Holiday things and more to do Downriver – The News Herald

What’s Going On is a listing of activities taking place throughout the Downriver community. To submit an event, send an email to downriverlife@thenewsherald.com. List the time, date, location, cost and contact information. Submit announcements at least two weeks prior to the event. For a complete listing, visit www.thenewsherald.com/things-to-do/

Events added this week

Card/Wrapping Extravaganza: At the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte, Dec. 8 between 5-7:30 p.m. Have you wanted to give a try at making your own Holiday cards or wrapping paper? We will have stamps, blank cards, paper, butcher paper, and a variety of pens. We are limiting this program to adults and high school age. Registration required so we have enough supplies. For more information, call 734-246-8357.

Country Christmas: At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 19109 Craig Street, New Boston, from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Have lunch, meet Santa, play games, crafts, cookie decorating and chili cook-off. For more information, call 734-753-9048.

Comedy Show: McCaffery’s, 4210 Fort Street, Lincoln Park, is hosting a comedy show benefiting Downriver veterans at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. The show features Justin Sullivan and Tonya Murray with host Greg Roy. Tickets are $10.

Christmas Open House: The Taylor Historical Society will host its annual Christmas Open House at the Knope Farm House/Historical Museum at Heritage Park (Pardee and Northline, Taylor), from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The Museum will be decorated (inside and out) for Christmas. Enjoy some Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and coffee and holiday music. Tour the museum and share some stories of the past. This event is free.

Holiday Book Sale: At the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte, from Dec. 10 to Jan. 7. Our Book Sale is going to be even bigger! Stop in and do some shopping. For more information, call 734-246-8357.

Pet Photos With Santa: At the Southgate Historical Museum, 14120 Dix Toledo Road, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Donations accepted. Proceeds benefit Southgate Historical Foundation.

Makin’ At Bacon: At  the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte. Lego Wednesdays is Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Did you know Bacon Library has a huge stash of Legos? Stop in the Maker Space Room every first Wednesday of the Month. Dec. 12-17: Sugar Cone Trees. It’s that wonderful time of the year….Candy Trees. Make it here or take it home while supplies last. No registration. Dec. 19-22: Assorted Fun. For more information, call 734-246-8357.

Surprise Reads: At the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte. Pick up begins Dec. 17. Each Surprise Book Bag will contain one library book related to the monthly theme and a few treats or a craft to go along with the theme. Check out the book, keep the themed swag/treats then return the library book. Treats/swag will be aimed at older teens/adults. High school or Adult level books can be chosen. Registration required. For more information, call 734-246-8357.

Santa’s Magic Forest: Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry volunteers in partnership with the City of Taylor, and with the help of Presenting Sponsor Masco, is presenting Santa’s Magic Forest at 1 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18 at the Activity Center within Heritage Park in Taylor. Families can view the immaculate displays and take photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. General admission is $3 per person. Children under 3 are free. Pictures with Santa are $8 and are professionally taken by Rosecrans Picture Perfect Photography. All proceeds of this event directly support Fish & Loaves to help stock their shelves and provide fresh produce, dairy and meat products this winter season. For more information on the display, including hours of operation each weekend, please visit ww.flcfp.org.

Events

Lego Club: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 5, 12, 19, and 26, from 6-7 p.m. Do you love Legos? Join our Lego Club. Every Monday we will challenge you to make something relating to that week’s theme. We will display your creation for one week and will tear them apart at the next event.  This event is open to kids, tweens, teens, and parents. No registration is required, just stop in and build. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Hooks & Needles: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 5, 12, 19, and 26, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come and join other yarn enthusiasts in our community who love to knit and crochet. This is a weekly event to share ideas, projects, and do a little yarning. Bring your own projects to work on. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Baby Buddies Storytime (Ages 0-1): Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 6, 13, and 20, from 3-3:30 p.m. Weekly story time is aimed toward parents with infants (ages 0-1), older siblings are welcome. We will have lap time and read several books together. At the end, there will be time for creative play and parent conversation. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Textile Lab: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Textile Lab is a weekly lab for textile crafters to come together and work on their projects.  If you love to quilt, sew, knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, or any other textile crafting, this is the place for you!  An instructor will be available to teach you how to quilt, or to guide you on your projects. This is a weekly lab that is open on Tuesdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Winter Craft Exchange: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m. Would you like to exchange those partially started or brand-new projects for someone else’s? Then this is the event for you! Whether it’s crafting supplies, materials, or projects (partially started/finished or never used) we want them at our event. Drop off your old supplies, check out what others drop off, and maybe bring something new (to you) home.

