Adrian Our Town | Winter 2022

RECONNECT & CELEBRATE

Savoring the season recipes PG. 12

Making memories/Finding fun over the holidays

PG. 30

Adrian Center for the Arts

PG. 6

And just like that, another year has gone by. Thanksgiving has come and gone, the holiday season is in full swing and a new year is right around the corner.

It’s been an odd one, stuck in the middle of a pandemic while simultaneously trying to move beyond it. The community began to come back to life. Festivals and fairs returned, plays were back on and restaurants reopened. All the while, businesses everywhere worked to hire enough people to keep the doors open, vaccines rolled out and schools juggled in person and remote learning.

All of that deserves a little celebrating, and Our Town is here to help. Find the perfect recipe for your holiday celebration, pick the perfect place to have some fun this winter and figure out the best way for you to start the new year o on the right foot.

The holidays are a time to reconnect with the ones we love and celebrate the year gone by. After the year we’ve all had, we all deserve to relax and enjoy the next few weeks. So make some time to slow down and soak in the holiday spirit, and let Our Town help you do it up right.

Kate Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

Images sourced from Metro Creative: cover, page 4-freepik.com, kstudio, page 12. RitaE, Pixabay, page 16,

Adrian Center for the Arts: Adrian Center for the Arts:

By Anissa Gabbara Contributing writer

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a great deal of joy dissipated along with the remnants of what folks once knew as “normal.” And while many plans were put on hold, crea�vity is unwavering and can serve as an escape when things have gone haywire. With a vision to “Inspire, Create and Grow,” the Adrian Center for the Arts con�nues to celebrate the visual arts in Lenawee County, and is growing to meet the community’s needs, even a�er a whirlwind of changes brought on by the pandemic.

Since 2015, the ACA has served as an outlet for established ar�sts to con�nue crea�ng, and students with a desire to hone their ar�s�c cra�, offering classes in various mediums, including ceramics, pain�ng, drawing and sculpture. Furthermore, the ACA is dedicated to enlightening visitors on the visual arts through gallery exhibits.

At the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020, ar�sts and students were encouraged to keep their crea�vity alive at home as the ACA completely closed for two months. “We have 34 residen�al ar�sts who rent space from us, and they were affected by the shutdown, especially the ones who prac�ced here and didn’t have studios in their homes,” says ACA Execu�ve Director Lisa Neuman. In May, resident ar�sts were allowed to return to their studios, but the campus remained closed to the public.

Instead of dwelling on this tough reality, folks made the most of their �me away. ACA member ar�sts (ar�sts who have annual memberships with the ACA) kept their crea�ve juices flowing by cra�ing artwork that reflected their sen�ments during the shutdown. In June 2020, the gallery opened for the “While We Were Gone” exhibit to display these �mely crea�ons.

According to Neuman, more than 90 pieces of art were submi�ed.

“Because our gallery is so large, we opened it to the public and monitored the numbers that came in, following CDC and local health department guidelines for safety,” she says. That same month, the ACA received a grant to offer complimentary classes to frontline workers.

“We’ve had grocery store employees come and bring team members, and we’ve had nurses come as well,” Neuman says. “I think it’s been very therapeu�c for them to get out of their se�ng and be able to create.”

Classes resumed in early July 2020 with minimal offerings and smaller groups of students, according to Neuman. Addi�onally, large classroom sizes facilitated social distancing between students as staff required that masks be worn.

“We held outdoor classes for youth so that we had ample spacing opportuni�es,“ Neuman says. “Everyone seemed to follow the rules and really wanted to get back into the classroom making art.”

Fortunately, the ACA didn’t suffer significant financial hardship during this �me. “Our donors are pre�y mighty,” she says. “They were really able to step up and just keep the love coming.”

Looking ahead, the ACA plans to enrich their crea�ve footprint by bringing fine cra� arts to campus, and is currently wrapping up a fund campaign to renovate exis�ng space that will house new studios dedicated to three different mediums: glassblowing, metalsmithing-jewelry and sculpture.

“Our crowdfunding runs through December 20, and we are raising $25,000, which if successful, will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corpora�on,” Neuman says. “The overall goal is $300,000.” It’s all part of the ACA’s efforts in becoming an educa�onal partner in the community.

“These mediums are in the lost art sector — they’re just not really being taught in high school or college curriculums anymore.”

As this new endeavor is underway, the ACA will keep the momentum going in other mediums, too. “We have a 2D program, clay and warm glass already going, which is glass beads and stain glass art,” Neuman explains. “We also have a pre�y robust youth program in clay, as well as a teen art club that meets here.” Moreover, the ACA offers professional development for public school art teachers, in which they can receive con�nuing educa�on credits. “We do that three days in the summer, and we have 65 to 70 teachers from across Michigan come here.”

ACA members are in for a treat with upcoming exclusive events, such as the Professional Ar�sts Series (held on Sundays), where ar�sts visit the Gallery Classroom to discuss their strategy for selling art, as well as their experiences as crea�ves. They can also look forward to the Member to Member classes, an interac�on-based program, where members teach a skill they’ve learned about a par�cular medium to fellow members.

The 2022 agenda includes several gallery shows, workshops and classes, such as Lost Lexicon, which will be held in the spring. Poet Holly Wren is set to exhibit le�erpress printed works, and will also conduct a threeday, on-campus wri�ng workshop, in which par�cipants will have the opportunity to learn le�erpress. There’s also the Ties That Bind show, a reflec�on of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are working with an art therapist in certain classes, and the art produced in them will be displayed in our gallery, along with 250 cloth face coverings that have original art on them,” Neuman says. Students will also learn how art can be used to help cope with the anxiety created by the pains of the pandemic.

Stay tuned for upcoming holiday ac�vi�es. “Our biggest event is our Holiday Market, and it features 30 local ar�sts and different mediums,” Neuman shares. “We’ll have clay, different types of pain�ng, glass — so it just features all the mediums that our students par�cipate in and people really enjoy it.” The grand opening of the Holiday Market is Dec. 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will run through Dec. 23.

For addi�onal informa�on about the ACA, visit: adriancenterforthearts.org.

Race to the top

Adrian’s cross country coach focuses on team strengthening, looking to future

By Dan Cherry

Contributing writer

Adrian Public Schools cross country coach Tom MacNaughton is full of “Maple Pride” over his 2021 cross country team.

“My goal from the beginning was to develop a program instead of simply having a team,” he said. And a team he has.

In his fi�h year as head coach at the Lenawee County school, MacNaughton’s team finished sixth at the state finals held November 6 at Michigan Interna�onal Speedway.

