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Need a gift, maybe for someone who is hard to buy for? Don't forget "Chamber Checks" are available at the Chamber Office, 28 S. Lake Street, Boyne City. Chamber Checks make the ideal "shop local" gift that can be redeemed at many businesses in the Boyne area. Chamber Checks are issued through Charlevoix State Bank by the Boyne Chamber and are redeemable much like a gift certificate or traveler's check. Chamber Checks are available in denominations of $10, $20 and $25 certificates. We appreciate advance notice for large orders. If you have questions about Chamber Checks, call the Chamber at 231-582-6222 or email lisa@boynechamber.com.

HOLIDAY BONUSES - Chamber Checks are a great way to give holiday bonuses to your employees. Already this year we have filled an order for a total of more than $7,000 in Chamber Checks from one local employer. It's a great way to reward your employees and keep money local!

You may have heard about the Boyne Housing Solutions initiative that is being undertaken in our community. As a part of this effort, Boyne City Main Street is surveying downtown Boyne City businesses to find out how many employees you need to add to your business. We are asking business owners or managers to please click here to take this quick survey.
Here is an example of the type of information we are looking for:
If you need 20 people full-time in the summer, answer 0 to questions 1, 2 and 4 and answer 20 to question 3.
Please feel free to call the Boyne City Main Street office at (231) 582-9009 if you have any questions.
Thank you for taking a few moments to answer the survey.

MAIN STREET BOARD POSITIONS - Boyne City Main Street (City of Boyne City Downtown Development Authority) is seeking applications for two full- term board positions. Upon appointment from the City of Boyne City Commission, the term would start in February 2019 and expire January 2023. To apply, fill out the Board Member Application at https://bit.ly/2Bz07N7 and return to City Hall, or email to Kelsie King-Duff, BCMS Executive Director at mainstreet@boynecity.com by Friday, December 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Sealed bids are now being accepted by Boyne City Main Street for contractual work for Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal when 3 inches or more of snow has fallen. Sidewalk snow removal may need to be done more than once per day, depending on the weather. The entire width of the sidewalk will need to be cleared. The contract for snow removal will not be made with Main Street, but with individual businesses within the Downtown Development Authority District that want to sign on with the company, coordinated through our organization. All businesses in the DDA will be solicited to sign up. Please specify what type of equipment will be used, as well as if the bid is a discounted price from businesses signing up on their own. The bid should specify if additional price breaks will be given when a certain number of businesses sign on. Linear footage information of sidewalks is available by request. Boyne City Main Street will work with the company awarded the contract to get businesses signed on.

Specifications for Downtown Snow Shoveling available online here, and on the city and Main Street websites. All bids must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday November 30, 2018. Bids will be publicly open and read on Monday, December 3 at 9 a.m. at City Hall. Bids shall be contained in a sealed envelope identified as Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal. Bids may be mailed or delivered to City Hall, 319 North Lake Street, Boyne City, MI 49712 Attn: BCMS. Boyne City Main Street reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities as deemed to be in the best interest of Boyne City Main Street.
> Prospective bidders are invited to inspect downtown sidewalk areas and ask any necessary questions by contacting Kelsie King-Duff, Main Street Executive Director at 231-582-9009 or mainstreet@boynecity.com.

North Harbor Real Estate to host Dec. 13th Business After Hours

North Harbor Christie's International Real Estate will host the Boyne Chamber's Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 13 at 104 S. Lake St. Our monthly business networking event is held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and there is no charge for admission or refreshments.

North Harbor owners Jeff Wellman, Lora Higdon and Jay Higdon have been supporting the Northern Michigan community for more than 25 years with an experienced and courteous team. All residents of Northern Michigan, they exemplify the resort lifestyle by living and breathing the lifestyle they sell. To learn more, visit their website or call  231-582-2400.

Cafe Sante is excited to be catering the Holiday Business After Hours with North Harbor Christie's International Real Estate.  One of the raffle prizes will be four tickets ($180 value) to the Sunday, March 10th, 2019, performance of the Vienna Boys Choir at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor. Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit Camp Quality Michigan.

