Class ring returned to owner after decades of absence
Stephanie Ackerman thought she would never see her class ring again. And for nearly 50 years, she didn’t.
AP News in Brief 12-26-17
Where’s the party? No state dinner in Trump’s first year
Cities, volunteers clash over feeding homeless in public
ATLANTA — When Adele MacLean joined others in an Atlanta park to feed the hungry the Sunday before Thanksgiving, she left with a citation and a summons to appear in court.
Christmas brings Northeast blizzard, bitter cold in Midwest
CHICAGO — The good news for many in the Northeast and Midwest was that it has been a white Christmas. The bad news was that a blizzard swept into parts of New England and bitter cold enveloped much of the Midwest.
That’s entertainment: Three holiday blockbusters kick off Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas opening
WAIKOLOA BEACH — With the click of a button on a smartphone or computer, Big Island moviegoers can reserve their favorite seats days in advance at Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas — a welcome new addition to Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Resort.
An orchid all-star: Local grower wins national award for his white cattleya
WAIMEA — Growing orchids can be a delicate matter.
Across the Universe
December 21 was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Here in North Hawaii, sunrise on Dec. 21 was at 6:53 a.m. and sunset occurred at 5:49 p.m., giving us just around 11 hours of daylight. For friends and family on the mainland, the number of daylight hours is much shorter.
Laughter Therapy 12-25-17
Yep my friends, as you read this column it is Christmas Day. Hope you have a wonderful day with friends and family! Hope the Claus is good to you today. How else can you know whether you’ve been naughty or nice?
Tutu’s House
Advanced Ukulele will gather at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Led by Aunty Marjie Spencer. The group welcomes experienced players of all ages to bring their ukulele and join in a morning of friendship and song.
Children give and receive at Waikoloa Elementary holiday event
At Waikoloa School’s Parent Night Wednesday, kindergartners and first-graders entertained the family audience with holiday songs. Friends of the Library — Waikoloa Region provided books for each of the students performing. For some of them, this is the first book they have of their own at home.
The students that keep on giving
More than 25 Kohala Middle School students in the AVID after-school program completed their second community service project last week for The Big Island Giving Tree (BIGT). Led by teacher Jenny Stevens, the seventh and eighth graders filled 46 food bags and delivered them to kupuna at the Ainakea Kohala Elderly and Kohala Senior Residences complexes Thursday. They finished their first BIGT project the week prior.
Winter Camp offered at Parker School Jan. 1-5
During winter break, children ages 5-12 can attend the school’s “Off to Hogwarts” camp. They will arrive at Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts Express, go to the train museum, visit the Main Hall to learn about the night sky and visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop.
Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program soon to begin
The Kohala Center’s nine-month course includes 188 hours of classroom training, online coursework, on-farm demonstrations and workshops, and field trips, as well as a student-selected assignment. The course begins Jan. 13 and runs through September.
Four new organizations Blue Zones registered or approved
As of last week, Honokaa Seventh-day Adventist Church became Blue Zones Project — North Hawaii’s fifth church to become approved, and Waimea Marshallese Full Gospel is the first Marshallese church registered in the state.
Verizon opens store in North Hawaii
Verizon customers no longer have to drive to Kona to have their smart phone serviced or to purchase a new mobile device. The company opened a store at Parker Ranch Center in Waimea earlier this month. Other brands sold there include iPhone and Google. In addition to cell phones, tablets, cases and accessories are offered.
Pig populace picking up?
HILO — Although feral pig populations on the Big Island appear to remain steady, for some residents, swine incursions seem to be plentiful.
Obituaries: 12-25-17
Lorelei Jones
Where have all the game birds gone?
Seventy years ago, a kindly man took a teenager under his wing and introduced him to hunting. I have adopted that lifestyle ever since, pursuing game animals large and small in the five states in which I resided. Over time, I developed a partiality to hunting upland game birds over pointing dogs.
Nobel Prize winner Dr. Kip Thorne to give public talk
At 7 p.m. Jan. 5, theoretical astrophysicist Kip Thorne will explain the science behind his movie, “Intersteller,” at a free talk in the Hale Hoaloha Pavilion at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel.
‘Bows bounce back: Hawaii defeats Davidson in Diamond Head Classic
Consolation, indeed.
Athletes heeded call for help when disasters struck in 2017
J.J. Watt had a modest goal when he launched a fundraiser to benefit victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston.
NBA: Stopping Kevin Durant the focus of Cavs’ Christmas rematch with Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James said memories of the Cavaliers’ rivalry with the Golden State Warriors will come flooding back when he walks into Oracle Arena on Monday.
NFL: Saints beat Falcons, clinch NFC playoff berth
NEW ORLEANS — Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore corralled an unusual, momentum-turning interception off his back , New Orleans made two defensive stands from inside its 2-yard line, and the Saints clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 with a 23-13 victory over the rival Atlanta Falcons.
College football: Fresno State beats Houston 33-27 in the Hawaii Bowl
HONOLULU — Marcus McMaryion threw for a career-best 342 yards and Jimmy Camacho made four field goals to help Fresno State beat Houston 33-27 on Sunday in the Hawaii Bowl.