MacNaughton said he is pleased with the team’s placement, the same as last year, despite the challenge of naviga�ng the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were hopeful, we had our whole team back, to finish higher,” although COVID-19 was a barrier, MacNaughton said. This year, MacNaughton had 17 boys and 7 girls go out for the team. To add to the challenge of preparing for the state meet, four of the seven who ran were sick in the weeks leading to the event at MIS.

Despite the challenges, MacNaughton remains proud of what they have done, and for the future of the program.

“The culture toward excellence is happening with both the boys and girls teams,” he said.

“We had four juniors who came in as ninth graders (two years ago) and changed our program,” he said. Three years ago, the team placed 13th overall. With the new talent among the ranks, Adrian’s cross country team placed sixth last year and this year, with a higher placing set as next year’s goal. Ul�mately, MacNaughton said, in 2022 and beyond, the goal is to place, at minimum, in the top 10 at state finals annually. Aiden Smith, Ben Sche�a and Jake Eagling, as well as Bryce Soule, are “extremely talented and qualified us for the state meet,” MacNaughton said.

“We also had Braylon Pe�y this year; he is our number one runner,” MacNaughton said. “He was All-State this year and he’s only a sophomore.”

While MacNaughton had 17 boys on the team this year, he was only allowed to run up to seven at the meet. He had five who met the challenge.

“The maturity they have and dedica�on is second-to-none, but their leadership goes top to bo�om. The whole team is that way.”

And the freshmen and sophomore team members are “stepping up and doing great things,” as are the middle schoolers, who this year number 50 in membership.

The Adrian elementary run club, which MacNaughton said has more than 100 kids enrolled, eventually runs a 5k through the Maple Pride 5k Trail Run. That program, bringing up the K_5 elementary ranks, will ensure “we are well on our way to establishing a program to go strong for years to come,” he said.

The team’s girls during the 2021 season finished eighth in the county preview and third in the county meet at the end of the season.

From there, two qualified for the state meet.

Sophy Skeels, a ninth-grader, has running in her blood. Her family are runners, with her father, Lincoln Elementary School Principal Sam Skeels, actually running from home in Adrian to the state meet, then pacing out the course a�er arriving.

MacNaughton said he is proud of both Skeels and sophomore Yoselin Fermin-Compos, who both improved leaps and bounds over the season to qualify for individual state. Fermin-Compos finished 15th at the regionals, and 134th overall at the state meet. Skeels came across the finish line in 97th place.

“We’ve developed as a team, and through their leadership, are carrying the whole group,” MacNaughton said. Through their hard work, the coach said, “the team is very close.”

“They are very inten�onal; their parents are inten�onal, and I am inten�onal about having group ac�vi�es,” MacNaughton said.

Throughout the prac�ce and running seasons, the team built a sense of camaraderie at the KOA campground in Monroe, and with bonfires and a host of team-bonding ac�vi�es. “They do so much together,” he said. “And they want more bonding ac�vi�es.”

However, in that area, COVID-19 has created barriers there. “We had to cancel the spaghe� dinners over the past couple years, including this year,” he said. But difficulty is something the team as a whole looks to overcome.

“They look to do difficult things,” MacNaughton said. “We ran from the city limits sign in Adrian to the Ohio border, then they ran two more miles to equal a half-marathon.”

“It’s a pleasure to be around this group,” MacNaughton said. “They are not only outstanding runners, they’re outstanding people and students. They are in leadership roles at the schools in addi�on to being natural leaders in cross country.”“A number of them are going to end up being coaches,” he said.

Savoring the season

From fancy to casual, these holiday recipes will impress everyone

By Rachel Brougham Contributing writer

From large, casual parties to formal family dinners to small, impromptu gatherings, holiday recipes need to run the gamut. You need satisfying appetizers you can throw together in a ash, main dishes that can feed a crowd but also pass for fancy and desserts that impress but don’t take all day to decorate.

We have the solutions to your holiday meal planning.

No matter that type of get-togethers you’re planning this holiday season, the following recipes will have you covered.

Make a Charcuterie Board

Di culty level: Easy to di cult, depending on ingredients and size of board.

Not only does cheese appeal to almost everyone, but making a charcuterie board for your holiday gathering allows you to be creative and work with your own tastes. Plus, there’s really no wrong way to make one and they can be fun to assemble.

Here are some tips to create the ultimate holiday cheese board that will surely delight even the fussiest of guests.

First, choose your serving vessel. You can use a platter, a wooden cutting board or any kind of tray.

Second, decide on how many cheeses you’d like to serve. Many experts say you should start with three, and then for larger parties, add from there.

Now it’s time to pick your cheeses. Try one so variety, like a brie or a camembert. A stinky cheese like a bleu or gorgonzola is a good choice. en, try a milder cheese like a havarti, a good cheddar or muenster.

Next, you’ll want to cut or break up the cheeses into bite-sized pieces and place them around your serving vessel. is will make it easier to keep the varieties of cheese separate.

Now it’s time to ll in some gaps. You can do this by adding some charcuterie meats like salami, prosciutto or even turkey or ham deli meat if you know your party will include young kids. Fruit is also a great addition. ink berries such as blackberries and raspberries or various types of dried varieties such as gs and apricots. Spread these llers out among your cheeses.

Get fancy! Try wrapping some prosciutto around small Italian breadsticks or pear slices. Bunch up salami so it doesn’t look like you just threw it down on the platter.

O er up some dips and crackers if you want. Try a cheese dip or something made of cranberries which makes any charcuterie board look festive. Place these items in between the cheeses, meats and fruits.

Add some nuts. Almonds, pistachios and cashews not only pair well with the other items on your charcuterie board, they can ll in any open spaces.

Put on the nishing touches. Add in some jams, mustards or honey in little condiment serving dishes and place among the other items. Garnish with rosemary or thyme sprigs. You can even throw on some olives or pickled vegetables.

Once you master the art of building a traditional charcuterie board with cheese, try taking it to another level by building one for holiday brunches or Christmas morning breakfast. Use your serving vessel to serve mini pancakes or wafes, mini mu ns, doughnuts or danishes. Add some breakfast meats such as bacon, sausage links or sliced ham if you’d like. Fill in the gaps with fruits such as berries and banana slices, along with any toppings you might need like maple syrup, honey or jams. If you’re serving pancakes or wa es, you can even add in some whipped cream and chocolate chips and you’ll have a make-your-own breakfast board!

5-Ingredient Cranberry Brie

Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

Di culty level: Easy to Moderate-Serves 16

ese pu pastry swirls are a great option for those times when you have family show up unexpectedly or you have a party to go to in the evening and you just don’t know what to bring. With only ve ingredients, they are not only easy to make, but they will be a crowd favorite. Plus, the recipe can be easily doubled.