Construction on Boyne Valley Trailway to begin next year

From the Petoskey News-Review: A project nearly two decades in the making, involving construction of a non-motorized trail linking Boyne City and Boyne Falls, is set to begin in the spring of 2019. At its Nov. 13 regular meeting, Michael Sheean, a member of the committee spearheading the Boyne Valley Trailway project, said the group recently received word that it has secured the final piece of funding for the $2 million, 7.2-mile trail. Sheean told the commission that with the funding now all in place, the committee expects bids for the project will be sought in March and construction will hopefully begin in May. He said officials hope the project will be completed by late fall. "We're really happy. The Boyne Valley Trailway received its last major grant yesterday and that fills our budget," Sheean said. Full story.

> MOUNTAIN BIKING MECCA? A proposed collaborative effort among a handful of Northern Michigan nonprofit and governmental entities could turn the Boyne City area into a mountain biking mecca. At its regular semimonthly meeting on Nov. 13, the Boyne City City Commission gave its support by consensus for city officials to continue working with representatives from the Top of Michigan Mountain Biking Association on a plan that ultimately could result in a system of about 20 miles of trails on four parcels of property north of the city in Evangeline Township. News-Review story

Charlevoix County Transit has a new, fast and convenient way to pay for your rides.

No need to carry cash or tickets. You can create a new account at www.charlevoixcounty.org/county_transit/  with your name, phone number and customer ID, use your credit card to add funds online and reload funds to your account and 

request refunds. For more details, call 231-582-6900 or email info@cctransit.org.

Community Christmas gearing up to help families in need
An open letter from the Boyne Area Community Christmas Committee:
Tis the season, the giving season, the merry and bright season. For 63 years Boyne Area Community Christmas has helped make Christmas brighter for thousands of children and their families through the generous donations of our community. The committee is gearing up for it 64th year of spreading holiday cheer and lending a helping hand to those in need. If you find yourself able to give, your donation will be greatly appreciated by many and can be in the form of non-perishable foods, new unwrapped toys, games or books. If you'd like to donate monetarily, please make checks payable to the Boyne Area Community Christmas and send them to our Treasurer, Eleanor West at 915 Robinson Street, #15, Boyne City, MI 49712. All donations can be dropped off at the Boyne City Education Center by using the Pine Street entrance from November 26 until December 14, Monday thru Thursday from 10am-2pm. If you find yourself in need of a brighter Christmas for your family this year and have not already filled out a form from your school, please stop at the Boyne City Education Center Art room during donation hours to sign up.

COLDWELL BANKER DROP-OFF SITE -  Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors at 231 E. Water St., Boyne City, has again been designated as a drop-off site for Boyne Area Community Christmas. They are collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items. Especially needed are toys for boys aged 7 to 17. Items may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5 and Saturdays from 9 to 2 until Dec. 14th. For more information call Libbie Talboys at 231-582-6554.

Van Dam Boats to host Boat Building Career Day Dec. 5
Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, Michigan presents its 2018 Student Discovery Day, hosted at Van Dam Custom Boats in Boyne City. Envisioning your professional future is the first step in achieving your dreams. Come and enjoy a sneak peek behind the scenes with Steve Van Dam on Wednesday, December 5, and learn how you can enroll in the GLBBS 12-month Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program. Doors open at 5 pm. at 970 East Division Street, Boyne City. Limited to 25 people, so please RSVP by calling Chris at 906-398-2088 for more information and to register.

Next work session for Boyne Housing Solutions set for Dec. 5

The next work session for Boyne Housing Solutions will be held Wednesday, December 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at City Hall. Action steps will be discussed on the topics of Funding, Projects, Public/Private Partnerships and Zoning. The initiative has developed momentum and with a group of engaged community decision-makers. Meeting agenda.

Lexamar delivered 6,155 pounds of food to Boyne City's Good Neighbors Food Pantry a few days before Thanksgiving. More pictures of the event .

