Earlier Than The Bird • Thanksgiving • Christmas

Boyne HolidayShopping • Events Calendar • Stories

Ho, ho, ho!It’s Christmas season in the Boyne area– brace yourself! There is so

much going on in and around town that it practically makes your head spin. It all starts with a fun, fairly new

event called “Earlier Than the Bird,” where

locals actually walk around the downtown all morning in their pajamas. When Main Street and the Chamber started this event in 2009, I have to admit, some of us were a little dubi-ous. But everybody loved the idea, played along and it worked out beautifully for shoppers and merchants alike.The big daddy of our Christmas is the Santa Parade and Open Houses. What a fun, festive night. The parade is quintessential small town. It only lasts about five minutes, but it’s packed with real reindeer and the real Santa; floats from churches, clubs and businesses; and dozens of kids dressed up as angels, gin-gerbread men, Christmas trees and presents. This is just the start of an amazingly busy season that includes the Boyne Community Christmas drive, Horton Creek playing at the Performing Arts Center, and Christmas events and parties sponsored by the schools, the Chamber, the Eagles, Senior Center, Sommerset Pointe and numerous others. Thanks to the Boyne City Gazette for compiling many of these events in this, their first holiday event guide!Jim Baumann, Execu-tive DirectorBoyne Area Chamber of Commerce

Mark D. KowalskeYour Rock & Roll Realtor

231 Water St., Boyne City * MarkKowalske@gmail.com

A couple of years ago my brother Lon, my sister Diane and myself started a band to play Stroll The Streets down at my real estate office in Boyne City which was Century21 and most recently merging with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors. Most of what we played was country, blue grass and John Denver. My wife Jody, who worked with me in the real-estate business as “The Dynamic Duo “wanted me to learn something a little more jazzy like some rock and roll. One of her favorite was Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Segar. At the time I was not too opened minded on changing my style of music and did not learn to play that song until recently. At one of the Stroll The Streets we played Old Time Rock and Roll for the first time. I could see one of my clients who was watching starting to smile. The next day I had an appointment to show her and her family property. As she introduced me she introduced me as her Rock and Roll Realtor. Recently Jody passed away. Today in memory of Jody I have decided to learn more rock and roll songs. From here on in if you hear the phrase YOUR ROCK AND ROLL REALTOR you will know where it came from.

MARK D. KOWALSKE, GRIAssociate Broker for Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

Please call me at 231-675-3721 for all your real estate needs.

Jody Kowalske

SCHMIDT REALTORS®

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2 Boyne Holiday Guide

The Boyne Holiday Events Guide is one of several niche publications produced annually by The Boyne City Gazette and Paine Press LLC, 5 W. Main St. Suite 7, Boyne City MI 49712

(231) 582-2799• Publisher, Advertising & Circu-lation - Chris Faulknor• Editor, Page Design, Copy-writer - Benjamin J. Gohs

We wish to thank Boyne Area Chamber of Com-merce Executive Director Jim Baumann for all his help with this project.

I will never forget the Christmas Eve I was 5 years old. Dozens of family members were at my grandparents home. A gaggle of grand-kids

stared into the darkness, search-ing for Santa. Then, a red light off in the distance! Thunder from the rooftop! We ran to the front room with the great big fireplace to find a giant green cloth bag filled with

gifts. Next to the bag were two handmade wooden sleds for myself and cousin Danny. That Christmas is among the clearest and dearest memories I have retained, and I still have that sled nearly 32 years later.