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen pu pastry, thawed 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted 6 ounces Brie cheese, rind mostly removed and nely diced 3/4 cup dried cranberries

2-4 Tbsp. cinnamon sugar, using more or less to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Unroll the pu pastry on a clean work surface. Brush the pastry with 1 tablespoon melted butter and then sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle the diced brie and cranberries evenly over the pastry.

Starting at the long end, roll the pastry up as tightly as possible (like a cinnamon roll). Brush the roll with the remaining melted butter and then sprinkle the roll with cinnamon sugar to coat. Using a sharp knife, cut into 16 swirls.

Place the swirls on the prepared baking sheet and bake 15-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the pastry golden, these are a little messy. Allow to sit on the pan about two minutes and before transferring to a serving plate. Serve warm.

Tip: You can make these ahead! Just prepare through step three and place the swirls on the baking sheet. Cover and keep them in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake, just do so as directed.

To make cinnamon sugar, mix 1/4 cup white sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe source: https://www.hal akedharvest.com/idiot-proof-5-ingredient-cranberry-brie-cinnamon-sugar-pu -pastry-swirls

Pizza Sliders

Sliders are a great option for a low-key Christmas Eve celebration or a New Year’s Eve party. ese call for just pepperoni, but can easily be customized with other meats or vegetables. Double or even triple the recipe for larger gatherings and you’ll be surprised at how quickly they disappear.

Di culty level: Easy to Medium-Serves 12

Ingredients

12 sweet rolls (I used Hawaiian)

1 cup pizza sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella or pizza these blend

24 pepperoni slices

Garlic Butter Sauce

4 Tbs. melted butter

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Holiday Punch

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Place the package of sweet rolls on the parchment without pulling apart rolls.

Cut rolls into two halves. Layer bottom half with 1 tablespoon sauce, 1 tablespoon cheese, 2 pepperonis and 1 tablespoon more of cheese. Place top of roll back on.

Mix all ingredients for the garlic butter sauce together and spread over the top and side. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Recipe source: https://tastyoven.com/pepperoni-pizza-sliders-with-garlic-butter-parmesan-sauce/

Di culty level: Easy-Serves 12

If you’re planning a large gathering, a festive punch makes for less hassle since you can make it before guests arrive. is holiday punch not only looks festive, but it’s non-alcoholic so kids can enjoy it alongside the adults. And if you’d like, keep some rum or vodka nearby for the adults if they want to add some to their drinks.

Ingredients

1 (64 ounce) container cranberry juice cocktail

1 (14 ounce) container pineapple juice

1 container frozen lemondade

1 can Sprite, 7-UP or other kind of lemon-lime soda

Orange slices for garnish

Fresh cranberries for garnish

Ice

Vodka or rum (optional)

Instructions

Squeeze the container of frozen lemonade into a large drink dispenser or punch bowl. Add the cranberry juice cocktail, pineapple juice and lemon-lime soda. Gently stir to combine. Add plenty of ice or an ice ring. Serve over ice and garnish with slices of oranges or any citrus and fresh cranberries.

Tip: You can also add scoops of orange, lemon or lime sherbet to glasses and pour the punch own top.

Recipe source: https://afarmgirlskitchen.com/holiday-punch/

Glazed Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Di culty level: Easy-Serves 4 is side dish is a bit more classy than your traditional sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top. It pairs well with many holiday meats, including turkey, chicken, ham and beef.

Ingredients

3 medium sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 apple, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup apple juice or cider

1/2 Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 tsp. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nely grated orange peel

1/4 cup pecan pieces

Instructions

Place sweet potatoes and apples in a 2- to 3-1/2-quart slow cooker. Mix together brown sugar, apple juice, honey, butter, cinnamon and orange peel. Spoon over sweet potatoes. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours or until potatoes and apples are tender.

Meanwhile, cook nuts in an ungreased heavy skillet over medium-low heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until browning begins, then stirring constantly until golden brown and fragrant.

Sprinkle with pecans just before serving.

Recipe source: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/glazedsweet-potatoes-and-apples

Onion Garlic Butter Mushrooms

Di culty level: Easy-Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound button mushrooms, cleaned and halved

1 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable stock

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, minced

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Red pepper akes, for garnish

is recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. Try mixing up your mushrooms — consider using a mix of button, portobellos and even shiitake. ese mushrooms pair well with holiday beef dishes!

Instructions

In a skillet over medium-high, heat the butter and olive oil and sauté the onion until so ened. Add the halved mushrooms and cook for about 4-5 minutes until mushrooms are golden and crispy on the edges. Pour in the vegetable stock to deglaze the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, to reduce slightly. Stir through 1 tablespoon of parsley and minced garlic to the mushrooms. Cook for a further 30 seconds, until fragrant. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and serve the mushrooms immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and red chili pepper akes.

Recipe source: https://www.eatwell101.com/garlic-butter-mushrooms-recipe

Perfect Roast Beef

Di culty level: Moderate-Seves 8

is roast beef recipe is the perfect option for a holiday main dish since it can be served for large, informal gatherings or fancy, small dinners. Plus, with four cuts of meat to choose from, you won’t pay near as much as you would for a beef tenderloin or prime rib.

Look for cuts such as top round roast, top sirloin roast, bottom round roast or eye of round roast. If these cuts of meat are new to you, don’t be afraid to ask your butcher. ese are generally tougher cuts of meats (read: less expensive) but since you’ll be cooking them low and slow, they’ll be extremely tender when ready to serve.

Roast beef allows you to get creative with your seasoning. You can do just salt and pepper, or you can add herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage and parsley. e more avor the better!

Before cooking, you’ll want to make sure the roast comes to room temperature so it cooks evenly throughout. Try one to two hours on the countertop, depending on the size of your roast.

Finally, when it comes to slicing, be sure to let the meat rest for about 30 minutes so the juices can distribute throughout the meat and not end up all over your cutting board. Cut the meat thin so it’s extra tender.

Ingredients

1 (4-lb.) round roast

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Recommended: let roast sit uncovered at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, combine oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub all over roast.

Place roast in roasting pan tted with a roasting rack. Roast for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees and roast 1 hours 45 minutes more for medium, or 2 hours for medium well done.

Remove from oven and let rest 15 to 30 minutes before serving.

Tip: For larger, more informal gatherings, serve the beef on sliders with a horseradish cream sauce and various toppings.