Wreaths Across America celebrates 5th year in Bay Township

	Dean Kleinschrodt plays taps at a previous ceremony.

Now in our 5th year, the Bay Township Cemetery Committee has again teamed up with the Horton Bay United Methodist Church to form the Bay Township Area Cemeteries (BTAC) group. We are proud to be an official location for Wreaths Across America, and everyone is invited to attend the ceremony, which begins at Dyer Cemetery on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 11:45 a.m. The 2018 national theme is "Be their witness." For the complete story of how the Wreaths Across America (the national non-profit organization) began back in 1992, and all they do, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/our-story  
There are currently 49 known veterans buried in Bay Township. Our goal has been met to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in our cemeteries: Dyer Cemetery on Camp Daggett Road, Oaklawn Cemetery on Horton Bay Road North, and North Bay Cemetery on Church Road, as well as at the Scattering Gardens at the church. Any additional wreath sponsorships will be carried over to help meet our 2019 goal. Information about the veterans buried, the short ceremony and sponsorship forms are all available at the kiosk in front of the township hall. Call Georganna Monk, local location leader, at 231-883-9867 for additional information or questions.
At Noon (EST) a moment of silence will be held across the entire nation. Following a short ceremony, the wreaths will be placed on the graves of the veterans throughout the township cemeteries. The Boyne City American Legion Ernest Peterson Post 228, as well as other area veterans, will be assisting with this ceremony.

Char-Em United Way supports Business Resource Network

Char-Em United Way has partnered with Northwest Michigan Works in support of the Charlevoix and Emmet Counties Business Resource Network. This employer-driven collaborative is focused on enhanced employee support, retention and training, and is available to businesses pursuing additional resources for their employees.
Char-Em United Way is offering financial and in-kind support to move this vital initiative forward for businesses and their employees in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. A shared Success Coach is meeting with local employees at their job sites offering a wide range of assistance including help with transportation, child care, housing, financial supports and so much more.
"Char-Em United Way is excited to partner with Northwest Michigan Works. in bringing the Business Resource Network to our area," said Lorraine Manary, CEO of Char-Em United Way. "We believe this program will proactively support local workers who are struggling to make ends meet. So many residents are just one paycheck away from hardship and through this partnership and network we hope to make it easier for them to remain financially stable."
Employers are being registered now and businesses interested in this unique employee support program are encouraged to contact Evelyn Szpliet at Evelyn.Szpliet@networksnorthwest.org or 231.631.2613.

Hotel Walloon offers new corporate rates and winter rates

Hotel Walloon is now offering corporate rates and winter rates. The corporate rates, Sunday through Thursday from now through April 30th, start at just $100 per night. Hotel Walloon, a AAA Four Diamond property, offers food service four times daily, complimentary valet service and so many more amenities. We also have Barrel Back restaurant and the Walloon Lake Inn, both located within walking distance of our property. For more information, call Allison Bond at 231.497.2017.

The new winter rates include cottage view rooms starting at $125 on weekdays and $150 on weekends. Lakeside rooms start at $175 on weekdays and $200 on weekends. These rates are available now through April 30th. Rates are subject to change based on availability and must follow a minimum length of stay if it applies. To book visit www.hotelwalloon.com or call 231.535.5000.

Charlevoix County Transit adds new fare payment program

Charlevoix County Transit has a new, fast and convenient way to pay for your rides. No need to carry cash or tickets. You can create a new account at www.charlevoixcounty.org/county_transit/  with your name, phone number and customer ID, use your credit card to add funds online and reload funds to your account and request refunds. For more details, call 231-582-6900 or email info@cctransit.org.

