Candlelight service marks longest night
The Raymond Village Community Church will be offering a contemplative, restorative longest-night candlelight service on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 7-8 p.m. RVCC welcomes all who are feeling the stress of the Christmas season to a unique and restorative Longest-Night Candlelight Service.
Christmas is a time of rejoicing, but for many also a bittersweet time of year. As we approach the longest night of the year, leave the darkness behind and bring with you what you find most difficult about the holidays. The Senior Choir will be singing and the service will be a time to find healing, wholeness, and maybe even yourself, this holiday season. There will be readings, prayers, candles, carols, and ample time for quiet reflection. No offering will be taken.
A Thanksgiving to remember
CenterStage dancer Katie Sullivan has a great memory of this past Thanksgiving as she danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Katie auditioned via video last summer and was one of 600 dancers throughout the U.S. to be chosen.
Most dancers attend the parade with fellow dancers or teams, however, there are a few that apply and attend on their own, such as Katie. The dancers must start learning the choreography on their own with a video that is forwarded to them early fall. The dancers then all meet in New York City for a week of rehearsals.
Katie stayed in a hotel in Manhattan with other dancers and was able to do touristy outings in any spare time they were given. She attended the Broadway show “Hamilton,” saw the Rockettes, the Statue of Liberty and more. The performance was aired on NBC on Thanksgiving Day.
Shoe donations needed
Cleaning out closets before the holidays? If so, the Raymond PTA is again seeking donations of gently used or new shoes and boots of all sizes.
Dropoff locations are located at CenterStage Performing Arts on Mondays through Thursdays after 4 p.m. or Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon and at the Raymond Elementary School Library during school hours. Every pair makes a difference!
Library news
• Lego Club meets
Students, ages 6 and up, are invited to the monthly Lego Club, on the first Wednesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30. The library supplies the space and the Legos. Kids just need to come with their friends, ideas and imaginations.
• Weaving a Christmas bell
On Dec. 6 you can start to decorate the season with whimsical woven bells. Beginner and more experienced weavers over 18 years old are welcome. Bring your basket supplies with you: a bucket, scissors, old towel, awl, clothespins, pencil, measuring tape and packing tool, if you have them. The fee is $20 and includes supplies for two bells – one to be completed at home. Please stop by the library to register. Payment must be made at registration.
• Winter health with bees and herbs
Once again, Deb Gideon will share her knowledge and experience of healthy home remedies just in time for winter. There is fire cider, elderberry elixir, infused honeys and more! Join the library on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. to learn about herbs and honeybee products that can keep you healthy during the cold and flu season. Many herbs and bee products have been used by people around the world for thousands of years to boost the immune system. You’ll sample some delicious “medicine” and take home some recipes to make your own remedies. We ask those planning to attend to sign up at the library, call the library to register or email sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.
• Basket sale
The popular gift baskets are now on sale at the library. These baskets are unique and perfect for teachers, as a hostess gift or for that special friend. When you plan your Christmas shopping be sure to come by the Raymond Village Library first. There is a wide variety of unusual baskets from which to choose. They will be available during regular library hours through December until they are all gone.
• Annual bake sale
On Sunday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the library will have tables filled with decorative cookies, delicious pastries, yummy pies, breads, candies and all kinds of scrumptious sweets presented in festive wrappings. These goodies will help you cut down on your holiday baking and make thoughtful gifts.
The unique and reasonably priced holiday gift baskets will be available for sale at this time as well.
Those who are donating items to the bake sale are asked to bring them to the library on Saturday, Dec. 12, between 3 and 6 p.m. This enables those working on the sale to get them priced and arranged for the next day.
• Make and Take Craft
After school on Wednesday, Dec. 16, and on the third Wednesday of each month thereafter, there will be a Make and Take Craft fun time at the library for children. This is an easy craft for children to create and take home with them. This is best for ages 5 through 8. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.
• Lawyer at the Library
Attorney Pongratz will continue to be at the Raymond Village Library on the third Thursday of each month, to meet with people on a drop-in basis to answer legal questions and provide pro-bono advice. We hope our patrons will avail themselves of his expertise from 6 to7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17.
• Story Time hours
There will be no story times the weeks of Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. The children’s programs will resume on Jan. 4.
Katie Sullivan of Raymond had a Thanksgiving celebration to remember, dancing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.Send questions/comments to the editors.
