Hello neighbor.
Athol author J.R. Greene has just released the 32nd annual edition of his Quabbin History calendar, featuring 12 scenes from villages destroyed in order to create the reservoir in the 1920s and 1930s.
I’m sure you all know by now that the Quabbin is one of my favorite places, so I can tell you, it’s a nice calendar.
There’s a winter scene in Greenwich Village, a farm in Prescott, the war memorial canon on Dana Common, a filling station in West Rutland and more.
The calendars are $14.95 and can be purchased at Haley’s Antiques in Athol, Pocket Saver Market in Erving, Federal Street Books and World Eye Bookshop, both in Greenfield, and the General Store in New Salem. You can also order them from J.R. by emailing him at: jrg01331@webtv.net
SANTA WILL BE AT GREENFIELD SAVINGS BANK, 282 Ave. A in Turners Falls, on Friday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome with an adults. Bring a list to give to Santa. Complimentary photos (3-by-5-inch) will be taken. Call to register for a time at 413-775-8267.
THREE CHURCHES IN NORTHFIELD will continue their 30-year tradition by holding Christmas fairs on the same day. St. Patrick’s and the Unitarian and Congregational churches, all on Main Street, will hold the fairs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There will be crafts, baked goods, Christmas items and much more. Lunches will be available for purchase at all three churches. Have a great time!
A ROAST PORK DINNER, with all the trimmings and some apple crisp, will kick off the bi-annual Home for the Holidays Auction at Colrain Community Church on Saturday at 5 p.m. The live and silent auction will feature framed art by local artists, crafts, edibles, antiques, gift certificates and more. The silent auction is from 5 to 7 p.m. The dinner is $12 and you need to make a reservation. Call Joan at 413-624-8818 by Friday.
TRINITY CHURCH IN SHELBURNE FALLS will host a ticket auction, Christmas Cookie Crawl and offer snacks for sale to support the church at 17 Severence St. There will be a tea cup auction and so much more. Dozens of gifts will be available. Trinity Women will host the cookie crawl, where you can choose from an assortment of homemade cookies.
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH BAZAAR will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church at 2 Prospect St. in Turners Falls. Theer will be all sorts of handmade items, crafts, holiday decorations, gently used items and more. There will also be a food table. All are welcome.
WORLD EYE BOOKSHOP will hold a book reading and signing on Saturday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. when it welcomes mother/daughter team Corrine Demas and Artemis roehrig, who co-authored “Does a Fiddler Crab Fiddle?” and “Are Pirates Polite?”
DICK’S ANGEL’S RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday in Northfield Town Hall from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be a bake and cookie sale, Tommy’s birdseed pine cones and much more. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
THE CANON NOVAK AWARDS will be given on Sunday at noon at St. Kaz on Avenue A in Turners Falls. Dinner will be served at 1 p.m. Canon Novak Awards began in 1958, with the first award going to Peter Machaiek. The award was created to recognize the youth from the towns of Montague and Gill for their outstanding performance in sports. Anthony “Canon” Novak was considered one of the finest athletes at Turners Falls High School in his day (1933 to 1936). Congratulations, in advance, to the athlete who receives this year’s award.
THE FRANKLIN STAMP CLUB will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in the south meeting room of the Mill House at 75 Wells St. All are welcome.
JOIN GREENFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT at the Greenfield Senior Center in the Weldon off High Street on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. to learn how to prevent fires and falls. This is a free program open to the public and provided by the senior center, along with Greenfield S.A.L.T. Council and Greenfield police and firefighters. Light refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome. Registration is suggested but not required. Call 413-772-1517.
GREENFIELD SENIOR CENTER will welcome the Pioneer Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble on Friday, Dec. 9, from 3:30 to 4 p.m. at the senior center in the Weldon off High Street. The ensemble will peform several pieces. The event is free and open to the public.
MOHAWK TRAIL CONCERTS’ “Music at the Arms” series second concert will be held Friday, Dec. 9, at noon at Arms Library in Shelburne Falls. Cellist Rebecca Hartka will perform a recital of solo works for about 40 minutes. The concert is free and open to the public.
GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHORUS will present an informal holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 9, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the GCC lobby on the main campus. The concert is free and open to the public.
ON SUNDAY, DEC. 11, the Greenfield Community College Chorus will perform its Annual Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. at Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls. The chorus is made up of middle school and college students, as well as community singers, who will sing traditional carols and seasonal favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.
To contact Anita Fritz, features editor at The Recorder, send an email to: neighbors@recorder.com or afritz@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.