Boyne Eta Nu Lights of Love project to benefit Hospice
The Boyne Eta Nu Charities annual "Lights of Love" tree lighting remembrance ceremony will take place Wednesday, December 5, at 6:30 p.m. on the Dilworth Hotel porch in Boyne City. This special event offers an opportunity for community members to honor and remember loved ones during the holiday season and raise money for the Hospice of Northwest Michigan to support patient care in our community. In the past 31 years, Boyne Eta Nu has raised over $104,000 for Hospice.
You can help decorate our Lights of Love tree by purchasing a green, blue, red or gold light ranging from $5 to $30. For a $40 contribution, you will receive a personalized "heart of love" with the name of your loved one that will hang on the tree during the month of December.
Light of Love flyers with donation information for lights, hearts or reserving for our post ceremony dinner are available online, at the Boyne Area Chamber and the Hospice of Northwest in Charlevoix. Those wishing to make direct contributions may do so via mail to Pati Scott, 4408 E. Fontenoy, Boyne City, MI 49712. Donations are tax-deductible. Please make checks payable to Boyne Eta Nu Charities.
> For additional information visit Boyne Eta Nu Charities on Facebook, or contact Pati Scott at patiski13@gmail.com or call or text 231-758-2496.

The Chamber/Main Street E-News comes to your inbox each Thursday morning. If you submit news, please send it by Tuesday to jim@boynechamber.com. More than 1,200 people open our newsletter each week, and you can reach them with your advertising message and a link for as little as $50. Ad space is now available for January and beyond.

> SPREAD THE NEWS - We'd love to send you and your friends the weekly Boyne Business News. To subscribe, call 231-582-6222 or email us .

On Saturday, December 1st, Red Mesa Grill in Boyne City will host its 22nd Annual Judy Kuheana Benefit Breakfast. A Latin-American Breakfast Buffet will be offered 8am-10:30am. A silent auction table with great prizes generously donated by local merchants will be held that morning as well. All proceeds from both the breakfast and silent auction will benefit Boyne area food pantries through the Manna Food Project.
Last year, the event attracted 114 guests, raising $2,491. This included $1,480 from the breakfast and donations and $1,011 from the silent auction.
Judy was a founder of the 7th Day Adventist Food Pantry. She passed away in October of 1996. The Red Mesa Grill, with the help of Judy's brother, Jerry Kelts has held the Judy Kuheana Benefit Breakfast on the first Saturday of December since it opened in 1997, raising close to $30,000 to benefit Boyne Area food pantries.
Magnum Hospitality also participates in the "Help Everyone Eat Program."
The first Thursday of every month, Magnum Hospitality restaurants donate 5% of every dollar spent directly to the Boyne area pantries via the Manna Food Project, Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City, and the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard.
Since inception, Magnum's "Help Everyone Eat" program has raised over $150,000 for these excellent charities.

	Santa will visit the library for their Saturday Holiday Open House.

Boyne District Library welcomes December with events and programs for all ages. Most events are free and open to anyone interested in attending.
The library will be closed December 24th & 25th, and again December 31st and January 1st for holiday breaks. The library will also be closing early at 6 p.m. on December 11th for a staff celebration.
Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 1st, and Friends Used Book Sale 10am -2pm. Santa visits and pictures from 10:30am-12noon in the Children's Room, along with crafts for teens/tweens and children.
Teen/Tween Crafternoon, Sunday, December 2nd, 1-3pm join us with Gather, a DIY studio in Harbor Springs, in making great DIY gifts for someone special or a great winter treat for yourself. Students, ages 10-18 are invited to an afternoon of crafting. Registration required.
Jolly Gingerbread will be held on two dates this year. For this gingerbread house-making event, children must be accompanied by an adult helper. Registration required, each session is limited to 25 children:
Session 1: December 5th, 6-7 pm
Session 2: December 8th, 11 am-12 pm
Session 3: December 8th, 1-2 pm
Family Dinner Book Club meets on Monday, December 10th at 5:30 pm. We will be exploring stories and foods from around the world. Dinner starts at 5:30 and discussion starts at 6. The event is free, but registration is required.
Additional adult and family programs in December include:
* Yoga with Reb Andrews 9am Mondays, $5 per week. No class December 24 or 31.
* Beginning Computer Classes every Tuesday at 2pm. Bring in your devices and tech questions and we can help.
* Tai Chi Club meets on Wednesdays, December 5th & 12th, 10am, cost is $5 per session.
* LibLab will meet on Thursdays, December 13th & 20th, at 3:30pm.
* Every first Friday of the month, a Sensory Storytime is available for our special needs adult patrons. Our next program will be Friday, December 7th at 10am. Caregivers must accompany participants.
* The Boyne District Library Book Club meets at 7pm on December 17th. This month's book is I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Emily Sanchez.
Information for all BDL events and programs can also be found at www.boynelibrary.org. To register for an event go to www.boynelibrary.org/registrations or call the library 231-582-7861. For additional information, feel free to contact Cindi Place, Adult Services Librarian, Boyne District Library, placec@boynelibrary.org, 231-582-7861.