Computer Class: Computer Basics: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 8, from 1-2 p.m. This class is designed for those with little or no experience with computers. You will learn the parts of the computer, how to use a mouse, basic navigation with Windows and the Internet, how to open a program, how to save a file, and how to print. Class size is limited to 8 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Silent Study Nights: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 8, from 5-7:45 p.m. Every other Thursday night this school year, the Trolley Community Room will transform into a silent space to study.  There are large tables, comfy furniture and plenty of power outlets. The room will comfortably fit up to 15 individual, silent studiers. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Books & Bites Book Club End of Year Review: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. Books & Bites is a monthly book club that reads and discusses Young Adult books. Celebrate the end of the year with your book club At this event, we will be discussing some of our favorite and least favorite picks of the year, books we read outside of book club, and discuss possible picks for next year. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Brown Bag Talking Book Discussion: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. In person or call-In. Dec. 14, from 1:30 p.m. The group discusses two books each month.  Listen to both, one, or none. Everyone is welcome. This month’s books are 1) “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict, and 2) “Shadow Divers: the True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II” by Robert Kurson. Join us in person or join remotely by phone by calling: 267-807-9601 and use Access Code: 965803, or join virtually by visiting bit.ly/TCLbtbcall. Call the library to reserve a copy for yourself. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Computer Class: Email Basics: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Dec. 14, from 1-2 p.m. You will learn how to create an email account, attach documents, add addresses, see what you’ve sent, and how to delete emails that are no longer needed. Class size is limited to 8 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Solstice Walk: Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy at Meridian Woods, eastside of Meridian Road across from Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile, from 1-3 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 18. Join the group for an educational walk on the (almost) shortest day of the year.  Our focus will be on signs of winter, seasonal adaptations, and animal homes. All GINLC programs are free to the public, but your donations make them possible.  Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For more information, email GINLC.education@gmail.com.

Storywalk for December: Taylor Community Library, Fletcher Park, Taylor, located between Pardee and Racho Rd., and Northline and Eureka. Permanent exhibit. December’s featured book is “Snow Song” by A. K. Riley. Community members can follow the path throughout the park to read a book in its entirety presented on 16 individual panels. Each panel hosts a set of pages which include activities and questions to help your little ones engage with the story in meaningful ways. For more information, call 734-287-4840.

Discount Annual Vehicle Passes: Huron-Clinton Metroparks 2023 annual vehicle passes are on sale now at a discount until the end of 2022. Passes are $35 or $24 for seniors 62+ until the end of the year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023 passes will be $40 for residents ($29 for Seniors 62+) of the five counties served or $45 for non-residents ($34 for Seniors 62+). Passes can be purchased at www.metroparks.com (look for the “Buy Annual Pass” button in the menu bar) or at any Metroparks toll booth or park office.

Take it outside Photo Contest: Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy. Entry deadline is Thursday, May 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. Open to high school students within Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties. We are searching for photos captured locally (within Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties) that inspire us to appreciate and steward our environment: air, water, land, wildlife, resources, and ecosystems. Categories are Dawn to Dusk; Fur and Feathers; Bark and Blooms. Total of $445 in prize money. For more information, visit see https://www.ginlc.org/photo-contest

Ongoing community events

Genealogy Research: The Downriver Genealogical Society Library, located at 28639 Division Street in Flat Rock, is free and open for genealogy research Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The society began in 1980 and for the past 42 years has been collecting information on the people and cities of the downriver communities, most taken from local newspapers. There are also resources from the surrounding areas and for other states and other countries. Volunteers are available to help those wanting to begin researching their own family. Information on  the society, holdings and publications can be found at downrivergenealogy.org. For more information, call 734-535-6530.

