It’s hard for me to realize that I’ve been here for three months, but just as hard for me to remember a previous time.  I’ve fallen completely under the spell of the Center and the hamlet.   I  love the drive over the mountains from Denver in Delaware County to Pine Hill, where I have three exits off  Rte. 30 to choose from.  I love the morning routine of  opening the computer lab, putting out the OPEN flag,  getting the stove going, making coffee, checking our signboard to see if it needs updating.    It’s a wonderfully tactile and satisfying way to start the day.

If the weather is right, I can  take a  mid-morning break to get the mail, check out the Pine Hill Book Store,  wave to Elena at La Pequena shop and greet the many dogs I’ve already come to know.

There is something going on every day at the Center – Zumba on Mondays and Thursdays,  and for seniors on Friday morning.  Stretch, Balance and Strength combined with Yoga on Monday and Friday mornings.   Acting classes on Tuesdays, T’ai Chi Chu’an on Wed. , Scrabble on Mondays – and every weekend, Coffee’s Ready for the community to drop by.   The Arts and Crafts shop and the Unexpected Treasures thrift shop have an ever-changing inventory of great things.  The thrift shop  has a very seductive  Christmas Corner  ready to help with your holiday decorating needs.    Social Circle on Wed., brings a group of talented people to share their work and indulge in some home baked goodies.  Three times a week local children spend a couple of after school hours releasing pent up energy and learning a lot about community and sharing.

On Saturdays our pop-up thrift store at the Zephyr Building at  302 Main St.   is offering gently used clothing donated after Irene.  Proceeds from  all sales (take what you need or want, pay what you can)  will go to the MARK Project for ongoing flood relief.

Since I’ve been here, the Center has hosted a number of community events that presented valuable information from information about the ash-boring beetle to a better way to  deal with direct mail.   Once a month there’s a Native American drum circle gathering, a committee to discuss and take action on initiatives for Main St.   And on and on.  One thing has become very clear to me – this is YOUR community center.  We welcome  all suggestions for workshops, performances, etc.

There’s no doubt about what I’m thankful for this holiday season.    I’m looking forward to sharing more good times with you all.