‘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.

Ears are the topic of January’s Reading with Friends

Do your ears hang low? Well, that might be a good thing! Find out at the next Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

This month’s featured book is “Do Your Ears Hang Low,” illustrated with fabulous Basset hounds, lop-eared rabbits, llamas and much more by Jenny Cooper. The guest reader will be Curtis Genereux.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12.

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.

 

Dancing polar bears entertain kids at Reading with Friends

“Did you know polar bears could dance?” asked guest reader Margo Hosie, quickly getting the attention of an active group of Concordia preschoolers. “Well they do in this book!”

The book was, “On the Night You Were Born” written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman. And the reading was Dec. 8 at Neighbor to Neighbor, as part of the ongoing Reading with Friends series. The book tells of all the wonderful, fanciful things that happen on the night a baby is born.

After reading the book with the children, Hosie shared a quilt that her mother gave her as an infant.

“I’m probably older than even your grandma,” Hosie said as she held up the quilt to giggles from the kids. “And this was given to me by my Mom on the day I was born.”

Reading with Friends offers story times for children 3 to 5 years old on the second Fridays of the month 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 receives 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. This was the third “Reading with Friends” program this fall. The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The next date will be Jan. 12, 2018.

To make reservations for January’s story time, call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

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

Prize winners announced at Holiday Boutique

Crowded lines greeted early-morning visitors to the annual Neighbor to Neighbor Holiday Boutique on Saturday morning (Nov. 18) as eager shoppers queued up early to get first pick of the holiday goodies available for purchase.

The bake sale tables — featuring homemade cookies, candies, breads, cakes and other treats — gathered immediate attention. Then shoppers and supporters could turn their attention to the array of tables and stands loaded with hand-crafted children’s toys and clothes, decorations, quilts, kitchen items and jewelry.

All the items are made by the women who come to the center, along with friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia who operate Neighbor to Neighbor.

The event ended at 2 p.m. with a drawing for eight prizes:

• Pam Campbell won the “Apple Fest 2017” quilt, with hand-appliqued blocks donated to Neighbor to Neighbor and design completed and stitched by master quilter Sandra Detrixhe.
• Jeanette Denault won a Barbie-sized fashion doll with her own lace-covered closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• Naomi Larouche won a glazed ceramic wall-mount letter holder that was donated to Neighbor to Neighbor.
• Alexis Seim took home a fashion doll with her own lace-covered closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• Vera Gerard was the winner of a Seth Thomas mantle clock, model No. 11, donated to Neighbor to Neighbor.
• Pam Campbell also won a larger-sized fashion doll with her own closet filled with unique outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• Vera Gerard also won the baby doll complete with crib, hand-made wardrobe, diaper bag full of accessories and a baby quilt made by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• JoAnn Haist won the Barbie collectible music box entitled “Wedding Day 1959” complete with box.

All proceeds from the annual event support the programs, artists and craftswomen at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Reading with Friends announces December offering

Do you know a very special preschooler? Then treat them to a free reading of “The Night You Were Born,” a book that celebrates the uniqueness of every child, at the next Reading with Friends at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The birth of a baby —”the one and only ever you” — causes jubilation throughout creation in this quietly celebratory picture book by writer and illustrator Nancy Tillman.

Story time will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Margo Hosie 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.

This is the third “Reading with Friends” program scheduled this fall. The monthly program has been a part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. Upcoming dates will be Jan. 12. In the new year, the program will continue through May 2018.

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

Annual Neighbor to Neighbor Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale set for Nov. 18

The artisans at Neighbor to Neighbor create with all kinds of materials — acrylics and oils, embroidery floss and ribbon, threads and beads, yarn, fabric, wood, 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. 18, 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 drawing for eight prizes:

• “Apple Fest 2017” quilt, with hand-appliqued blocks donated to Neighbor to Neighbor and design completed and stitched by master quilter Sandra Detrixhe.
• A Barbie-sized fashion doll with her own lace-covered closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• A glazed ceramic wall-mount letter holder donated to Neighbor to Neighbor.
• A fashion doll with her own lace-covered closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• A Seth Thomas mantle clock, model No. 11, donated to Neighbor to Neighbor.
• A larger-sized fashion doll with her own closet filled with unique outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• A baby doll complete with crib, hand-made wardrobe, diaper bag full of accessories and a baby quilt made by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• A Barbie collectible music box entitled “Wedding Day 1959” complete with box. The music box plays “Canon in D” and is numbered 1,710 out of 2,500.

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, or six tickets for $5.

All proceeds from the annual event support the programs, artists and craftswomen at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Shoes are a good fit for Neighbor to Neighbor outreach program

Neighbor to Neighbor in Concordia is always a beehive of activity. But recent visitors might have noticed many women at Neighbor to Neighbor busy sewing not just clothing but hand-sewn shoes as part of an outreach program. Where does all that work go?

On Friday, June 23, the most recent fruits of all that sewing headed out on a journey to North Carolina, before flying onward to Uganda.

“We just sent 12 boxes to North Carolina,” Sister Ramona Medina said. The boxes contained 122 hand-sewn dresses, 100 pairs of hand-sewn shorts, and 82 pairs of shoes crafted by the volunteer seamstresses at Neighbor to Neighbor. The boxes are sent to Soul Hope, Inc., a 501 (c)3 nonprofit in North Carolina dedicated to helping with foot-related diseases and medical relief, which will then distribute them to people in need in Uganda. Sister Ramona, along with Sister Pat McLennon and Sister Jean Befort direct Neighbor to Neighbor.

The group has been making dresses and shorts for some time, having completed more than 1,700 dresses and 500 shorts that have been distributed to children in need in Guatemala, Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and El Paso, Sister Ramona said. Some of the clothes are distributed by local church groups on their missions in other countries.

The shoes, however, fit a new need.

“We started with dresses and shorts,” said Neighbor to Neighbor assistant Myrna Shelton. “Then we found that children in Uganda had a serious problem with jiggers. So we started making them shoes.”

Jiggers (Tunga penetrans) are parasites that burrow into the skin, mainly on exposed feet, causing painful, debilitating lesions and sometimes death from secondary infections. Shoes help eliminate an entry point for these parasites.

The goal of this community outreach program was to create 100 pairs of shoes. “We’ve exceeded that a little bit,” Sister Ramona said. And they plan to deliver more.

Many area women have volunteered time on the project, including Dorothy Bowersox, Sister Cese Green, Doris Hale, Joyce McClanahan, Vicki Menard, Annette Hood and Verna Hamel, as well as many others who lend a helping hand when they can.

“Annette has sewn all the shoe tops on (to the soles) by hand,” Sister Ramona said. “It has really been teamwork on the shoes. No one could do this alone”

While Neighbor to Neighbor started with trying to meet the needs of the local community, it has now grown into so much more. Women who have learned skills, such as sewing, can use them to help reach other people in need, Sister Pat said.

“The women are very excited about what they are doing,” Sister Pat said. “It is so good for them to know they are doing something to help someone else in need.”

For more information about the programs available at Neighbor to Neighbor, visit www.csjkansas.org/neighbor-to-neighbor/ or www.facebook.com/N2NConcordia/.

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