If you would like help after the loss of a loved one, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church is hosting weekly GriefShare meetings online. They are held on Mondays from 6:30-8:30pm. Join them any Monday between Sept. 28th and Dec. 7th. You will watch a video ahead of time and then on Monday, join for discussion. Visit www.GriefShare.org/find to register or call Judy Gamary at 248.231.0922 for assistance.

The Torch & Torch 180, 131 Mill St, Fowlerville, MI 48836 mobiletorch.org | torch180.org For more information contact: Kim Battjes 517-294-3228 To make a donation for the auction contact: Sue Bonstelle 810-360-3163 Online bidding opens November 26th for The Torch and Torch 180’s Virtual Reality Auction. The auction will run from noon on November 26 through 9:00 pm on December 6 just in time for holiday shopping and gift giving. This event promises to have a major impact on these organizations. Followers of the Torch and Torch 180 will be receiving an invite to the auction and are able, through the event page, to invite an unlimited number of guests, no matter their locale, to virtually “attend” and participate in the auction. Members of the public can also participate by going to https://fb.me/e/3fHsCVvou or searching for the event on Facebook. Items up for bid include local business and restaurant gift certificates, gift baskets, jewelry, gift cards, skin care products, and hand-crafted items; there is something guaranteed for everyone on your holiday list. Torch and Torch 180 founders, Rhonda Callahan and Sarah Ruddle shared how they are hopeful this online format will bring important attention and support to the work of Torch and Torch 180, “Like everyone else, COVID-19 has impacted our organizations. We are so thankful for all the supporters we have, and just love the collaboration between our organizations for this auction. This virtual event will allow people to participate virtually in an event that will very much touch the reality of the difficult financial times we are in, and will help us to keep moving forward.” Everyone is welcome to browse, shop, or just drop by and sign our guest book to show their support for the Torch and Torch 180 on the Facebook Virtual Reality Auction event. Bidding begins at noon on November 26; items will be awarded to the highest bidders as of 9:00pm on December 6. Visit the event page repeatedly and bid often! Every bid is a WIN for TWO non-profits! Beginning December 7, items will be available for pick-up or shipping will be available for an additional cost. Donations of items and services for the auction are being accepted through 11/25 – interested persons or businesses should contact Sue at 810-360-3163. The Torch and Torch 180 rely on the generosity of others to continue their missions to serve our community. For more information or to donate online, visit mobiletorch.org and torch180.org About The Torch: Since its start in 2012, The Torch has been serving Livingston County in a new and refreshing way, by utilizing a mobile food truck to cook and serve freshly prepared meals free of charge. The Torch guarantees that every cent donated goes back into the organization to be used to serve the community. Each week the Torch food truck visits neighborhoods with the goal of serving people with dignity and respect; they pride themselves on serving restaurant-quality meals and providing necessary groceries even during the toughest times, like living during a pandemic. The Torch founders, Rhonda and Sarah, are thrilled that to date the Torch has served over 200,000 free meals! About Torch 180: Torch 180 is a one-of-a-kind training center; they offer food service training in a state-of-the-art restaurant facility for persons with disabilities who seek gainful employment. The co-founders, Rhonda and Sarah have transformed the old Fowlerville library into the Torch 180 Cafe and Coffee bar and have welcomed their first students despite all of the challenges of the pandemic. Torch 180 gives students real-life experience and practice in using fresh products and creating unique flavors. The opportunities they are providing for the students with disabilities is critical to potential lifelong independence! For more information about the event contact: Kim Battjes 517-294-3228 To make a donations for the auction contact: Sue Bonestelle 810-360-3163 mobiletorch.org torch180.org ###

Escape the "Black Friday" stress with a family day out at the HNC! Find your perfect family Christmas tree, go zip lining (additional fee)**, get up close and personal with wildlife, and hike our trails! Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and cozy up by the bonfire. After all, we believe the reason for the season is time spent with loved ones. **While the Wildlife Park is open 10am to 5pm, our Zip Line is only running until 2:00pm. The minimum age for our Zip Line is 5 years old, and maximum weight is 250 lbs. Enjoy contact-less registration online here: conta.cc/2HYavUC You can also swing by the Welcome Center when you arrive. General Admission into the Park: $6 per adult, $4 per child, with infants 2 and under free. HNC Members: As always, FREE admission into the park all year long. Zip Lining does have an additional fee: $20 per person, per zip. Pre-register here: https://conta.cc/3elzop0

The American Spirit Centre will be hosting a drive thru dinner Dec. 4th from 4-7pm. The dinner consists of corned beef, cabbage, red skin potatoes, carrots and dessert for $12. ASC is located at 10590 Grand River Avenue in Brighton. For more information call 810-599-2153. All proceeds benefit Veterans building fund.

Stop by the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce to participate in the Giving Tree now Thru Dec 4th. The giving tree offers you the opportunity to answer Christmas wishes for Livingston County residents receiving assistance from a Livingston County Social Service Agency. Call the Brighton Chamber at 8102275086 or stop by the chamber in downtown Brighton.

Livingston County Wildlife and Conservation Club will be hosting its Drive thru Fish fry from 5 - 730 pm. Enjoy 4 pieces of beer battered cod, mac and cheese, coleslaw and french fries, all for just $10. The lines move fast so don't get discouraged.

Saturday, December 5, at 7pm. Kick back and join OLHSA for a fun night of trivia. It's family friendly and the winning team will be taking home prizes. But we know all participants will come out feeling like winners from this event by supporting local families! Cost: $40 per player (includes 2 hours of game time, 5 different trivia rounds, chances to win prizes, & networking). Register Online: https://www.olhsa.org/triviafun Questions: Communications@olhsa.org

See the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park like never before! Stop by our hot cocoa bar before heading out to explore a magical winter wonderland full of festive decorations, visiting all your animal friends and learning about their amazing winter adaptations. Then head to the NatureScape to drop off letters to Santa while the big man himself greets each child from high in his Christmas Treehouse Workshop! He will then deliver a special gift to every child. General Admission: $8 per Adult, $15 per Child Member Admission: $5 per Adult, $12 per Child Member As always, Infants 2 and under are free! Reserve your spot today! Register at conta.cc/35p76a6 --- This is a RAIN, SNOW, or SHINE event, and all activities are weather dependent. Programs may be modified to accommodate changes in weather as needed. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we are following the below protocols: - We will be maintaining small group sizes - We require social distancing between unrelated groups when possible - All HNC staff & volunteers will wear masks at all times - Participants are required to wear masks when indoors - Participants are highly encouraged to wear masks when outdoors and social distancing is possible. However, when social distancing is not possible, participants are required to wear masks even outdoors.

The United Way's Matching Money Monday, on Monday December 7th is a great way to make the largest impact with your donation. Donations made on this day will be matched! (up to total matching funds available) All donations raised from Matching Money Monday will go directly to help our local working families struggling to put food on their tables, keep their lights & heat on, and a roof over their heads. Ways to donate: Online: visit lcunitedway.org, call 810-494-3000 or text: the word MATCH to 50503. Yu can also stop by Livingston County United Way at 2980 Dorr Road, Brighton between 7am-7pm.