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Mary Ann Vergith

HOLLY, Michigan – Did you know that over 2.7 million American abused prescription pain killers last year, that painkillers and heroin have the same chemical structure and similar effects to the body, or that physical therapy is the number one treatment for relief of back pain and other chronic pain issues?

On Monday, Jan. 23, the Holly Area Community Coalition will host the second segment of a three part series on prescription drugs and opiate abuse, “Alternatives to Pain Medication.”

Physical therapist, Anar Guru will be giving a presentation on how to alleviate chronic pain without the use of pain medication, while Scott Masi from Brighton Hospital will be making a presentation on the growing epidemic of pain medication abuse, and the process of addiction. Holly Police Chief Elena Danishevskaya will be talking about the most recent drug trend among area youth, the use of synthetic marijuana substances.

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly Area Schools will not be in session today as dangerous, icy back road conditions caused a few of the district’s buses to become stuck.

Because of the late call, teachers and administrators were greeting parents as they dropped students off at HHS this morning, informing them that classes had been canceled for the day, and directing them to return home.

Students that were dropped off prior to the school closing announcement can remain at the high school under supervision until parents or guardians are able to return to the school for pickup, HAS Administrative Assistant Tara Peters said.

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Joe Mishler

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly’s Blue Heron Theatre Company will hold auditions for Bernard Slade’s “Return Engagements” from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 in the auditorium of the Holly Middle School, Karl Richter Campus, 920 Baird St., Holly.

Return Engagements is the story of three couples who are linked at the onset by having rented the same small hotel room in Stratford, Canada. The cast consists of four women and four men of varying ages.

No preparation is required for the auditions as participants will be asked to perform cold readings from the script.

Directed by Joe Misher, performances of Return Engagements will occur Mar. 22-25, 29-31, and Apr. 1, 2012 in the auditorium of Holly Middle School, Karl Richter Campus. Mishler is also looking for those who wish to work backstage on set construction, lights and sound, or on house management.

For more information, contact Mishler at (810) 931-7108.

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Vicky Dawson

HOLLY TOWNSHIP, Michigan – Back by popular demand, the Friends of the Holly Township Library are pleased to offer a 3-part workshop for Holly High School juniors and seniors on how to write exceptional essays for scholarships and college applications.

Last year, six HHS students took advantage of the workshop and had nothing but positive comments to make in an exit survey. In addition to providing positive feedback about the content and format of the course, all students agreed that they would recommend the course to fellow students, and felt better-prepared to search and apply for scholarships.

“I feel so much more confident about scholarships,” one student wrote. “I finally understand what I have to do and how to do it,” wrote another.