¯9 a.m. The Women’s Advent Retreat at St. James Episcopal Church will be held till 2 p.m.  The Jesse Tree and Giving Tree Display where you may donate a pair of gloves to hang on the tree to be given to those in need will be held throughout the  the day  

¯2:30 p.m. Story Hour with Mrs. Claus will be held at the library where stories will be read, crafts will be done and refreshments will be served 

¯3 p.m.  Advent Workshop for kids will be held till 4 p.m. in the United Methodist Church basement for children ages 4-12. this workshop will consist of crafts, fun activities and refreshments.

¯4 p.m. the first showing of the Christmas movie at Hollywood Theatre will be shown and all kids attending will receive popcorn and candy canes compliments of the AuSable Forks Fire Dept. 

¯From 4 to 6 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church will host a “Christmas Story In Song” open house where musicians from area churches are invited to come and share their musical talents in celebration of the holiday season. The church will be beautifully decorated for the holiday.

¯6 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will be held at the Clock Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a beautifully lit sleigh drawn by “Thomas The Horse.” Thomas has safely delivered Santa and Mrs. Claus to their destination for the tree lighting for the last five years and tonight will be his final time. Thomas is going to retire. We all thank Thomas for a job well done and wish him a very happy retirement.

Joining Santa and Mrs. Claus at the tree will be Snoopy, “The Grinch,” Cindy Lou Hoo, and a “mystery guest”  who will light the tree this year. In keeping with the “season of giving” Santa’s elves will be on hand to receive monetary donations for the local food pantries and toy drive. Hopefully these good will offerings will enable Santa’s sleigh to be filled with helpful items for our less fortunate neighbors on Christmas Day. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served compliments of Stewart’s.

¯7 p.m. the second showing of a Christmas movie at Hollywood Theatre with free popcorn, and candy canes compliments of the AuSable Forks Fire Dept will be held and also at this time  Santa will travel to the Town of Jay Community Center where he will be anxious to listen to all the Children’s Christmas wishes. Merriloons the Clown will be in attendance to make complimentary balloon animals for the children compliments of the AuSable Forks Revitalization Group. 

The Tree Committee and Revitalization Group invite everyone young and old to come and usher in the Christmas Season with a magical day in “The Forks” and encourage everyone to support our local merchants, churches and community organizations. Wooden ornaments will once again adorn the tree.

Ornaments may be purchased for $10 each. Red for family and yellow for deceased loved ones, Veteran’s, or members of the military currently serving our country. 30” wooden stockings will be displayed on the railing around the park for business’s for $25. If you purchased an ornament or stocking last year they will be displayed free of charge this year. Ornaments and stockings will be available for sale till Christmas Day.

To order one, contact Helen Wirt Kennedy at 647-8332 or 578-0865.      

Vickie Trombley’s annual Christmas Pet Drive is underway. Each year Vickie seeks donations for her trip to the shelter with items needed for the many pets housed there. On her wish list this year are canned cat and dog food, cat litter, leashes, collars, dog and cat treats and animal toys.  Once her SUV is filled she takes all items to Elmore’s SPCA in Peru, Westport Animal Shelter and a new addition this year Victoria St. John’s Feral Fund in Plattsburgh.

Any pet items you wish to donate will be very gratefully accepted as well as monetary donations. You may drop them off at Vickie’s residence on Rolling Mill Hill or she will pick up donations. Contact her at 647-5264 for more information.     

Mad River Pizza Shop will be closed on Mondays until further notice.    

The AuSable Forks Fire Department will host its All You Can Eat Firehouse Big Breakfast on Dec. 5 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.The menu will include french toast, pancakes (reg. and blueberry) sausage gravy and biscuits, white or wheat toast, scrambled and reg. eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, and mixed fruit. Beverages include coffee, tea, orange juice and milk. Adults $7, seniors $6, and children $5. Eat in or take out.     

A reception and exhibition of Photographic Art Adirondack Barns by Nadine McLaughlin will be held on Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Amos and Julia Ward Theatre in Jay. Admission is free however donations to JEMS are gratefully accepted.      

The Town of Jay and Town of Black Brook are currently seeking donations for their Annual Christmas Toy and Food Basket Drive. All donations of new unwrapped toys and non-perishible food items will be gratefully accepted. All items may be dropped off at the town offices during business hours or at M & M Diner.     

Birthdays this week

Nov. 29: Howard Drake Sr., Kayla Seguin, and Jayni Manning all celebrated  

Nov. 30: Joseph Lincoln and Amy Sorrell celebrated  

Dec. 1: Bert Pray, Randy Crowningshield Jr, Jacqueline Coolidge and Barbara (Gilbert) Paul all celebrated  

Dec. 2: Justin Hart and Francis Ouimette were our “birthday boys”  

Dec. 3: No birthdays  

Dec. 4: Samantha Colby is our “birthday girl”  

Dec. 5   Brian Pray and Jessie Furnia get cake and candles    

Happy anniversary wishes to John and Darcy LaFountain on Dec. 4 and Tim and Teena Snow on Dec. 5   

Special thoughts and prayers for dearly departed members of our community: Dec. 1,  Ronald Wilkins; Dec. 2, Peter Tefoe Sr.; Dec. 3, Marion Hart     

An open house to celebrate a very special lady Peg Hoey’s 90th birthday will be held at the AuSable Forks Fire Station On Dec. 17 beginning at 11 a.m. Lunch and cake will be served to those attending. Please stop by and help Peg celebrate this special day.     

My condolences to the family of Charolotte Yelle, 87, former resident of town who passed away on Nov. 21 at CVPH Medical Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, surrounded by her loved ones. Charlotte was born in AuSable Forks on March 28, 1923, daughter of Clyde and Dorothy (LeClair) Thew. At her request there were no calling hours. Funeral services were held on Nov. 24 at St. Matthew’s Church in Black Brook. Her daughters Cheri and Terri thank everyone for all the support they received during their mom’s illness. RIP Charlotte.    

My condolences to the family of Jean Pulsifer, 44, of Morrisonville, who passed away on Nov. 24 at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 29, 1966, daughter of Marshall and Bernadette (Pageau) DuBray. There were no calling hours. Funeral services were held on Nov. 29 at the St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. Burial followed in the parish cemetery. Jean will be fondly rememberd and sadly missed by her family members and many friends as well as her “little chickens” at Holy Name where she was principal prior to her death. RIP Jean.     

The AVCS swimming pool is open to the public on Sunday 2 to 4 p.m. and Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m. There will be no swimming on Dec. 26 and 29 and Jan. 2. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children.     

Special thoughts and prayers for our area ill residents

Jeff Brown, Margaret Trumbull, Janet Bombard, Jimmy Bombard, Liz Rosio, Michaela Bushey, Bobbi Vincent., Amy Drake, Geno Potter, Doris Gordon, Rick Nolan, Christopher Goheens, Debbie Spooner, Luke Randy Garcia, Peggy Sue Hart, Jari Snow-Thwaits, Francis Gero, Althea Miller, Frank Lovely, Joan Pray, Lynda Denton, Walt Dubay, Gabby Lincoln, Bob Rondeau, John Santor, Karen Baker, Cindy Thomas, Linda Gilbert, Ann Aubin, Pauline Dumas, Bev Devost, Marvin Hildreth, Evie Dockum, Allison Crahan, Carol (Bombard) Quigley, Laura (Joyal) Razzano, Rikki Kane, Joe Dubay Jr., Walt Fournier Sr., Martha Frenia, Terry Nollette, Colleen Otis-Whisher, Charlie Cornick and anyone I may have forgotten.     

Till next time have a great week and “happy reading.”