The new Boyne District Library Bookmobile will be at the Farmers Market every Saturday. The bookmobile is a great way to get excited about reading. Everyone is welcome. Market shoppers can shop for local produce and unique market goodies in the comfort of an indoor space from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays. The Indoor Market is located in the main lobby and training room of the City Facilities Building, which is located across the street from the summer market location in Veterans Park.

MSU refills Hoop House For Health  cards the first   Saturday of the month. Find them at the Market Manager Booth on Dec. 1st.  Bridge Card and Double Up tokens  are available at every market.  Match up to $20 in SNAP for fruits and veggies with Double Up Food Bucks.   

Poinsettia Sale - Be sure to stop at the Market Booth and order your poinsettias for this holiday season. Pick up days will be at every market through Saturday, December 22.

> The Boyne City Farmers Market is a program of Boyne City Main Street. For more information, visit  www.boynecityfarmersmarket.org . To sign up for our weekly newsletter, email farmersmarket@boynecity.com .

MARKET MUSIC, thanks to Grain Train and Blissfest:

  December 1 ~ Ron Fowler

  December 8 ~ Nelson Olstrom

  December 15 ~ Lena Wilson

MARKET ADVISORY COMMITTEE -  Boyne City Main Street is accepting applications from community members and vendors interested in serving on the Boyne City Farmers Market Advisory Committee. To apply, please click here and fill out the application.  Terms are for three years. Applications are due December 3rd.

As years fly by, friendships often wane. That's why new Boyne City resident and businesswoman Sue Barenholtz started creating businesses 10 years ago to help women make new friends. Along the way, she noticed two poignant facts: a lot of women want to travel but don't; and women who travel together forge the strongest friendships. That's what spurred her newest venture, Boomer Women Travel.
Barenholtz, who officially kicked off Boomer Women Travel in Boyne City last month at the Boyne Chamber Business Expo, founded Boomer Women Travel in 2012 and the former Wild Boomer Women social club in Phoenix in 2008, and has been taking small groups of women across the globe for six years.
Boomer Women Travel plans to do six trips a year. Its next open trip is an Alaskan cruise in September with an after trip to Vancouver, and two back-to-back weeks in Italy in October, 2019. This will be Barenholtz' 15th trip to Italy.
Women do not have to be members to travel with the club. Benefits of membership, which is $35 a year, include a $50 discount on each trip, advance trip notification and other discounts featured on the club website.
> For more information visit www.boomerwomentravel.com or contact Barenholtz at 231-459-4535 (office) or 602-677-1953 (cell) or email her at sue@boomerwomentravel.com. You can also attend Girls Night Out information sessions Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Boyne City Tap Room, Thursday, Dec. 13 at Bridge Street Tap Room in Charlevoix, Dec. 17 in Gaylord or Dec. 19 in Petoskey. For details or to register for any of the events, visit www.boomerwomentravel.com/events. Full press release.