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Boyne HolidayA Very Special Christmas

5 Earlier Than The BirdHoliday Events CalendarThe First Thanksgiving

Santa Parade & MoreChristmas Market

Christmas Memories Throughout

Night Before Christmas

Boyne Holiday Guide 3

Holiday MemoriesBenjamin J. Gohs

SunsetGrill

50-CENT WING MondaysTACO Tuesdays

THIRSTY ThursdaysFISH FRY-DAYS All-U-Can Eat

5 West Main St. - Boyne City

This anonymous letter to the editor was origi-nally published in the Boyne City GazetteI’ll never forget the very special Christ-mas that changed my life some 25 years ago.Although it is a happy event for many, Christmas can be a time of sadness and emptiness for others. Having come from poor and very dysfunctional home, I al-ways wanted to give my children much happier memories of Christmas. Money was tight that year; our income was making ends meet with not much left over for gift-giving. It was Christmas Eve and our three young children were tucked in their beds awaiting morning.The tree was brightly decorated and lights where shining in a beautiful array of color, it should have been a beautiful moment but there I sat dwelling on my sad childhood memories.Suddenly my thoughts were inter-rupted by a knock at the door; standing on the porch was a stranger with an envelope in his hand.

After handing my husband the enve-lope, the stranger explained his mis-sion.Somehow he had heard we were hav-ing tough times and he wanted to do something to help make our Christmas a little brighter.After the man had gone and my hus-band opened the envelope we were very surprised to find it contained a card wishing us a Merry Christmas and $50.As we sat discussing what had just hap-pened and what to do with the money we decided to surprise the kids the next morning by taking them to visit their grandmother at Sault Ste Marie for the day. My husband and I knew they would be glad to see each other and it would be a happy family get-together.The next day was fun-filled, and we re-turned home Christmas night tired but

You won’t have to spend much time browsing our Christmas cards, art, fine jewelry and other gifts while we fill your prescrip-tion ... but you’ll want to!

Huff Pharmacy• Deliveries• OTC• Prescriptions• Open 6 Days a week

121 Water St.Dowtown Boyne City

(231) 582-6514

Since 1896

A very special Christmas

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4 Boyne Holiday Guide

Merry Christmas

From 7 a.m. To 11 a.m. On Saturday Nov. 19, more than two dozen area businesses will be offering deals on mer-chandise and treats just for showing up.WATER/PARK STREETS: ALPINE CHOCOLAT HAUS, One Water St. - 20% off everything in the store, plus sweet treats for all.THE BIRD’S NEST, 112 Water St. Get your MOGO on, buy either a bracelet or 3 charms and get a free heart charm. Clementine and Chloe collection, 20% off dresses.BOYNE COUNTRY PROVISIONS & Wine Emporium, 127 & 123 Water St. - Free coffee and croissants. $5 off any $50 purchase (not including spirits). Enter to win a gift basketBOYNE RAPIDS Adventure Golf – Visit us Nov. 19 at No Boundaries, 126 Water St. 50% off 2012 season passes, individual or family. Family season pass sale price is $150. Passes include unlimited access to both golf courses + batting cages. Phone 582-6858.BOYNE COOP TRUE VALUE, 113 S. Park St. - $25 off Eden-pure Gen 3 heater, 10% off all Husqvarna power equip-ment (snow throwers, chainsaws, tractors, etc.), 25% off Carhartt winter clothing, Georgia or Rocky boots (exclud-ing sale merchandise), 25% off fishing rods, reels and tackle, $5 off per gallon Benjamin Moor Regal Interior paint, $5 off any $25 purchase of regular price items with this flier/newsletter.