Recipe source: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23584914/perfect-roast-beef-recipe/

Cheesecake Filled Bundt Cake

Di cultly level: Moderate to Di cult-Serves 12

Chocolate? Check. Feeds a crowd? Check. Festive? As much as you want it to be.

is cheesecake lled bundt cake is great since it not only taste delicious, but it looks great when served on a plate and decorated for the holidays. is cake on its own is fairly easy to make, but the di culty level increases depending on if and how decorate it.

Add holiday sprinkles, or you can even try decorating the top in some kind of holiday theme with santas or snowmen, string lights or decorative trees. Really, the options are endless.

Ingredients

For the lling:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. all-purpose our

For the cake:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, nely chopped

1 Tbsp. espresso powder

3/4 cup boiling water

1 3/4 cups (7.87 ounces) all-purpose our

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

5 large eggs, at room temperature

For the glaze:

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tsp. corn syrup

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

For the lling:

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and

Di culty level: Easy-Serves 24

sugar until well combined. Add the egg, vanilla, and our until well combined. Set aside.

For the cake:

Combine the cocoa, chocolate, and espresso powder in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water into the bowl and cover. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a small bowl whisk together the our, salt, and baking soda.

Whisk the chocolate mixture until it is smooth. Let cool to room temperature. When it has cooled, whisk in the sour cream.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla for about 3 minutes, or until light and u y. Add the eggs, one at a time, until combined. On low speed gradually add the our mixture and the melted chocolate mixture alternatively, beginning and ending with the our, until the batter is smooth.

Pour a little more than half the batter into the prepared pan. Pour the cheesecake lling into the center of the batter, not allowing it to touch the edges of the pan. Pour the remaining batter of the lling.

Bake the cake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then turn the cake out and let cool completely.

For the glaze:

In a small saucepan heat the cream and corn syrup over medium heat until hot. Remove from heat and add the chocolate, whisking until smooth. Let cool slightly until thickened. Drizzle over the cake. Let the glaze set at room temperature, about 10 minutes, before serving.

Recipe source: lled-chocolate-bundt-cake/https://handletheheat.com/cheesecake-

Holiday Haystack Cookies

Not only are these holiday haystack cookies easy to put together because they have minimal ingredients, they can be decorated with whatever sprinkles you have already in your cupboard. is is a great recipe to make with young kids.

Ingredients

2 cups white chocolate chips

1 cup salted peanuts

3–4 cups chow mein noodles

Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Melt chocolate in large microwavable bowl according to bag instructions. Add peanuts and chow mein noodles. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on to wax paper. Shake on sprinkles and allow to cool for several hours before removing from the wax paper.

Recipe source: https://www.smalltownwoman.com/white-chocolate-peanut-holiday-haystacks/

Rachel Brougham is the former assistant editor of the Petoskey News-Review. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor.

For Shahid Imran, Managing Director and CEO of Hampton Manor Premier Assisted Living, the decision to focus his attention on senior living developments was one of responsibility and respect: “As the eldest son of five children, I knew it would be my responsibility to see after the well-being of my parents.”

Surveying options available for aging adults led Imran to conclude that the industry lacked the high level of care and accommodation that he deemed necessary. “I wanted to enrich the lives of our residents and serve them with respect, dignity, integrity, and most of all compassion. I wanted to see better services being offered to our seniors, after all, these are the individuals that made us the people we are today,” Imran said. Prior to choosing Madison Township as a site for a Hampton Manor, Imran’s team canvased demographic information and saw the community’s need, but it was more than just data that led to the final decision. “We couldn’t be happier,” Imran said. “Driving into Madison Township you can feel ‘it.’ The ‘it’ is the feeling you get when you walk into your grandmother’s home on a chilly weekend afternoon and she has warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk waiting for you. This is what we felt when we first began our scouting mission.” Hampton Manor will provide each of its potential residents with an exceptional living experience, one that is affordable.

“Our motto is ‘we want to spoil the generation that spoiled us’. For most of us, the generation that spoiled us worked extremely hard to make us who we are today. So, it is our turn to give back without breaking their banks,” Imran said. Maria Crane, Sales and Marketing Director, stated that the facility is designed to strike the ideal balance between autonomy and assistance: “We encourage (residents) to be as independent as possible for as long as they are able,” Crane said. The facility offers a variety of floor plans, each equipped with a kitchenette, as well as several amenities and services including an onsite movie theater, library, salon, medication management, three meals per day, housekeeping, and transportation. Stores, coffee shops, and other amenities are “right out our front door” Crane added.

Appropriate considerations in both design and in staffing have been made for those residents who are in need of memory care. “The memory care area is a smaller environment so it will not be so overwhelming. It will allow residents to wander about safely and will have extra staff with additional training in memory care,” Crane said. Arrangements can be made for additional skilled care as well. “Naturally, levels of care can and will change over time for residents and we monitor any changes so that we can curtail their care plan accordingly,” Imran said. “We also maintain open lines of communication with families so they always know the current condition of their loved ones.”

For more information, or to reserve a space at Hampton Manor, call 734-680-5041.

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Assisted Living

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Memory Care

Unique reasons to shop at small businesses

By Metro Creative Graphics

e numbers don’t lie. Locally owned businesses may be classi ed as “small,” but they have a big impact on the national economy.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics report, small businesses created 10.5 million net new jobs between 2000 and 2019, accounting for 65.1 percent of net new jobs created since 2000 in the United States. e Government of Canada reports that the number of small businesses in Canada in 2020 was far greater than the number of medium and large businesses, accounting for 97.9 percent of all the businesses in the country. Supporting locally owned businesses is a great way to support a neighbor, but that’s not the only attraction. Here are several reasons to shop small.

e feel-good factor

Doing for others certainly has an impact on the person on the receiving end, but also bene ts the do-gooders. A November 2020 survey by Union Bank found that 72 percent of Americans said supporting small businesses was more important than getting the best deals. at may be due to the feeling of helping out a fellow neighbor.

Create job opportunities

Shopping at small businesses keeps those establishments a oat, and it also keeps their employees a oat. Small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. at’s also true in Canada, where 68.8 percent of the total labor force works for a small business. A person may never know when he or she –or a relative – will need a job. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals. Keep

more money in the community

e Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

Enjoy a more local avor

National retailers and other businesses follow a global business model that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve. ese same small businesses also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

ese are just a few of the many reasons to seek out small businesses when in need of products or services.

Area Chambers

Hi, I am Matt Swartzlader, Executive Director of the Adrian Area and Tecumseh Area Chambers of Commerce.

However, beginning January 1st of 2022, we will be on organization serving the whole of Lenawee County. “Uni ed, yet Distinct” is a phrase that we have used along our path of working to bring our two organizations together. Uni ed as one large business Community, working together to strengthen our businesses, employees, and our business eco system.

