Grayling Shelter drive

Pictured are Samantha Rogers (CASD School Nurse and Student Council Leader), members of student council and Nick (manager of AuSable Valley Animal Shelter). Students organize animal shelter drive

GRAYLING - Members of student council at Grayling Elementary School helped organize a donation drive for the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter recently.

Classes competed for the most donations with the winning class being Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Moffit’s 1st and 2nd grade class. The students were excited to see the large amounts of dog and cat food donated along with collars, toys, treats, blankets, wash cloths and many more items.

“Thank you to those families who donated, I know the animal shelter really appreciates it” stated Samantha Rogers.

The AuSable Valley Animal Shelter also hosts a pantry for families in need of food and/or supplies for their pets.

Helping hands for Kentucky disaster

OGEMAW COUNTY - A group of Ogemaw County residents and businesses are partnering to help the residents of Mayfield, Kentucky, one of the communities destroyed in the recent rash of tornadoes.

A truck has been provided by Dean Arbor Ford of West Branch and will be traveling to Mayfield during the first week of January with donated essential goods. Donation drop off sites to receive goods have been set up at Dean Arbor Ford of West Branch, Rose City Café in Rose City, or Northern Michigan Aquatics, just north of West Branch. Please bring your donations in by Jan. 4.

There is also an ongoing HELPING HANDS FOR MAYFIELD “Go Fund Me” site established on Facebook as well if you would like to donate that way. Many families have been devastated by loss of life and property and need everyone’s immediate help.

Here is a list of items to donate that are desperately needed at this time: - Tarps - Blankets/Pillows - Personal hygiene items – Toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, body wash, body wipes, diapers, feminine hygiene products, brushes, combs, toilet paper, paper towels - Clothes/Shoes/Boots (new or gently used) - Undergarments (Adults/ Children-all sizes) - Phone Chargers - Soy Formula - Bottled Water

- Flashlights/Batteries - Rubbermaid Storage Bin Containers (to pack donations in) - Books (new or used) - Non-Perishable Food Items - Pet Supplies/Dry & Soft Foods - Bibles (these folks need hope to restore Faith!) - Ponchos/Umbrellas - Cleaning Supplies (Laundry Detergent, Dawn Dish Soap, Trash Bags, Bleach Wipes, Plastic Trash Cans, etc.) - Board Games/Toys/Puzzles (gifts for kids) This list is long, but so are their needs.

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for your support!

Keep resolutions simple

View From the Comfy Chair By Joel Vernier

Now that the Christmas celebrations are mostly over, Christmas is celebrated throughout the year in many ways for me. In weekly Masses, daily prayer, and in the little things in life, we often take for granted. It also means that another year is about to slip into the history books.

History is only correct for those that have lived it. Too many times, historians modify history to fit their narrative or to show their government in good light. One of God's gifts to humankind is the gift of remembering good memories and not remembering as well the bad memories.

Think of a time when you broke a bone, had a bad toothache, fell, and skinned a knee. Those memories seem dimmed in our overall perspective of our lives. The truly good memories live on in us, and we can relish in them. At times, we can remember how they positively affected our senses. Every day gives us another chance to make impactful memories. Hopefully good ones!

The New Year is coming up fast; I must be honest, I have gone to sleep sometime around 10 p.m. on the last couple of New Year's Eve. Interesting, it was a new year when I woke up the next day! People celebrate New Year’s Eve in many ways. Many go out and attend a party at a restaurant, hotel, or with friends or family. I usually spend a quiet evening at home.

Many times in my past, I went out to celebrate at different venues, and it was fun. My Mom and Dad would host a New Year's Eve party for many years. They went all out, Shrimp, crab, corned beef, and many desserts. When it was age-appropriate, even a little bubbly to toast in the New Year! I have many fond memories of family and friends that would attend. We did go to friends' homes and share stories of the past year and hopes for the New Year.

Like many people, I have made resolutions every year, often the same ones. Work, life, and many issues would come up, and my resolutions would regress into the back of my mind until next year.

