Elk Rapids Almanac
December 12- For the past three years, Sacred Heart Church has received a donation of Frasier Fir Christmas trees from the Casasanta family in Williamsburg. This generous gift was initiated by the late Ted Casasanta (1930-2024) as a fund raiser for the new church building fund. Mr. Casasanta was born in Italy, raised on a farm, loved farming, and had a deep love of the land. After coming to the United States and having a long career at Chrysler, he created a tree farm in the Williamsburg area. Although the farm is no longer an active tree business, it is still owned by the family.
For the annual Christmas tree sale at Sacred Heart, the trees are cut, transported and managed by members of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus.
Each year any unsold trees are packed up and taken to the Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City. A volunteer there described the joy of people who receive these trees, and how great it is to see their faces light up. What a legacy of generosity and goodwill bequeathed by a man who loved trees. _reflections from Tedi Casasanta, Jeff Clark, Father Fred volunteers, Sacred Heart staff and members.
For the annual Christmas tree sale at Sacred Heart, the trees are cut, transported and managed by members of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus.
Each year any unsold trees are packed up and taken to the Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City. A volunteer there described the joy of people who receive these trees, and how great it is to see their faces light up. What a legacy of generosity and goodwill bequeathed by a man who loved trees. _reflections from Tedi Casasanta, Jeff Clark, Father Fred volunteers, Sacred Heart staff and members.
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December 14-The Serviceberry cover deserves to be nominated “Book Cover of the Year” with an equally inspiring message inside. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of best-seller Braiding Sweetgrass, proposes we abandon an economy built around exploiting the natural world and shift toward a gift economy based on mutual flourishing and a sense of gratitude.
Using the serviceberry tree as a model, she describes how they provide nourishment for birds, which feast on its berries and spread serviceberry seeds, and how the serviceberries sustain the bees that pollinate the trees’ flowers and nourish the microorganisms that live around its roots. Serviceberry trees (Amelanchier, which includes over 20 species) are native to this area, and found along Elk River in Veterans Memorial Park as well as in many yards and gardens around the area. _ The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer, 2024. |
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December 16-The Bald Eagle has become our official national bird, when the House of Representatives passed a bill amending the U.S. Code to formally designate the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as the country's national bird. Although the eagle has been on the official seal of the United States since 1782, a Minnesota man doing research on eagles, Preston Cook, discovered there was no legal designation. After contacting several legislators, he drafted the simple legislation that just became official. https://www.npr.org/2024/12/18/nx-s1-5231827/bald-eagles-national-bird
December 20-Christmas Bird Count in Antrim County, with results posted in January.
December 21-Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and the first day of winter.
December 20-Christmas Bird Count in Antrim County, with results posted in January.
December 21-Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and the first day of winter.
December 25-Christmas Day. -A Charlie Brown Christmas, created by cartoonist Charles M. Schultz, debuted as a TV special in1965. As they searched for the meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown’s friends offered some wide-ranging opinions. After an exasperating discussion, Charlie Brown finally asks “Doesn’t anybody know what Christmas is all about? Two of his pals offer their insights:
Lucy Van Pelt, ever self-assured, says “Look Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. Its run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.”
Weighing in with the last word, the thoughtful and reflective Linus steps forward, quotes Luke 2:8-14, and sums it up… “Glory to God in the highest and Peace and Goodwill toward men. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charley Brown.” _from A Charlie Brown Christmas: Charles M. Schultz (1922-2000)
Lucy Van Pelt, ever self-assured, says “Look Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. Its run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.”
Weighing in with the last word, the thoughtful and reflective Linus steps forward, quotes Luke 2:8-14, and sums it up… “Glory to God in the highest and Peace and Goodwill toward men. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charley Brown.” _from A Charlie Brown Christmas: Charles M. Schultz (1922-2000)