Rockies bound

After serving as the assistant librarian at the New Gloucester Public Library for nine years, Veronica Chaya has tendered her resignation in order to move to Colorado. She is the mother of four children ages 23, 22, 19 and 17, plus has a seven-month-old grandson.

Chaya is drawn to the Rocky Mountain state by virtue of the fact that her boyfriend is from Colorado and her eldest daughter’s family, including Chaya’s grandson, have put down roots there. She admits that the notion of moving so far away initially seemed to stem from “a case of insanity,” but eventually she has adjusted to the idea. Chaya also looks forward to having some transitional time at her new locale to get the kids settled and just chill out for a while. She has conducted some preliminary long-distance research on job availability in Mesa County, Col., but has not delved into her vocational prospects too deeply at this point.

Reflecting on her years at the New Gloucester Public Library, Chaya said she has enjoyed the day-to-day library work and is very proud of the two book groups she started from scratch. “They have taken off and have become a phenomenal success,” she said. She feels the book groups have connected many people within the community, giving rise to a lot of friendships.

Library Director Suzan Hawkins reinforces Chaya’s sentiments by noting, “She loves her book groups – they are her babies.” Hawkins notes that one of Chaya’s strengths at her post is that she is good with people.

A farewell party for Chaya was given at the library Nov. 29. She opened a card with the inscription, “Best wishes and thank you from Trustees, Friends, Volunteers and Your Library Family.” The present they gave her was a digital photo frame that had been preloaded with scores of pictures of library scenes to serve as a remembrance of her New Gloucester colleagues and friends.

Interviews for a new assistant are coming up soon.

Cookie swap

You better start baking for the Holiday Cookie Swap, set for Friday, Dec. 12 at the Pineland YMCA. All community members are welcome to come for a suggested contribution of one non-perishable food item per person to be donated to the New Gloucester Food Pantry. Join in on an evening of holiday fun. Events run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., which include a cookie swap from 5:45-6:15, crafts and games from 5:30-6:30, and a movie shown from 6:30-7.

While the adults are swapping cookies, children can participate in holiday crafts or games. After the cookie swap and children’s activities conclude, there will be a short holiday movie for all to enjoy while sampling some of their new cookies, if desired. Hot drinks and healthy snacks will be available.

If you wish to participate in the cookie swap, you need to bring two dozen cookies that you will be trading for an assortment of two dozen new cookies. Please deliver your cookies to the YMCA between 5:30 and 5:40, so the swap can start promptly at 5:45 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their recipes from which copies will be produced to share. Be sure to bring an extra tin for depositing your new cookies in. Questions? Call 688-2255.

Christmas concert

The First Congregational Church, located at 19 Gloucester Hill Road, will be hosting a Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Since both sacred and secular holiday music by the church’s choirs will be featured, the concert presents a fabulous opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to visit the church.

Tiny Timber

The New Gloucester Historical Society, which organized the annual Christmas tree lighting at town hall, has announced that hundreds of nonperishable food items were donated at the tree lighting Nov. 30. The items will bulk up the shelves at the New Gloucester Food Pantry.

One of the largest crowds ever attended the event presided over by Kevyn Fowler. A young person named Finn had the honor to light “Tiny Timber.” The Gray-New Gloucester High School chorus, under the direction of Jason Cassidy, gave an excellent program of seasonal songs with a sing-along that involved all of the young children in attendance. Trustees, friends and librarian Sue Hawkins opened the library for refreshments following the tree lighting. Special thanks to Fire Chief Gary Sacco for technical assistance.