Hello neighbor. I want to tell you about several people today – people who are doing some nice things.
First, there’s the folks in Colrain who are once again holding the annual Winter Storytelling and Songfest Celebration. It will be on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. this year, and will be held at the home of Rebecca Tippens, 68 Van Nuys Road in Colrain.
The event is designed to bring light and warmth into the midwinter darkness, to embrace the magic and mystery of the Winter Solstice. But, most important, it will raise money for Parnters in Health, which addresses health issues in Haiti and around the globe, Doctors Without Borders, which has been doing work with Syrian refugees, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Suggested donations are $12 to $20 for adults and $5 to $10 for children. Everyone should bring a can of food to be donated to the food bank. If you could, the group is also asking that everyone bring a treat to share at intermission.
Many are performing this year, so be prepared for a fun evening. Rebecca tells me that quite a few people showed up last year – more than 100 – so make sure you call early to make reservations. Call Rebecca or email her: 413-624-5140 or rebecca_tippens@yahoo.com.
Have a great time!
I also want to mention our young neighbor, Rachel Harris, a Girl Scout who wanted to do a project to earn her Bronze Award.
Rachel chose to go to friends and family and two churches for help in buying 50 My Pal Violet Leap Frog systems to give to the oncology department in a Boston hospital.
Rachel wanted to give other children hope and joy during hard times – and the holiday season. She delivered the toys a few weeks ago.
Our young neighbor says her project taught her many new and important skills, at the same time it taught her about charity and helping others.
Congratulations, Rachel – and thank you so much!
Finally, I heard from our neighbor Jane Wandeloski Dziekonski, who graduated from Greenfield High School and recently attended her 65th reunion. She was the only class officer to attend.
Jane said the group sat downt to a luncheon at the French King Restaurant in Erving. Al Kelly came from California to be with his former classmates. She said there were door prizes and raffles, and just a really good time with old friends.
A PEARL HARBOR REMEMBERANCE CEREMONY (75th) will be held at the French King Bridge today at noon in the west end parking lot. It is sponsored by Rolling Thunder Vermont 1.
WOOLLY MAMMOTH ART STUDIO has just popped up at 20 Chapman St. in Greenfield. It will be open for holiday shopping on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be original art, a vintage and estate sale, handmade creations in fiber and wood, locally made bath and body products and stress-reducing aroma therapy gifts. Artists and crafters include Whitney Robbins, Marjorie Morgan, Susan Campbell, Katherine Harris, Marilyn Beal, Al Ladd and Kristi Burnett.
THE 63RD ANNUAL GIRL SCOUT SKI, SNOWBOARD AND SKATE SALE, hosted by Girl Scout Troop 40566 will be held at St. James Church on the corner of Federal and Church streets in Greenfield this weekend. Consignments and donations will be accepted Thursday (only) from 5 to 8 p.m. The sale will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Items will include alpine and nordic skis, snowboards, boots, snowshoes, skates, clothing and more. Credit cards will be accepted. For more information call Girl Scout Leader Tina Crocker at 413-896-8576.
MONTAGUE ELKS WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL Youth Hoop Shoot on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Turners Falls High School gymnasium. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The event is free and open to all boys and girls ages 8 to 13 as of April 1, 2017. For more information, call John Putala at 413-423-3398.
SHELBURNE GRANGE AND THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SHELBURNE will sponsor their Second Saturday Supper on Saturday at 6 p.m in Fellowship Hall, Little Mohawk Road in Shelburne Center. The Johnson Clan Relay for Life team will hold the supper. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. The cost is $12 per person. For reservations, call 413-625-0127 or 413-625-2343.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ORANGE will hold its Cookie Walk on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at 93 South Main St. in Orange. Call 978-544-6895 for more information. Then, on Sunday, the church will host a Dana Vespers concert with a spaghetti supper to follow. The supper starts at 3:30 p.m.
A LIVING NATIVITY will be on the lawn of Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls on Saturday at 3 p.m. The church is on Severance Street. Bring the family to see the Christmas stable come alive with animals and more. Sing Christmas carols and hear stories.
COLRAIN BAPTIST CHURCH on Foundry Village Road will hold a Christmas in Colrain concert on Sunday t 2 p.m. There will be several local musicians and talents therer. Refreshments will follow the concert. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call 413-624-8818.
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 Wednesday.