Distinct in recognizing the unique character and the speci c needs of each of our individual communities. We continue to act with the best interest of our member businesses and their needs, bringing together our organization will put us in a position to be a stronger organization and impact our businesses and communities to a greater degree.

rough Programs, Events, Leadership Development, Promotional Opportunities,Advocacy, Networking and Relationship Building, access to Group Health, Vision, Dental and 401k Options, Savings and Discount Programs, e Tecumseh Farmer’s Market, and overall community support, we are building a Chamber that is focused on the Return on Investment for our business community.

r

Merge in 2022

e Chamber of Commerce is a unique nonpro t by design, while we are not a charity as you will nd throughout our community and our impact is not readily visible. A strong Chamber of Commerce is vital to the success of the long-term viability of our area. It is our goal through the combining of our organizations that we create a better community for everyone living here now and in the future. rough the strengthening of our business community, we aim to create more and better opportunities for area people and develop our area in to an even better place to live, work, and play.

To learn more about our local Chambers of Commerce, visit AdrianAreaChamber.com or TecumsehChamber.org.

Donna Baker, CPA, MBA

County National Bank Announces New Adrian Branch Manager

Hillsdale MI – John R. Waldron, President and CEO of County National Bank (“CNB”), has announced the recent addition of Steve Kuiper as Branch Manager for County Natonal Bank’s Adrian location.

Steve brings to CNB nine years of banking experience in branch management. He is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies. Steve is a Certified Associate in Project Management and holds a Certificate in Agile Project Management from the University of Maryland.

“We are very excited to have Steve join CNB’s leadership team, ” said Rachel Emery, AVP – Branch Administrator. “With his connections to the community and his extensive banking experience, Steve will be a strong contributor in our Adrian market.” Steve is looking forward to helpingdevelopthe careers of his colleagues at the Adrian branch and strengtheningcommunityrelationships in the area.

Steve enjoys spending time with his wife and his children, who are involved in footballand volleyball, and he and his wife also enjoy volunteering at their children’s school. Steve and his family reside in the Adrian area.

Steve Kuiper

 

Finding fun over the holidays

By Allison Dunn Contributing writer

It’s the most wonderful — but also the busiest — time of year.

While some holiday traditions are coming to southeastern Michigan and northwest Ohio, there are new events also coming to town. Get the calendars out because there’s something for just about everyone: families, kids, couples, pets, cra ers, as well as free and must-see events.

e holiday spirit kicks o at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 with the 2021 downtown Tecumseh Christmas Parade. is year’s theme is “Welcome to the North Pole,” and the parade can be seen throughout the downtown area, said Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Megan Serin. Santa will be a part of the parade, but he can also be visited at the Santa House, at the corner of Chicago Boulevard and Pearl Street, a er the parade and throughout the holiday season, Serin said. “Don’t forget to stop at our local businesses for shopping and eating throughout the holidays,” she said. On Friday, Dec. 17, many stores will be open until 8 p.m. for last-minute shopping.

Enjoy the lights without leaving the vehicle! e Lenawee County Fairgrounds Christmas Lights Drive- ru will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. over two weekends, Dec. 10 and 11 and Dec. 17 and 18. Enter the one-mile drive at the fairgrounds o Siena Heights Drive at the back gate entrance at Hanke Lane. Community members will decorate designated areas on the fairgrounds, but many local businesses, groups, and individuals bring in their own entries, such as tractors, boats, and oats, said event chairman Melinda Stubli. At the end of the course, drive-thru guests will be able to vote for their favorite lighted scene and the top three best entries will win a cash prize, Stubli said. ere is a $5 per car admission fee.

A Christmas Story e Musical is coming to the Croswell and there are plenty of chances to catch the musical adaptation of the 1983 lm, including triple dog dares to Dad’s “major award.”

2:30 p.m. shows will be:

Saturday, Dec. 4

Sunday, Dec. 5

Saturday, Dec. 11

Sunday, Dec. 12

7:30 p.m. shows include:

Friday, Dec. 3

Saturday, Dec. 4

ursday, Dec. 9

Friday, Dec. 10

Friday, Dec. 11

Tickets for students and youth under 18 starts at $15 and the price for adults starts at $20 and can be purchased on vividseats.com.

A Family Christmas Storytime will be held at the Adrian District Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14. A seasonal story will be read and children may also make an ornament to take home.

A nativity scene with live animals will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 2200 Occidental Way, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Hot chocolate and cookies will also be served.

e annual Christmas tree lighting will be held at Old Township Hall, 3040 N. Prospect Road, in Ypsilanti, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. ere will be an ice carving demonstration and Santa will make a stop for pictures. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided and the event is free.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, the 45th Annual Holiday Parade will be coming through downtown Saline on Michigan Avenue. ere will be lights, music, entertainment, and of course a visit from Santa.

Enjoy holiday songs by the Ypsilanti Community Choir

starting at 7:30 p.m. ursday, Dec. 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti, 300 N. Huron St.

A new event to support local artists and vendors, the First Annual Ypsilanti Holiday Extravaganza, will be hosted inside the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, next to Frog Island Park on the north side of Depot Town. e coronavirus pandemic put a stop to many annual cra shows and hit the local community particularly hard, said the event’s organizer Angela Scott. is is an opportunity for last-minute shoppers to purchase jewelry, clothing, food, and other goodies from craers in the Ypsilanti area. e event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19. Admission is free.

Voted by Monroe County residents as their most favorite event in 2021, the 39th Annual Christmas in Ida Festival and Parade of Lights will be held on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4 and is sure to bring on the holiday cheer. ere’s an event planned for just about anyone from live entertainment, a cra show, horse-drawn carriage rides, a video game truck, a special Holiday Sled Race, and the Glass City Crawlers O -Road 4X4 Show. More information can be found at www.christmasinida.com.

Merkle Funeral Service’s annual memorial service will start at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. e event allows anyone to honor those who passed away over the past year. ere will be hors d’oeuvres, live music, and guest speakers at Merkle Funeral Service, 14567 S. Dixie Hwy. in Monroe.

A one-day winter event full of the good ol’ memories from ice skating, bon res, and indoor Christmas movies are planned for the Bedford Blizzard Fest from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 9144 Lewis Ave. in Temperance.

Celebrate the holiday magic in a sensitive environment and support Autism Speaks with a photo opportunity starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlet, 4000 Baldwin Road, in Auburn Hills.

e 8th Crazy Night: Community Chanukah Celebration at the Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills. ere will be performances by the Detroit Circus, entertainment by DJ Phreddy, a photo booth, re pits, and hot chocolate. e event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5, followed by the menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to donate to Bottomless Toy Chest.

e Boogie Woogie Kid, formally known as Matthew Ball, will perform a free family concert with holiday favorites beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road.