BOYNE TRADING CO., 109 Water St. - 25% off many regu-lar-priced items, 10% off Life is Good, 25-75% off select garments. Spend $50 to enter drawing for two $25 gift certificates.BOYNE’S BEYOND BORDERS, 120 Water St. - Enter our drawing for a$40 gift certificate, no purchase necessary.COUNTRY NOW & THEN / Up The Lazy River, 211 E. Water St. - 7 to 8 a.m. 25% off most items; wear your pajamas enter to win a $50 gift certificate; 8:01 to 9:30 a.m. 20% off most items, wear your pajamas enter to win a $25 gift certificate; 9:31 to 11 a.m. 15% off most items, wear your pajamas enter to win one of two $15 gift certificates. We will be serving mimosas, juice and breakfast treats.INSPIRED LIVING – If you’re wearing your pajamas... 30% off anything in the store from 7-8 a.m., 25% off from 8-9, 20% off from 9-10 and 15% off from 10-11. The first 25 people who show up with their “inspired living” bags receive a free gift and anyone who fills out or updates their “Wish Lists” will be entered to win a $50 shopping spree. Also, yummy green smoothies.KILWINS CHOCOLATES of Boyne City, 102 Water St. - Com-plimentary sweet treats for all. Buy one slice of fudge, get one free - plus 15% off everything else.LOCAL FLAVOR, 125 Water St. - 15% off all 2012 calen-dars, 40% off selected mystery/suspense/romance nov-els, 50% off specialty coffee drinks; free hot chocolate for kids. NO BOUNDARIES, 126 Water St. - Buy two pair of socks, get one free; 25% off shoes and boots, up to 50% off se-lected items throughout the store. NORTHERN EAGLE CLOTHIER, 118 Water St. - Drawing for

a discount at time of purchase – 10%, 20%, or 50% off any item in the store and receive an additional draw for a future visit. Yummy refreshments.SUBWAY, 114 Water St. - Breakfast Combo, 6” breakfast sandwich & drink for $3. BOGO - Buy one 6” sandwich and get one of equal or lesser value FREE. (Premium & double meat subs not included.)SUNBURST MARINE, 101 Water St. – 25% off all clothing, 10% off gifts, shoes and boots.WILDWOOD RUSH Zipline Canopy Tour – Look for our big red truck downtown, offering 10% off gift cards good any time in 2012.LAKE STREET: BOYNE AREA CHAMBER, 28 S. Lake St. - Join the Chamber and receive a free $25 ticket to our annual meeting Jan. 19. “Boyne Bucks” city-wide gift cer-tificates now available for the holidays.BOYNE CITY GAZETTE, 5 W. Main St., Suite 7 (Water Street

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Earlier than the Bird

Boyne Holiday Guide 5

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6 Boyne Holiday Guide

WeihnachtsmarktGerman Christmas Market

For more information, contact Donna Prevost at Sun for the Soul, Water Street Mall (231) 881-0463

S O B O P R E S E N T S

Saturday, Dec 411 am - 6 pmWater Street Mall on Front Street inDowntown Boyne City

Food, fun, art and gifts!

LAKE ST

FRONT ST

MA

IN

M-7

5

Saturday, Dec. 310 am - 6 pm

Operation Christmas Child Standard shoe boxes should be filled with personal hy-giene items, toys, school supplies, shoes, etc.Collections made at First Presbyterian Church in Boyne City. Nov. 18, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Nov. 19, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Nov. 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Nov. 21 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. More info at www.samaritanspurse.org

Earlier Than The BirdSaturday Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. see story page 5

Thanksgiving Mass at St. Matthew ChurchThe Boyne Valley Catholic Community will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving the evening before Thanksgiving Day, Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mat-thew Church in Boyne City. All are welcome. A collection of non-perishable food items as well as paper goods, diapers, etc. will be ac-cepted and distributed amongst the local food pantries in Boyne Falls, Boyne City and East Jordan as our member-ship consists of parishioners from all those locations, and beyond. (231) 582-7718.

Thanksgiving DinnerBoyne City Eagles host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24 at the Ea-gles Hall, 106 N. Lake St. The dinner is open to the public, and there is no charge. Anyone who needs a ride or would like to volunteer or donate food is asked to call the Eagles at 231-582-6904

Downtown ChristmasNov. 26 - Holiday Open Houses & Santa Parade, Down-town Boyne City see story page 11

Holiday Craft ShowDec. 3 - Holiday Hobby Craft Show, Boyne City High School, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

German Christmas MarketDec. 3 - Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market at Water Street Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. see story page 14

Eagles’ Christmas Craft ShowThe Boyne City Eagles Auxiliary is planning a Christmas Bazaar and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Eagles Hall, 106 N. Lake St.

