The Annual Giving Tree will be in St. Mary's Church beginning November 19th and 20th. The gifts will be be collected on Sunday, December 11th after the 10:30 Mass. The gifts will be distributed on Saturday, December 17th to families in need within our area. Thank you in advance for all you do do for those less fortunate in our community.

Support the Sanilac County Humane Society in Carsonville by visiting their open house or shopping at their Christmas Store! They will be hosting the annual Open House on Saturday, December 3, from 10:00am-4:00pm, featuring pet photos with Santa, refreshments, tours, and a gift & trinket shop. The Christmas Store will be open for business through the month of December. There are gifts for dogs, cats, and people! Hours are Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00am-3:00pm and Thursdays from 10:00am-6:00pm. For more information about these events, call (810) 657-8962. 

The Sanilac Career Center will be holding a Holiday Crafts for Kids day on Saturday, December 10th, from 10:00am-12:00pm. The cost is giving to the less fortunate. Canned food items and/or donations will be given to a local food pantry. There will be 7 craft stations that students may visit. Every child will make items that are handcrafted by them and can be given as gifts to family. Bags will also be available to be decorated to keep the gifts a secret! Open to ages Kindergarten though 5th grade. Pre-registration is required, spaces are limited. To register, call or email Mary Fraley at (810) 648-4700 ext.266 or mfraley@sanilac.k12.mi.us

Well it's the holiday season. No one wants to hear tips on how to pass on the cookie tray, or replace butter with applesauce... but here are a few recipes that don't skimp on taste, or take advantage of our holiday weaknesses for indulgence. Go gourmet, reinvent an old favorite, or try something new and exciting..spread the joy and keep yourself healthy and happy this season!

Let's start out with the familiar..oh eggnog, we all love you so! Begin the party with this low-fat Eggnog recipe. A few substitutions, and a whole lot calories less!

For those bringing the great outdoors inside this hunting season, try putting a festive spin on your venison this season. Try the Roast Venison with Cranberry Gravy Recipe.

Salads are always healthy on the heart! Pull out that maple syrup and pick up some delicious winter greens, for this Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing. It's sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth during the holidays! Or go gourmet and pair this Roasted Beet, Goat Cheese, and Fennel salad with any entree that graces your table this season.

Dress those plates with this Stuffed Pork Loin dish. As pretty as it is tasty, this red-and-green-stuffed pork loin features the flavors of tart cherries, wild rice, sage, and apricot jam. The sweet and savory combination would make a fine holiday entree.

Try a healthier take on traditional stuffing! This Stuffing recipe has just 64 calories and zero fat per serving using brown and wild rice, chicken bouillon, green onions, mushrooms, and celery.

Grab a butternut squash from Island Farms (M-25, just before Sandusky) and warm up with this Ginger Squash Soup recipe.

If you're not one for coffee after dinner, try these Tiramasu Shots with your guests. This recipe will help you whip up 12 servings of these tasty little takes on tiramisu. Brewed espresso gives them a zippy finish and a chocolate-covered espresso bean adds a decorative and tasty flourish. Don't miss out on the Tiramasu Shots recipe. It just might become a new tradition!

Our local Lions Club is looking for a few good men and women. Do you enjoy giving back to your community, helping with events, and sharing your talents? If you're interested in becoming a member, contact Glenn Risse, Port Sanilac Lions Club, at (810) 622-8370.

Looking for a meal with friends? How about a game of cards afterwards? The Bark Shanty Community Center is Port Sanilac's Senior Dining Center. Wonderful meals are served Tuesday-Thursday for those over 60 years of age. The number of seniors taking advantage of this program are quite low at the moment and we don't want to lose this great program! If you, or anyone you know, is interested in a little food and fellowship during the week, come join us over a cooked meal and great conversation!  Call Maggie (before 8:30 am) at 359-5665 to make your reservation for that day. You may also call Marc, at 359-8833 (before 8:30 am). Please share this information with your neighbors and/or friends who may be interested. It makes life a little easier, and lunch a bit more enjoyable! For more information about this program, click here.

We have been talking alot lately about shopping locally this season to support our businesses in town. Even though their doors are closed in the off-season, Bake Krazy still does business online year-round. 

Not only can you find baking supplies and cookie cutting templates, but Salt Water Taffy and BBQ sauce. And if you have ever been in the bakery, you will remember the wall of sauces.. sauces like 'Crazy Jerry's Brain Damage Mind Blowin' Hot Sauce', 'Pain is Good #37 Honey Habanero Screamin' Wing Sauce', and Bake Krazy's own 'Roadkill Salsa'. 

Now, maybe these don't fit into your pantry next to the Rice Chex, but we all have that certain family member that would get a big kick out of one of these! Check out their website, look around, and have a laugh. Perhaps order a little something for that special person with that off-beat sense of humor.