For this holiday season, Lake Street Pub feels that it is best to give AND receive. From now through December 24th, for every $50 in gift certificates purchased, you'll earn 10 Pub Points. Every one Pub Point can be redeemed for $1 in food purchases at the Pub from January 1 through May 31, 2019.
Lake Street Pub is also offering different specials and events every Monday through Friday:

> Mondays - Monday Night Football Party = $1 off libations during the game.
> Tuesdays - Deluxe LSP Burger & Domestic Beer = $8.
> Wednesdays - Wing Wednesdays - 1/2 dozen wings = $7, featuring new, fun sauces. Trivia Night 8-10pm, gift certificate prizes of $50, $25, $15.
> Thursdays - Poker Karaoke featuring door prizes from your favorite Michigan craft breweries:
  November 29 - Short's
  December 6 - Founder's
  December 13 - New Holland
  December 20 - Right Brain
  December 27 - Bell's
> Fridays- John Cross Fisheries Whitefish Fry, two pieces = $13, 5-9pm.

Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers opened their new distillery tasting room in Boyne City, last Friday, November 23rd. The celebration coincided with the community's Santa Parade and holiday open house. The Northern Michigan outlet, located at 118 Water Street, is the company's first offsite tasting room apart from their Grand Rapids distillery, cocktail bar and restaurant. Visitors to the new Boyne City location can sample Long Road's line-up of handcrafted spirits, participate in special tasting events, and purchase merchandise to-go, including bottles of Long Road spirits, house-made ginger beer and simple syrups, and a selection of apparel and glassware.
Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers, commented: "Our team has been hard at work to get everything ready over the past few months, and we're excited to finally share not only what we've been able to build together in this new space, but also the world-class spirits we're proud to craft right here in Michigan."
> To learn more about Long Road - Boyne City and to stay up to date on future special events, visit their Facebook page.

Create Community Art Studio is offering a Wreath Making workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 8th. Design a wreath out of natural materials from the studio, or bring in something special for a one-of-a-kind creation. Ideas of things to bring: dried herbs or flowers, special ornaments, old photos, milkweed pods or acorns, ornamental grasses, branches, juniper/cedar/holly/sumac greens. The workshop is open to adults and families for $35 per person. Call the studio to make reservations at (231) 459-4066. Drop ins are always welcome but reservations are suggested.
Learn more about the Open Studio at www.letscreatetogether.org. 

Magnum Hospitality Bonus Blitz: $100 = $120
For every $100 worth of Magnum Hospitality Gift Cards purchased by Dec. 16, you will receive a $20 bonus certificate to be used on a future visit to your favorite Magnum Restaurant - Red Mesa Grill, Cafe Santé or Pearl's. The bonus coupons can be redeemed from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2019. www.magnumhospitality.com.

Raven Hill open for free Second Saturday program Dec. 8th

Raven Hill Discovery Center will be open for  the last free Second Saturday Science in 2018. The date is December 8th from noon to 4 pm. This is the 8th year for the popular free Second Saturday program. Not only does free mean no cost to families, but it also means "Families Reaching for Educational Excellence". Families are encouraged to come and have fun, explore and learn new things. The generosity of local northern Michigan community members has ensured that free Second Saturdays will continue through December of 2019. A Raven Hill volunteer puts it this way, "It's just plain fun to see families exploring and playing together AND learning." 

Press release on additional holiday programs.

Luncheon lectures look at Mackinac Bridge and Probate Court

	Bridge Authority Engineer Kim Nowack

North Central Michigan College's Luncheon Lecture will take a look at the Mackinac Bridge on Friday, November 30. Kimberly Nowack, P.E., is the chief engineer for the Mackinac Bridge Authority. She will talk about the history of Straits Area transportation and the amazing story of the bridge's construction. She will also review the continuing challenges of maintaining this vitally important span and more.

DEC. 7TH LECTURE ON PROBATE COURT - North Central's Luncheon Lecture will take a look at 7th Probate District Court on Friday, December 7. The Honorable Valerie K. Snyder has served as judge of 7th Probate District Court since she was appointed by the governor in June 2017. She will give an overview of the services it provides to the residents of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Judge Snyder will highlight the use of guardianships to assist incapacitated individuals and the court's innovative juvenile justice programs, including Lakeview Academy, to address youth substance abuse issues.
> All lectures are held in the Library Conference Center on the Petoskey campus. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. Reservations are required. Call 231-348-6600 or email luncheonlectures@ncmich.edu to reserve your place at the table. Cost is $12 (cash or check only - at door) and includes lunch.

