Santa is a special guest at Neighbor to Neighbor

Neighbor to Neighbor’s annual Christmas party wasn’t complete until Santa Claus himself showed up and gave out presents to all of the N2N kids.

Every year the Sisters, staff and volunteers at Neighbor to Neighbor host a Christmas party for all of the women and children who regularly visit. This year’s party began at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, with a special lunch and dessert for all.

The women were able to guess the number of candies in a candy jar to win it. Gloria Berkstrom was the lucky winner.

The kids ate lunch upstairs, but they were anxious to see Santa. As soon as he arrived he was asked, “Who is your favorite reindeer?”

St. Nick laughed and said, “Well I can’t tell you that. They get jealous.”

Every child got a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and received a present wrapped in a fabric bag made by Myrna Shelton, Sister Ramona Medina and Vicki Menard.

One present started to vibrate and make noises as he handed it to Andrew Crosson, 4, of Concordia.

“Wow!” Santa exclaimed. “That even scared Santa!”

“He was a wonderful Santa,” Sister Jean Befort said after Ol’ Saint Nick disappeared in a twinkle.

Neighbor to Neighbor is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia located at 103 E. Sixth St., Concordia.

‘The Night Before Christmas’ featured book at Reading with Friends

Neighbor to Neighbor has a very special book planned for this month’s Reading with Friends — “The Night Before Christmas,” by Clement C. Moore.

Since it was first published anonymously in 1823, “The Night Before Christmas” has enchanted children with the story of St. Nicholas climbing down the chimney and filling all the stockings before springing back to his sleigh. Many families read the poem every year, and this is an edition to treasure. The cherished verse is faithfully reproduced and accompanied by illustrator Charles Santore’s lavish illustrations.

Reading this most-loved poem is a classic family tradition and adds a magical component to every child’s Christmas!

The book will be read by special guest Curtis Genereux.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. Each session includes playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The next Reading with Friends events will be Jan. 11.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

 

Neighbor to Neighbor and Kansas SNAP-Ed partner for the community

Kansas SNAP-Ed is offering a series of basic nutrition classes this December at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth, Concordia. These classes are free of charge and all are welcome. Childcare is provided.

According to Kaitlin Moore, K-State Research and Extension District SNAP-Ed Program Assistant, each class will cover a different topic. Topics will include:
•  Food safety
•  How to increase fruit and vegetable consumption
•  Meal planning
•  How to spot the best deals at the grocery store
•  How to navigate the nutrition facts label
•  How to increase physical activity

Participants are encouraged to attend all classes

Participants will taste-test a simple, budget-friendly recipe at each class.
Recipes include:
•  Mini meatloaves
•  Chicken broccoli quiche
•  Stir-fry
•  Lasagna
•  Tuna burgers
•  Oven-baked chicken nuggets

Participants will also receive a couple kitchen tools to help them be safer and better-prepared home cooks.

Classes will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19.
Neighbor to Neighbor is located at 103 E. Sixth St., Concordia.
While the classes are free, please register in advance to make enough supplies are available.
Please register with one of the following:
Kaitlin Moore (785) 527-5084 or kaitli3@ksu.edu
Neighbor to Neighbor (785) 262-4215 or neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org

“The Pout-Pout Fish” to be featured book at Reading with Friends

Swim along with the pout-pout fish at Neighbor to Neighbor as he discovers that being glum and spreading “dreary wearies” isn’t really his destiny.

Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in Deborah Diesen’s fun fish story, “The Pout-Pout Fish,” that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

The book will be read by special guest Suzan Haver.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. Each session includes playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The next Reading with Friends events will be Dec. 14.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

Reading with Friends to start Sept. 14 at Neighbor to Neighbor

Have you ever moved to a new town or started a new school and had a hard timing making new friends?

Then you might identify with the story of “Peanut Butter & Cupcake!” by Terry Border, this month’s featured book at Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Border, the photographer behind the “Bent Objects” project, wrote and photographed this hilarious and heartwarming story about fun, friendship and food. The bright, colorful pages will be displayed on the wall while the story is being read.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept 14. Sister Missy Ljungdahl will be the guest reader.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. Each session includes playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012.

