Singers from nine different North Country churches are busy practicing for their upcoming cantata, Winter’s Grace, telling the Christmas story with music, scripture, prayers and poetry.

There will be two performances, both on Sunday, Dec. 12.

The first will take place at St. Mary’s Church in Brushton at 2 p.m. and the second will take place at St. Andrew’s Church in Norwood at 7 p.m.

There is no admission fee but there will be an opportunity for attendees to donate a food item at the door.

WEST STOCKHOLM – Breakfast with Santa will be held at the West Stockholm Fire Station Sunday, Dec. 12 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Santa will arrive at 9 a.m.

The cost is $7 for ages 10 and up, $4 for ages 5 to 9, and free for under 5.

AKWESASNE -- The Akwesasne Warriors defended their home ice and pole position, defeating the 1000 Islands Privateers 5-1 in Federal Hockey League action Friday night.

The win ended Akwesasne’s three-game losing streak and 1000 Islands’ four-game winning streak.

The Warriors came out looking to end a two-game slide against the Privateers and converted an early power play as Ahmed Mahfouz scored.

Pierre Dagenais tallied in the first and second periods, while Martin Beaulne put one inside the crossbar before the second intermission.

NORFOLK – A brunch sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will be held at the Visitation Parish Center Sunday, Dec. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 under 12, free under 5, $16 for the family. Takeouts are available. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, ham, sausage, toast, muffins, juice, coffee.

Coming off its first weekend sweep on the road in almost two years and riding a three-game winning streak, the Clarkson University Hockey team will look to close out the 2010 portion of its schedule with a successful effort when it plays at Sacred Heart University this Sunday afternoon in a 4:00 p.m. game at the Milford Ice Pavilion in Fairfield, CT.

The St. Lawrence University women's hockey team scored three goals in a span of 2:49 in the first period en route to an impressive 6-2 upset of nationally-ranked #3 Mercyhurst College on Friday night at Appleton Arena. Junior Vanessa Emond had four points on a pair of goals and two assists, while first-year student Mel Desrochers added her first collegiate goal and a helper in the victory.

St. Lawrence, winners of five of its last six games, improves to 9-7-2 on the season. Meanwhile, the Lakers saw their five-game win streak come to an end and fall to 12-3-0 on the year.

Potsdam, N.Y.—Three times the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (3-8) battled back from a one-goal deficit to tie Manhattanville (7-3-1). However a power-play goal and a shorthanded tally in third period made the difference as the tenth-ranked Valiants went on to the 5-3 victory. Senior forwards Fraser Smith (Fonthill, Ontario/Oakville Blades), Colin MacLennan (Whitby, Ontario/Ajax Attack), and Kevin MacLellan (Kensington, Prince Edward Island/Summerside Capitals) each scored for the Bears (3-8).

POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team snapped a seven-game losing streak Friday with a 5-2 win over St. Michael’s (Vt.) at Maxcy Hall Ice Arena.

The Bears (2-7) dominated possession in the game, outshooting the Purple Knights 54-27 and winning 49-of-64 face-offs. Potsdam scored five unanswered goals to put the game out of reach.

“We played with a lot of intensity, which I’m happy with,” Potsdam coach Jay Green said. “The focus for today was needing intensity and execution … and overall I thought we did a really good job. It was a complete team effort.”

The SUNY Potsdam men’s basketball team surged back after falling behind early in the first half, but was unable to sustain the run in the second, falling 86-72 at King’s on Friday on the first day of the PNC/Ramada Inn Classic in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

After closing the opening half with a run to cut their deficit in half, the Bears (2-5) surrendered a 14-5 run early in the second half as the Monarchs took a commanding 56-41 lead with 12:25 to play.