Wow! We’re in the home stretch with Christmas just one week from today.
Hanukkah begins on Saturday and ends Jan. 1 and, for those celebrating Kwanzaa, your special day is Dec. 26.
I can’t recall when all three holidays were celebrated so close together. Whatever holiday you are celebrating, I hope it’s a happy and safe one!
It’s a time for giving
Since we are in the middle of the giving season, I covered a craft show at the Pittston Memorial Library when I had a chance to speak to library director, Patricia Joyce. We discussed where all the funding comes from for operation costs.
For many years, institutions like libraries received monies from federal and state agencies as well as from the county and even individual towns, but all that has dried up and it’s up to each library to come up with ways to raise money to keep operations going.
If you think about it, it has to be exhausting to devise ways to raise money and having to constantly ask for money.
Anne Bramblett, West Pittston Library director, recently set up an online fundraiser on Facebook with a goal of $1,000. I’m happy to report as of noon Thursday, that amount has been exceeded by over $200. Well done. Anne. Great job, donors.
According to Bramblett, the money raised will go toward programs like Story Time, Library Laboratory, hosting guest speakers and programs, purchasing new books and equipment.
The West Pittston Library fundraiser will conclude Dec. 31. All donations are tax deductible.
John Roberts, Wyoming Free Library executive director, had a fundraiser in October and I hope it was successful. John and his staff are doing great things, especially for the children. After all, the library is a great place to create a foundation for studying and learning to do research for school projects as well as enrichment programs.
If you’d like to donate to the Wyoming Free Library, go to its homepage at www.wyomingfreelibrary.com and click on the PayPal logo. You can go to the Pittston Memorial Library site at www.pittstonmemoriallibrary.org and hit the donate button at the bottom of the homepage. The West Pittston Library homepage, www.wplibrary.org, has a Support WPL page. Click on that to find out other ways you can donate.
All three institutions are the backbone of out Greater Pittston community and I’m glad we have them.
Community involvement
Last weekend, Duryea Borough and the City of Pittston held tree-lighting ceremonies as well other events. Both municipalities had their events on the same night.
I wondered if there was going to be a conflict with both municipalities celebrating the same night. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I covered the event in Duryea and I can tell you, people came out in droves.
There were hayrides, plenty of hot chocolate, raffles, crafts and even a parade. Santa was on hand, of course, for the tree lighting at the municipal building.
Mayor Keith Moss led the tree lighting and members of the Phoenix Performing Arts Center, complete in elf wear, headed caroling.
After my assignment, I headed to Pittston when I witnessed another mass of people at the site of the Tomato Festival lot.
The band shell was being used where everyone gathered. It really was really a great night.
I know the Borough of Exeter had a tree lighting ceremony at the gazebo next to the Town Hall sponsored by the Exeter Lions.
West Pittston and Wyoming/West Wyoming had Santa parades and I’m certain other municipalities have celebrations in their own right.
Watching all the local towns gathering as they do reminds of me of how it was celebrating events many years ago.
I loved the pie and ice cream socials, Little League carnivals and church bazaars during my childhood.
Anytime you can get your town involved as one big happy family has to be a good thing; it instills community pride, eases divisiveness and creates unity.
As we head into the heart of the holiday season, whether you are lighting the Menorah, attending Service or Mass, remember what the season is all about – open your heart, give back and, if you get a chance, donate to your local library.
Quote of the week
“Getting results through people is a skill that cannot be learned in the classroom.” – J. Paul Getty, American industrialist.
Thought of the week
“In real love, you want the other person’s good. In romantic love, you want the other person.” – Margaret Chase Smith, American senator.
Bumper sticker
“Breathe in experience, breathe out poetry.” – Muriel Rukeyser, American writer.