Take care of your holiday photo with all the family members at Golden Retriever Rescue Resource’s Santa Paws Pictures for Pets. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, the nonpro t group rescuing golden retrievers will be located at Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briar eld Blvd. in Maumee, with two scenes for the pup’s photoshoot. ere will be a ra e for baskets packed with gi cards, and beverages and cookies to enjoy. More information and photo package prices are on the group’s website at gr-rescue.org.

Homemade gi s from local vendors will be available for sale on Sunday, Dec. 5 starting at 11 a.m. at the Bayside Cra and Vendor Extravaganza at the Bayside Catering & Banquet Hall, 2759 Seaman Road in Oregon.

e Artist Village at the Toledo Botanical Garden is hosting its annual Heralding the Holidays event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. e Artist Village, located at 5403 Elmer Drive in Toledo, will be transformed into a holiday frenzy and Unruly Arts will be o ering handmade gi s and holiday decor. Admission is free.

Magical things are planned inside of the grand lobby of the downtown Toledo Train Station, 300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Find the perfect gi from more than 80 sellers as part of the Holiday Night Market Express. ere is a $5 admission fee and a portion of the proceeds will bene t the Toledo Farmers Market. ere will also be a free hot chocolate and cider bar, gi wrapping, music, and parking.

Volunteers are needed to place wreaths on veterans’ graves from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Toledo Memorial Park, 6382 Monroe St., in Sylvania. Every year, the Wreaths Across America Toledo Metro Area Chapter places wreaths at veterans’ graves to show appreciation for their services and sacri ces. More information is available at toledomemorialpark.com.

A holiday open house will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at Fort Meigs, 29100 W. River Road. Soldiers and civilians will provide a glimpse back in time with demonstrations to show more into the War of 1812 and camp life. Other hand-on activities will be held and refreshments will also be available at the free event.

ere’s something happening for just about everyone all month long at e Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. Enter to win a new and special holiday giveaway, Dine Inside the Tree, an intimate dining experience inside the middle of the decorated 50-foot tree. More information about events and ways to participate is available at shopleviscommons.com by donating a toy at participating merchants or by participating on Levis Commons’ social media pages, said spokeswoman Christine Best.

A er a day of shopping, get some assistance from the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. A gi wrapping station will be set up between Yankee Candle and Shimmery Belle Boutique from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays up to Dec. 19.

“ e gi of time, we’re calling it,” Best said. All the traditional classics, including Clydesdale-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and a walk inside of the tree, are also scheduled.

e Run Santa Run 5K is coming to Perrysburg on Sunday, Dec. 19, but runners from anywhere can also participate virtually up over the month, up to Monday, Dec. 27. Sign up for the event at bikesignup.com.

Shop local

Shop local

Fulfilling your holiday gift list in Adrian

By Kate Mitchell Editor-in-chief

Finding meaningful and unique gi�s can be a hassle. But crossing off your holiday to-do list doesn’t have to require a drive out of town or a visit to amazon.com. Adrian is full of one of a kind stores that have plenty of memorable gi�s for everyone on your list.

For coffee lovers

If the best part of your loved one’s day is a hot cup of joe, Copper House Co ee has what you need. Get a bag of house-roasted co ee ($14-18) so their holiday mug can be extra special. Pair it with one of their co ee-scented candles ($20-30) to have your java end in seventh heaven all day long. Not sure of their favorite variety? Just snag a gi card so they can get their favorite brew anytime.

For liquor connoisseurs

Few things are better than sipping a fabulous cocktail at the end of a long day. Give your favorite home mixologist a taste of the ner things with a gi from Mammoth Distilling. Pick up a bottle of the Northern Rye (from $59) for a special drink experience, grab a Mammoth beanie ($24) if they’re already a fan or, if you’re not sure if they prefer G&T or Old Fashioneds, snag a gi card so they can pick for themselves.

For nostalgic folks

Take someone back to the good ol’ days with a gi from Chaloner & Co., a store that harkens back to its dimestore past. Put together a candy bag of childhood favorites (starting from $.10 a piece) or pick up a tin of their famous popcorn (from $15.) If they’re a di erent kind of old school, select from one of Chaloner’s many cigars or a lighter they’ll be proud to show o to their fellow a cionados (prices vary).

For beard owners

Does someone you love take great pride in their facial hair? Check out Maggard Razors to nd whatever their heart desires. From kits for those just getting their start in the art of ne facial grooming (from $39.50) to fancier sets for old pros ($159), there’s something for everyone. Grab some shaving cream or soap (from under $5) for a stocking stu er to make your gi complete.

For theater fans

For the person on your list who has everything, give the gi of a night at the theater at the Croswell Opera House. Get into the holiday spirit with an (early) gi of tickets to “A Christmas Story: e Musical” (from $20) or “Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays” (from $55.) For something to look forward to a er the holidays are done, snag seats to “Classic Whitney Alive!” (from $25) or “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” ($15.) Or give the gi of choice with a gi card that will let them pick whatever their heart desires.

For wine enthusiasts

Whether you’re looking for a hostess gi that is sure to be a hit or a treat to give someone who enjoys the ner things in life, wine is always a great option. Stop by Flying Otter Winery for unique wines made right around the corner. Options range from standards like riesling ($12.95) to house blends like the Curmudgeon Red and Curmudgeon White ($16.95 each) so there is something for everyone to love. Finish the gi with a branded wine glass ($3.77) or a cork puller ($2.95) to make sure your vino fan has everything they need.

Go explore

By Drew Saunders Contributing writer

People surf in the Great Lakes during the winter. That might sound far-fetched, but it is true. While it is perhaps an extreme way to start the sport if you’re new, it is possible as Lakes Michigan, Erie and Huron are all within a three hour drive of Adrian.

“The sheer size of the Great Lakes is what makes surfing on them possible. Containing six quadrillion gallons of water and more than 10,900 miles of shoreline – about 3,200 miles are in Michigan – the Great Lakes are one of the largest freshwater systems on earth,” explains Pure Michigan, a state agency that promotes Michigan tourism. “While ocean waves are created by distant storm systems, waves on the Great Lakes are formed by localized winds. Thanks to ongoing improvements in wetsuit technology, surfers are now able to comfortably ride lake waves year-round.”

