THANKSGIVING FIRE… Sirens and smoke filled the air Thanksgiving morning as units from Hartford, Lawrence, Keeler and Watervliet responded to a call at 325 W. Main in down-town Hartford. The call came at 10:35 a.m. for a fire at the site of the Hornbarger Auction. No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)

Tri-City Angel Tree decked with gift request tags

 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to all the readers who donated coats, mittens and boots for the Warm Winter Clothing Drive. It is incredible how this all came together so quickly. Many not only thought about the kids, but also donated coats for adults. The donations will be sorted and put into the hands of people who need them. This far surpassed expectations! We love to see the Tri-City community members working together to help each other out.

Now, it is time to move on to the next project, the Angel Tree. What is the Angel Tree? It is a Christmas Tree in the Tri-City Record office at 138 N. Main Street in Watervliet that will be loaded with hanging tags. Each of those tags will have a gift request written on it for a child in need. We are asking readers to stop by and select a tag or two off of the tree, then go out and buy the item listed on the tag. Return the new item, unwrapped with the tag by Friday, December 16. Tri-City Angel helpers will then wrap the gifts and deliver them to the families prior to Christmas.

The Tree is up and information is being gathered about the Tri-City families that will be adopted. Interested readers should start to see some tags appear on the tree in the next couple of days. The goal is to have all tags on the tree no later than Monday, December 5.

Please join in giving a local child a little hope this Christmas. Please join in giving a hand up to a family that is struggling. Please join in showing that love and kindness do still exist, especially in the Tri-City Area.

A challenge this Christmas season is to take a moment to do something nice for someone else. It can be as small as holding a door for someone while out shopping, smiling at someone passed on the street, or taking cookies to a neighbor. Whatever the case may be spread some kindness. Be surprised at how it will not only make someone else’s day, but will also put a smile on your face too!

Feel free to write in to the Tri-City Record Angel at PO Box 7, Watervliet, MI 49098 or e-mail at record@tricityrecord.com with any ideas, suggestions, talents you would like to share, etc. Make sure to put it to the attention of Tri-City Angel. We look forward to hearing from you.

WATERVLIET NORTH SCHOOL STUDENTS… recently collected well over 600 food items for the Giving Living Water food pantry located at Watervliet Free Methodist Church. Pictured at the delivery are: (from the left) Grace Chisek, Jewell Burgess and Pastor Brian Hall. The students at North School hope that all families had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

North Berrien Historical Museum holiday events, Dec. 2-4

 The North Berrien Historical Museum invites the public to join them for special holiday events, December 2 – 4. Visitors can explore the festive display of over 30 Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses, and vote for their favorites. This is a fantastic opportunity to view the exhibits in three buildings at the museum. Enjoy making crafts, decorating gingerbread houses, listening to live music, taking pictures with family and friends in front of Mr. & Mrs. Claus or his live reindeer, and get into the cheer of the holidays!

The North Berrien Historical Museum’s 12th annual Holiday Open House, December 2 – 4, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring three days of fun activities for all ages and includes FREE admission.

Friday, December 2

Senior Day: Seniors are invited to take the first tour of the holiday décor and enjoy refreshments.

Santa’s Gift Shop: Finish up holiday shopping with an assortment of handmade gifts.

Live Music: The Upbeats Band from 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, December 3

Santa’s Workshop Crafts: Kids of all ages decorate memorable ornaments, donations accepted.

Gingerbread House Decorating: Decorate your personal house, $5 donation.

Santa’s Gift Shop: Handmade holiday gifts that everybody will enjoy.

Holiday Cookie Walk: Fill a box with your choice of holiday cookies to take home, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., $6 donation.

Visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus: Take a family photo with the jolly couple from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., free.

Sunday, December 4

Santa’s Workshop Crafts: Free/Donation.

Gingerbread House Decorating: $5 Donation.

Santa’s Gift Shop: Holiday gifts that will be remembered.

Live Music: Coloma Choirs from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Santa’s Reindeer: Meet and take a picture with live reindeer from 1 – 3 p.m.

Christmas Community Hymn Sing, December 3

 The annual Christmas Community Hymn Sing will be celebrated at Plymouth Congregational Church on Saturday evening, December 3 at 6 p.m.

