Pieces of our distant, and not so distant, past. Real people, real stories that made local headline news, touched our hearts, made us laugh or cry. Several more will publish often. We'd love your suggestions of other memories to include on these pages.

2012 mitten drive Breakfast with Santa IMG 9075HAT AND MITTEN DRIVE KEEPS KIDS WARM

Each year, volunteers in the community host the annual Breakfast with Santa at Mancelona Elementary School. Kids make craft projects, enjoy a pancake breakfast, and have their photos taken with Santa. The event began as a hat and mitten drive by long-time village resident Dana Sudman. All children who attend are given a pair of mittens and a hat to keep them warm during the winter months. Since her death in 2008, the hat and mitten drive continues in her memory.