Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa greetings to all. It’s a trifecta next week.

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Gia Biagi, the daughter of Carol and Bob Biagi of Amherst, has been nominated by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lead the state Department of Transportation. She was the former Chicago Transportation Commissioner for four years. She was appointed to the post by the- mayor Lori Lightfoot. She is an ARHS grad.

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Madeleine George, the daughter of Katie and Steve George, is also a former ARHS grad. Her play, “The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence,” was performed at the high school last weekend. Unfortunately, the program didn’t mention the connection. She was active in ARHS theater while a student writing for the Student Briefs and performing.

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The solstice is Dec. 21, the start of winter. There are programs at the UMass Sun Wheel near the stadium. It helps if the sun is shining to see the alignment of the stones.

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Sarah Crary sent me an email about the beloved Christmas Candlelight Service at Hope Community Church Saturday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. The church is at 16 Gaylord St.

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Rebecca Fricke of Amherst sent me an email about the Winter Solstice Stroll on Dec. 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Wildwood Cemetery. You can walk a loop with candles to toast the winter, the living or those who passed. Or you can sit in the farmhouse and socialize. Refreshments will be served. It will be held rain, snow or shine, she wrote.

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The 35th annual Holiday Brass Concert and Carol Sing will be held Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant St. The Valley Festival Brass will perform. While admission is free, it is a benefit the Amherst Survival Center, so please donate what you can. Thanks.

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Gigi Barnhill of Amherst, president of the Amherst Historical Society, sent me an email noting that the society is seeking nominations for its annual Arthur Kinney Conch Shell Award. This award recognizes special contributions to the history of the Amherst community and is awarded at the society’s annual meeting on Feb. 9, she wrote.

Last year’s recipient was Amherst College for its series of books celebrating the college’s 2100th anniversary. Nominations should be sent to president@amhersthistory.org.

Previous recipients include Dan Lombardo and Ed Wilfert. The nomination deadline is Dec. 27.

There is a real conch shell. It was used to call residents to meetings when writing and talking were the only means of communication.

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