December 6 – Like clockwork last Saturday, the first Saturday in December, I drove up to the Highland Lake Fire Department to check out their annual Christmas tree and wreath sale. The trees are definitely fresh, and smelled really great, but even though there were a lot of trees I did notice there were not as many trees for sale as in past years. I saw Rory Wade and he told me that this year due to a tree shortage the Department will be getting several deliveries of new fresh cut trees throughout the time of the sale instead of just one big tree delivery. “There just isn’t as much availability this year and the trees are getting very expensive”, he told me. I saw many different popular varieties of trees including fir, balsam pine, a few Douglas firs (the most popular tree) concolor, white pines and spruce trees.

Back in the day at the old firehouse they would “guesstimate” how tall the trees were. So, my guesstimated five-foot tree was usually scraping at my ten-foot ceiling! The Fire Department now has this huge measuring stick, and the tree price is $10 a foot which has not increased in several years and a fee of $5 per tree was added this year to cover the additional expense of getting the trees. As usual they freshly cut the tree trunk and tie it up to your car. I usually bring my tree stand which they will put on for you. I saw many wreaths made out of fresh greens and are all custom decorated by the family members of the Fire Department and come with a sturdy hanger (literally a metal coat hanger). The wreaths are $25 and sell out quickly every year. All proceeds from the sale go to fund the services and the equipment needed by the Fire Department. The Highland Lake Fire Department will be holding the Christmas Tree and wreath Sale every weekend until December 24 from 8a.m. until 5p.m. at their Fire House, which is located at 144 Highland Lake Road, Highland Lake. For more information check out the Department’s Facebook page.

Years ago, a family member was suffering from a catastrophic illness and needed blood transfusions to live. Through the complete generosity of strangers who donated their blood he was able to survive for several more years.  The holiday season is a really tough time for people who need blood transfusions. Blood emergencies in the last decade typically happen twice per year around July 4 and in December. The Catholic Church in America has a long tradition of holding blood drives during their Lent and Advent liturgical seasons. On average each year approximately 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion-or one person every two seconds. One pint of donated blood can save up to three lives.

The American Red Cross’s Program “Communities Coming Together” will be sponsoring an Eldred Lumberland Community Blood Drive hosted by St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 13 from 1-6p.m. The Drive will be held in the Church’s Parish Hall located at 25 Beaver Brook Road in Yulan. To donate blood, you have to be 17 yrs old and weigh at least 110 lbs and feeling well and not donated blood in the last 56 days. For those interested in donating and are over the age of 76 and older can donate if they meet certain criteria, have a physician’s letter, or are cleared to donate by the Blood Drive’s medical director. Donating blood is extremely easy, painless and your donation will be a lifesaver. To register for an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 and walk-ins during the Drive are always welcome!