First Presbyterian Church of Boyne City will host weekly Advent services beginning Sunday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. The theme for the month of December is "Calm and Bright", a play on the words to "Silent Night" as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of this beloved carol. Each week features special music and a worship order that calls us in out of the dark and into Christ's light. The traditional candlelight service is open to the community, with caroling beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the service starting at 7 p.m. The service features special music, with opportunities for the congregation to participate. This service ends with communion and the lighting of the candles as we sing "Silent Night" and welcome the Christ Child.
CHRISTMAS DINNER - On Christmas Day, community members gather in the fellowship hall for a traditional Christmas Day dinner, complete with ham, turkey and all the fixings. The dinner is provided from Noon to 2 p.m. at no charge and delivery is available by calling the church at 231-582-7983. Please arrange for your delivery prior to Dec. 19th. Carry-outs are available with no reservation needed.

	Fall Artist in Residence class, from left:  Breez McPherson, Emily Bellinger, Madeline Schlickau, Chloe Britton and Ciarra Godzik.

Create: Community Arts Studio (CCAS) believes studio space is critical for artists and understands the importance of having dedicated space to work in. The Artist in Residence (AIR) program at Create is an intensive day program offered to emerging high school artists that forms a positive network of artists to expand one's existing practice, work collaboratively, discuss art critically and inspire one another.
Each year, CCAS attracts 10 aspiring artists into the AIR program, offering an unparalleled studio experience. The program is a four-month residency in the Fall and Spring semesters with five new artists chosen each residency. Students who are enrolled in high school by the fall of 2018 and reside in Charlevoix or Emmet County are eligible to apply.

> To apply, artists must complete an online application and attend Portfolio Review Day. Applications must be electronically submitted before midnight on January 6th. For more information and to apply visit www.letscreatetogether.org, call 231-459-4066 or email info@letscreatetogether.org. Full press release.

In the name of conservation - and in our case, shoreline preservation, soil and water quality, environmental stewardship and backyard conservation - Stiggs Brewery and Boyne True Value Co-Op have teamed up with us to host a special Conservation Benefit Dinner to benefit the Charlevoix County Conservation District at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4. Tickets for the four-course meal are $50; call Stiggs at 231-497-6100 for reservations. Flier with dinner details. The funds raised will go toward our new Community Resource Room project. With help from the Charlevoix Community Foundation, Trans Canada, Toby Prevo and his amazing team of contractors, the room is near completion, but $12,500 is still needed to be raised. When complete, the District will use the space to expand our nature programs for youth and conservation workshops for adults. The new Community Room will also be a place for all of our conservation groups and community partners and supporters to enjoy for generations to come. Click here for more information on the Community Room Project, or stop by if you're in the neighborhood. We'd love to show it off.

Local artists June Storm and Karen Kimmell will introduce us to the relaxing world of drawing zentangles in a Pint and Paint event on December 6th at Stiggs Brewery from 6 - 9 p.m. Cost is $20, which includes instruction, materials, and a glass of beer or wine. Payment is due before December 6th and can be made at Boyne Arts Collective. If you have any questions, contact Sue Metzger at 231-582-7567. Flier with details.

Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers or big brothers are invited to bring their sons (ages 7-14) for a fun-filled Father/Son weekend, February 8-10, at Camp Daggett. Cost is $200 for father/son, plus $50 for each additional son or $300 for two adults and two children. Space is limited. Tentative activities include ice fishing, archery, fly-tying instruction, DNR workshop, nature study, addventure/high ropes course activities and more. For information or to register, contact Ed Leverenz at 231-347-9742 ext 112 or email grace.ketchum@campdaggett.org . www.campdaggett.org .