Hello Harlem

Hello Harlem! Winter is in the air and the first snowflakes swirled around in the cold wind last week. It is the time of year when we move most of our activities indoors – time to watch some football games on television and make some hearty autumn soups to enjoy. How do you spend your indoor time? Card games with friends, board games and puzzles with the kids?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It is a time for all of us to slow down and reflect on all of the blessings we have received. Yes, we all endure hardships from time to time – but we have also been given so much and should be thankful for it – to God, our family, our friends and our community. As you enjoy the end of autumn, stop and say a quick word of thanks in silent prayer or even better – say it to those around you who you are grateful to have in your life.

To celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, Harlem Public Library is hosting Native American storytelling with John Stiffarm and Traditional Plants with Renita Longknife on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00 pm. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. Please call the library at 406-353-2712 for information.

The American Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive at the Turner Lutheran Church on Thursday, November 14 from noon to 5:00 pm. Give the gift of life if you are able.

Hogeland American Lutheran Church will be hosting a “Thanks for the Harvest” service on Thursday, November 21 beginning with a soup supper at 6:00 p.m. in the church basement. There will be music and Jack Siemens will talk about the Food Bank in Harlem. An offering will be taken and given to the Harlem Food Bank. All are welcome to attend.

The Wine & Cheese Fundraiser, “Karolee’s Kandy Kane Kristmas,” will be held at the Harlem Public Library on Wednesday, December 4 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets are now available, so get yours today! Cost is $10.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door. The friends of the Library are still seeking donations of silent and live auction items, food items and wine donations. Please get in touch with Louise Nissen, event coordinator, or Colleen Brommer, library director to donate or to purchase tickets.

The Annual Christmas Family Fun Night will be held at Harlem High School on Tuesday, December 17 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. There will be many different holiday crafts for the kids, a free homemade meal, bingo and photos with Santa. Everyone is welcome!

Regular worship times for Harlem Churches include St. Thomas Catholic Church - Saturdays at 5:00 pm, Harlem Presbyterian-Methodist Church - Sundays at 9:00 am, Harlem American Lutheran Church – Sundays at 9:30 am, Harlem N. Amer. Evangelical Church - Sundays at 10:00 am and Harlem Assembly of God - Sundays at 11:00 am. All are welcome to check out our local churches who work for the spiritual and practical support of those in our community.

Some upcoming meetings to attend: Harlem Civic Association on Monday, November 18 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Stop by and check out this organization that works to make Harlem a better place to live.

Parting Words: Thursday, December 12 is the big day. The return of the Harlem Christmas Stroll. This year’s event is “Harlem Christmas Jubilee.” Downtown Harlem will be the place to be between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Food, vendors selling Christmas and gift items, music, crafts and pictures with Santa. All taking place at a variety of downtown businesses, churches and organizations – a true community effort! If you are interested in being a vendor, please call Connie Zanto at 406-301-1157. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon. There are many creative people around here who make wonderful and unique things to sell. In addition, businesses are welcome to set up a table as a vendor to sell their items. If your group or organization is interested in selling food for the event, contact Mckenzie McCaleb at 406-885-8775 or email: mckenzie.mccaleb@montana.edu. Foods can be sold as a mini-fundraiser for your organization or given free to the community – your choice! As we get closer to the event, we will publish a complete list of participating locations and events at each one. For now, mark your calendar and spread the word about this great community gathering for the holidays. It takes a lot of effort to get something like this off the ground, so we really hope for a lot of community support. More to come soon. Have a good week everyone!

If you know of an upcoming event or have an interesting story to share from our community, please submit it to helloharlem21@gmail.com.