Write a letter
to Santa Claus
Santa’s mailbox will be in front of the Chamber of Commerce’s building, 248 Main St. in Belleville, until Dec. 12.
All letters with return addresses will be answered. The Belleville Central Business Community funds the project each year with help from elves at Belleville High School.
Auditions for festival planned
Entertainment auditions for the Belleville National Strawberry Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at South Middle School.
Bands should submit promotional material to Festival Entertainment, 248 Main St., Belleville, MI, 48111.
South Middle School is at 45201 Owen Street. For more information call 1-734-697-3137, Carla at 1-734-620-0246, e-mail partytimeice@aol.com or visit www.nationalstrawberryfest.com.
Ski club plans lake fund-raiser
Belleville Lake Water Ski Club members are scheduled to bear Belleville Lake’s frigid 35- to 40-degree winter water temperature in order to raise awareness and funds for two local charities, Girlstown and the Food Closet.
The activity will follow Belleville’s popular Christmas parade Saturday. The parade begins at 11 a.m. In the past four years the ski club has been credited with raising roughly $10,000 for local charities.
All participants are active members of the ski club, established in the 1960’s and originally named the Belleville Lake Stump Jumpers.
Area residents are encouraged to support these charities by sponsoring ski club participants. Any donation over $20 will get your name entered in a drawing to win a free water-sport lesson.
Skiers must commit to spend at least five minutes above the water in order to win sponsor pledges, which are dependent on the skier’s total "time-up."
In the incident that the lake is frozen over and participants are unable to ski, all proceeds will continue to go to the charities.
Spectators may view the skiing from the Horizon Park boardwalk located adjacent to the Belleville Grille on High Street, which will also serve as a viewing area.
To pledge a donation call Justin Juriga at 1-734-604-1125. The Belleville Lake Water Ski Club is a non-profit organization.
Book discussion set for tonight
BELLEVILLE — The Fred C. Fischer Library recently formed a book discussion group for adults who enjoy reading, thinking and talking.
The group meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Fred C. Fischer Library.
Future books that the group will discuss include:
Tonight — "Seabiscuit," by Laura Hillenbrand.
"Seabiscuit" is the stirring true story of the horseracing celebrity and the major players in his amazing and improbable career.
Jan. 8 — "Ishmael," by Dan Quinn.
"Ishmael" is an award-winning, compelling novel of spiritual adventure about a gorilla named Ishmael, who possesses immense wisdom, and the man who becomes his pupil.
Feb. 5 — "Theodore Roosevelt, a strenuous life," by Kathleen Dalton.
This is the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s struggle to conquer his own fears and to build a greater nation out of a divided collection of states.
The Fred C. Fischer Library is at 167 Fourth St. Office hours are noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Participants do not need to join a club or register. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information call 1-734-699-3291.
YWCA sponsors vehicle raffle
If you would like a chance to win one of three 2004 vehicles, the YWCA of Western Wayne County can offer you an opportunity to do so.
The YWCA, a United Way Services member, is offering raffle tickets for a 2004 Ford F-150, a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and a 2004 Cadillac SRX through Feb. 25, 2004. Tickets are $25 each, and proceeds will be earmarked for the YWCA.
Tickets can be ordered by calling the YWCA at 1-313-561-4110. Tickets also may be ordered by calling the United Way's 24-hour toll-free ticket line, 1-888-674-2863. To ensure that the YWCA receives its share of the ticket purchase price, buyers should mention the YWCA when ordering tickets.
Winners will be announced March 3, 2004 on WDIV, Channel 4.
Historical
calendars sold
2004 Belleville Area Historical Society calendars are now on sale at the Belleville Area Museum.
Calendars feature a full-page local historical photograph for each month of the year.
The vintage photos include the Old North Bridge, the Belvil Theatre, 1950s Belleville sidewalk sales and a 1910 view of Main Street.
The cost of the historic calendar is $6, $5 for Belleville Area Historical Society members. They can be purchased at the museum from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
Calendars are also available at several local businesses and can be purchased by mail. The Belleville Area Museum is at 405 Main Street.
To obtain an order form or for more information call the museum at 1-734-697-1944.
Holiday lights contest Tuesday
The Van Buren Township Recreation Department invites township residents to participate in the holiday lights contest.
Registration forms must be turned in by Monday. Judging will take place Tuesday. The winner will be featured in a future edition of The View.
For more information call 1-734-699-8921.