Mental Illness Support Group: For relatives and friends of the mentally Ill in the Downriver area meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, 600 N.Brady, in Mitchell Hall. Another support group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, starting on July 20, at 10 a.m., at the Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital’s Rehabilitation Bldg. on the 2nd floor, room 232. Wear a mask and enter the hospital at the main entrance for a Covid-19 check. Then you will follow the letter A on the wall signs and take the Allen  elevators to the 2nd floor. From the elevator exit, turn left and immediately right to follow the hallway to room 232. For information, call 313- 292-3324.

Al Turner Drop In Chess: Every Thursday 5:30 p.m. at the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte. Kids and adults of all ages can meet challenging new players every Thursday at 5:30 pm. For more information, call 734-246-8357.

Job Assistance: The SEMCA Michigan Works! in Southgate, 15100 Northline Rd, Room 103, is offering help with job searching. Free services may include career assessment and guidance; GED preparation, basic skills assessment & enhancement; resume and interview assistance; and job search assistance. Stop in to register and ask about the next orientation session. Connect with a Career Coach and return to work faster. Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request. For more information, call 734-362-3448 or visit SEMCA.org.

Toiletry Pantry: Rockwood First Congregational Church, 22600 Mather Street Rockwood, hosts toiletry pantry, which provides personal hygiene items, cleaning products, gently used clothing and some food products. The pantry will open from 1- 3 p.m. on the last Monday of each month. If that Monday is a holiday, the pantry will be open the previous Monday. For more information, call 734-379-3711 or fccrockwood.org

Local Wyandotte History: Looking for an obituary? Need information on your home or any other burning Wyandotte history questions? The Bacon Memorial Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte,  can help. Visit, www.baconlibrary.org/local-history-request

Teen Advisory Group: Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Online Virtual Event. Wednesdays, from 4-5 p.m. Teen Advisory volunteers help plan, implement, and promote ways to improve services offered at Taylor Community Library. Joining our group builds your resume, earns you volunteer hours and recommendations for jobs or college, and gives you a chance to be heard! To join, apply to become a volunteer today! For more information, call 734-287-4840.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Sponsored by the Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte. This free program encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before he or she enters school – a goal experts say helps children learn to read. Yes, it really is possible. Read one book to your child every day and before you know it, you will have read over 1,000 books in three years. Reading together helps develop important pre-reading skills that provide a solid foundation to school and learning success. Plus, sharing stories together is fun. For more information, call 734-246-8357 or visit www.baconlibrary.org/1000books

Seamstresses Needed: Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care is seeking volunteer seamstresses to help with the making of memory bears. Memory Bears are made from the clothing that once belonged to a loved one and can bring comfort and peace for grieving family members. All materials are provided. Seamstresses  work in the comfort of their own homes using a simple four-piece pattern. For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Mary Biber at 800-370-8592. For more information about Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, visit www.seasons.org.

Palliative Care Volunteers Needed: Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care is seeking compassionate people to provide volunteer support to terminally ill patients and their families. We provide virtual, yet comprehensive, training that fits easily into busy schedules. Opportunities are flexible, based on your availability and comfort level and always close to home. Activities may include: offering companionship or “friendly visits” to homebound patients, reading and letter writing, providing relief for caregivers, participating in activities with dementia patients, veteran to veteran companionship, and sewing Memory Bears. For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Mary Biber at 800-370-8592. Visit www.seasons.org

Taylor Garden Club: Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month September through June. Meetings are held at Taylor Senior Activity Center. Hospitality at 6 p.m.,  meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to attend once for free.  Membership fee is $15 per year. You do not have to live in Taylor to join the group. For more information, contact Nancy Smith at 734-287-6851 or by email at smithnan88@yahoo.com.