The essential thing is not to focus on what you wish you would do or that you have not done. The important thing is to enjoy the gift of living every day. Goals are awesome; we need to have goals to strive for daily. Achieving them are wonderful, but the reward is in the everyday journey of life.

Why do we keep changing the years?

Home Country By Slim Randles

“And that’s another thing,” Herb said, with finality, “Changing that dang year on everything we write, every January. Goes against human nature.”

“Well I might just have an answer to your problem, Herb,” said Doc, sipping and dunking and stirring. “Why don’t we, here at the philosophy counter, pick out a year we like and stick with it? Date everything we do with that year. It might start a movement, you never know.”

Steve looked up from his coffee and twitched his voluminous mustache then twitched it again to make sure he got it right the first time.

“So Doc,” he said, “you’re saying we should just pick a year and live with it? Okay, so which year would you pick?”

“I think it would have more of an effect if it would be the same year for all of us here. My choice of year might not agree with yours, you know.”

“I was thinking of 19 and 87, myself,” said Steve. “Won the team roping that year. Got it on my belt buckle.”

“There you go. You got the right idea, Pard. Herb, how about you?”

“Dog died. In ’87, I mean. Just woke up one morning and there she was, dead. I couldn’t do ’87.”

“Sorry, Herb. Dud?”

“Haven’t got to that year yet, Doc,” Dud said. “It’ll be the year I finish that darn book.”

We all nodded.

“If that there favor-ite year comes in the bowels of the chicken yard, like it says in the Farmer’s Almanac, that’d be good, doncha think?”

Doc nodded. “And which year would that be, Windy?”

“Ain’t sure. Don’t have no Farmer’s Almanac at the moment.”

“Let’s get some more coffee and give it some thought,” said Herb.

“I’ll second that,” said Steve.

“Can’t,” said Windy. “Ain’t been firsted yet.”

Brought to you by the genuine cowboy music and musings of Steve Cormier up in New Mexico’s Sandia Mountains. Check him out at stevecormier.net.

4-H members include (back, l-r) Justus Schroeder, Allison Tressler, Cienna Gurzynski, Lexy Gammicchia, Samantha Karoub, Director John Wurm, (front) Gabby Gammicchia Gurzynski, Tracy Smith, Rebecca Sova, John Wurm, (front) Kate Gammicchia and Terri Cook

Roscommon 4-H honors volunteers, members

ROSCOMMON - Roscommon County 4-H and its Council held an awards ceremony at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of the North to recognize the accomplishments of area 4-H youth members, and the contributions of volunteers.

During the ceremony, 19 youth received 31 awards in 11 categories, including Leadership, Citizenship, Community Service, and Public Speaking. Nolan and Gabby Gray, Lexy and Gabby Gammicchia, and Samantha Karoub were recognized for five years of active membership in 4-H.

Samantha Karoub also earned the 4-H “I Dare You” American Youth Leadership award, recognizing her personal integrity, balanced living, and motivation for leadership. As the recipient of this award, Karoub will be given a copy of William H. Danforth’s book, “I Dare You,” a classic text on personal motivation. In addition, she is eligible to attend the National Leadership Conference hosted by the American Youth Foundation.

Adult volunteers, being the backbone of 4-H, all received a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to Roscommon County 4-H. Trisha Jackson and Michelle Gurzynski received 4-H Alumni awards, having been members of 4-H in their youth. Terri Cook earned the 4-H Volunteer Award of Golden Merit for continually helping to move 4-H forward through efforts such as the 4-H Community Club, the Interstate Exchange Club, and service on the 4-H Council.

The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Kate Gammicchia for her long-term and active involvement in Roscommon 4-H, including serving on the 4-H Council, assisting in establishing the 4-H Community Club and 4-H Science Club, as well as attending State trainings, applying for grants, and being a consistently positive and energetic force in the local 4-H program.

Presenters included Roscommon Council President Samantha Karoub, Roscommon County Commissioner Bob Schneider, and MSU Extension District 4 Director Julie Darnton.

Roscommon 4-H welcomes new members and volunteers. For information, call 989-275-5043.