By ANITA FRITZ
Recorder Staff
Hello neighbor.
Our neighbor Gemma Vanderheld of Conway has been a volunteer firefighter for the town for more than 15 years. She says the images and memories of Sept. 11, 2001 are forever burned into her brain. She will once again participate in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9/11 Stair Climb. There are many climbs across the nation. In each one, 2,200 stairs are climbed by participants — the equivalent of 110 stories (the World Trade Center buildings). The NFFF provides support for the families of firefighters who fell that dreadful day, including counseling, scholarships and financial support to those in need.
Last year was the first time the climb was held in New York City, and she was there. “I climbed with hundreds of other firefighters and families, in solemn remembrance of those who died to honor the supreme sacrifice they had made,” she said. “Words cannot express the emotions of the day. I was my honor to be there and climb.
Gemma is asking for our help and support this year. She would like to see the support of local businesses and individuals by spreading the word and dispensing information about the climb, so please support Gemma and her team as they head for New York City on Saturday to honor America’s brave.
The link below will bring you to Gemma’s page. You can also visit her team’s page (Hilltown343). Make a donation, if you can. Those brave men and women do so much more for us on a daily basis. http://events.firehero.org/site/TR/StairClimb
BAZAAR ORGANIZERS, REVEAL ALL! What’s your secret to a successful holiday bazaar? Recorder Gift Guide readers want to know, so call Chris Harris at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or email her at: charris@recorder.com
ARE YOU DOWNSIZING YOUR CHRISTMAS? Recorder Gift Guide readers are interested in how their neighbors are celebrating the seasons, large or small. Call Chris Harris at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or email her at: charris@recorder.com
DO YOU DECORATE A TABLE-TOP TREE? If so, please share your decorating tips with Recorder Gift Guide readers. Call Chris Harris at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or email her at: charris@recorder.com
MICHAEL MOORE’S “WHERE TO INVADE NEXT” will be shown at First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St. in Greenfield today at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted. Hearty homemade soups and bread will be served. A discussion led by Carol Letson will follow the film. For more information, call 413-773-5165. Park behind the church. The event is organized by Greening Greenfield and Traprock Center for Peace and Justice.
THE SALASIN PROJECT will host a salve-making workshop with The People’s Medicine Clinic on Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. at 474 Main St. in Greenfield. There is free parking in the back. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Call 413-774-4307, ext. 4.
THE BONE FROG CHALLENGE is scheduled for Saturday at Berkshire East. The event involves a 9-mile race with 36 U.S. Navy SEAL-designed obstacles over mountainous terrain. There is also a shorter sprint race of four miles with 20 obstacles. The first wave for elite athletes heads out at 8:30 a.m., with waves coming every 15 minutes. There is also viewing for spectators. It’s $10 per vehicle. Vendors will offer food and merchandise.
MONADNOCK TRI-STATE DANCE CLUB will hold another dance on Saturday with The Old School providing music. They are held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Elmm Community Center, Durkee Street in Winchester, N.H. For more information, call 603-357-0794 or 802-722-9205.
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY on Main Street in Greenfield will hold its First Wednesday Speaker Series on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. “At Sword’s Point: A Labor History of Greenfield” will be presented by Tom Goldscheider, who has researched Greenfield’s industrial past from the perspective of the men and women who worked in the factories. First Wednesdays is sponsored by Friends of Greenfield Public Library. They are free and open to the public.
HEATH COMMUNITY HALL HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be crafts, dolls, herbal bath care, maple syrup, hand-painted glass and so much more. Morning coffee and a lunch will be served at the senior center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH’S FALL FEST will be held at the church on Cheney Street in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a bake sale, center table, attic treasures, handcrafted items, a tombola game, books, coffee and a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as baked potatoes, will be available.
SUNDERLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH will hold its annual Book Sale on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church sits at the corner of Routes 116 and 47.
THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY benefit chicken and biscuits dinner will be held at Mary Lyon Church in Buckland on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. the dinner will feature chicken and gravy with biscuits, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas, cabbage salad, homemade breads, apple cake with ice cream sauce, cider and coffee. The dinner will be prepared by the Willis Family Relay for Life Team, with all proceeds going to fight cancer. The cost is $12 per adult, $6 for ages 6 to 12, and free for those under six. For reservations, call 413-625-2649.
THE RED SLEIGH BAZAAR will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 44 Whately Road in Conway. The bazaar will feature local craft vendors, Conway afghans, RADA cutlery, theme baskets, a large can auction table, homemade candy, baked goods, books and more. Get a jumpstart on holiday shopping, then relax with a homemade lunch of assorted finger rolls, corn or clam chowder and gingerbread. For more information, call Muriel at 413-369-4350.
NEW SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY will sponsor a special wine tasting on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Quabbin Sky Vineyard on Hunt Road in New Salem. Joyce and Phil Wiley, owners of the vineyard, will host the event and offer tastings from their locally produced red and white wines. Tickets are $20 and limited to 30 people. They are available for purchase at the library or from a library board member. Hors d’oeuvres and cheeses will be served with the wines.
To contact Anita Fritz, features editor at The Recorder, send an email to: neighbors@recorder.com. Information you want included in Neighbors should be submitted by noon two days before you want it to run. Neighbors runs on Wednesdays.