BCPS Christmas ProgramsKindergarten and Second-grade Christmas Programs 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8.First and Third-grade Christmas Programs 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12Fourth-grade Christmas Musical at 7 p.m. Dec. 15Boyne City Holiday Concerts - Middle School 6:30 p.m.; High School 8 p.m. on Dec. 20All programs at the Boyne City High School auditorium.

Boyne District Library Holiday eventsChildren’s Story Time - Saturdays 10-11 a.m.• Special Holiday Story Time on Dec. 10• Holiday Crafts for Tweens & Teens: Dec. 10 from 1-2 p.m.

Boyne Holiday Events

• Look for special activities at the library Dec. 27-30!201 E. Main St. in Boyne CityFrom Nov. 25 - Dec. 20, bring in food items for Commu-nity Christmas and we’ll cancel your overdue fines.Bring in new hats, mittens and gloves for Community Christmas, and we’ll display them on our Christmas tree.The library will be closed Nov. 24, Dec. 24-26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. We’re also closing early (at 5 p.m.) on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Christmas Day Dinner on Dec. 2514th Annual Christmas Dinner at Boyne City First Presby-terian Church noon - 4 p.m. 401 S. Park St. on Christmas Day

Happy Holidays

Boyne City

HappyThanksgiving

120 Water Street in Boyne City • (231) 582-1063Boyne Holiday Guide 7

Unique Holiday Gifts

Hand-Crafted Wooden Wtatues by National Artist

Jewelry designed and produced by Kateri Daman

Local career jeweler and designerMade from Venetian glass

Traditional Stein Mugs • Italian glasswork with German pewter work

Canvas-Printed pictures by local photographer • Variety of local and scenic pictures available

Traditional Christmas BulbsDesigned by Michigan Artists, hand-made in Poland

Traditional Swedish gifts and Christmas traditions, Recipes, Decorations, and Old-fashioned Straw Ornaments available

According to Center for World Thanks-giving, Plymouth in autumn 1621 was reported by Mourt Winslow: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the com-pany almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the cap-tain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Planta-

tion, reported: "They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their house and dwelling against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exer-cised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned by true reports."

IntroductionDr. Clement C. Moore, who wrote “Twas the Night Before Christmas” never expected that he would be remembered by it. If he expected to be famous at all as a writer, he thought it would be because of the Hebrew Dictionary that he wrote.He was born in a house near Chelsea Square, New York City, in 1781; and he lived there all his life. It was a great big house, with fireplaces in it;—just the house to be living in on Christmas Eve.Dr. Moore had children. He liked writing poetry for them even more than he liked writing a He-brew Dictionary. He wrote a whole book of po-ems for them.One year he wrote this poem, which we usually call "'Twas the Night before Christmas," to give to his children for a Christmas present. They read it just after they had hung up their stockings before one of the big fireplaces in their house. After-ward, they learned it, and sometimes recited it, just as other children learn it and recite it now.It was printed in a newspaper. Then a magazine printed it, and after a time it was printed in the school readers. Later it was printed by itself, with pictures. Then it was translated into German, French, and many other languages. It was even made into Braille. It has happened that almost all the children in the world know this poem. How few of them know any Hebrew!Every Christmas Eve the young men studying to be ministers at the General Theological Semi-nary, New York City, put a holly wreath around Dr. Moore's picture, which is on the wall of their din-ing-room. Why? Because he gave the ground on which the General Theological Seminary stands? Because he wrote a Hebrew Dictionary? No. They do it because he was the author of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

Twas the Night Before ChristmasBy Clement C. Moore

With Pictures by Jessie Willcox Smith

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with careIn hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what

was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

8 Boyne Holiday Guide

Walloon Lake Community Church• Christmas Eve Service - 6:00pm • Christmas

Day - 10:00am (only one service)East Jordan Community Church• Christmas Eve - please join us in Walloon Lake at 6:00pm • Christmas Day - 9:30am

Boyne Valley Catholic Community

• Christmas Eve Vigil - 6:00pm - St. Matthews

• Midnight Mass - 12:00am - St. Matthews

• Christmas Morning - 9:00am - St. Augustine's

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the

sky;So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.And then, in a twin-kling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and paw-ing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head, and was turning around,Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.His eyes—how they twinkled!

