Holiday Feast in Holly Tree

“It’s not only our human family that engages us, but wildlife that becomes news of the day. Consider the common squirrel going on with life-as-normal, paying little attention to the worries that plague its neighboring humans. In this season what’s news in our neck of the woods is the scurry or dray of squirrels feasting on the red berries of the Holly tree. That tree, with its broad prickly leaves, accommodates all comers, extending its branches well beyond the telephone lines into the sky. While we’ve been polite to keep our distance, on this day before Thanksgiving, I quietly walked closer for a better look. This squirrel was too busy consuming to notice. That’s news.” — Rosanne Skirble, Woodside Park

DTSS to Set Up S’mores Stations Benefitting Manna Food Center

Downtown Silver Spring will set up two s’mores stations on the plaza Friday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Dec. 11 to benefit Manna Food Center, according to the DTSS website. For a $5 fee, which goes to the center, groups of up to six people can reserve a 15-minute s’mores roasting period between 5 and 8 p.m. each evening.

County Thanksgiving Day Closings Announced

The county has announced its schedule of closings for the Thanksgiving Day holiday Nov. 26. All county offices, libraries and the Alcohol Beverage Services retail stores will be closed, as will all recreation programs and facilities.