First Krampusnacht festival brings crowds to Old Town

A haunting celebration of old European folklore filled the streets of Old Town on Dec. 9 with the city’s first-ever Krampusnacht Parade. Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is a central and Eastern European holiday, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 5 or the following Saturday. The streets of Old Town were filled with many colorful depictions of Krampus, a horned, half-goat, half-man version of Saint Nicholas, who punishes naughty children, while Saint Nicholas rewards the good children. 

All-of-Us Express Children’s Theatre provides meaning beyond performance 

All-of-Us Express Children’s Theatre (AECT) will bring the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” to the stage this weekend.  Currently, AECT is in the rehearsal process of “A Christmas Carol” as well as two other shows waiting to premiere in the spring. This year’s AECT productions feature kids from ages 6-18 from both public and private schools in the Greater Lansing area.

A skier at Nub’s Nob in Harbor Springs, one of the 33 resorts that participate in a White Gold Card promotion, that offers a one-time ski at each of the slopes for $349

Michigan snowsports organization promotes outdoor recreation

SKI PASS: Michigan’s resorts are challenging skiers and snowboarders to visit 33 snowsports areas this winter. It’s part of incentives to boost participation on the slopes. They include slopes in Thompsonville, Traverse City and Harbor Springs. We talk to the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association and Marquette Mountain. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR IRON MOUNTAIN, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, HARBOR SPRINGS, CADILLAC, PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.

Great Lakes authors bare their motives

GREAT LAKES AUTHORS: Books usually speak to readers through words and, sometimes, illustrations. But we can learn what motivated their authors by speaking directly to them,. Seven authors who wrote about Great Lakes environmental issues discuss the motivations and goals underlying their books. For news and feature sections. Edited by Eric Freedman. FOR ALL POINTS.

Members of the clay target shooting team at Mid Michigan College.

Community colleges revive sports programs

SPORTS: Some community colleges are expanding their athletics programs as a way to recruit and retain students and help athletes succeed academically, although sports facilities are expensive to build and maintain. Among them are Mid Michigan College in Harrison and Montcalm Community College in Greenville and Sidney. The Michigan Community College Association explains. For news and sports sections. By Kelsey Lester. FOR CLARE COUNTY, GREENVILLE, WKTV AND ALL POINTS.