The Ecorse Community Events Committee: Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday of the month excluding holidays and/or inclement weather.  The ECEC meets from 6-7 p.m. at the Albert B. Buday Civic Center, 3869 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse 48229 on the 2nd floor in Conference Room – B. For more information, call 313-407-6332 or visit website https://www.ecorseevents.com or email ecorseevents@gmail.com or visit the Ecorse Community Events Committee Facebook page. All are welcome to attend, volunteer and participate in community event planning.

AAUW scholarships: The AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver Branch offers several scholarships annually to female undergraduate students at Baker College, Henry Ford College, Lawrence Technological University and Wayne County Community College District. Interested students can pick up an AAUW application at their school’s counseling office. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 12 credits, be a United States citizen and a resident of the Downriver area. An essay is required. For more information, contact rjhart720@yahoo.com or visit downriver-mi.aauw.net.

The Ecorse Historical Society: Meetings are held every 3rd Saturday of the month excluding holidays and/or inclement weather. The EHS meets from 1-2 p.m. at the Albert B. Buday Civic Center, 3869 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse on the 2nd floor in Conference Room – B. All are welcome to attend, volunteer and participate in EHS meetings and planning. Ecorse residents are invited to bring their family histories to add to the collections and archives which will be exhibited at the Ecorse Public Library. Exhibit dates and times to be announced. For more information, call 313-386-2520 Ext. 4 or visit /www.ecorsehistorical.org  Email ecorsehistoricalsociety@gmail.com or visit the Ecorse Historical Society’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ecorsehistoricalsociety/

Brownstown Historical Museum Hours of Operation: The Brownstown Historical Museum, 23451 King Road, Brownstown is open for tours every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month from 1-4 p.m. Summer business hours are every Tuesday from noon-3 p.m.. Stop in to join the Brownstown Historical Society or renew your membership, volunteer or get information on the Brownstown Community Brick Paver fundraiser. For more information, call 248-318-5297.

Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance: The group is looking for new members to promote Lincoln Park’s historic sites through education and advocacy; for information on meetings and events, call Leslie Lynch-Wilson at 313-598-3137.

Knit and Crochet Club: From 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays. Meet, mingle and trade inspiration with local knitters and crocheters. Bring your own projects and have fun with a like-minded group. This is not an instructing class; however, you are welcome to ask others to share their knowledge and help. Cost: $3 donation to the DCA. Downriver Council for the Arts, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte. (734) 720-0671 or visit www.downriverarts.org

Huron River Fishing Association: Holds general membership meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Flat Rock Community Center, 1 McGuire St., Flat Rock. The group holds fly tying classes at 6:30 p.m. on the 3rd Monday of the month at the FRCC. For more information, visit huronriverfishing.com or email FISH@huronriverfishing.com.

The Ecorse Historical Society: Meets the third Saturday of each month at:City of Ecorse, Albert B. Buday Civic, 3869 W Jefferson Ave., Ecorse. Meeting is held in Conference Room B from noon to 1 p.m. Call 313-386-2520 Ext. 4.

Heart to Heart Hospice Volunteers needed: Heart to Heart Hospice is looking for downriver community members to join the group’s team of volunteers, who will visit with patients on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to help increase their quality of life during their finals days. Visits can provide friendship, compassion and distraction from their prognosis. Activities that clients might enjoy are being read to, watching television together, talking about who and where they’ve been, their families, hearing about your day, playing cards, and so much more. Most importantly, we are looking for volunteers to provide their time, talent, and to have compassion and empathy. Heart to Heart serves Allen Park, Canton, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Southgate, Taylor, Westland, Ypsilanti and beyond. Volunteers should contact volunteer coordinator Randi Williams, at 734-282-0209.

Great Lakes Steel Salaried Retirees Club: Meets every third Monday at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St. Southgate. Doors open at noon. Lunch promptly at 1 p.m. Cost $12 for members, $13 non-members. Door prizes and 50/50 raffles. Open to any salaried retiree of Great Lakes Steel. For more information, contact Desta Pulter at 313-842-0385.