Celebrate The Season

by Tina Cole-Mullins

The holidays are upon us, with holiday cheer for many and holiday challenges for others.  In addition to year-round programs offered by organizations listed in the Stockbridge Community News Resource guide, (on our website at https://stockbridgecommunitynews.com/community-resource-guide-expansion/) Stockbridge and the surrounding communities offer several low cost or free offerings to help celebrate the season or ease those worrisome challenges.  To help everyone make it through the holiday season in relatively good cheer, here is a partial listing of programs in our area.

Help with Holiday Cheer 

• November 15 & December 20: Family Game Night at the Stockbridge Library, 5 – 6:45pm, Free
• November 16 -17: SAAC’s “Home for the Holidays” Festival Chorus, Stockbridge Township Hall, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 3pm, Free
• November 22, 5:30 – 7pm, “Fourth Friday” Dinner at the Presbyterian Education Center, 101 South Center, Stockbridge, Free, www.stockbridgechurch.com
• November 26: Randy Napoleon Quartet and the HS Jazz Band, Stockbridge Township Hall, 7pm, Free
• Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Heritage School, 222 Western Street, Stockbridge. 11:30am – 2pm. Take out and deliveries available.  For more info, email [email protected].
• November 30: Greens Day at the Waterloo Farm Museum, Come help decorate wreaths for the Farm Store,  9:30am to 4pm, Info: Arlene, 517-392-3195
• November 30: Small Business Saturday Open Air Market at the Presbyterian Church, 11am – 3pm, Lunch available from 11am – 2pm, plus live music from Noon – 2pm by local jazz guitarist Gary Allen.
• November 30: Festival of Lights, including Elf Stops, Ice Carving, contests and a light parade. Festivities start around the Stockbridge Township Hall at 3pm
• December 3, Reindeer Visit the Library, at the Stockbridge Library, 3-4:30pm, Free
• Christmas on the Farm – December 7th  & 8th, 10am to 4pm, $5/adults, $2/kids, at Waterloo Farm Museum
• Saturday, December 7th Mackinder Glenn American Legion will host the Annual Beverly Penix Toy Drive. Bring an UNWRAPPED toy or pay $5 cover charge, tacos, nachos or taco salad will be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary from 7-9:30PM at $5.00  Meal  and The Son’s of the Legion will be serving drinks, with entertainment by DJ Phatboy.
• December 8, Holiday Open House at the Stockbridge Library, 1-4pm, Live Music, Free
• December 9, Reindeer Rendezvous at the Henrietta Library, 6 – 7:30pm, 11744 Bunkerhill Rd, near the Henrietta Township offices.
• December 10, 5 – 6pm, Create Your Own String Art at the Stockbridge Library, Free
• December 13, Drop-in Minecraft Game Night at the Stockbridge Library, 7-8pm, Free 

Help with Holiday Challenges

• To help those who need winter outer wear, Susan Pidd Realty is currently collecting coats at 220 W. Main St. Stockbridge, with all donations going to Stockbridge Community Outreach. Outreach is also accepting coats and outerwear donations directly at their offices in the Stockbridge Activity Center (old middle school, off the back parking lot) and their “store” will remain open to anyone who needs clothing and small household items.
• Stockbridge Community Outreach is accepting applications for special food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas and will help with emergency food needs.
• Stockbridge Church of Christ Food/Clothing Pantry is open every third Saturday each month from 10am – noon, at 4783 South M-52, Stockbridge, MI
• Stockbridge Community Outreach, Wake Up Stockbridge, Munith/Stockbridge Pay it Forward, the Munith Lions Club, and the Stockbridge American Legion & Legion Riders, provide assistance with Thanksgiving meals, Christmas meals and gifts for dozens of families. All groups are currently accepting donations of unwrapped gifts.
• December 8, from 6-7pm, “Blue Christmas” church service for those grieving during the holidays.  At Crossroads Community Church, for more info, c3stockbridge.org
• Kathy Walz, Behavioral Navigator from St. Joseph Mercy-Chelsea, is available to help guide community members through difficult times.  Her number is 734-680-5312 and her email is 734-680-5312