Many consumers are in a sprint to the finish in terms of getting their holiday gifts and greetings in the mail. This week is expected to be the busiest week of the holiday mailing and shipping season for the Postal Service. The agency expects to process and deliver nearly 3 billion pieces of mail, which includes packages, this week alone. In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, Dec. 10-23, the Postal Service expects to deliver nearly 200 million packages each week.  Overall, the Postal Service anticipates delivering nearly 15 billion total pieces of mail and more than 900 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — for a total of nearly 16 billion joyful mail and package deliveries this holiday season.  The Postal Service already delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities and, to handle the surge in holiday volume, the agency is expanding its Sunday delivery operations in select high package volume locations. USPS expects to deliver more than 8 million packages each Sunday in December. Mail carriers will also deliver Priority Mail Express packages on Christmas Day in selectlocations.

The Postal Service recommends using the following mailing and shipping deadlines*:

• Dec. 20    – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 20    – First-class Packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 20   –  Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 20    – Priority Mail
• Dec. 20    – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 22    – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22    – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22    – Priority Mail Express

A custom, handcrafted kayak is being offered up as the piece in a fundraiser for The Friends of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.  According to David Brooks, president of the group, the boat is fashioned from wood, and was made by Allen Deming of  Mackinaw Watercraft LLC in Grand Ledge.  The group commissioned the kayak and funds raised will go toward restoration at the park.”  The friends group volunteers and raises money for the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park, located at 2800 Omar St., Port Huron.  One of Deming’s canoe, which was received into competition at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, featured wood inlays of lighthouses along Lake Michigan, and it was from that piece that the group decided to commission a kayak.  The single-person kayak has a retail value of $5,150. It weighs 28 pounds and is 14 feet long.  Tickets are $20  and 500 will be sold. The drawing will be July 14 during Bluewater SandFest. To purchase tickets or for more information, cal (810) 385-4951 or go to https://www.facebook.com/St-Clair-County-Parks-and-Recreation-Commission-114026198441/.  The  ayak will be on display in the upstairs Chase Gallery at Studio 1219 located at 1219 Military Street in Port Huron from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 23.

Former Michigan professional hockey player Scott Matzka died on Sunday, December 16 at the age of 40.   Matzka, a Port Huron native was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2015.  Since that time, he had been an advocate for awareness and research for the disease.  His family’s experience was documented in the film “My Turn, The Film”, following his wife and children as Matzka walked through the realities of dealing daily with ALS.  The film held a premiere at Sperry’s Moviehouse this past June.   My Turn 4 ALS a non-profit foundation was founded by Matzka and holds fundraisers to raise not only funds, but awareness of the disease.  For more information about MyTurn 4 ALS, visit scottmatzka.com

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its December 2018 Employee of the Month, Kathy Fisher, RN, and its December 2018 Volunteer of the Month, Walt McCabe. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.  Kathy works in Clinical Research for Lake Huron Medical Cancer Center and has been with LHMC since 2012. She was nominated by a peer who wrote, “Kathy has proven time and again to put the patient first. She insisted on delivering a necessary prescription to the patient herself, instead of having the patient, who was without a vehicle, figure out how to get the prescription on their own.” Kathy made sure that the patient understood how to take the medication and provided information about the local food banks to help meet some of the other needs of the patient.   Walt volunteers in the Spiritual Care department and has been volunteering since 2011.  He volunteers three times a week, providing comfort and communion to patients.  Walt is described as a quiet man who offers comfort and peace of mind with his gentle soul.  Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Kathy and Walt as we celebrate their accomplishments.  To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.

Chief Joseph Platzer graduated with his Masters Degree in Public Administration. According to Port Huron City Manager, Jame Freed, he was able to juggle work, family and school. Just an amazing accomplishment. WGRT offers our congratulations.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for help from the public to locate a missing teenager.  18-year-old Rabia Foxworth went missing a year ago on Dec. 14, 2017.  She was last seen in Southfield, MI and may frequent areas throughout Detroit, MI.  Rabia is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo on her chest, a piercing in her right nostril and her ears are pierced.  Anyone with information about Rabia is asked to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Southfield Police Department (Michigan) at 1-248-796-5500.