his dimples how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up

like a bow,And the beard of his

chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;He had a broad face and a little round belly,That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.He was chubby and

plump, a right jolly old elf,And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had noth-ing to dread;He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Boyne Holiday Guide 9

Boyne City United Methodist Church

• Christmas Eve Candlelight

7:00pm and 11:00pm

Boyne City First Baptist Church

• Christmas Morning - 11:00am

First Presbyterian• Christmas Eve - 7:00pm

Christ Lutheran Church

•Christmas Eve

5:00pm and 8:00pm

SUNNYBANKAssisted Living

SunnyBank

2000 E. Mitchell Road • Petoskey • (231) 348-2600615 Petoskey Avenue • Charlevoix • (231) 547-2599

sunnybankassistedliving.comCheck out our Facebook Page

The choice you can feel good about

Grandma’s Shortbread

Cookie recipeIngredients:•1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature•1/2 cup powdered sugar•2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour•1 teaspoon vanilla extract•pinch of saltPrepare:Cream butter, vanilla & sugar. Mix with flour & salt. Knead creamed mixture into stiff dough. Roll 1/4 inch. Cut in desired shape and bake on ungreased baking sheet for 15 minutes at 325°. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Tip:Top with colored sugar for aesthetics or strawberry or raspberry preserves for an added treat.

“We bought our house in December 2008, and it was magical. We looked at our new little town like it was candy in a candy store; we drove around in awe. Every part of Boyne City is beautiful ... but at Christmas it sparkles with magic.”

Holiday MemoriesMaria Hoover

10 Boyne Holiday Guide

Cafe Sante invites the community to a night of fun, music and delicious food on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It's all for a good cause – creating a new downtown waterfront ice-skating

rink in Sunset Park, behind the Chamber of Com-merce office. All proceeds from a special $15, three-course meal, will help fund the building and maintenance of the ice rink. Entertainment

will be provided by Robin Lee Berry, Nelson Ol-strom and Nathan Bates. Silent auction items and cash donations will also be accepted. Call Boyne City Main Street at 582-9009 for more info.

Great food for a good cause; Cafe Sante supports downtown ice rink

“We’re having Turkey Smoothies for Dinner!”

It’s your Mom’s way of saying she needs a break.

You’ll be Thankful for our Delicious Pizzas, Grinders, Salads & Subs.

(231) 582-9560472 N. Lake St. in Boyne City

Sun-Thurs 3 a.m. - 9 p.m. • Fri-Sat 12 a.m. -10 p.m.

Boyne Holiday Guide 11

The Boyne City Holiday Open House & Santa Parade, held the Friday after Thanksgiving, is a tradition in Boyne City and that tradition continues this year. To make it a true community celebration of the season, Main Street is inviting everyone in the area to par-ticipate in the festivities on Friday, Nov. 25 – from businesses and organizations with floats, to children dressed in their holiday finest, to businesses offering great shopping, refreshments and hospitality.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. and the evening’s special guest is the Jolly Old Man from the North. Santa will arrive on his sleigh and be joined by some of his elves and real live reindeer. Those participating in the parade will line up on East Main Street between East and Lake Streets starting at 5:30 p.m. The parade route will follow Lake Street to Water Street through the heart of downtown Boyne City. Santa will then be available to meet with children at

the Gazebo in Old City Park. In addition there will be hayrides and the opportu-nity to see reindeer up close. If you have any questions, contact Karen Guzniczak Country Now & Then/Up The Lazy River at 582-2355, the Boyne City Main Street office at 582-9009, the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 582-6222.Various stores in downtown Boyne City will be hav-ing an open house with special deals, treats and mu-sic for Christmas shoppers.