Hiking opportuni�es abound throughout the Great Lakes area. Metro Detroit’s mul�ple metro parks provide hiking opportuni�es throughout the year. Washtenaw County has been adding bits and pieces to its border to border trail for years. This par�ally complete trail goes from Ford Lake in the east of the county to Ann Arbor, Dexter and Chelsea in the west; zig-zagging across the Huron river and through pris�ne farmland.

Region has plenty of winter fun to offer

e whole ten foot wide trail is accessible to disabled users, according to its o cial web- site; but because it goes through Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, some portions of the trail go onto normal sidewalks. It is generally clean, safe, and well maintained all year. e system is currently 35 miles long, with plans to expand to a further 55 miles.

A more unique hiking opportunity is available at the Nichols Arboretum, which is jointly-owned by the City of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. is is a series of ravines east of downtown that was too steep to build on and was turned into a greenspace park which is full of trails to get lost in and explore. Admission is free, but parking can be a little hard to come by.

“As you explore you’ll nd one of the richest landscapes in the region, as well as a complex glacial topography that presents vast panoramas, broad valleys, and intimate dales and glens,” the Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum wrote on its website.

Michigan is of course littered with metro parks perfect for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. One of them is the Bald Mountain Recreation Area, in Lake Orion. According to Pure Michigan, this park boasts 4,637 acres of green space and is “immensely popular for its eight miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails and snowmobiling, sledding, and ice shing.”

Frankenmuth is of course famous for its embrace of the holidays and is just a two hour’s drive from Adrian. But Frankenmuth has things to do before and a er Christmas. e city will be hosting Zehnder’s Snowfest from January 26 to 21, which produces adult-sized ice and snow sculptures. According to the event’s website, the 30 year old event will come with “entertainment for the entire family in the warming tent, a reworks display, petting zoo, and children’s activities.” e schedule will be announced on December 1.

Anyone wanting to see a museum will be well served within three hours of Adrian. Both the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum and the Imagination Station in Toledo provide chances for kids to learn about science in an interactive experience. Whereas art lovers will be able to take advantage of the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo’s National Museum of the Great Lakes, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Art, all within a three hour drive of Adrian.

Time to celebrate

Pulling off the perfect party this holiday season

By Lorie Beardsley Contributing writer

Tis the season to celebrate! e month of December includes holidays both sacred and secular and provides everyone the opportunity to engage in the re ection and merriment associated with their chosen traditions and festivities.

ose hosting celebrations will nd no shortage of ideas that will help them create enjoyable and memorable events. Begin with the invitations to inform guests of the theme, and continue the theme with the décor and the activities. To lighten the load as it relates to both time and cost, hosts or hostesses could assign guests a snack, appetizer, course, or beverage to bring to an event.

Because food is a signi cant part of many cultural holiday celebrations, a cultural theme provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy both a distinctive experience, and a fabulous meal.

is Christmas Eve, consider Festa dei Sette Pesci or La Vigilia, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a tradition celebrated by many Italian-Americans. e Feast is a seven-course meal of seafood nished with a traditional Italian dessert.

Popular suggestions for the appetizer course include warm crab dip or a simple shrimp cocktail. For the pasta course choose shrimp scampi or scallops and linguini. For the soup, serve a seafood chowder, or a lighter salmon dill soup. A classic Caesar salad would be ideal for a salad course. A spinach salad that includes a bit of smoked salmon would be appropriate as well.

A hearty seafood lasagna would be perfect for the main course. If lighter fare is more desirable by this point in the feast, grilled salmon or grilled lobster tails with seasonal vegetables as a side would be well-suited for the theme.

To nish the feast, serve the popular cannoli, tiramisu, a pleasant panna cotta, or a cool dish of gelato. As an alternative to the multicourse, formal dinner, consider a casual Ugly Sweater Party. e ugly sweater theme has become so popular that it now has a date designated in its honor. National Ugly Sweater Day is December 17, 2021.

A variety of Ugly Sweater themed invitations are available for purchase or to download and print. Invitations and decorations should be as bright, bold, and gaudy as the sweaters themselves – if not more. Ugly sweater parties are not only appropriate for family and friends but are also ideal for holiday charity events.

Christmas attire now varies from sweaters to pajamas. From tree on Christmas Eve to partygoers enjoying a PJ Party to ring comfy choices allow everyone to relax and curl up with cookadult additions available for those New Year’s Eve parties. When it comes to kids, a Noon Year’s Eve party is a fun option. new year at noon is the most common practice at the Noon and their guests could also ring in the new year virtually with haps one that has special signi cance to those in attendance. Purchase a festive Happy New Year banner and some balloons or the numbers of the coming year, or in the colors of the banner. also be great for the adult party later on. Party hats are also fun for

families trimming the in the New Year, the ies and cocoa, with

While ringing in the Year’s Eve party, hosts another nation, per-

in shapes such as stars ose decorations would guests of all ages.

Invite guests to arrive before the noon countdown so that they can participate in creating their own noisemakers. To create the noisemakers, guests will need wooden sticks, ribbon in a few di erent colors — the more sparkly the better — and packages of jingle bells, all of which can be found at cra stores. e guests assemble the noisemakers by threading jingle bells onto the ribbon then wrapping the ribbon around the top third of the stick and nally tying the ribbons on to it.

Kid-friendly appetizers served at Noon Year’s Eve parties could include smokies wrapped in crescent roll dough, baked and served with dipping sauces; ham, cheese, and pineapple rolls made using prepared pizza dough, spread with pizza sauce, topped with ham, parmesan cheese, and pineapple then rolled, sliced, and baked at 425 for 15 to 20 minutes; or the simple but always ideal mini triangle sandwiches, made by slicing a standard sandwich diagonally then diagonally again. Crusts could be removed for a “fancy” presentation. Sparkling juices would certainly work for this party theme, or make the celebratory drinks special by dipping clear glasses, or clear plastic cups, in melted chocolate then dipping them into sprinkles creating a colorful rim. When it’s time to toast the Noon Year, ll the cups with cold milk, then serve with a few di erent cookie choices to cap o the festivities.

For an adults-only event, send formal invitations to an elegant New Year’s Eve Midnight Brunch. With the new year just beginning and the champagne owing, why not make mimosas and enjoy the always popular meal? Creating a mimosa bar is simple and requires only champagne; a few fresh fruit juice choices such as orange, mango, pineapple, strawberry, or pomegranate; and a small tray of fresh fruit such as orange slices, pineapple wedges, or fresh strawberries.

Options for the brunch menu are endless and can range from bright cranberry-orange scones to an elegant brie and apple tart to a makeahead French toast casseroles to decadent strawberry cheesecake pancakes. Brunch o en includes some savory items, and adding bold avor choices such as curry avocado egg toast, Mexican breakfast chilaquiles, or Tuscan sausage and kale frittata can enliven the brunch table.

