Oscoda, passed Oct 31 Jerry Spaw, 79, Hale, passed Nov 4 Michael J. Luft, 66, McKinley, passed Oct 29

Evelyn A. McNicholl, 88, Hale, passed Nov 4 Treva K. Brack, 82, Roscommon, passed Nov 6 Larry G. Ashton, 87, Roscommon, passed Nov 9 David J. Hohendorf, 41, St. Helen, passed Nov 6 Earl E. Wirick Jr., 75, Prudenville, passed Nov 7

Nancy J. Walter, 77, Houghton Lake, passed Nov 2 Dorthea (Stearns) Carlson, 81, Grayling, passed Oct 29 Arlene M. Czuba, 94, Grayling, passed Nov 3 Joyce S. Williams, 78, Rose City, passed Nov 4 Michael F. Van Liew, 83, Hale, passed Nov 3

Robert M. Carlson, 83, West Branch, passed Nov 5 Pauline K. Zettel, 73, West Branch, passed Nov 9 Verna M. Oates, 95, Tawas City, passed Nov 6 William P. Gallagher, 85, Oscoda formerly Dearborn, passed Nov 5

Sandra B. Hose, 88, Grayling formerly Houghton Lake, passed Nov 6 Sharon R. Gramer, 84, Tawas City, passed Nov 7 Donald J. Jasmin, 88, Hale, passed Nov 9 Mary L. Kuron, 80, Tawas City, passed Nov 10 Richard J. Miglio, 80, Houghton Lake, passed Nov 10 Larry A. Respondek, 74, Prudenville, passed Nov 10 Audrey A. Stirling, 90, Houghton Lake, passed Nov 11 Keith B. Smith, 70, East Tawas, passed Nov 9 Evelyn Cavada, 77, West Branch, passed Nov 13 James F. Morley, 69, Whittemore, passed Nov 13 Brenda J. (Olds) Schnettler, 77, Prescott, passed Nov 13 Stanley G. Koon, 94, West Branch, passed Nov 15 Lynne D. Chantiny, 67, Alger, passed Nov 17 Jason Wrobel, 50, Oscoda, passed Nov 14 Sheila M. Merrill, 58, Hale, passed Nov 15 Douglas D. Henry, 75, Fairview, passed Nov 12 James "Jim" D. Irelan, 62, Mio, passed Nov 7 Kaye F. Tyrrell, 84, Prudenville, passed Nov 14 Foster E. Burke, 82, Lovells Twp, passed Nov 16

COOR creates strat plan

REGION- The Crawford-OscodaOgemaw-Roscommon Intermediate School District (C.O.O.R. ISD) is starting a new effort to create a 3–5year strategic plan. This plan will set important goals and strategies to improve how we support local schools, families, and communities.

Representatives with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) will work with the agency for the next several months to complete the strategic planning process.

Parents, students, school leaders, teachers, and other community members are invited to share their thoughts on what C.O.O.R. ISD does well, where they can improve, and their ideas for the future. Feedback will be gathered in two ways: in-person sessions and an online survey, which is available on the district’s website at www.coorisd.net.

This strategic planning process

offers many benefits including: • Gather important feedback from parents, students, school staff, and community members.

• Show a clear, simple picture of where the C.O.O.R. ISD currently stands.

• Set specific goals to improve support for students and schools.

• Clarify the roles of the Board of Education, superintendent, staff, and local school districts in reaching these goals.

• Use data and community input to make informed decisions.

• Help ensure resources are used where they’re needed most.

• Align the district’s priorities with broader school improvement efforts.

For more information on the Strategic Plan and how to participate, visit www.coorisd.net.

Gingerbread recipe Continued from page 19

on the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate for 1 hour more.

5. For the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium speed until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the powdered sugar in batches, mixing until combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla and cinnamon. Scrape the filling into a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate until ready to use.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies until they are just set but still soft, 8 to 10 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then remove to a rack to cool

completely.

7. Snip a corner off the bag of filling and pipe some onto the bottoms of half of the stars, top with the remaining stars.

SHOP LOCAL!

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INSURANCE AGENCY

1499 N. St. Helen Rd. St. Helen • 989-389-4948 fultzinsurance@yahoo.com www.fultzinsurance.net

KIRTLAND INSURANCE AGENCY

112 E. Main St. P.O. Box 190 - Rose City

(989) 685-2614

Toys for Tots

By Donna Thoma

younger set may get 10-12 items and those six and up receive only four ROSCOMMON COUNTYgifts.

Fifty-three Roscommon County area In the case of multiple gifts, volunteers have been busy gathering Bentley stated they do recommend toys for children in need of Christmas parents keep some items in reserve gifts. Parents and guardians need to for other occasions, such as apply by December 9, to have their birthdays. child included in the program this Toy donations may be left at the year. various locations where the Toys Applications may be picked for Tots boxes have been placed. up at the Department of Human Services (DHS) 715 S. Loxley Road, Huntington Bank of Houghton Lake will also Houghton Lake. take financial Or you can call donations.

989-366-2300 There are eighty or hop online at Toys for Tots www.toysfortots. boxes at various org and choose stores around your county.

Roscommon Parents or County. guardians must Saturday, present a child’s December 7, school ID, child’s Houghton Lake birth certificate, Vicky Howell, a Shift Manager Walmart will host court documents, at Buccillis, accepting the “Stuff the Blue driver’s license, or “Commander’s Award” for Goose” from 9 utility bill when Buccillis Pizza in Houghton Lake. a.m.-1 p.m.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve applying.

The current This year Toys is proud to recognize Buccillis for their outstanding support for the estimate of for Tots recipients Toys for Tots program. Presenting children expected may be aged the award is Bruce Bentley, Chair to receive infant through of Toys for Tots. toys is 900 for eighteen, if those Roscommon County.

In addition youths are still in school. to the donated toys, the committee Suggested gifts for children purchases additional items spending fourteen and up are: sleeping bags, at least an additional $6,000 to this fishing gear, stocking caps, after point. shave, fingernail polish, personal The distribution of gifts will take grooming aids, hats and scarves, place at the Houghton Lake VFW on board games or other items those Loxley Road from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on youths may need.

December 13, and 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Bruce Bentley, county Toys for on December 14.

Tots Chairperson, noted that most Parents and guardians are again think of the younger set, ages birth reminded to apply by December 9 at to five or six when purchasing toys 4 p.m. for their child to be included. however, there is a greater need for older children. Many times, the

Helping the community Continued from page 21

three times what she has in the past.

Laura has all garments laundered or cleaned when they are returned.

Fancy or dressy dresses are needed, especially current shorter styles. Also needed, are larger sizes as those are in short supply.

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Most referrals come through DHHS. Needful Things is in the Savea-Lot Mall. Laura may be reached at Laura.youngs@yahoo.com or by calling the store at 989-202-2328.

To contact the writer, email donnathoma0@gmail.com

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