Open HousesSanta Parade&

Center) - 10% off gift subscrip-tions. You can also “gift your-self.”CINDI FRANCO’S Cool Stuff, 309 S. Lake St. - Mimosas and Bai-ley’s coffee, premade garlands – just buy, hang and plug in. $100 certificate drawing – one entry for every $20 spent.DUNAGAIN’S ANTIQUES & Col-lectibles, 219 S. Lake St. - Many

items 20-50% off. 209 S. Lake St. FRESHWATER STUDIO, 217 S. Lake St. - Drawing for a

stadium blanket. Serving cider, cocoa and small treats for the kids too.MARY’S OF BOYNE, 108 S. Lake St. - Door prizes and treats. 25% off all regular-priced fashions for the early risers. Get your own wishes written down in our Wish Book for Santa and your family/friends to bring you. Awesome selection of cozy sweaters, tops, slacks, etc. After 11 a.m., all fashions will be 20% off for the rest of Saturday and Sunday.MAIN STREET: SUN FOR THE SOUL, 5 West Main St. (Water Street Center) – Complimentary cappuccino or mimosa. Hourly drawings, including grand prize of a glamor makeover. Check out our new ANAMA bou-

tique, layaways available. Draw for a discount on your purchase.SWIM TO YOU, 5 West Main St. (Water Street Center) – Half off sale merchandise with an orange dot. 10% off all new 2012 swimwear.UPSY DAISY FLORAL, 5 W. Main St. (Water Street Center) - Come in and draw for $2, $5 or $10 off coupon good through December.HIGHWAY M-75: SHAGGY’S SKIS, 1170 S. High-way M-75 - $99 skis, 2009/10 models while supplies last. 25% off the already discounted price of 2010/11 model skis, for a total of 58-70% off. 25% off T-shirts, hats and accessories. Free cookies and hot cocoa.

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Happy Holidays from B.C. Pizza

The Best Choice Pizza

1191 M-75 SouthBoyne City

231-582-2288 www.bcpizza.net

Hometown, Hand-Made

Gourmet Pizza

12 Boyne Holiday Guide

One of my favor-ite Christmas

m e m o r i e s is a visit to Sequoia Na-tional Park,

and it has a bit of a Michigan

connection. My wife Jamie and I moved from Boyne City with our two young children to Southern California during the last big bad recession in 1981. After living there for a few years, we began to miss the seasons. The only way you could tell it was winter was the days were shorter and people planted poinset-tias in their flower beds. If you re-ally wanted to see some snow, you could just drive a few hours to the mountains, so one Christmas we de-cided to visit Sequoia National Park.

That's the one with the giant red-wood trees, including one that you can drive through. The scenery was spectacular and there was plenty of fresh, powdery snow, which Jeff and Chelsea had never seen (or at least remembered). We taught them to ski, both cross-country and down-hill, since at that time the park had a beginners slope with a tow rope. They loved it of course. But the most memorable thing about our Sequoia vacation was that we spent a lot of time talking, since the cabins had no television. We listened to Gordon Lightfoot on the cassette player (lots of songs about the north woods), and played games like Yahtzee to entertain ourselves ... it was much better than watching the boob tube. And it was a pretty good substitute for a Michigan Christmas.

Holiday MemoriesJim Baumann’s California Christmas

Freshwater Studio is located at 217 South Lake St. in Boyne City (231) 582-2588 • info@freshwaterstudio.org

November 25 Blackie and the Rodeo Kings at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the doorFebruary 11, 2012

Wine, Women, Chocolate & Songwith Thornetta Davis, Jill Jack, and Robin Berry

Opening - Ruby Williams at 8 p.m.Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door

March 10, 2012Kelly Jo Phelps at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door April 14, 2012

Willy Porter 8 p.m.Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door

glad we spent the day with grandma. But this story is not over. Again, the kids were sound to sleep in their beds when there came a knock on the door. There on the porch stood the same stranger from the night before.The man told my husband

and me that he was sorry he had missed us early that morning, but in his car were a few things his family wanted to share with our family for Christ-mas.After bringing in six or seven bags full of gifts, the stranger departed, leaving us in a state of wonder.Later, while my husband and I were sorting out the many bags of colorfully wrapped gifts, toys, books, candy and fruit and tucking them under the tree, I discovered another envelope.To our complete surprise, inside this envelope was a receipt saying that our drug store bill was "PAID IN FULL."Tears filled my eyes; the kindness of these strangers was over whelming. To think someone we didn't know could care so much about our needs was al-most more than I could comprehend.

