On Sunday, November 23 at 3 p.m. there will be an ecumenical Thanksgiving service held at the Parish-Hastings Presbyterian church, 814 Rider Street.  The offering will benefit the Parish Ecumenical Food Pantry.  Please bring a non-perishable food item with you as well.

Jean Bloom of Phoenix, AZ was a guest of Lloyd and Arreta Ware last week on Wed. and Thurs.   On Thursday, Mark and Stephanie Rochin, former residents of Parish, were dinner guests of Lloyd and Arreta.  The evening was spent talking about the good times we had at the home of Jim and Gloria Young on Kipp Road .  We used to call their home “the party house” as many of our friends from years back gathered there for wonderful parties.

I would like to give praise to our grandchildren, Zana, Dakota, Tori and Zoey for giving most of their Halloween candy to the project our Assemblyman Will Barclay has going to send candy to the troops.  Thanks kids, I’m real proud of you, Gram Ware.

Miss Jamie of the Right Step Dance Studio and some of the students and families traveled to Buffalo by bus to attend the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” starring the Rockettes at the historic Shea Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 15.  What a delightful experience for Denise, Olivia and Adaiah Bauer; Mary Kate Clerkin; Mary Lou, Tia, Nicole and Kayla Guindon; Lacey Kowalski; Lynne and Emberlin Leja; Margaret, Rose and Jordan Wilson; Helen Marone and Lyn Xedis from the Parish community; Miss Jamie Crutchley and her mom, Chris Spiegel along with dancers from the Fulton and Hannibal area.  On the way back the group stopped in LeRoy at the D& R Depot Restaurant, enjoying the delicious home made food with the old fashioned atmosphere.

The Parish Town Historical Society's 2009 calendars are now available. The 2009 edition features historic Parish photos with animals each month. The memory filled calendar remains at $7 each.   You may purchase a calendar at the Parish Public Library during regular business hours M 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 7-9 p.m.; W 12 - 3 p.m.; Th 7-9 p.m. or Sat. 12-5 p.m.  

If you would like a calendar to be mailed directly to you; send a check payable to Parish Town Historical Society (PTHS) for $10 per calendar (includes shipping) to PTHS Treasurer Gloria White 296 White Road Parish, NY 13131.

Bowling at the Village Gym (Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium), how many of you have a memory of bowling or setting pins to share.  Did you bowl on a league?  What was your team name and sponsor?  Please email: guindfam@... or call 625-4575.

To conserve energy, the Parish Hardware will have a new winter schedule beginning on Monday, Dec. 1.  The hours will be 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The APW Band Boosters will be selling those awesome Little Caesars Pizza Kits from Dec. 1- 12.   They will also have a spaghetti dinner and concert on Wed. Dec. 17 at the APW High School from 4 to 6 p.m.  The dinner costs are adults $6, children $4 and senior citizens $5.  The concert will begin at 7 p.m.  All proceeds go towards new band/color guard uniforms.  Please show your support, they sure are putting great efforts into the APW Band and Color Guard Uniform Drive.

The Greater Parish Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a house/business decorating contest.. Houses/businesses will need to be decorated by Dec. 1, 2008; and will be judged (exterior only) between Dec. 1-5. The winners will be announced at the Holiday Celebration on Saturday Dec. 6. It is simple send in your name, physical address of your home or business to be judged, phone number and email address (neatly printed) along with a $2 entry fee to "Greater Parish Area Chamber of Commerce" PO Box 303, Parish, NY 13131. It must be received by, Fri. Nov, 28.
Prize money: $20 first place and $10 second place; Business--top entry will receive 1/4 ad in the Independent Mirror.

The Right Step Dance Studio Christmas Dance Studio will be held on Friday, Dec. 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the APW High School auditorium.  Tickets will be $1 per student and Senior Citizens and $2 for adults.  All are encouraged to bring non-perishable items for the Parish Ecumenical Christmas baskets.

  Sat. Dec. 6 the annual Parish Tree Lighting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Veteran Memorial Park (corner of Church and S Railroad Street) caroling and then the lighting of the tree before all will gather at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium for hot cocoa and donuts. Santa will visit and listen to the children's wishes. There will be crafts, cookie decorating, themed raffle baskets, and various vendors.  Right Step Dance Studio students will perform beginning at 7 p.m. 

The Parish Town Historical Society will host their annual Christmas potluck dinner at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium on Wed. Dec. 10, beginning at 6:15 p.m., bring a dish to pass, a canned food item for the Parish food pantry and a $3 wrapped gift item.  The table service and beverages will be provided.

Parish Girl Scout Troop 710 will have a child care opportunity; giving parents the chance to go shopping. Shop without the little ones on Dec. 13  from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Parish-Hastings Presbyterian Church.  There will be no charge, we ask that you bring a non-perishable food item per child that will be donated to the Parish Ecumenical Food Pantry.  A Day of Fun for Children from the ages of 3 and up.  Please bring a bag lunch.

To make this column interesting and informative, we need to hear from you, email information to guindfam@... or call 625-4575.

Blessings and Peace be with you,

Mary Lou Miller Guindon/'75
315 625 4575