Upcoming Reading with Friends events will be Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Cloud  County.

Annual Neighbor to Neighbor Holiday Boutique returns Saturday, Nov. 17

The artisans at Neighbor to Neighbor create with all kinds of materials — acrylics and oils, embroidery floss and ribbon, and (of course) sugar, flour, eggs, butter and chocolate.

And all that “art” will be for sale at the seventh annual Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the downtown center, 103 E. Sixth St., Concordia.

Items featured in the boutique include one-of-a-kind jewelry, handcrafted holiday décor, artwork, knit scarves and hats, quilted items, children’s clothes and toys, women’s apparel and unique handkerchief dresses for girls. The always popular bake sale will feature cookies, candies, breads and other goodies. All the items are made by the women who come to the center, along with friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph who operate Neighbor to Neighbor.

There also will be a silent auction and a drawing for five prizes:

• A trunk full of chocolate
• A hand-crafted quilt
• A baby doll in a basket
• A sled full of coffee and tea
• A Barbie doll with a wicker-trunk wardrobe.

Tickets for the drawings are available at Neighbor to Neighbor; the Nazareth Motherhouse, 1300 Washington St.; and Manna House of Prayer, 323 E. Fifth St., Concordia. Tickets cost $1 each, or six tickets for $5. The drawing will be at 2 p.m. You need not be present to win.

Proceeds from the annual Holiday Boutique go to support the women and ministries of Neighbor to Neighbor.

‘Fancy Nancy’ will be the next offering at Reading with Friends

Have you ever wished that your life was just a bit more posh? And maybe you would like it if your family would just dress up a bit more?

Then you might identify with “Fancy Nancy,” this month’s featured book at Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, April 20. Megan Nuff will be the guest reader.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are usually on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. April’s session was moved back a week due to Kindergarten Round-up. Each session includes playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Betty Drake of Beloit.

Get ready for Spring Fling at Neighbor to Neighbor

The women of Neighbor to Neighbor invite the community to celebrate a Spring Fling with them March 9 and 10. Baked goods, crafts, spring dresses, Easter decorations, paper poppies, aprons and artwork will all be on display and for sale at Neighbor to Neighbor at 103 E. Sixth St, Concordia.

An early “sneak peek” will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 9 following the monthly Reading with Friends. Everyone is invited.

On Saturday, March 10, Neighbor to Neighbor will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for everyone who didn’t have a chance to visit on Friday. All proceeds go to benefit the programs for women and children that N2N provides.

Visitors can expect the usual outstanding baked goods that are always a highlight of any Neighbor to Neighbor event. Other items include hand-sewn spring dresses, hand-crafted Easter items, gifts and much more.

Sister Jean Befort said that events like “Spring Fling” encourage teamwork among the women that visit Neighbor to Neighbor.

“The women have enjoyed working on these crafts so much,” Sister Jean said. “A lot of these projects take a lot of teamwork. So it gets a lot of people involved. It motivates them to come back the next day. They are always looking forward to the next project.”

For more information, call Neighbor to Neighbor at (785) 262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/N2NConcordia/

‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’

Ever have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? Want to move to Australia?

Then you can relate to Alexander in the book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” It will be the featured story at this week’s Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, March 9. Angela Eck will be the guest reader.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are all on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. Each session will include playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Betty Drake of Beloit.

Kids will giggle at ‘Giggle, Giggle, Quack’

When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, he asks his brother, Bob, to take care of the animals. But he warns him to, “keep an eye on Duck. He’s trouble.”

What could possibly go wrong? Find out at the next Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

This month’s featured book is “Giggle, Giggle, Quack,” by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin. The guest reader will be Mikki Nelson. This New York Times bestseller is by the same writing/illustrating team that created “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.”

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9.

The story times for children 3 to 5 years old are all on the second Fridays of the month and all begin at 10 a.m. at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St. Each session will include playtime and a snack for the children, plus each child will receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents must register in advance. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. Upcoming dates will continue through May 2018.

This year’s Reading with Friends is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Betty Drake of Beloit.

Next Page »