Amherst/Vermilion notebook: Dec. 2, 2008
Steve Fogarty | The Chronicle-Telegram
The tree ship is almost here
For more than 100 years, ships have delivered fresh-cut spruce trees to waterfront towns along the shores of the Great Lakes in homage to the legend of the Christmas tree ship.
That legacy will continue at 11 a.m. Saturday when a modern-day Christmas tree ship docks at Vermilion’s Red Clay on the River restaurant (the old McGarvey’s Landing) at 5150 Liberty Ave. Trees purchased in advance from Pinkley Christmas Trees on Liberty Avenue may be picked up from the ship. Families are welcome to come aboard to experience a bit of what holiday revelers first enjoyed as they came aboard 19th-century schooners to choose their holiday tree.
Vermilion’s event honors the 1887 arrival of the Rousse Simmons, and the years of Christmas tree deliveries made by vessels captained by Herman Schuenemann, a mariner in the lumber trade who sold thousands of trees from the deck of his ship as it docked in the Chicago River in the Windy City.
The Great Lakes seaman’s business thrived for years until the fateful trip he made in 1912 when the Rousse Simmons sank in Lake Michigan after a blizzard and gale force winds overcame the ship and its cargo of thousands of Christmas trees. Schuenemann’s wife and three daughters continued his holiday venture for 20 years aboard a rented ship. Decades later, the U.S. Coast Guard gave away trees to needy families from the decks of one of its own icebreakers.
Sponsored by Main Street Vermilion and HealthSource of Vermilion, Saturday’s event also features community band music and hot chocolate and treats. Trees may be purchased all week from Pinkley’s, which is behind Pit Barbeque. Trees may also be purchased Saturday from the ship.
Untangling the Medicare jungle
Sue Daugherty of Serving Our Seniors in Sandusky will try to help those eligible for Medicare Part D make sense of parts of the voluminous and oft-confusing regulations during a 2 p.m. meeting Thursday at Ritter Public Library in Vermilion.
Daugherty will discuss items including the proper ways of entering prescription medications into the Medicare Web site designed to help people select the most economical drug plans. Call (440) 967-3798 to reserve a spot, or sign up at www.ritter.lib.oh.us.
Even plants want to come inside
It’s cold enough for the plants to be begging to come indoors. Learn about houseplants from Mary Strayer during a 6:30 p.m. program Dec. 9 at Ritter Public Library. Strayer, whose articles on gardening have appeared in “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine, will discuss various species of plants and offer tips on which ones work best in the home. To learn more, call the library at (440) 967-3798, or sign up at www.ritter.oh.us and clicking on “Programs.”
Cookies and storytime
Kids who may have a yen to bake should get a kick out of the books with baking themes that will be read during special holiday story times at Amherst Public Library on Dec. 9 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. The sessions are open to anyone. No registration is required. Call the library at (440) 988-4230 for more information.
Book sale
The Friends of Amherst Public Library are sponsoring a used book sale the weekend of Dec. 13 and 14. Come have a cup of coffee, browse through the books and buy a few for yourself or for gifts. The price of the books is a donation. Call (440) 988-4230 for information.
Make your own Christmas cards
Christmas cards are a pricey proposition these days, so why not make your own during the Make-It Take-It program between 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Amherst Public Library? Use stamps, glitter and art supplies to transform a blank card into your own holiday greeting card for someone special. The free workshop will offer instructions on ways of making gift tags as well. Advance signup is not required. Call the library at (440) 988-4230 to learn more.
Chicken paprikash dinner
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ will host a chicken paprikash dinner Dec. 21 in the fellowship hall of the church at 582 Church St., Amherst. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 to 12. Children 3 and under are free. The last day to reserve or buy tickets is Dec. 17. Carryouts are also available. No tickets will be sold at the door. Call (440) 988-4965 for tickets and information.
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Filed by Steve Fogarty | The Chronicle-Telegram December 2nd, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 1% |
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