The brick church is located on Red Arrow Highway across from where the High School used to be in Watervliet.

Special holiday music this year will be provided by the “Son Lights” of Twelve Corners Community Church. Why not come and enjoy the singing, the fellowship, and the ice cream and cookies afterward?

All are welcome to come and get in the mood for the season!

Watervliet Home Town Christmas Celebration, December 4

 It is a Home Town Christmas in Watervliet on Sunday, December 4 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Arclight Brewery, 544 N. Main Street to celebrate the holiday magic. There are great events planned so mark your calendar!

To start things off, the Snow Prince & Snow Princess will be crowned at a ceremony taking place at the brewery. The ceremony starts at 4:00 p.m. There are 29 Watervliet Middle School students contending for this year’s royalty. Voting is taking place now until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, at B&B Outlet, Arclight Brewery and Watervliet Laundry/Cool Tan in Watervliet and Harding’s in Coloma.

Other events taking place at Arclight Brewery on December 4 include a chili cook-off. All entries must be set up by 4:00 p.m.; entry forms and information are available at the brewery. The winner will be announced at 7:30 p.m.

There will be a parade downtown starting at 5:30 p.m. from the Watervliet Fire Department. Mr. Mattson and his Watervliet Elementary Choir group will lead the parade and joining them will be Miss Watervliet and court along with Mr. & Miss Firecracker. Santa will end the parade arriving in his sleigh at Arclight Brewery to light the Christmas tree. Anyone wanting to participate in the parade must meet at the fire department by 5:00 p.m.

Following the parade, there will be sleigh rides if weather permits.

Live reindeer will be at the brewery from 4:00-8:00 p.m. for anyone wanting to take photos. Photographer Shawn Mead will be onsite to take pictures with Santa for purchase. The cost is $5 for digital download, $6 for printed 5×7 or $8 for both.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Anyone that wishes to donate cookies please drop them off at Arclight on Sunday between noon and 3:30 p.m. Panthers Grill food services will be available for celebration attendees to purchase food during the event.

Downtown businesses are encouraged to decorate their windows to add to the festive feeling in town for the Home Town Christmas Celebration.

Watervliet’s Best Lighted House contest, Dec. 4-17

 This contest is sponsored by the City of Watervliet for those who love going all-out to decorate their house for the Christmas season. It is in coordination with the Home Town Christmas Celebration on December 4.

Residents in both the city and township of Watervliet may enter to win! Simply post a photo of your display on the “Watervliet’s Best Lighted House” event page on Facebook, then send your street address via Facebook messenger to Katie Ann Muth (so they can confirm authenticity – do NOT post your address publicly with your photo.)

Entries can be made anytime between Dec. 4 and 17 but not prior to Dec. 4.

Once your house is entered in the contest, then share the event and photo with all your Facebook friends and ask them to go the event page and vote for your house! Photos with the most “likes” and “shares” total will win one of three prizes; 1st place – $100 cash, 2nd place – $50 Board of Trade gift card, and 3rd place – $20 Mill Creek Charlies gift card.

At midnight on Dec. 17 “likes” and “shares” will be counted on the event page only.

RSVP on the event page as “going” for more information and to view other contestants’ entries. Do not forget to “invite” your friends to this event as well!

North Berrien Senior Center, December 9

  On Friday, December 9 from 9-11 a.m. there will be a Christmas brunch for seniors at North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Rd. in Coloma. Call 269-468-3366 for more information.

Downton Abbey Christmas event at Hartford Public Library, Dec. 10

 Plan on attending the Friends of the Hartford Library “Downton Abbey Christmas Event” on Saturday, December 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hartford Public Library.  There will be 17 volunteers in period costume for a Downton Abbey fashion show at 7 p.m.

There is a Festival of Trees on the second floor ballroom. The trees are the creation by students from classrooms at Red Arrow and Woodside elementary schools. Cast your vote for the winning tree. The library’s Lego Christmas village is also on display among the trees.

Entertainment will be by the amazing classical guitarist, Warren Kramer from Grand Rapids.