To host a New Year’s Eve Movie Night, choose several fun lms. Recommendations for New Year’s classics, according to the Good Housekeeping’s 13 Fun New Year’s Eve emes, include When Harry Met Sally and New Year’s Eve. Serve creative popcorn and snack mixes in NYE cartons and o er a variety of boxed candies. Invite guests to bring their robe and u - ip slippers to enjoy a New Year’s Eve Spa Party. Plan pre-countdown activities such as a “mani/ pedi,” a facial, or even a hairstyle. Hostesses can nd mini spa themed invitations, beverage napkins, and mini spa tote bags that can be lled with headbands; mini scrub, lotion and facial mask; face cloth; trendy nail colors and a bu er. Guests could enjoy fresh sparkling water along with seasonal salads nished with gourmet dressings, or guest could indulge in fruity wines accompanied by a cheese board, and of course gourmet chocolates.

rowing a decades themed party, disco party, or dance party of any kind nearly always ensures that a good time will be had by all. Whatever the theme, enjoy every sparkling moment of the party before the magic fades.

*Note: Recipes from the New Year’s Eve Midnight Brunch theme can be found on the Good Housekeeping in the feature entitled “Start Your Year O Right With ese 42 New Year’s Day Brunch Recipes.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DECEMBER

1

p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

16

8

Holiday Sing-Along with area resident Anne Walker and other local musicians, 12:30 p.m., Tecumseh Senior Center, 703 E. Chicago Blvd., sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517423-2238

3

Adrian First Friday, 5-8 p.m., downtown Adrian, www.facebook.com/ adrian rstfridays/

Promenade Candlelight Home Tour, 5:30-8 p.m., Tecumseh, www.downtowntecumseh.com or 517-423-3740

Christmas Parade, 7 p.m., downtown Tecumseh, www.downtowntecumseh.com

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

4

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell. org or 517-264-7469

Promenade Candlelight Home Tour, 5:30-8 p.m., Tecumseh, www.downtowntecumseh.com or 517-423-3740

5

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

8

“Wish You Were Here at the UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art),” 2 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

9

“Holiday Concert Around the Fireplace” with local musician Jill Maria Murdy, 7 p.m., Tecumseh District Library, 215 N. Ottawa St.,tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 7:30

10

Fair Fantasy Lights Drive- ru, 6-9 p.m., Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

11

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell. org or 517-264-7469

Fair Fantasy Lights Drive- ru, 6-9 p.m., Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

Adrian Symphony Orchestra: “Messiah,” 8 p.m., Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College, www.adriansymphony.org or 517-264-3121

12

“A Christmas Story: e Musical,” 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Parade of Lights, downtown Bliss eld, bliss eldmainstreet.com

13

“Alzheimer’s in 2021” with Dr. Bruno Giordani, professor at the University of Michigan and associate director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 6:30 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

14

“Millennial Tech Help,” 2 p.m., Adrian District Library, adrian.lib.us

15

Holiday Gathering at Basil Boys, including bingo and a discussion of David Balacci’s book “ e Christmas Train,” 1 p.m., 125 W. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required,

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Musgrove & Co., 135 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517423-2238

17

Fair Fantasy Lights Drive- ru, 6-9 p.m., Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

18

Fair Fantasy Lights Drive- ru, 6-9 p.m., Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays, 7:30 p.m. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell. org or 517-264-7469

28

Pub Trivia Night with Sporcle Live, 7 p.m., Tecumseh Brewing Co., 128 W. Chicago Blvd., sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library,tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

JANUARY

4

Pub Trivia Night with Sporcle Live, 7 and 8 p.m., Tecumseh Brewing Co., 128 W. Chicago Blvd., sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library,tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

7

Adrian First Friday, 5-8 p.m., downtown Adrian, www.facebook.com/ adrian rstfridays/

11

“How to Simplify Your Spending” with Frank Zanger of Edward Jones, 7 p.m., Tecumseh District Library, 215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517423-2238

12

Spark Joy Webinar with Shannon Huneycutt of Spark Joy Charlotte, 7 p.m., virtual event co-sponsored by the Adrian District Library and

Editor’s note: Although we have made every e ort to bring you the latest information, events listed below may have been cancelled or rescheduled. Please check with the venue.

Lenawee District Library. Register at www.adrian.lib.mi.us

18

“’Jeopardy!’ Night at TDL” with Tecumseh resident and “Jeopardy!” champion Dana Schumacher Schmidt, 7 p.m., Tecumseh District Library, 215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

20

8

“Culinary Oils: Infusing Oils for Cooking,” 7 p.m., Anthro Apothecary, 218 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary. org or 517-423-2238

22

TCA Comedy Show, 7:30 p.m., Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh, www.thetca.org or 517-423-6617

25

“Cord Cutting 101” with Chuck Eglinton and Chris Edwards of Cord Cutters Plus, 7 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

27

Museum of Magic Virtual Tour led by Sarah Schultz, director of the Museum of Magic in Marshall, Mich., 7 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

28

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

29

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

30

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Adrian First Friday, 5-8 p.m., downtown Adrian, www.facebook. com/adrian rstfridays/

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

5

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

6

“Les Mis” School Edition all-area high school musical, 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

12

“Livewire eater Presents e Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: e Next Gen,” 4 p.m., Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh, www.thetca.org or 517-423-6617

15

“Civil Rights: African Americans in the 1940s” with historian Mike Homel, 6:30 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary. org or 517-423-2238

17

“Abraham Lincoln: A New Birth of Freedom” with Lincoln portrayer Kevin Wood, 6:30 p.m., Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St., Adrian,www.adrian.lib.mi.us

18

Adrian Symphony Orchestra, “Star Wars Universe” pops concert, 7 p.m., Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College, www.adriansymphony.org or 517-264-3121

19

“Classic Whitney: Alive!” with Kevin Smith Kirkwood, 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, croswell.org or 517-264-7469

22

Pub Trivia Night with Sporcle Live, 7 and 8 p.m., Tecumseh Brewing Co., 128 W. Chicago Blvd., sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library,tecumsehlibrary.org or 517423-2238

23

“From Occupied Warsaw to the Next Generation: Growing Up in the Shadow of War” with Linda Gintowt, 6:30 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-4232238

28

“Will at Be One Hump or Two?,” a look at Mongolian life and culture, including camel racing and how to make a camel saddle, with Mary Underwood of Front Porch Textiles, 7 p.m., Zoom and Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library. Registration required, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

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