The Parish Public Library will host a “Community Open House”  on Sat., Dec. 13 from 1-4 PM at the library.  There will be a story teller from 1:30 – 2 pm, with Santa making a visit from 2-3 PM.  Great refreshments will be served.  Make a point to come see the library at work in the community.

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.

Girls that are in 2^nd and 3^rd grade are invited to join us between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.—come sign up to be a Girl Scout Brownie!  Parents we are looking for someone to volunteer in leading as well.

The Christmas Ecumenical Candle Light Service will be held at the Parish United Methodist Church on Sunday Dec. 14 at 7 pm. 

Wanda Morse, Gary and Evelyn Stelmashuck and their children, Cartwright and Aubryn, enjoyed a delicious dinner at the home of Steve Stelmashuck on Thanksgiving Day.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, Parish Junior Girl Scout  Troop 573 volunteered at the VA Hospital  unpacking and stacking gifts for the shut-in hospitalized veterans to give to their families.  This was made possible through the Parish and Central Square American Legions.  The Girl Scouts that had a great time were:  Chriss Sackett (co-leader) and daughter CarlyAnn; Mary Pelton (co-leader) and grand daughter Emma Gutchess and step- grand daughter to be, Emily Zinger of Central Square; Kayla Hamilton; Rachel Trumble and Diana LaRock.

On Sat. Dec. 6 many assembled at the annual Parish Tree Lighting at the Veteran Memorial Park.   This was followed by a very successful gathering at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium for hot cocoa and donuts, visits with Santa, crafts, cookie decorating, the themed raffle baskets, and the various vendors. All enjoyed the moves of the  Right Step Dance Studio dancers.

The themed Basket Winners!  Josh Bristol = Decorate a Tree donated by Right Step Dance Studio; Patricia Henry = Snack Party Basket donated by Charlene Dano; Josh Bristol = Cheese and Crackers Basket donated by Nancy Bookheimer; Calista (JoeyAnn) Holst = Wine and Cheese Basket donated by Charlene Dano; Mary Brabant = Christmas Plate donated by Patty Williams; Lillian Harter = Hot Cocoa Gift Bag donated by Jane Bristol; Mary Brabant = Avon Basket donated by Right Step Dance Studio; Jaklyn Fisher = Cookies and Kisses Basket donated by the Guindon family; Dale Chapman = Relay for Life Basket donated by the Perkins Family; and Ala Kelly = Historical Basket donated by the Parish Town Historical Society.  The Santa Ornaments filled with chocolate Kisses donated by Parish Community Recreation winners were: Mary Brabant (3); Josh Bristol (2);          Calista Holst; Jaklyn Fisher (2); Tia Guindon; Ala Kelly; Leon Heagle; Mary Gloude; Baily Nadeau and Nicole Guindon.  The “Grab” bags donated by Parish Community Recreation winners were Mary Gloude (2); Rose Wilson; Nicole Guindon; Leon Heagle; Aubryn Stelmashuck; Barry Leemann; Crystal Chevier; Dale Chapman; Evelyn Stelmashuck; Lillian Harter and Kim Perkins.

The 2009 Parish Relay for Life (formerly Northern Oswego County Relay)  held it’s second official meeting on Monday, Dec. 8 at the APW Middle School.  It was announce that the “Parish Relay 2009” website is up and running www.relayforlife.org/parishNY 
You can go ahead and start registering and getting your team members to sign up. Fundraising for the 2009 event has begun!  The 2009 Kick-Off will be held on March 27 at 7 pm at the APW High School Gymnasium celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Relay and our first year here in Parish.  Planning Committee is
looking for new members to join up.  If you're interested in helping out on the committee, please email or call me, Erin, at 415-8744 or erin.shuff@..., OR Kim Perkins at 625-4122 or kperks6@....  Our next meeting is on Jan 12 at 6:30pm at the APW Middle School cafeteria.  Please join us!

On Tuesday, Dec. 9 Chet and Gretchen Sayer traveled to Oneida and had lunch with their daughter, Connie Shovlin.

Sharon Robbins, Carol Ann Horning, and Barb Horning each prepared a portion of the delicious lunch that they shared with Marge Pederson at her home on Tues. Dec. 9.  It was a great time with good conversation.

The Parish Town Historical Society (PTHS) held their annual Christmas party on December 10 at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium, 2938 East Main Street in place of the regular meeting. Everyone was asked to bring a dish to share along with a canned good for the Parish Ecumenical Food Pantry.

   There was a $3 gift Exchange, games and trivia were provided by President Evelyn Stelmashuck and historian Bridget Swartz .  Gloria White, Sharon White and Sharon Robbins decorated for the evening’s festivities.  All members and friends that attended enjoyed the evening.

The Right Step Dance Studio’s Christmas Recital was held on Thursday, Dec. 11 in the auditorium at the APW High School to the delight of many, many parents and grandparents and friends.  Several families brought in non-perishable food items for the Parish Ecumenical Christmas Basket project.

Indoor soccer, who wants to play at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium?  Email guindfam@... or call 625-4575.

A last hurrah for 2008 in Parish!  A New Years Eve celebration at the Mills and Petrie Memorial Gymnasium, 2938 East Main Street, with basketball, table tennis, games, wii, cards , car races, crafts and more.  Pictures taken in Parish throughout 2008 will be shown on the big screen. The fun begins at 7 p.m.  Bring along a snack to share and non-alcoholic beverages for your family.  Coffee will be provided and pretend champagne for the magical hour in 2009 fun glasses.  Let’s make some noise!!!

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