News & Notes - 12/6/23 Beacon

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools appoints assistant superintendent
WALLED LAKE — At a Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education meeting Nov. 2, Julie Omer was appointed the assistant superintendent of business services.

“The excellent reputation of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is what initially drew me to exploring the opportunity to join the finance team,” Omer stated in a press release. “Throughout the interview process, my positive impression of the staff and culture only continued to grow.”

Omer previously served as the chief financial officer for Owosso Public Schools, where she worked for more than 20 years.

She is a certified public accountant and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.

“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome Julie Omer to Walled Lake Consolidated Schools,” Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Superintendent of Schools John Bernia stated via the release. “With a distinguished career marked by an unwavering attention to detail and steadfast commitment to excellence, Mrs. Omer has emerged as a luminary in the field of school finance. I have every confidence that she will continue to lead by example, contributing significantly to the betterment of our school district.”

 

Christmas concert scheduled in Orchard Lake
ORCHARD LAKE/DETROIT — The Polish Institute of Culture and Research at Orchard Lake is set to present Koledy: A Polish Music Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, located at 4440 Russell St. in Detroit.

The Lira Singers, accompanied by the Lira Chamber Players of the Lira Ensemble of Chicago, the artist-in-residence at Loyola University Chicago, is scheduled to perform a musical program narrated in English by Lira Ensemble founder and Artistic Director Lucyna Migala, according to a press release.

“The Lira Ensemble is the nation’s only professional performing arts company specializing in Polish performing arts, so it’s a special treat to have these artists in Detroit,” Ania Bieciuk, who is the associate director of Polonia affairs at the Polish Institute of Culture and Research, stated via the release.

According to the release, the Lara Singers are set to appear in authentic folk outfits from the Zakopane region of the Polish mountains.

American carols, holiday poetry and music by Frederic Chopin are scheduled to be part of the concert, and “All in 75-minutes,” the release states.

For more information, email info@picrol.org or call (248) 836-1284.

 

‘Christmas Carol Sing’ scheduled in West Bloomfield
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, located at 4800 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield, is scheduled to present “Christmas Carol Sing” at 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

The event is scheduled to include harpist Chanah Ambuter.

For more information, send an email to office@spiritdrivenchurch.com or call (248) 682-5441.

 

‘The Nutcracker’ to be performed at the Berman Center
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Three performances of “The Nutcracker” are scheduled to take place at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield.

Performances are scheduled for noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 16, with the third performance set to take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

The price is listed as between $33 and $38, with $33 the price for children and seniors.

For more information, send an email to dmjenkins1988@gmail.com.

 

Menorah in the D returns to Detroit
DETROIT — Detroit is about to get a whole lot brighter with the 13th annual Menorah in the D festivities.

A celebration of light overcoming darkness, the city’s annual recognition of Chanukah celebration takes place each year in Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave.

This year, it will kick off with a ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7.

As in years past, it will feature a family-friendly celebration that’s free and open to the public, featuring strolling street performers, marshmallow roasting puts, hot soup and cider, face painting and balloon sculpting. An at-home lamplighter kit, which includes a Chanukah guide, candles, special lighter, treats, crafts, gelt, postcards and a menorah, also will be available.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., and will feature greetings by community leaders, a fire show and the lighting of the 26-foot-tall menorah. The event will be available on Zoom at www.menorahinthed.com/zoom.

Reservations for Menorah in the D are preferred, and the lamplighter kits can be reserved for pickup prior to the event. More information is available at www.menorahinthed.com.