None of the cards were signed with the names of the people who had given us so much. They had given from the heart and didn't want any recogni-tion. After receiving such kindness I vowed I would con-tinue this act of caring.Each year my husband and I try to give a gift to

someone that would least expect it; someone who is going though hard times as our family did those many years ago.I'm sure the Christmas that I will always remember will be the one our family experienced nearly 25 years ago, it was a Christmas that showed everyone just what giving and receiving is all about.

5 West Main St.Boyne City

(231) 582-0972

Upsy-Daisy Floral

Brighten the Season with A Holiday Centerpiece

Christmas Wreaths

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Boyne Holiday Guide 13

If you don’t know what “Weihnach-tsmarkdt” means, many business owners in the SOBO Arts District in Downtown Boyne City would be happy to tell you.The Weihnachtsmarkdt, or German Christmas Market, is an outdoor festival held at the Water Street Center near the corner of Lake and Main on the first Saturday in De-cember each year.Themed after a traditional German market, this event features over a dozen local craft vendors, animals, traditional music, and a roaring fire

in the middle of the parking lot.

“It’s always a great event, and we really love the festivity over in the mall,” said Donna Prevost, owner of Sun for the Soul.Along with shops and vendors, a petting zoo and carolers are also ex-pected.“People had a great time with the llamas last year,” added Cindi Malin, a board member for the Chamber of Commerce and local business owner.The market will be from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 3 with re-freshments and sales, and continue throughout the day. There is no ad-mission price, and all are invited.

14 Boyne Holiday Guide

127 Water St.Downtown Boyne City (231) 582-2151

OPEN: M-Thurs. 8am-11pm, 8am-12am

Fri.& Sat., 12pm-8pm Sun.

Ed & Kristine BrehmOWNERS

Weihnachtsmarkt

Special Holiday Story Time on Dec. 10!

"Food for Fines" - From Nov. 25 - Dec. 20, bring in items for Community Christmas and we'll cancel your overdue �nes.

Holiday Happenings

Boyne Holiday Guide 15

Sooner to bed, sooner to rise! Be up with the sun & come on in to Sun for the Soul for our Early Bird specials! Starting at 7 a.m. on Nov. 19, stroll in fresh out of bed — no judgments here. We'll fill up your favorite mug with a hot cup of cappuccino; or, if you're feeling edgy, enjoy a fresh mimosa!

Since you're already here, be sure to check out our stylish

new "ANAMA" boutique.

It's never too early to do a little Holiday Shopping.

While you're at it be sure to enter your name for a chance to win our FREE Glamour Makeover ... a little self-pampering never hurts!

(231) 582-04105 W Main St. in Boyne City

My favorite would have been taking the girls down to mom and dad's house and mak-ing all kinds of Christ-mas cookies. This one time, one of my nephews got a

skateboard for Christ-mas and dad – who was in his late-60s at the time – was test-driving it through the living room. He didn't go far, but it was a hoot.

"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there."

Mark E. Patrick Insurance Agent

219 South Lake St.Boyne City, MI 49712

(231) 582-6829

Holiday MemoriesMarty Moody’s X-treme Father

Make your own

in a New Home

Christmas St ry

f r a g i l e

27 South Lake St. in Boyne City(231) 582-9555 • www.lyndasrealestateservice.com

— “Chris and Marty are two Realtors who are never naughty.” Mr. S.C.—“The folks at Lynda’s didn’t leave me out in the cold.” J. Frost—“Chris and Marty saved me a pile of sliver and gold on my new house.” Y. Cornelius

“Ooh, must be Italian.”