Welcome to a new week in Hemlock, MI. Winter is in full swing, and there is plenty to do indoors and out. Bundle up, check conditions before you go, and enjoy time with neighbors and friends.
This Week at a Glance
- Sun Jan 11 - Community Snowshoe Walk, 2:00-3:30 pm at Richland Township Nature Park. A relaxed, family-friendly loop with trail hosts. Bring your own gear; a limited number of loaner poles available.
- Mon Jan 12 - Library Winter Reading Kickoff and Cozy Craft, 5:30-7:00 pm at the Hemlock Public Library. Sign up for the January reading challenge and make a bookmark or hand warmer. All ages welcome.
- Tue Jan 13 - Hemlock High School Basketball Doubleheader, JV and Varsity, first tip at 5:30 pm at the high school gym. Concessions open and pep band performing between games.
- Wed Jan 14 - Seniors Coffee and Cards, 9:00-11:00 am at the Senior Center. Warm drinks, euchre tables, and blood pressure checks by volunteer nurses.
- Thu Jan 15 - Youth STEM Night, 6:00-7:00 pm at the library. Winter science demos, marshmallow catapults, and take-home activity sheets. Ideal for grades 2-6 with a caregiver.
- Fri Jan 16 - Family Skate Night, 6:00-9:00 pm at the outdoor rink in Richland Township Park. Lights on at dusk, music playing, and volunteers serving cocoa. Helmets encouraged for kids.
- Sat Jan 17 - Winter Warm-Up 5K Fun Run and 1-Mile Stroll, meet 8:30 am and start at 9:00 am by the high school track. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. Also at 10:00 am, Sled Hill Safety Hour at the park with tips on safe sledding and a friendly speed check.
Neighborhood Notes and Winter Tips
Plow crews are active after light snow this weekend. Please give them space, keep vehicles off the street during overnight clearing, and avoid pushing driveway snow into the road. The warming area at the township hall will post open hours if temperatures dip into single digits; check bulletin boards at the library and hall entrances for updates. Sidewalk adopters are encouraged to sweep salt from storm drains after melt days to help drainage.
Skate and sled conditions change quickly with daytime thaw and nighttime refreeze. Consider traction cleats for morning dog walks, and pack a dry pair of gloves for kids heading to evening practices.
Clubs, Classes, and Volunteer Opportunities
The Gardeners Winter Circle meets Tue Jan 13 at 7:00 pm in the community room for a seed starting chat and a midwinter plant swap table. Label items clearly and take only what you need. Trail stewards plan a quick litter sweep around the nature loop on Sat Jan 17 at noon following the sled hour; bring a small bag and wear bright layers. Musicians are invited to the Open Band Reading Session on Thu Jan 15 at 7:30 pm in the high school band room; intermediate players and up.
Looking Ahead Later This Month
Mark your calendar for these late January happenings around Hemlock:
- Tue Jan 20 - Township Board Meeting, 6:00 pm at the hall. Resident comment period near the start of the agenda.
- Thu Jan 22 to Sat Jan 24 - WinterFest on the green, weather permitting. Snow sculpting, family broomball, and a lantern walk on Friday at 7:00 pm.
- Sun Jan 25 - Cabin Fever Book Chat, 3:00 pm at the library. Bring a favorite cold weather read for show and tell.
- Tue Jan 27 - Youth Basketball Skills Clinic, 6:00-7:30 pm in the high school gym. Community coaches focus on footwork and passing drills.
- Thu Jan 29 - Community Trivia Night, 6:30 pm at the civic center. Mixed teams, general knowledge rounds, and a winter facts finale.
- Sat Jan 31 - Cross-Country Ski Intro, 10:00-11:30 am at the nature park. Technique pointers and a short group glide if trails allow.
Have news for next week or a recurring club meeting to add. Drop a note at the library front desk or the township hall lobby box by Thursday at noon so we can include it in the next bulletin. Stay warm, be neighborly, and see you around Hemlock.
