SUMMIT AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CLASS LIVES ON

Some traditions are just hard to break, and thus the group of students who have been together for going on 15 years have continued meeting even after losing their classroom. Antoinette DePasqua taught Italian at the Summit Area Community School for almost 30 years before the school closed it's doors more than a year ago.

"We were all sad to see it go, but my students wanted to continue, so now I teach at their homes, in restaurants, or at Starbucks," DePasqua said. Her Intermediate/Conversational Italian class has been together for nearly 15 years and just doesn't want to give it up or go to any other adult school. They say without a classroom, the learning environment is quite different, but meeting weekly is paramount to maintaining or improving a language, so they meet wherever they can. They miss the school but have persevered.

BRAYTON HOLIDAY CONCERT RINGS IN SEASON OF PEACE

The fourth and fifth grade students should be extremely proud of themselves; the holiday concert was bursting with a standing-room-only audience and a terrific line up of instrumental and vocal music. The talented staff, Ms. Verschilling, Mr. Gleason, and Ms. Chang have a noticeably wonderful rapport with the children and it shows on stage. The fifth grade orchestra even performed a piece from Handel's Messiah, a feat never attempted by an elementary school group.  It was beautiful.  The music was the perfect backdrop for the school's annual toy and food drives over the next two weeks.  With countless opportunities to give in our community, it is wonderful for the children to see what they alone can accomplish under their own roof as the enormous Gingerbread House fills with gifts and the hallways are lined with boxes of food. Well done, kids! 

FORTNIGHTLY CLUB HOSTS HOLIDAY LUNCH

The Fortnightly Club of Summit hosted a Holiday Luncheon Wednesday, December 8, and featured the work of the speaker, Valerie Moreno, regarding hand painted china. The group enjoyed carols on the piano courtesy of member Helen Workman, lunch, a small boutique, and collected toys for holiday giving. Many members left ringing in the spirit of the season after having won baskets for raffle, and shopping for unique gifts. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Twin Maples Historic Preservation Fund. Additionally, the Fortnightly Club maintains a Scholarship Fund for annual giving to Summit High Senior Girls each spring. The Club will also host a Holiday "Get Your Bells On" Cocktail Party on Friday, December 17 at Twin Maples, for $37.50 per person, with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music. Wrap up the last Saturday before the holiday with fun and festive good cheer. See invitation for RSVP details.

CPC ADVENT ARTS CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES FRIDAY

The Advent Arts Concert Series offers the second of three concerts Friday, December 10 at 12:15 p.m. for free in the church.  The third will be at the same time and place on Friday, December 17. Also, don't miss the Annual Messiah Sing on Tuesday, December 14 at 8 pm. For more information, contact Emily Campbell.