The Hartford Public library is the perfect setting for this event. The building is the oldest, historical private residence in Southwest Michigan that serves as a public library. Its five fireplaces, ballroom, staircase and original wood have been preserved through the years.

Go to enjoy some tea and refreshments, view period costumes, cast your vote for the best decorated tree and listen to great music. This event is free for everyone.

Christmas in Hartford, December 10

 The Hartford Lions Club is gearing up for Christmas in Hartford.  The 15th annual event will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

The event will start with a chili cook-off at His Place Outreach Center.  Local businesses and individuals of all ages are encouraged  to bring their chili entry (in a slow cooker type container) no later than 5:00 p.m.  Judging will begin at 5:00 p.m.  Three judges will judge the chili based on aroma, color, consistency, taste, and aftertaste. Following the judging the public will be able to taste test each entry. Trophies and cash prizes will be given to the top three entries. $100 will be given to the top entry, with $50 and $30 given to the other two winners.  Samples of chili will be available until it is gone!

A lighted Christmas parade will begin at 6:00 p.m.  The parade line-up will start at the Hartford Middle School beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Walkers are encouraged to start at the corner of Main and Edwin Street.  The parade will proceed down Main Street and end at the Outreach Center on South Maple Street. If interested in participating in the parade, please contact Judy Sinclair at 269-876-7505.

At the conclusion of the parade, Santa Claus will meet children at the Outreach Center where they may have their picture taken with him free of charge. Free popcorn and hot chocolate will be available.

The Lions Club would also like to thank Hartford Township for contracting with them, and the City of Hartford and Downtown Development Authority for their generous contributions to the lights that will shine in Ely Park during the holiday season.  Please thank their board members for helping make Hartford festive.

To participate or get more information about any of the planned events please contact, Judy Sinclair at 269-876-7505 or via e-mail at jsinclair4@frontier.com.

Santa at Sarett, December 11

 Santa will make an appearance at Sarett Nature Center on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. Children can make winter nature crafts from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

W.H.S.  Student Council food drive thru Dec. 14

 Watervliet High School would like the community to know what their students are doing to help the community during the holiday season.

Watervliet High School’s Student Council is hosting a food drive that started Monday, November 28 and will run through Wednesday, December 14 where all items collected will be donated to a local food pantry. Students can bring in nonperishable food items and the advisory class that collects the most will be rewarded with a pizza party. If any community members would like to help, all donations can be dropped off in the guidance office at the high school.

Please contact Karla Liles, Guidance Secretary at 269-463-0735 with questions or for more information.

Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Auxiliary upcoming fundraisers, December 12 & 19

 On Monday, December 12 the Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Auxiliary is hosting a Susie’s Goodies sale in the Interim Room at the hospital. Available for purchase from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. are delicious baked goods and candy.

Then on Monday, December 19 the auxiliary will have the annual holiday Bake Sale.  Just in time for Christmas, purchase homemade cookies, baked goods, and candy in the hospital’s Interim Room from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

All proceeds from all of their fundraisers are used for the hospital in Watervliet such as the pavilion across from the Emergency Department, the new entrance and equipment for the various departments.

Vincent J. Jewelers chip in to help families in need

 Jim, Gloria and Angie Frazier of Vincent J. Jewelers in downtown Coloma have found a creative way to help families in need this Christmas. Beginning December 1, Vincent J. Jewelers is selling pearl and crystal bracelets for $10, and donating the entire amount, not just the proceeds, to Watervliet Free Methodist Church food pantry. “My family and I are very grateful to this community, which has allowed us to stay in business so long,” says Jim Frazier. “This is just a small way for us to be able to help local families during this holiday season. Every $1 donated to the pantry buys about $4 in food. It feels good to be able to help make a difference.”

Vincent J. Jewelers is located at 228 N. Paw Paw Street in Coloma. You may contact the store at 269-468-4400.

VFW Post 6803 annual Needy Family program

 Watervliet VFW Post 6803 is accepting donations to their annual Needy Family program. Anyone wishing to make a donation of canned goods, non-perishable food items or a monetary gift please call Corky Openneer at 463-7544 or John Brown at 463-4528 to arrange for pick-up or delivery.