Happy New Year to all our friends and neighbors. May it be a healthy year for all.

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Every year I bought a Letts Pocketbook Calendar from Hastings. They are made in England had gold metal tabs at two corners and a ribbon to mark the pages. I don’t have a 2024 calendar yet since I don’t know if any local stores stock them. I will need a calendar soon, otherwise I will have to write dates on the back of an envelope so I don’t forget where I am going.

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Speaking of Hastings, I went to the vendors market that was held at the former Hasting’s space during the Sip and Stroll held Dec. 14.

Now the store is one big open space and the walls were painted white. It’s big and bright but the staircase is no longer there.

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The sixth night of Kwanzaa will be celebrated Dec. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the New Africa House Theater Room, 181 Infirmary Way, UMass. The event is sponsored by the Black Business Association of Amherst Area. The keynote presentation by Professor Amilcar Shabazz will be on “The Creative Economy and the Gift of Black Folx.”

The celebration is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and guests can bring a dish to share. For information email BBAAmherst@gmail.com or visit www.BBAAA.com.

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While some homes in town have Little Libraries in the front yard, Orchard Valley boasts a jigsaw puzzle library on Glendale Road. I dropped off some puzzles in the box that has glass doors and a wooden latch. I took a puzzle. When I finish, I will trade it in for another. Puzzles are a great thing to do on cold winter evenings.

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