To the Editor:

The Helderberg Family and Community Organization is honored to be hosting a full weekend of holiday activities from Dec. 6 to 8. We hope you can join us for any or all of the events listed below (and on our website: www.helderbergfco.com).

Please note we are asking for advance registrations for our Saturday evening spaghetti dinner, Sunday morning breakfast, and our wreath-making workshop (see registration details below). Donations at any of our events are appreciated to help support our efforts.

We hope our signature event, The Hope and Peace Community Festival of Trees, which includes the simultaneous lighting of 40 holiday trees on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. behind the Knox firehouse, brings you and your family peace and hope. 

We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends for a weekend of holiday cheer!

Friday, Dec. 6: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.:

— Holiday Activities for Children at the Knox Reformed Church. Join the Girl Scouts Service Unit 194 for holiday crafts, letters to Santa, hot chocolate and cookies; and

— Community Carol Sing at the Octagon Barn. Join in for a community carol sing of your favorite holidays songs. Also enjoy a dessert bar.

Saturday, Dec. 7:

— 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Books and Crafts at the Berne Public Library. Join in for a book give-away and a take-home craft project;

— 9 to 11 a.m. Make a Wreath at the Knox Reformed Church. Join the HFCO and make a holiday wreath. For this activity, please register in advance by emailing . This activity will be limited to 35 families;

— 4:30 to 6 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner at the Knox Reformed Church. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a spaghetti dinner hosted by the HFCO. (A gluten-free option will be available.) Please register in advance by emailing or through the event listing on the HFCO Facebook page; and

— 6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony behind the Knox firehouse.

Forty holiday trees will be decorated and simultaneously lit at the HFCO’s signature event, The Hope and Peace Community Festival of Trees. Individuals, families, businesses, groups, and organizations decorated trees in memory of loved ones; to raise awareness for a cause; or simply in the spirit of peace, hope and support.

Join in with local pastors and the Knox Town Band for this ceremony to be followed by a dessert reception in the Knox Fire Department Hall. 

Following the ceremony, the trees will be lit during the early evening hours of each day through Jan. 1. It is our hope that the light of the trees will bring peace and hope to the hearts of the many. 

Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— Breakfast at the Berne Fire Department. Join the Girl Scouts Service Unit 194 for breakfast. Please register in advance by emailing or through the event listing on the HFCO Facebook page.

Maryellen Gillis

Helderberg Family and

Community Organization